The costs associated with owning a vet can be mind-boggling. They are often hard to put your finger on and if you’re looking at raising and owning an Alaskan Malamute, there are a lot of things to take into consideration. Some of the points we talk about below may not have even crossed your mind. From the costs of purchasing the dog itself to grooming and vet expenses to insurance, supplies, and food, you’ll understand it all by the end of this article.
While the cost of an Alaskan Malamute can vary between $500 to $2,500 it’s important to know that a lot of factors can affect the initial cost of the dog. An average cost per year for a Malamute is around $1,850, this is usually considerably more during the first year especially if you decide to get a puppy. All these average costs are based on the essentials, this doesn’t include any emergency procedures or extra costs like spay/neuter procedures or dog boarding/walking services.
We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help take the stress off your shoulders when it comes to estimating costs. We know that deciding to get a four-legged companion for your family has been a tough decision and one that’s not been taken lightly. So we’ll answer your most pressing questions – how much is an Alaskan malamute? – and more throughout this guide.
How Much Does An Alaskan Malamute Puppy Cost?
You just have to do a short search online and you’ll find that the price of a Malamute puppy can range from between $500 to more than $3000. While this does seem like a very broad price range there are several factors that can affect their cost. The average cost however is estimated at around $975.
You can expect to pay around $3000+ if your puppy is purebred with documents to confirm this. While you may be considering buying from a reputable breeder, these do come with additional costs and are often fairly high, however, it is often worth considering rehoming or adopting an Alaskan Malamute. The costs associated with rehoming and adoption are considerably lower at between $50 to $500 dollars. It is always best to purchase a dog from reputable breeders and local shelters. This minimizes the risks of getting a dog with serious health problems right from the get-go.
Are Malamutes Expensive?
Alaskan Malamutes feature within the top 10 most expensive dog breed list by Review Journal. Their average cost is around $975, however, that’s just for the dog alone. That doesn’t take into consideration pet insurance, vet expenses, accessories, or food costs.
It’s estimated that within the first year of owning a malamute you will spend around $4,275 but this could increase to upwards of $6000 depending on whether you take them to the groomers regularly, or you require a dog walker 5 times a week. You’re looking to spend anywhere between $1,800 and $10,000 a year to look after your pooch. That’s an average cost of between $24,000 and $100,000 for the entirety of your Alaskan Malamutes life.
What Factors Affect The Price Of A Malamute?
There are several factors that can affect the price of an Alaskan Malamute. We’ve listed the most common ones below:
Pure Bred or Mixed – Mixed or crossbreed malamutes are often sold at a lower price than purebred ones.
Bloodline and Breeder Reputation – This is extremely important. A reputable breeder tends to invest more money into looking after the dogs they are breeding. If they are breeding from purebred show quality dogs the price will be considerably higher than those breeders who are just looking to make a quick buck and aren’t concerned for the welfare of their animals.
Registration Documents/Pedigree – Some breeders are part of kennel clubs, the most well-known is the American Kennel Club (AKC). Breeders may also have their dogs registered which adds to their costs.
Health Screening/Medical Expenses – Serious breeders will often make sure that their dogs and puppies are evaluated/tested for different medical conditions. Some will even take their pups to the vets for an exam, deworming, vaccines, and microchip prior to selling them. All these additional things will increase the price of your Malamute.
Training and Socialization – Before breeders sell their dogs, some like to make sure that they complete basic training and socialization. Although this does raise the price of the dog it will potentially mean you make a saving as you won’t necessarily need to invest in training for basic commands and it gives you a better chance of a well-behaved malamute.
Breeders Location – Local supply and demand will have a big impact on the cost of your Malamute. For example, smaller dogs are more popular in metropolitan areas when spaces are smaller, some breeds are more in demand in cold climates, some breeds are more in demand where hunting is popular. You get the idea. While it is worth taking a look at prices across different areas, it is risky to buy a dog without having seen it and the breeder in person first.
Age – Most people want to get their dogs as early and as young as possible. You’ll find that the older the Malamute is the lower the price.
Coat Colour/Markings – For any breed, certain coat colors are more popular than others. When the trend and interest for a particular color coat increases, the price of the puppy goes up. Think supply and demand again. This is extremely important to know when it comes to purebred dogs, as only specific colors and color combinations are accepted by many kennel clubs. Dogs with rare colors can be very expensive.
| Price Range ($) | Main Criteria for estimated Price |
| 500 – 800 | Standard pure breed/could be a crossbreed, breeder only partially registered. |
| 800 – 2000 | High level of pure breed, beautiful fur color, lovely appearance and have basic training. Breeder fully American Kennel Club registered. |
| 2000+ | Highly experienced breeders, Fully American Kennel Club registered. Parents of the puppy may be competition-winning dogs. |
Additional Costs Associated With Raising An Alaskan Malamute
Now you have a greater understanding of how much your Alaskan Malamute puppy is going to cost you, you’ll want to consider some supplies and other additional costs. Supplies like leads, crates, dog beds, toys, and grooming brushes will all cost you more the first year than any subsequent years after that. Food, pet insurance, and vet expenses are all additional costs that are a little harder to estimate. The table below shows you the price range and average cost of the most essential items to get before you bring your Malamute home for the first time.
| Supplies | Price Range | Average Cost |
| Food & Water Bowls | $10 – $40 | $20 |
| Dog Collar | $10 – $40 | $20 |
| Leash | $5 – $30 | $15 |
| Dog Bed (48” to 60”) | $30 – $110 | $70 |
| Dog Crate (48” to 60”) | $50 – $165 | $100 |
| Dog Poop Bags | $6 – $40 | $23 |
| Toys | $9 – $400 | $40 |
| Grooming Brushes | $6 – $45 | $25 |
The cost of dog food varies depending on the brand and whether you feed them wet food or kibble or a combination of both. It’s always worth checking with the breeder what they have been feeding your pup before you get it. This way you can make sure to continue with the same brand. Asking a vet’s advice and doing your own research is always a good idea so that you know the right amount to feed them and which food will provide them with the most nutritional benefits. Some dog owners have switched their pets to a raw food diet, while this can be beneficial for some dogs it’s worth noting that it isn’t the case for all dogs and it can be a more expensive option. So be sure to do your research before trialing this.
There will be other costs involved when it comes to looking after your malamute, insurance is one of those costs that varies hugely. Most companies that offer pet insurance will allow you to pay this either monthly or yearly, paying yearly often gives you a slightly cheaper cost overall. Vet bills are also difficult to estimate as they rely on a lot of variables.