Alaskan Malamute Price in India

Are you someone who’s been taken over by the Husky fever but desires a fluffier version instead? Well, let’s introduce you to just the dog of your wishes. Presenting the Alaskan Malamute, a husky but fluffier. 

The Alaskan Malamute is a tough-looking dog with a large frame and intimidating wolfy looks. But do not let the looks fool you; this dog breed is one of the most sociable and friendly canines ever. Unfortunately, these dogs will invite intruders without proper training in exchange for belly rubs and dog treats. 

However, as a prospective exotic breed owner, looks are probably not your biggest concern. In India, the breed popularity for this dog is fairly low and understandably so. Originating in the coldest region of the globe, Alaska, for this dog to do well in India is nothing short of a miracle. 

In order to accommodate this giant pooch into our tropical climate, there are countless things to keep in mind. We have discussed all the factors in this comprehensive guide. So let’s shorten the physical and emotional distance between you and the dog of your dreams. 

Can Alaskan Malamute Survive in India?

Not to water down your hopes, but this breed wasn’t bred to survive in a hot and humid climate. If you’re living in the northern mountainous regions of India, you can surely get a dog. But for someone sitting in Delhi’s high temperatures, getting this dog would be a mistake and a grave one at that. 

The dog’s grooming is still manageable if you can afford to keep the AC running 24/7. Keeping the dog in an AC room every time can increase your energy bills and cost you a lot.

Regarding grooming, the furry coat should not be shaved off to make the dog feel less hot. This is a common misconception that prevails among prospective exotic breed owners. However, shaving their coat isn’t a good idea if you want your dog to live a healthy life. 

How much does the Alaskan Malamute Dog cost in India?

The price of Alaskan Malamute depends on factors like the structure, bone, coat, health, quality, size, nature, and breed type. There are other factors like the breeder, availability, and location.

The price of the Alaskan Malamute starts from INR 1,50,000 and can go up to INR 3,50,000, making it a costly breed in India.

Factors that Influence the Buying Price of Alaskan Malamute in India

Alaskan Malamute Age: Buying A Puppy vs. An Old Dog 

Both Alaskan Malamute puppies and adults will make a great family, making it confusing to choose between. We recommend you go with the one whose needs you can fulfill and suits best with your family.

Puppies will need a lot of attention, care, training, and socialization to raise, which can be time-consuming for some owners. But you can raise your puppy according to your liking and shape them into amazing dogs from their initial years. Puppies aged 8-12 weeks are more expensive than adults.

Buying an adult dog means you can skip the part of training them because they are already prepared, socialized, and disciplined by their previous owner. But they can also be set in their way, resulting in bad habits and laziness. Dogs aged more than 12-14 weeks tend to cost less than puppies.

Adopting an Alaskan Malamute vs. Buying

Adopting a dog makes you feel like you are doing the right thing, providing a rescued dog with a loving home and love. 

This is a rare breed, and almost no breeder breeds them in India. Almost everyone imports from abroad. Hence, finding them in a shelter is almost impossible.

Finding a breeder is also very challenging.

Breeder Factor

The Alaskan Malamute is predisposed to various health conditions like Cataracts, Chondrodysplasia, Hypothyroidism, and Canine Hip Dysplasia.

Therefore, it is essential to ensure your puppy doesn’t have any of these conditions before bringing them home. You must ask for medical records of the puppy and its mother and do lots of research to ensure your puppy’s health.

Now comes the question of where to buy from. We have mentioned some options below for you. 

Buying an Alaskan Malamute from Puppy Mills

(Please don’t go with this option)

Puppy mills are breeding centers where many dogs are raised without proper nutrition and in unsanitary conditions. The owners are not certified or registered and only want to profit. 

They try to trick people by offering low prices, but it later costs you a lot bringing an unhealthy puppy at home, risking theirs and your family’s health. We suggest you be cautious of such unethical breeders.

Buying an Alaskan Malamute from Pet Shops

Buying from pet shops is a good option but not always the best one. Some pet shop owners buy puppies from puppy mills or only buy the puppy by separating it from its mother, which is unsuitable for the puppy’s health.

It would help if you asked for medical records of the puppy and its mother, the breeder they are brought from, and ask to see the puppy with its mother. If all these things check out, it is safe to buy from these pet shops. But don’t rush into buying a puppy, be patient with your decision.

