Is a Malamute or Husky Right for You?

While there are definite differences in the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky, both exhibit many of the same personality and temperament characteristics. These dogs aren’t for everyone.  Please just be honest with yourself before taking on the commitment to being owned by a Malamute or Husky for the next dozen years or so.  Check out the tabs in this section for specific information about Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies.
If you want a dog that:
  • May jump up and paws at you
  • Likes to wrestle with you
  • Countersurfs at will
  • Gnaws on the furniture
  • Begs for food
  • Keeps itself clean
  • Needs exercise daily
  • Mouths on you and your clothes, slippers, shoes
  • Is smarter than most people
  • Regularly has a case of the “zoomies”
  • Chews on shoes, clothing, cameras, credit cards, electrical cords, cables, socks
  • Digs – A LOT! NASA will be able to train astronauts on your lawn.
  • Chases (and catches) cats, squirrels, possums, birds, rabbits, etc.
  • Howls, woos, whimpers, talks and makes other grumbling Malamute/Husky noises
  • Lies around the house in your way
  • Follows you around like a shadow and wants to be with you always
  • Tries to dig under or go over/through your fence
  • Knocks your feet out from under you (or possibly your child’s!)
  • Is strong-willed and stubborn
  • Prefers a canine companion of comparable size (Mals need opposite gender)
  • Sheds year-round and blows its undercoat 1-2 times per year
  • Acts like a goofy clown and makes you laugh (expect surprises)
  • Loves people, all people, and may even invite the bad guy in.
  • May have genetic physical ailments later in life like cataracts or hip dysplasia
 
Then a Malamute/Husky IS right for you!
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If you want a dog that:
  • Listens and obeys your every command, especially “come”
  • Doesn’t re-landscape your yard
  • Will be protective and threatening to strangers
  • Eats and drinks out of the bowls cleanly
  • Can be let off leash and won’t run away
  • Will not howl out of loneliness
  • Gets along with your cat or other small pet without playing too rough
  • Doesn’t find joy in digging/rolling/splashing in the mud
  • Wants to be kept in the backyard away from people like a yard ornament
 
Then a Malamute/Husky is NOT right for you!

Please ask yourself...

Am I Willing to:
  • Devote the hours, energy and patience necessary to train this dog and constantly reinforce this training? 
  • Spend, at least, one hour per day exercising this dog? 
  • Comb and brush this dog, at least, several times each week? 
  • Live with, and clean up after, all the shedding that will occur? 
  • Take full responsibility for a thinking, living creature that depends solely on me? 
  • Spend time everyday playing with this dog? 
  • Accept the fact that my Malamute/Husky will probably not be a good watchdog? 
  • Accept that my Malamute may not get along with other dogs?
  • Accept that my Husky may quickly turn into Houdini?

Am I Able to:
  • Provide a clean, healthy living environment for the dog? 
  • Keep the dog in a cool climate/air conditioned home during warm months? 
  • Physically handle a very large, strong, energetic dog? 
  • Spend the money necessary for proper veterinary care and premium food? 
  • Bathe and de-shed the dog as needed or pay a groomer to do the job? 
  • Provide activities for this working breed so it can use its mind?
  • Make this commitment for the next dozen or more years? 
If you are honest with yourself and can answer a resounding “Yes” to these questions, then surely a Malamute and Husky will give you years of joy.  There are amazing rewards to having a Mal or Sibe as a companion, but they are not like other breeds and DO require work.

Please do your homework, and make sure this breed is right for you and your family! 
   Words to Live by:

                (1) Never punish an animal for being who it was born to be. 

                (2) Everything tastes better with dog hair in it.

                (3) Vigilance. Vigilance.

                (4) I was planning on buying new [shoes, pants, toys – take your pick] anyway.