The Alaskan Malamute price tag is likely top-of-mind if you are thinking about bringing one home. And in addition to the initial price, you have to pay for an Alaskan Malamute, you will want to learn everything you can about the true cost of owning this beautiful, impressive breed.
In this article, we will explore everything from adoption fees to breeder prices to the cost of veterinary care and food for an Alaskan Malamute.
This article will help you determine whether or not you can afford the Alaskan Malamute price tag.
Is an Alaskan Malamute a Good Choice for You?
Before we explore the ins and outs of the Alaskan Malamute price, let’s first determine if this dog is a good match for your lifestyle.
What to Expect from the Alaskan Malamute Temperament?
The Alaskan Malamute temperament is rugged, athletic, intelligent, curious, and independent.
Many people adore this breed. However, the Alaskan Malamute is definitely not for everyone.
Keep in mind that Alaskan Malamutes were bred to haul heavy sleds across miles of icy tundra. These dogs are true canine athletes. They are working dogs and they need a job.
They do not do well in small city apartments. Alaskan Malamutes need space to run and play.
They need significant daily exercise and mental stimulation to prevent them from becoming bored and destructive.
They have a reputation for being escape artists, so a sturdy fence is a must.
Alaskan Malamutes have thick fur and they shed profusely. If you cannot handle dog fur, this is definitely not the breed for you.
However, if you are looking for a companion for outdoor activities, particularly cold-weather activities such as skiing or snowshoeing, you will not find a better companion than an Alaskan Malamute.
The Price of Purchasing an Alaskan Malamute Puppy from a Reputable Breeder
The average Alaskan Malamute price range from a breeder can be anywhere between $1000 and $2000. However, the Alaskan Malamute price tag can even reach over $6000 for top bloodlines.
If you choose to purchase an Alaskan Malamute puppy from a breeder, you will need to do careful research to make sure you acquire your puppy from a reputable breeder.
Unfortunately, there are many unscrupulous breeders out there who are just looking to make money by selling Alaskan Malamute puppies to unwitting buyers.
To find an ethical breeder, contact the Alaskan Malamute Club of America (AMCA) for a list of trusted Alaskan Malamute breeders in your region.
Checkout our Complete Guide to Breeders:
We wrote the definitive guide on finding, selecting, and dealing with dog breeders. This will give you the smarts and confidence to save you money, time and heartache. Read On…
Once you have identified a potential breeder, make an appointment to visit them in person and tour the facility.
Make sure you see the breeding dogs and where they are housed. Ask to see American Kennel Club papers, medical records, and the results of genetic testing.
A responsible breeder will encourage your visit. If a breeder does not want you to come to their property, this is a major red flag.
You can avoid working with bad breeders by making sure that you never purchase Alaskan Malamute puppies online or through a pet store.
Visiting the operation in person is the only way to be sure that you are working with a responsible and humane breeder.
Therefore, you will have to factor in some travel expenses to the total cost of the Alaskan Malamute puppy price when you choose to buy from a breeder.
The Cost of Adopting an Alaskan Malamute from an Animal Shelter, Humane Society, or Rescue Group
A great option for reducing costs is to go the route of adoption.
There are always Alaskan Malamutes in need of loving homes.
When you choose to adopt from a shelter, adoption center or rescue group, the cost will be significantly lower.
Typical adoption fees are generally between $75 and $300 depending on the organization. The adoption fee usually covers basic veterinary services such as spay/neuter and core vaccines.
You can find dozens of rescue groups that specialize in Alaskan Malamutes by visiting the website for the Alaskan Malamute Assistance League.
You can also search for adoptable Alaskan Malamutes on websites such as Facebook, Petfinder.com, Adoptapet.com, and Getyourpet.com.
Do not forget to visit your local animal shelter or humane society to put an application on file. It is not uncommon for animal shelters to receive Alaskan Malamutes or Alaskan Malamute mixes.
The Ongoing Costs of Alaskan Malamute Care
After you pay for your new Alaskan Malamute, there are still plenty of expenses in your future.