Buying an Alaskan Malamute from Middleman or Brokers

You can hire mediators or brokers if you don’t have the time to research a reputable breeder or pet shop. They will help you directly contact the breeder and charge 10% to 20% commission for their services, adding up to your expenses. You should ensure the credibility of the breeder before cutting a deal. 

Buying an Alaskan Malamute from Reputable breeders

A legitimate breeder will be licensed and registered with the State Animal Welfare Board. They will provide your puppy’s medical records and a vet checkup schedule and answer all your questions. They will even let you meet the puppy and its mother and give a warranty if you stumble upon any problem in the future.

Puppies tend to cost more when buying from reputable breeders, but it is well paid for in exchange for a healthy and safely bred puppy. 

Although, it may be quite some time before you find such a breeder. Due to their rarity, non-native origin, and high breeding costs, Indian breeders do not find Alaskan Malamute an easy breed to rear. 

Questions to Ask A Breeder

We have listed some questions you should ask your breeder so that you can choose your breeder wisely.

• Ask if the parents are certified and registered with KCI.
• Ask for parents’ medical records and if they had any health issues in the past.
• Ask about the veterinary visits of the puppy and what they are feeding him.
• How long have they been a breeder, and what can they tell you about this breed?
• If the puppies are vaccinated, dewormed, and socialized yet.

Gender

Gender can be a deciding factor for the price of your Alaskan Malamute. Generally, males are sold at higher prices than females as males are more prominent, energetic, cheerful, and territorial than females. But the price difference isn’t consequential. Both genders will make excellent pets; you must decide which gender works best for you and your family.

Size

Males are more significant than females as they stand 25 inches high and weigh up to 85 pounds, whereas females stand 23 inches and weigh up to 75 pounds. The bigger and more athletic your dog, the more the price is one of the reasons why males cost more than females.

Mix Breed or Purebred

People usually opt for purebred Alaskan Malamutes because they are healthier and have fewer chances of health issues than mix-bred Alaskan Malamutes. However, It doesn’t mean all mix-bred dogs are deficient or have health problems; you can find a healthy mix-bred dog with the right breeder; it just takes time and patience.

Naturally, this affects the price of your dog; the closer it is to its breeding standards, the higher the price.

Bloodline

A dog’s bloodline represents its ancestry and ancestral characteristics. The closer your dog is to its bloodline, it ensures good behavior like obedience, intelligence, and a healthy dog with a good temperament and longer lifespan.

Coat Colours and Markings

Alaskan Malamutes come in different colors like grey and white, black and white, and sable and white, which affects their price. If you buy unique colors like red and white, it costs more.

Alaskan Malamutes have a thick double coat, and often double coat breeds cost more than single-coat ones.

Location

The general trend for pricing of any breed is that, in metro cities like Bangalore and Chennai, it tends to be expensive, inclining towards the high end of the spectrum. In contrast to rural areas, where the prices tend to be low. However, due to the exotic nature of the breed, pricing would be nearly the same, as one would have to import them from a different country. 

Certification and Warranties

Sometimes asking for your breeder’s license is not enough to decide if they are credible or not. Some breeders show fake licenses and certificates to gain your trust and trick you.

It would help if you asked for KCI certifications of the puppy’s parents, met the vet they have been taking your puppy to, and verified all the facts yourself. It can be time-consuming but will ensure the breeder’s credibility and your puppies.

Yearly Keeping or Maintenance Cost of owning an Alaskan Malamute

The responsibility of owning an Alaskan Malamute requires maintenance of your pet throughout the year by giving them nutritious food, vaccinations, preventive medications, regular visits with the vet, accessories, and much more.

Owing to their large size, the yearly maintenance cost of the Alaskan Malamute can go anywhere between INR 1,00,000 to INR 2,00,000, much higher than the maintenance of other breeds. Similarly, expect your electricity bill to shoot up exponentially when you run AC 24/7. This breed’s thick fur coat sustains them in a temperature below -70 degrees. 

Dog Food Factor

Alaskan Malamute is a big dog that needs a balanced diet to increase its overall growth and prevent them from catching several diseases. You can either feed them homemade food or store-bought food. But remember that Alaskan Malamute puppies will need 4-5 meals daily in their developing years. In contrast, adults will need two proper meals daily, depending on their size and nutritional needs.

Your dog’s food expenses will be major throughout their lifespan. We recommend you feed your dogs a mixture of homemade and store-bought food and not depend solely on one to create a balanced diet. You should be cautious of the foods your dog is allergic to and take them to the vet if you have any questions or difficulties feeding them.

