Akita vs Alaskan Malamute

An Akita
Photo: E L from Western-Finland
An Alaskan Malamute
Photo: Randi Hausken

Side by side

Akita
Alaskan Malamute
Adult weight
Males 45–59 kg (100–130 lb); females 32–45 kg (70–100 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 35–42 kg (77–93 lb); females 31–37 kg (67–82 lb) (estimated: ±10% around the AKC/AMCA standard's desirable freighting size, 85 lb dogs and 75 lb bitches)
Height
Males 66–71.1 cm; females 61–66 cm (breed club figure)1
No sourced figure
Lifespan
Median 11.4 years2
Median 11.3 years2
Fully grown
13 months, both sexes3
12 months, both sexes3
Group
Spitz & primitive4
Spitz & primitive5
Coat
Double coat4
Double coat5
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Plenty
Health
No sourced figure
Mouth melanoma (much more likely); Underactive thyroid (much more likely)6,7
Class
Watchdog
Working

Which suits you

Size
The Akita is a little larger on average: about 45 kg (100 lb) as an adult, against 36 kg (80 lb) for the Alaskan Malamute.
Exercise
Plan for plenty of exercise with the Alaskan Malamute, and a moderate amount with the Akita.
Temperament
They differ most on loyalty (Akita: sticks close to its people; Alaskan Malamute: friendly with everyone) and on voice (Akita: quiet; Alaskan Malamute: very vocal).
Alike
Both are rated the same on independence: decides for itself.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Akita
Spitz & primitive · Large

In temperament the Akita is dignified, quiet and reserved with strangers, and closely attached to its own household.

Alaskan Malamute
Spitz & primitive · Large

Malamutes are affectionate and playful with people, strangers included, and make poor guard dogs.

The Akita page →The Alaskan Malamute page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
Activity
Differs
A good daily walk and play
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
Affection
Differs
Likes its own space
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Differs
Sticks close to its people
Friendly with everyone
Independence
Decides for itself
Decides for itself
Around the home
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
Sensitivity
Differs
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Average
Voice
Differs
Quiet
Very vocal
Prey drive
Likely to chase small pets
Likely to chase small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour8. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home9,10.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Akita grows to the heavier adult, about 45 kg against the Alaskan Malamute's 37 kg. The Alaskan Malamute's weight is not a published figure.
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
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More comparisons

Compare the Akita with
Alaskan Malamute vs Siberian HuskyAkita vs Shiba InuAlaskan Malamute vs SamoyedAkita vs Karelian Bear DogAkita vs Norwegian ElkhoundAkita vs Norwegian BuhundAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·