Alaskan Malamute 101 - Pros and Cons of Owning

If you're considering adding an Alaskan Malamute to your family, it's important to weigh the pros and cons to ensure it's the right choice for you. Alaskan Malamutes are intelligent, affectionate, and loyal dogs with a strong work ethic, but they also have specific needs that can make them challenging for some owners.

Pros:

Alaskan Malamutes are affectionate and loyal companions, often bonding strongly with their owners and making great family pets.
They are highly intelligent and trainable, excelling in activities like obedience, agility, and sledding.
Malamutes are a great fit for active owners who love spending time outdoors, as they require plenty of exercise and love to play.
These dogs have a thick, warm coat that makes them well-suited to colder climates, and they love to be outside even in the winter months.

Cons:

Alaskan Malamutes have a strong prey drive and can be aggressive toward other animals, including smaller dogs and cats.
They require a significant amount of exercise and stimulation, and may become destructive or anxious without enough activity.
The thick coat of an Alaskan Malamute requires regular grooming and shedding can be significant.
These dogs can be independent and stubborn, making them a challenge to train for inexperienced owners.

Overall, Alaskan Malamutes can make wonderful pets for the right owners who are willing to meet their specific needs. However, it's important to consider both the pros and cons carefully before making a decision to ensure that an Alaskan Malamute is the right fit for your lifestyle and home.

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[paulmutter]

When I was 9 y/o in 1984, my family moved from Missoula MT to NC. In mountainous Montana, I didn't have neighbors, much less friends beyond school. Bridgette was my best an mostly only friend. From what my parents remember, she was the runt of a litter of Malamute pups, but she stuck by me each an every day, without a leash or chain, she was always there. We had a wild horse ranch within 50 yards from our front porch, but she would follow me anywhere an protected me from any wildlife/bullies/anything. But she was the sweetest to me. We had a game where I would pull a blanket over me anywhere in the house an call here name an she would howl an then come looking for me, an nuzzle the blanket I was under. That's the first an best memory I have of her.
At the age of 50, I still have her collar. R.I.P., Bridgette

[lilac._]

3:37 My old malamute grew up with me and my twin brother. He was amazing with us and never tried to hurt us. He was the most gentle and sweet dog ever.

[rockhound]

Malamutes aren't barking dogs but they do "talk", pay attention to their language, they will express what they want. (My Mal would go into the back yard getting the neighborhood dogs barking then just sit and listen them.) Malamutes shed a lot, even more in warmer climates (will require brushing 3-5 times a week). On the other side, bathes are 2-4 times a year, they groom themselves like a cat. Don't bath them too much, they require the oils to maintain their coats. While they are big dogs they are puppies at heart thus they can knock down small kids and eldery by accident.

[JohnJKelly-ofdc]

I had one for 15 years, she passed away a few days ago. She hasn't been active in a few years. She was a good dog.

[mtv]

My neighbors had two malamutes who I would visit before and after school. They were so warm and sweet. I remember them being very gentle and affectionate toward me despite my neighbors not having kids. I thought they were these two poofy love-muffins.

[Anon.User.]

They are strong; my puppy is 6 months old / 75lbs. When excited, he pulls the leash like a beast. I love it (I'm a strong-built man), but not for everyone.

[charlesharper]

My Atilla had a Great Dane for a playmate. The two old farts played like puppies till the end. The Same died at 10 while playing with Atilla.
His heart gave out. Atilla wasn't the same. He severely missed his buddy, Horsefly. Atilla gave up the ghost at 15. 💔

[cmcer]

BTW they like to howl and talk, not so much bark. When blowing their coat, you will need a Large trash bag to handle the volume. I was once a member of the Alaskan Malamute Protection League (AMPL) many years ago where just to adopt a Mal was an extensive process which I had to go through myself when I adopted my Mals, but it was worth it to have such wonderful companions.

[charlesharper]

I inherited mine. Atilla. Named after his owner that passed away. His name was Bearski. He would not answer to that. He heard me cuss his former owners name. He answered to it. So, his name became Atilla. He refused to be a pet. But he was my pal and companion 24/7.
He was 15 when he passed. Rest in peace buddy. See you soon.

[navalukthrasher]

Alaskan Mahalut (Malamutes) do NOT HAVE BLUE EYES.

[Fenrispro]

Dawang channel is one of the best-- yes he's funny, active, love food, social

[jeffreyhusack]

I owned a large breed Malamute named Yukon he was 125 lb he was I believe a little bit over 12 years old.
Have another Malamute now his name is Kodiak he is 100 lb and was just 4 years old love them both❤

[thememelord]

You were off about their weight my male Alaskan Malamute Fenrir is 134 pounds and eats about 40 pounds of food a month

[nsjet]

A neighbour wants to get rid of their Malamute. I have been taking it for walks as it's largely neglected during the day. They asked if I want the dog. I would take it in a heart beat but I have a cat (had for 10 years). I don't know if I can ever introduce them. I want to consider both their well beings. The dog is super sweet and very chilled with other dogs and people. Not sure what to do.

[BoozeBlues]

All my Mally’s do what I would best describe as hooting each and every time we step out . . I call it their “Hello World” we’re here. The female’s concept of exercise is to lots of “meet and greet” and then home, whereas the male’s idea is to chase the birds into flight 😂
Dietary needs are actually quite small portions but of good quality, and the outcome is of little out coming 😂
Love them all, even the daily fluff sweep up is no big deal, and as for grooming which they enjoy . . . I manage them each and every time their harnesses are put on. They are such a joy and all the local children find them loveable and respectfully safe. Mine are actually more watchful of adults and in particular the males. They know you if you know them, my male roused me out of a stroke . . How intuitively clever my medical team stated even though he wouldn’t allow the male member of the emergency team across the threshold ❤

[philipbriney]

They are also domonant and have strong prey drive.

[heathermanion]

Not all malamutes Barker and they're not as energetic as a Siberian husky malamutes can become in the house and outside unlike the husky that is more crazy with energy

[tomlopatto]

Expensive to feed only if you have more than 1, and insurance? Mals are usually extremely healthy and live a long life for a large breed dog, if you have an active life style you will find they are fine. If you talking about using them for sledding sure, but this is a general topic video and most people are getting them for family pet purposes, so get it from a good breed, you’ll be fine for 15 amazing years, some cases longer. They aren’t for everybody, but if you are active and want to work, that dog will live every moment for you and it’s always a special moment. You’ll change with the dog, I have lost weight and are way better shape thanks to Luna. I’d say a Malamute is for someone who is willing to change and go that extra mile, but trust me it’s for the betterment of both not one.

[lilac._]

3:13 that dog is NOT a malamute, or at least it’s mixed. they don’t have blue eyes.

[kandiceblu]

Did you see those photos of Phil and Nico in this video from "Life with Malamutes "...just saying..