Is the Alaskan Malamute Better than the Swedish Vallhund as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Alaskan Malamute Versus Swedish Vallhund: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund.

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 Swedish Vallhund.

Alaskan Malamute versus Swedish Vallhund: Overview

A very important difference between the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Alaskan Malamute is a large-sized dog while the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Alaskan Malamute to the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund

Factor Alaskan Malamute Swedish Vallhund
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sh 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 75 to 100 pounds 22 to 35 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 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
    		•
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund is 86 out of 125.

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

    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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund

    Below is a list of where the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund are most different:

    • Alaskan Malamutes require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to groom.
    • Alaskan Malamutes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Swedish Vallhunds are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.

    The Similarities Between the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund

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

    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund are very easy to train.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Alaskan Malamute versus Swedish Vallhund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund.

    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, Swedish Vallhunds weigh 22 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Swedish Vallhunds are 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Alaskan Malamute versus Swedish Vallhund

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

    The lifespan of Swedish Vallhunds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Swedish Vallhunds is 13.5 years.

    Temperament of the Alaskan Malamute Versus the Swedish Vallhund

    The Swedish Vallhund has a better temperament than the Alaskan Malamute.

    This is because the temperament score for the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Alaskan Malamute and the Swedish Vallhund by measuring the temperaments of 244 Alaskan Malamutes and 4 Swedish Vallhunds.

    Health Problems of Alaskan Malamute versus Health Problems of Swedish Vallhund

    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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Alaskan Malamute is prone to more genetic health problems than the Swedish Vallhund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Alaskan Malamute than for the Swedish Vallhund.

    5 health tests are recommended for Alaskan Malamute while 2 tests are recommended for the Swedish Vallhund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Alaskan Malamutes and in Swedish Vallhunds.

    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.

    Swedish Vallhund Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Swedish Vallhunds here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Alaskan Malamute versus Swedish Vallhund

    Alaskan Malamutes do not like to be left alone.

    Swedish Vallhunds can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Alaskan Malamutes shed more than Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Alaskan Malamute or the Swedish Vallhund

    Alaskan Malamutes do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Swedish Vallhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Alaskan Malamute or the Swedish Vallhund?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Alaskan Malamute Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Swedish Vallhund?

    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.

    Swedish Vallhunds 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 Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Alaskan Malamutes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Alaskan Malamutes can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Swedish Vallhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Alaskan Malamute vs. Swedish Vallhund

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

    Swedish Vallhunds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Alaskan Malamutes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds 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 Swedish Vallhund?

    Alaskan Malamutes do not get along well with other dogs.

    Swedish Vallhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Alaskan Malamutes good family dogs? What about Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Alaskan Malamutes and Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Alaskan Malamute Easier to Train than the Swedish Vallhund?

    Alaskan Malamutes are very easy to train.

    Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Alaskan Malamute Better for Apartment Owners than the Swedish Vallhund?

    Alaskan Malamutes do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Swedish Vallhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Alaskan Malamute or the Swedish Vallhund?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Alaskan Malamute versus Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund better suits you and your family.