what is it like to live with a malamute

Written in collaboration with Chelsea Murray and Vanessa Blackstone
THE GOOD
THE NOT SO GOOD
  • Absolutely adores people
  • Very attached to their owners, and becomes bonded with them when feels loved and respected 
  • Highly intelligent 
  • Generally very good looking, usually steals everyone’s spotlight!
  • Very emotionally in-tune with their people and other canine members of the family
  • Low maintenance coat - Considered a “wash and wear” requiring infrequent bathing. Coat does require minimal grooming year round and once a year a more extensive groom as they blow coat twice a year (except for Long Coats)
  • Generally a pretty healthy breed with a long life expectancy for such a large dog
  • Make excellent adventure friends enjoying hiking, biking, jogging, and more!
  • Food efficient - Do not need as much food as other large breeds of the same size
  • Personal play dogs, usually enjoy hands-on play over toy play
  • Pulling and packing skills - modernize their sledge ancestry by teaching them to pull carts of landscaping materials, groceries, or to pack your tent on camping trips
  • Generally not suitable for first time dog owners.
  • Sheds heavily twice a year when they blow their undercoat.
  • Sometimes prone to same-sex aggression
  • The instinct to pull is strong, as per their heritage. Need to be taught not to especially during walks.
  • Howling may be an issue depending on the neighbourhood, but not all Malamutes howl
  • High energy requirement! They were bred to pull heavy sleds over long distances so they require daily mental and physical exercise to keep them happy and well-mannered.
  • Average escape artists - not as skilled as Siberians and other breeds but still capable 
  • High prey drive, which may make them unsuitable companions for inexperienced homes with smaller pets 
  • Will not guard property/house
  • Strong dogs - can easily bruise or knock down humans during play if not taught how to play with people
  • Not natural retrievers or tuggers - they can learn these skills but it isn’t inherent to the breed
  • Risk of overheating in warm temperatures