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Are Malamutes Good Pets?

The Alaskan Malamute is a large, imposing dog with a wolf-like appearance and features typical of the Spitz breed, such as a curved tail on its back, straight ears, a wedge-shaped head, and an extremely beautiful thick coat. 

are malamutes good pets
Are Malamutes Good Pets?

The coat of this type of dog can vary in different shades and colors. It can be white, light gray, and black, or have gold and red color combinations plus spots. Male Alaskan Malamutes tend to measure (in adulthood) between 64 cm to 71 cm, while females measure between 58 cm to 66 cm. As for its weight, it varies between 38 kg and 56 kg, whether male or female. 

This breed’s dogs are native to northwestern Alaska, thanks to a large nomadic Inuit tribe from the same place, which created these animals to pull large packages in extremely cold weather conditions. They are also excellent for hunting. 

Many people wonder if an Alaskan Malamute dog is a good pet for their homes since being a large canine, it can be very difficult to control and keep it as a house pet. 

Is It a Good Idea to Adopt an Alaskan Malamute Dog? 

First of all, an Alaskan Malamute will get along with an experienced pet owner. It will be happy in cooler weather and a place with plenty of open space to run and release its energy. If you can meet this breed’s needs, you will have a loving, intelligent, and highly trained companion for life, making it a great pet. 

These dogs are not very different from other canines of other breeds, as they all need the love of their owners. These animals are truly loving and affectionate, which tend to be very sensitive and emotional, requiring a lot of company and attention. 

If you want to acquire a dog of this breed, do not think too much about it, you simply have to be prepared for your new companion’s arrival and focus on training it and living a long and happy life with it. 

Characteristics of the Alaskan Malamute 

Alaskan Malamute: Amiability 

It is highly affectionate with its human family, strangers, and children. It likes to be around individuals and receive affection and pampering from them. 

The breed is not the only factor that influences the levels of affection and love in a dog. Those animals that have been raised in a home with people around them feel more comfortable bonding more easily. The Alaskan Malamute is like that, so you shouldn’t hesitate to adopt one. 

Alaskan Malamute: Adaptation 

It is a dog that does not adapt very well to apartment life. It is not even recommended that a novice owner acquire this dog since it can cause you a lot of problems if you do not know how to take care of it. 

This canine adapts to people who can spend a lot of time walking it and find it places to run and play. That way, they can spend several hours outdoors every day. 

It does not tolerate loneliness or hot climates, but it does like cold weather. However, never consider leaving this dog alone at home because it will not adapt to neglect as long as it is an extremely sensitive animal. 

Alaskan Malamute: Physical Needs 

The Malamute has a high energy level, so it will always be active and needs a lot of exercise and training. Remember that all canines love to run and play. This animal is no exception. 

This canine is intense when performing tricks and traversing obstacles. 

Alaskan Malamute: Hygiene and Health Needs 

It is a very large dog that sheds too much hair, so it is considered a disadvantage when buying a Malamute puppy. However, its overall health is excellent, but it does not mean that it is not prone to any health conditions. 

The Malamute is very tedious to groom because its coat is so long, thick, and abundant that it is difficult to properly maintain its physical shape. In this case, you would have to consider if you really have the time and patience for a dog of this breed that needs a lot of care or the money to pay someone else to do it. 

On the other hand, you would not have to worry about cleaning the floor every minute since the Malamute is not prone to drooling as much. 

Alaskan Malamute: General Training 

The Alaskan Malamute is an easy animal to train. That is because it is really smart and has the ability to follow commands with simplicity. 

It adores hunting small animals and can take long trips with its owners. However, it is a canine that tends to howl or bark at many things it sees in its field of vision. 

Alaskan Malamute dog
Alaskan Malamute dog

How Do I Know That an Alaskan Malamute Dog is a Good Pet? 

Malamutes can be great pets for very active family homes, but keep in mind that this animal’s large size, strength, and stamina means they are not the best breed for everyone. 

These animals should not be left unsupervised with children even though they are friendly with them. Similarly, they should not be left around elderly or vulnerable people, especially since these dogs have too much energy. 

On the other hand, if you are a person who enjoys exercising and going for a walk, a Malamute is perfect for you. These pets need a lot of training and physical exercise to satisfy their high energy levels. If you want a training partner who won’t tire quickly, a Malamute is ideal. 

Like all dogs, a Malamute loves the company of people and enjoys being challenged to use its intelligence. A bored or lonely canine of this breed will wreak havoc in your home and garden. That is why we recommend that you keep it entertained. It can be challenging to adopt such a pet as it takes consistency and patience, as well as constant exercise and lots of company. 

Another reason to consider this dog as a good pet is because of its barking. The Malamute is known to be quite vocal, generating lots of howls and barks. That can be both good and bad.

On the one hand, it is good because it keeps possible strangers and unwanted animals from your house when it barks. On the other hand, it is bad since their barking is so loud that it can be uncomfortable and unbearable for neighbors and people who walk near your house. 

Alaskan Malamute Pros 

  • It loves being and doing activities with its humans outdoors. 
  • It is incredibly friendly to everyone. 
  • The Malamute has great loyalty to its owners. 
  • It likes to play a lot and have fun. 
  • This animal is perfect for taking for walks in winter, as it loves cold weather. 
  • It barks at strangers or animals approaching its territory. 
  • If you feel sad or lonely, this dog will come up to you and snuggle up next to you to keep you company. 
  • Its love for its owner has no limits. 
  • If you like to train and exercise, this dog is the right one to spend your routine days. 

Alaskan Malamute Cons 

  • Its grooming is very complicated because of the large coat it has. That is because its fur is so thick and will need daily brushing to keep it comfortable. It may even need it twice a day in spring and fall, which is when it sheds the most. 
  • Its barks are very loud and stunning. 
  • If you are a person who does not like to be active, then it is a bad idea to adopt a dog of this type. 
  • It is a very large animal, so it is not recommended to keep it in a very small and narrow space. Malamute needs a spacious place to move there. 
  • This canine can suffer from health conditions such as hip dysplasia, chondrodysplasia, idiopathic polyneuropathy, daytime blindness, and cataracts. 
  • It is not a recommended pet for novice dog owners. 
  • It requires a lot of training and daily exercise. 
  • You can’t leave it alone for long because it hates loneliness and being away from its owners. If you plan to leave it at home while you are at work, you may observe some anxious and destructive behavior on its part. 
  • It is a dog that sheds a lot of hair due to its large double-layered thick coat. 
  • This dog likes to chew everything. 

The Alaskan Malamute has its pros and cons, but many people consider it a great pet. They think it is a good idea to have a large and imposing dog capable of driving away strangers and also an animal with a beautiful and bright physique. 

It should be noted that if you already have another dog at home, you should not worry about socializing between the two. That is because the Malamute gets along very well with other dogs and likes to establish a friendship with them. Perhaps this is because this breed is used to living and working in packs, making it a good choice of pet for a home with several dogs. 

stuart and his dog

Family Dog Expert Author

Hi there! I’m Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When I’m not writing for SirDoggie, you’ll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.