Alaskan Malamutes are absolutely gorgeous dogs. It definitely has everything to do with the fact that they have that exotic wild wolf aesthetic perfectly paired with a man’s best friend personality. They were bred for use as working dogs for a very long time but have become more homebody, companion types over the last few decades.
Alaskan Malamutes are beautiful dogs that can cost you anywhere from $1,000 to $2,200. They are very popular and have a high price tag because of it. However, they are also huge and fluffy, so be prepared to pay around $300 to $400 per month for maintenance costs on mainly grooming and food.
If you are considering getting an Alaskan Malamute of your own, you have come to the right place for all the information you need on what to expect. But first, what is it about these dogs that makes them so pricey.
How Much Does It Cost To Buy An Alaskan Malamute?
You can buy an Alaskan Malamute from a trusted breeder especially if you want a purebred pup. In these cases, you would have to pay from $1,000 to $6,500.
With such a price range, it is safe to categorize Alaskan Malamutes as expensive dogs.
Here are some of the reasons why this is the case.
Alaskan Malamutes Make For Great Family Pets
Alaskan Malamutes are really good pets especially for families with children. They love the company of other humans and are always a lively and loving addition to any home. It may cost a pretty penny, but this alone is enough to justify the price tag.
Easy To Train And Live With
Alaskan Malamutes also stand out as great pets for first time owners. This is largely due to how easy they are to train. They are smart dogs and love to impress. They are also relatively easy to take care of.
Niche Aesthetic
Despite their very wild aesthetic, Alaskan Malamutes are not actually part wolf. At least not in the wolf hybrid dog breed sense. If you are into this exotic look, this is another attractive reason you should get an Alaskan Malamute despite the price.
A Big Dog With Big Needs
Alaskan Malamutes are relatively high maintenance. They eat a lot, need regular grooming, and so much more. This drives up the cost of owning one of these dogs at least in terms of maintenance expenses. However, if you weigh this against all the perks of being a Malamute parent, they are again more than worth it.
Can Malamutes Live In Hot Weather?
Alaskan Malamutes live for about 12 to 15 years.
However, Alaskan Malamutes can live for up to 15 when well taken care of and generally healthy.
One of the most important aspects of keeping an Alaskan Malamute healthy is maintaining a healthy weight range. Alaskan Malamutes weigh between 75 and 125 lbs.
In addition to maintaining this, you have to identify and deal with health issues as early as possible. Here are a few of the most common issues they face.
Heat Intolerance
Alaskan Malamutes are built for cold weather in every way from their metabolic rates to their coats. They therefore tend to be very uncomfortable and even risk getting heat stroke in very hot weather.
If you are raising your Malamute pooch somewhere hot, make sure to find ways to keep them cool. Malamutes love swimming so something like an inflatable pool would do wonders for them.
Zinc Deficiency
Alaskan Malamutes are genetically predisposed to zinc deficiency as a result of poor absorption of the mineral. This leads to several symptoms affecting skin, fur, and general health.
Hypothyroidism
This is another disease that affects Alaskan Malamutes more than many other dog breeds. It is also widely seen in its relatives including the Greenland Dog and the Siberian Husky. The most common signs in this case are thinning of the coat, weight gain, and reduced energy levels.
Cancer
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Alaskan Malamutes. It usually occurs in old age but has also been known to affect Malamutes in middle age around 5 to 7 years. Early detection and treatment are key to the dog’s survival.
How To Take Care Of Alaskan Malamute?
Alaskan Malamutes can be hard to take care of at first. However, once you understand your pooch’s needs and settle into a comfortable routine that works for the both of you, it is nothing but smooth sailing. Here are a few very important tips that will help you get there faster.
Keep Them Physically Stimulated
Alaskan Malamutes are working dogs that prefer the outdoors. It is therefore important to invest in keeping them physically stimulated if you want to keep them happy and healthy.
Alaskan Malamutes need about 2 hours of exercise every day. However, if you have the time and access, you can and should stay out for even longer. They will love it.
Give The Pooch Something To Work On
As intelligent, work-oriented dogs, nothing frustrates an Alaskan Malamute more than being idle. The best thing to do here is invest in things like dog puzzles or games that engage them not only physically but also mentally.
Get Them On A Balanced Diet
As we mentioned earlier, Alaskan Malamutes are big dogs with big needs. They have equally big appetites that you need to satisfy not only with the right amount but also the right quality of food.