Commercial food will cost you between INR 9,000 to INR 12,000 a month.

Vet Factor

Veterinary care will be another must expense while taking care of your pup. Puppies will require more vet visits due to their developing immune system and lack of strength to fight diseases compared to adult dogs with the developed immune system.

We have mentioned all the medical expenses recurring and one time for you below.

Vaccination Cost

Alaskan Malamutes are prone to several diseases during their early years and throughout life. Vaccines are a must for your dog’s and loved ones’ health. You should confirm from your breeder if your dog is fully vaccinated or not. Otherwise, we recommend you complete all the leftover vaccinations before bringing thee home. Vaccinations can cost between INR 700 to INR 2,000 depending on the vaccine and how many times it needs to be taken.

Neutering or Spaying Surgery Cost

Suppose you don’t want your Alaskan Malamute to reproduce further. In that case, you can go for neutering/spaying surgeries to get your reproductive organs removed. These surgeries should be performed by experts only; we do not recommend trying them at home. A neutering surgery can cost between INR 10,000 to INR 15,000.

Deworming Cost

Your dog can act as a host to several worms like roundworms, tapeworms, and much more, which can lead to severe issues if left untreated. Owners must be cautious of dehydration, blood in stool, weight loss, and vomiting to indicate worms in their pets. 

You can take your dog to a vet for deworming or do it home after consulting with your vet. Deworming tablets can cost between INR 100 to INR 300. 

Preventive Medications Cost

Avoiding illness is better than treating it. Illness can be avoided by regular visits to the vet and addressing your dog with preventive medications at home—some of which we have mentioned below.

Antiseptic Spray, Cotton, and bandages- These will be the most needed items when caring for your dog after they get an injury from playing outside or stumbling on things around the house. It can cost up to INR 500.

Ear drops- To avoid getting ear infections, we recommend you use ear drops to treat inflammation and redness in your dog’s ears. It can cost anywhere between INR 150 to INR 300.

Ticks and Flea Powder- Like humans, dogs are susceptible to infections or health problems from parasites. Ticks and Flea Powder cost between INR 200 to INR 400.

Housing and Confinement Cost

Just like we need a comfortable bed to sleep and relax in, so do our pets.

We recommend you buy a crate for puppies and a proper bed for your adult dogs. Crates for puppies can be carried as carriers too during traveling, which costs between INR 1,000 to INR 2,000, whereas beds for adult dogs cost between INR 1,000 to INR 2,500.

Accessories Cost

You will need accessories to tame your dog’s unique personality and habits, which will help raise an efficient and well-behaved dog. There are a lot of accessories available to help ease your job. We’ve mentioned some of them below for you. 

Collar and Leash

Collar and Leashes are a must to control your dog while you are out for morning or evening walks. You need to check the material, size, durability,

Comfort level according to your pet and what suits them the best.

We recommend you buy a collar and leash instead of buying them individually. It is less expensive and costs between INR 1,000 to INR 2,000.

Training Harness

A training harness will help you control your dog and its movement or even help them not escape your control during walks or outdoor activities. It reduces putting all the stress on your dog’s neck and helps both of you. It can cost between INR 800 to INR 2,000.

Toys Cost

Toys are not just for playing; they help in physical and mental stimulation, help in dental hygiene by chewing, and can act as an outlet for their behavior. There are a variety of toys to choose from, but you must be mindful of your dog’s safety. Toy costs between INR 500 to INR 1,000, but it depends on how frequently and often you buy.

Grooming Cost

Besides making your dog look their best, grooming has other benefits. It ventilates their coat, removes old and damaged hair, ensures your dog’s skin can breathe, and keeps grease on their coat. 

You can either go to a professional to groom your pet which can cost up to INR 2,000, or opt to groom your dogs at a cheaper home and give you bonding time.

You will need to buy the right tools for your in-home grooming sessions: nail clippers, shampoo and conditioner, brush, towels, and much more. It is a one-time investment that can be reused for longer durations and is cheaper. The average one-time investment amount is INR 1,000.

Walker Cost

Alaskan Malamutes are energetic dogs that need a lot of daily walks to keep their exercise routine in check. Taking your dog on daily walks will also help you exercise, but if you don’t have the time to walk your dog, we suggest you opt for walking services to keep your dog’s health and power levels in check. With that said, it’s crucial to remember that these giants can’t tolerate heat. Overworking them is not ideal.

