Alaskan Malamutes are beautiful dogs. They look like wolves, and they are friendly. They were bred to work, but now they are more often used as pets.
Alaskan Malamutes cost you anywhere from $1,000 to $2,200. They are trendy and have a high price tag because of it. However, they are also gigantic and fluffy, so be prepared to pay around $300 to $400 per month for mainly grooming and food maintenance costs.
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 excellent 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 mainly due to how easy they are to train. They are intelligent dogs and love to impress. They are also relatively easy to take care of.
Niche Aesthetic
Alaskan Malamutes have nothing to do with wolves despite their very wild aesthetic. At least not in the wolf hybrid dog breed sense. Their exotic look is another attractive reason people would pay a hefty sum for this dog breed.
A Big Dog With Big Needs
Alaskan Malamutes are relatively high maintenance. They eat a lot, need regular grooming, and more, which drives up the maintenance costs of owning one of these dogs. However, if you weigh this against all the perks of being a Malamute parent, they are 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.
It is also best 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 to handle cold weather. They have a high metabolic rate and a thick coat of fur. In hot weather, they can get uncomfortable. If you live in a hot area, find ways to keep your Malamute cool. One way is to get them swimming in an inflatable pool.
Zinc Deficiency
Alaskan Malamutes are genetically predisposed to zinc deficiency due to poor absorption of the mineral. This leads to several symptoms affecting the skin, fur, and general health.
Hypothyroidism
Another disease 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 critical 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 pup’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 essential tips to help you get there faster.
Keep Them Physically Stimulated
Alaskan Malamutes are working dogs that prefer the outdoors. Therefore, it is essential 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 to invest in things like dog puzzles or games that engage them physically and mentally.
Get Them On A Balanced Diet
As we mentioned earlier, Alaskan Malamutes are big dogs with significant needs. They have equally big appetites that you need to satisfy with the right amount and the right quality of food.
Ideally, it would be beneficial to feed your Alaskan Malamute a balanced diet rich in proteins for muscle strength and 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 nutritious holistic meal every day for your dogs to thrive.
Supplement Crucial Micronutrients
One of the essential micros to cover in this case is zinc. They also need multivitamins to 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 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 to know what you are in for having one of these beauties in your home.
Affectionate And Loyal
Alaskan Malamutes form solid bonds with humans around them. They tend to be very loyal and protective as they 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 very quiet.
Consequently, they are not the best for use as guard dogs, despite their size and wolf-like appearance
Intelligent
Alaskan Malamutes are pretty intelligent dogs. They pick up on tricks and skills and can be trained easily, and are curious 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.
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, to aid and facilitate better training of your Alaskan Malamute.
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 entire grooming session. However, you can 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 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.
You might want to increase the frequency to about 4 times a week during shedding seasons.
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 that may let you brush their teeth, especially if trained to be comfortable with it from an early age. So please take advantage of this 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 significant. The size variation usually weighs upwards of 100 lbs and can measure up to 28 inches in height or more. This variation tends to be more expensive to maintain and buy. A Giant Alaskan Malamute puppy can cost you about $2,200 or more.
Do Malamutes Have Blue Eyes? Alaskan Malamute eyes are typically brown. The actual shade of brown varies, including dark, earthy hues and light, almost amber shades. Purebred Alaskan Malamutes do not have blue eyes. Usually, those that do are 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 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.