Ideally, you should feed your Alaskan Malamute a balanced diet rich in proteins for muscle strength and also carbohydrates for energy. Vegetables, fruits, and essential fatty acids are also crucial for a well-balanced diet.
For that, we highly recommend Pet Plate. Its recipe is specially formulated by a certified vet nutritionist who knows what is best for your dog’s dietary needs. The formula is specifically made to provide a holistic nutritious meal every day for your dogs to grow healthily.
Supplement Crucial Micronutrients
One of the most important micros to cover in this case is zinc. They also need multivitamins for help with health needs including coat health and immunity.
Supplements come in very handy whether they are in the form of meal toppers or even soft chew treats. So make sure to invest in some of these even with the healthiest-seeming diet.
Are Malamutes Aggressive? Temperament Of Alaskan Malamute
While they are definitely easy on the eyes, the temperament of Alaskan Malamutes is by far the most endearing thing about the breed. Let us dive into some of their best qualities, so you know exactly what you are in for having one of these beauties in your home.
Affectionate And Loyal
Alaskan Malamutes form very strong bonds with humans around them. They tend to be very loyal and protective as they pretty much see you as family.
Quiet
There is a common misconception that Alaskan Malamutes are as vocal as the infamously loud Huskies. This couldn’t be further from the truth. These doggies are actually very quiet. This means they are not the best for use as guard dogs, but the peace of mind is definitely worth it all.
Intelligent
Alaskan Malamutes are very intelligent dogs. This is not just in terms of training and how easily they pick up on tricks and skills. They are just intuitively curious and smart dogs that are very easy to live with.
Instinctive Hunters
While these dogs get along really well with humans, they can be dangerous, especially to small animals, including pets like cats. It is, therefore, best to keep them on a leash, especially outdoors, as their hunting instincts can prove problematic.
Eager To Please
Alaskan Malamutes are very easy to train yourself if you don’t want to spend $250 to $500 in their first year for professional training, toys, and equipment. This is because of their responsiveness and general eagerness to please.
To aid and facilitate better training of your Alaskan Malamute, Brain Training for Dogs offers you all the tips and tricks you need to successfully train your Malamute whether it is potty training or new tricks.
Do Alaskan Malamutes Shed A Lot? Grooming Tips For Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamutes have thick coats that surprisingly do not shed very much. They do, however, have a coat “blow” twice a year during spring and fall where they shed very heavily.
Getting the dog groomed professionally will cost you about $85 to $100 per session of full grooming. However, you can actually do most of the work yourself with the right tools and schedule. Here are some tips that will help a lot.
Brush Their Coats Once Or Twice A Week
When it is not shedding season, brushing once or twice a week helps a lot to keep the coat healthy and your home as fur-free as possible. It also prevents matting especially if your dog spends a lot of time playing outdoors.
During shedding seasons, you might want to increase the frequency to about 4 times a week.
Bathe Your Alaskan Malamute Every 6 To 8 Weeks
Alaskan Malamutes are typically odorless. You therefore do not have to bathe them very often. Once every two months should be enough. However, you might want to do it monthly or every 2 weeks during summer. This is more for cooling the dog than for hygiene purposes.
Brush Teeth Regularly
Alaskan Malamutes are among the few dog breeds out there that may actually let you brush their teeth especially if trained to be comfortable with it from an early age. So take advantage of this as a way to keep their teeth clean and their mouths as healthy as possible. You can do this once or twice every week or even daily if you feel up to it.
Related Questions
What Is A Giant Malamute? Giant Malamutes are just Alaskan Malamutes that are intentionally bred to be large. The size variation usually weighs upwards of 100 lbs and can measure up to 28 inches in height or more. This variation tends to me more expensive not only to maintain but to buy. A Giant Alaskan Malamute puppy can cost you about $2,200 or even more.
Do Malamutes Have Blue Eyes? Alaskan Malamute eyes are typically brown in color. The actual shade of brown varies including dark, earthy hues and light, almost amber shades. Purebred Alaskan Malamutes do not have blue eyes. Those that do are usually Malamute mixes with the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky being the most common combination with the trait.
Are Red Malamutes Rare? Red Malamutes are relatively rare. This is especially when compared to other coat color combinations including black and white, gray and white, and sable and white. Like all the other variations, the Red Alaskan Malamute has a white underbelly, chest, lower jaw, and lower limbs. The rest of the body is a rusty reddish-brown.