A walker service price depends on the area you belong to, but it generally costs between INR 1,500 to INR 5,000 a month.

Training and Socialising Class Cost

Alaskan Malamutes can be very stubborn and overprotective of their family to the point they can attack people. If not subjected to routine exercises, they can get health issues like thyroid and obesity.

Teaching your dog how to be obedient and making them socialize with your family is essential. If you don’t have the time to devote to training your pet, we suggest you hire a training professional to do the job for you. The average training cost for your Alaskan Malamute can cost between INR 18,000 to INR 22,000.

Treat Cost

Treats not only help as rewards while training your dog but are a source of extra nutrition. Long-lasting treats fight boredom and destructive behavior, and dental treats help your dog’s dental hygiene.

You can use homemade treats like cheese, meat, or boiled eggs, which are relatively cheaper than commercial treats that cost up to INR 500 to INR 1,000 a month.

Insurance Cost

Insurance for your pet helps cover your pet’s healthcare in case of accidents or general treatment, saving you from high expenses. Some companies provide additional coverage in case of theft or loss of your dog.

Travel Cost

Suppose you travel a lot and want your dog to accompany you. In that case, you will need to keep a hefty amount aside for traveling as traveling can be expensive and cost up to INR 30,000 for domestic flights and between INR 2,00,000 to INR 3,00,000 for international flights.

It will require you to abide by the airline’s policies, find hotels that allow dogs, and take care of your dog while traveling, which can be troublesome and affect your dog’s health.

Daycare Cost

Daycares are the best options to take care of your dog while you are away for a few days or are unable to due to long office hours. Professional daycare offering AC services and competent care for an exotic breed such as this will be your best option.

Daycare charges depend on the location and number of hours/days you need your pet to stay there. A service that checks all the points mentioned above will cost you anywhere between INR 2000-4000 per day. 

Registration Cost

Registering your dog before it’s bred or exported is mostly the breeder’s responsibility. But you must ensure this before buying your Alaskan Malamute puppy.

If both parents are registered, non-members’ fees are INR 500 and INR 400 for members. If the parents are unknown, it is INR 1,00 for non-members and INR 800 for members.

If one or both parents are imported dogs from another club, non-members’ fees are INR 500 and INR 400 for members.

Registering your Alaskan Malamute puppy with KCI (Kennel Club of India) will cost you more than any other registration cost.

Miscellaneous

You might need other items like food and water bowls, puppy pee pads, a poop bag, storage containers, and dog clothes for winters which can add up to INR 3,000 to INR 4,000 in your expenses.

Hidden and Related Costs of an Alaskan Malamute Puppy Ownership

We have discussed every expense you will need to make in a year, from buying the Alaskan Malamute to taking care of it. However, an essential cost of owning a puppy is your time, patience, consistent efforts, and lots of love and affection they will demand in their initial years. It might be hard for first-time owners even after all the possible help. But, you will need to make efforts while raising this breed, which will be worth it as you get a loving, trained, and healthy adult in your growing years.

Essential Things to Consider Before Buying an Alaskan Malamute

• Hot climate- They can’t thrive in hot climates because of their oversized furry coats. If you are raising them in an apartment, they will need a fully air-conditioned house to survive.
• Shedding- Their furry coat leads to shedding their entire coat twice a year. You must brush weekly and be ready to find a lot of dog hair everywhere in your house.
• Exercise- They love exercise and outdoor activity. If not given routine exercise, they tend to throw tantrums, get moody and might get obese and get other health issues.
• Take control- If you don’t establish you are the house owner, Alaskan Malamute might swiftly take the position and be in control. They need a firm leader to lead them.

Benefits of Bringing an Alaskan Malamute Puppy at Home

Besides being your furry ball of sunshine that is playful, energetic, and loves your unconditionally wither cuddles. There are several other benefits of owning The Alaskan Malamute. We have mentioned some of these below for you.

• Intelligence- They are knowledgeable, whether completing a task or sensing danger. Alaskan Malamutes are independent thinkers and rely on their instincts when making decisions which is helpful while training them.
• Family dog- They are affectionate and loving making them a great pet around children. They have a strong pack instinct, want to be included in the family, and love to be around.
• Loyalty- Their pack mentality makes them profoundly rooted and attached to their family members. They are highly loyal and tend to be protective of their loved ones.
• Energetic-They are full of energy; being around them will cheer up your mood after a long day. They are great companions for outdoor as well indoor activities.

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