Breed Comparison: Alaskan Malamute Versus German Shepherd Dog

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Alaskan Malamute Versus German Shepherd Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Alaskan Malamute and for the German Shepherd Dog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Alaskan Malamute or the German Shepherd Dog.

Alaskan Malamute versus German Shepherd Dog: Overview

Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog are similar in size. The Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog are both large-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Alaskan Malamute belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the German Shepherd Dog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Alaskan Malamute versus German Shepherd Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Alaskan Malamute to the German Shepherd Dog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog

FactorAlaskan MalamuteGerman Shepherd Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/53/5
Good For Novice Owners1/52/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Easy To Groom1/55/5
Height1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sh1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall
Life Span12 to 15 years10 to 14 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Dog Friendly2/52/5
Kid-Friendly3/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/54/5
Does NOT chew on things3/51/5
Easygoing2/51/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
General Health4/54/5
Easy To Train4/55/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Low Prey Drive2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather5/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/54/5
Does NOT Shed1/51/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/54/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor1/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Weight75 to 100 pounds75 to 95 pounds
Average Lifespan13.5 years12.0 years
Average Price$1580$1280
Price Range$950 – $2000$800 – $1500
Temperament Score84.8 percent85.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • POLYNEUROPATHY
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annually until age 6, every 2 years thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Temperament Test
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)503

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Alaskan Malamute in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the German Shepherd Dog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Alaskan Malamute is 63 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the German Shepherd Dog is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the German Shepherd Dog is a better pet than the Alaskan Malamute. So, you should get the German Shepherd Dog!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog

    Below is a list of where the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog are most different:

    • Alaskan Malamutes require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.
    • Alaskan Malamutes have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, German Shepherd Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    The Similarities Between the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog

    The Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog are most similar:

    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog are very easy to train.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Alaskan Malamute versus German Shepherd Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog.

    Alaskan Malamutes weigh 75 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Alaskan Malamutes are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sh when fully grown.

    On the other hand, German Shepherd Dogs weigh 75 to 95 pounds when fully grown. German Shepherd Dogs are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Alaskan Malamute versus German Shepherd Dog

    The lifespan of Alaskan Malamutes is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Alaskan Malamutes is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of German Shepherd Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Shepherd Dogs is 12.0 years.

    Alaskan Malamutes live longer than German Shepherd Dogs.

    Temperament of the German Shepherd Dog Versus the Alaskan Malamute

    The German Shepherd Dog has a better temperament than the Alaskan Malamute.

    This is because the temperament score for the German Shepherd Dog is 85.3 percent while the temperament score for the Alaskan Malamute is 84.8 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 84.8 percent, the Alaskan Malamute has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 85.3 percent, the German Shepherd Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog by measuring the temperaments of 244 Alaskan Malamutes and 3383 German Shepherd Dogs.

    Price of Alaskan Malamute versus Price of German Shepherd Dog

    The average price of the Alaskan Malamute puppy is $1580. The price of the Alaskan Malamute typically ranges from $950 – $2000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 199 Alaskan Malamute puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the German Shepherd Dog puppy is $1280. The price of the German Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $800 – $1500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1776 German Shepherd Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Alaskan Malamute is more expensive than the German Shepherd Dog.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Alaskan Malamute and German Shepherd Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Alaskan Malamute puppies or how many German Shepherd Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Alaskan Malamutes. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Alaskan Malamutes. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shepherd Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shepherd Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Alaskan Malamute puppy or the German Shepherd Dog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Intelligence of the Alaskan Malamute versus the Intelligence of the German Shepherd Dog

    `
    Alaskan Malamute German Shepherd Dog
    Intelligence Rank 50 out of 130 dog breeds 3 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Alaskan Malamute has an obedience intelligence rank of 50 out of 130 dog breeds. The Alaskan Malamute belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Alaskan Malamutes tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The German Shepherd Dog has an obedience intelligence rank of 3 out of 130 dog breeds. The German Shepherd Dog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that German Shepherd Dogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The German Shepherd Dog is more intelligent than the Alaskan Malamute.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    Health Problems of Alaskan Malamute versus Health Problems of German Shepherd Dog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the German Shepherd Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Alaskan Malamute.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the German Shepherd Dog than for the Alaskan Malamute.

    5 health tests are recommended for Alaskan Malamute while 7 tests are recommended for the German Shepherd Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Alaskan Malamutes and in German Shepherd Dogs.

    Alaskan Malamute Health Problems

    Alaskan Malamutes are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Alaskan Malamute puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Alaskan Malamute puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Alaskan Malamute breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Alaskan Malamutes for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • POLYNEUROPATHY

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Alaskan Malamutes here.

    German Shepherd Dog Health Problems

    German Shepherd Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Shepherd Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a German Shepherd Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Shepherd Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen German Shepherd Dogs for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annually until age 6, every 2 years thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Temperament Test

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Shepherd Dogs here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Alaskan Malamute versus German Shepherd Dog

    Alaskan Malamutes do not like to be left alone.

    German Shepherd Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Alaskan Malamutes shed more than German Shepherd Dogs?

    Alaskan Malamutes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    German Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Alaskan Malamute or the German Shepherd Dog

    Alaskan Malamutes do have a very low tendency to drool.

    German Shepherd Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Alaskan Malamute or the German Shepherd Dog?

    Alaskan Malamutes require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Alaskan Malamute Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Shepherd Dog?

    Alaskan Malamutes have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    German Shepherd Dogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Alaskan Malamutes Bark and Howl? What about German Shepherd Dogs?

    Alaskan Malamutes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    German Shepherd Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Alaskan Malamutes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Alaskan Malamutes can very well tolerate cold weather.

    German Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Alaskan Malamute vs. German Shepherd Dog

    Alaskan Malamutes have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    German Shepherd Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Alaskan Malamutes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Alaskan Malamutes cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    German Shepherd Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Alaskan Malamute or the German Shepherd Dog?

    Alaskan Malamutes do not get along well with other dogs.

    German Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Alaskan Malamutes good family dogs? What about German Shepherd Dogs?

    Alaskan Malamutes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    German Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Alaskan Malamutes and German Shepherd Dogs?

    Alaskan Malamutes get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    German Shepherd Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Alaskan Malamute Easier to Train than the German Shepherd Dog?

    Alaskan Malamutes are very easy to train.

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Alaskan Malamute Better for Apartment Owners than the German Shepherd Dog?

    Alaskan Malamutes do not adapt well to apartment living.

    German Shepherd Dogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Alaskan Malamute or the German Shepherd Dog?

    Alaskan Malamutes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    German Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Alaskan Malamute versus German Shepherd Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog better suits you and your family.