In this section, we will discuss the lifetime costs associated with Alaskan Malamute feeding, training, grooming, and medical care.
Monthly Alaskan Malamute Food Costs
Alaskan Malamutes are large, high-energy dogs. Therefore, they require a lot of high-calorie food on a daily basis.
An active, young Malamute can easily go through four cups of food per day.
You will want to budget at least $50 per month for feeding your Alaskan Malamute a top-quality diet.
Talk with your vet about the best dog food brands for your Alaskan Malamute.
The Cost of Training an Alaskan Malamute
Some people think that training is an optional part of dog ownership, but training is a crucial part of being a responsible dog owner.
Although it is possible to train your pet at home by yourself, it is more beneficial to bring your dog to a training class so that your dog can receive critical socialization with people and other dogs.
You will want to sign up for at least a beginner’s class with a positive reinforcement trainer.
A class usually costs about $100-$250 for 5 or 6 sessions.
After you complete the introductory class, you can sign up for more advanced classes including introductions to canine sports such as agility or nosework.
Participating in a canine sport is a great way to keep your Alaskan Malamute physically and mentally stimulated.
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For help with training your dog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog.
The Cost of Alaskan Malamute Grooming
Alaskan Malamutes have thick, heavy coats that require a lot of brushing and clipping.
Luckily, this is something that you can learn to do at home if you wish to save some money.
However, many Malamute owners choose to bring their Malamutes to a professional groomer once every few months for a sanitary cut or a de-shedding session.
This can cost between $50 and $100 per session depending on the groomer and the services you select.
Malamutes shed profusely throughout the year, so you will also want to invest in an excellent vacuum cleaner!
Other Alaskan Malamute Expenses
Alaskan Malamutes are very smart and they get bored easily. You will need to provide them with plenty of engaging, interactive toys to keep them occupied.
They also require a ton of daily exercise. If you work long hours, you may need to invest in a dog walker or a doggie daycare to help meet their exercise needs.
Alaskan Malamutes are notorious escape artists. Before you bring one home, have your fence checked and reinforced to make sure there are no escape exits.
The Cost of Alaskan Malamute Veterinary Care
One of the biggest expenses with any pet is the cost of medical care.
Routine Medical Costs
Your Alaskan Malamute will need to visit a licensed veterinarian at least once per year for an annual checkup and routine vaccinations such as the rabies vaccine and distemper vaccine.
A yearly wellness checkup can cost anywhere between $100 and $250 depending on the veterinary practice.
In addition to a yearly checkup, you will also need to budget for monthly heartworm prevention, flea prevention and tick prevention.
This can cost between $20 and $40 per month depending on the brands you select. The medications are dosed by weight, so you will have to purchase a large quantity since Alaskan Malamutes can easily weigh over 80 lbs.
Most dogs need dental cleaning every few years. A dental cleaning will probably cost over $300 for a large breed dog like an Alaskan Malamute.
Emergency Medical Costs
The above are just routine costs. They do not factor in emergency visits to the vet.
Alaskan Malamutes are prone to some genetic health concerns that require pricey emergency care.
For example, Alaskan Malamutes are prone to Hip Dysplasia.
Like most active dogs, they are also susceptible to bone fractures, knee problems and ligament tears.
If your pet requires emergency orthopedic surgery from a specialist, this will cost you thousands of dollars.
For this reason, you may want to investigate canine health insurance and see if this might be a good option for you and your Alaskan Malamute.
Conclusion: Can you Afford the Alaskan Malamute Price?
If you lead an active lifestyle, an Alaskan Malamute can make a great companion for you.
Just be sure that you can financially provide for your pet for their entire lifetime.
The biggest ongoing expenses with this rugged breed include the cost of food and medical care.
Allie has worked in the field of animal welfare for over ten years and as a freelance writer the space for many years. She has had many different kinds of dogs (and cats) throughout her life—all adopted. She currently shares her home with a lovable pit bull mix named Huckleberry.
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