Alaskan Malamute versus Icelandic Sheepdog. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Alaskan Malamute Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog? 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog.

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 Icelandic Sheepdog.

Alaskan Malamute versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Alaskan Malamute is a large-sized dog while the Icelandic Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog.

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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Alaskan Malamute to the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog

Factor Alaskan Malamute Icelandic Sheepdog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 1/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sh 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 14 to 15 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 75 to 100 pounds 20 to 30 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.5 years
Average Price $1580 No Data
Price Range $950 – $2000 No Data
Temperament Score 84.8 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • POLYNEUROPATHY
    		•
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•

    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 Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.

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

    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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most different:

    • Alaskan Malamutes are very friendly towards strangers. However, Icelandic Sheepdogs are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Alaskan Malamutes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Icelandic Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.

    The Similarities Between the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog

    The Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most similar:

    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very easy to train.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Alaskan Malamute versus Icelandic Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog.

    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, Icelandic Sheepdogs weigh 20 to 30 pounds when fully grown. Icelandic Sheepdogs are 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Alaskan Malamute versus Icelandic Sheepdog

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

    The lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdogs is between 14 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdogs is 14.5 years.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs live longer than Alaskan Malamutes.

    Temperament of the Alaskan Malamute Versus the Icelandic Sheepdog

    The Icelandic Sheepdog has a better temperament than the Alaskan Malamute.

    This is because the temperament score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Icelandic Sheepdog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Alaskan Malamute and the Icelandic Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 244 Alaskan Malamutes and 10 Icelandic Sheepdogs.

    Health Problems of Alaskan Malamute versus Health Problems of Icelandic Sheepdog

    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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Alaskan Malamute.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Icelandic Sheepdog than for the Alaskan Malamute.

    5 health tests are recommended for Alaskan Malamute while 8 tests are recommended for the Icelandic Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Alaskan Malamutes and in Icelandic Sheepdogs.

    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.

    Icelandic Sheepdog Health Problems

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Icelandic Sheepdogs here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Alaskan Malamute versus Icelandic Sheepdog

    Alaskan Malamutes do not like to be left alone.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Alaskan Malamutes shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Alaskan Malamute or the Icelandic Sheepdog

    Alaskan Malamutes do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Alaskan Malamute or the Icelandic Sheepdog?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Alaskan Malamute Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    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.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Alaskan Malamutes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Alaskan Malamutes can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Alaskan Malamute vs. Icelandic Sheepdog

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

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

    Can Alaskan Malamutes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Alaskan Malamutes do not get along well with other dogs.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Alaskan Malamutes good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Alaskan Malamutes and Icelandic Sheepdogs?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Alaskan Malamute Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Alaskan Malamutes are very easy to train.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Alaskan Malamute Better for Apartment Owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Alaskan Malamutes do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Alaskan Malamute or the Icelandic Sheepdog?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Alaskan Malamute versus Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog better suits you and your family.