Alaskan Malamutes can be intimidating to those unfamiliar with the breed, but how strong is the Alaskan Malamute bite force?
Given how unlikely Malamutes are to actually bite, there is very little research into their bites’ power. When comparing similar breeds, we can assume it is in the range of 300 to 500 PSI.
This guide will explain exactly why Malamutes are very unlikely to bite anyone and much more, so stay tuned.
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Contents
What Does PSI Mean?
PSI means pounds per square inch, and it is the standard unit of pressure that results when 1 pound of force is applied to a unit area of 1 square inch.
PSI is used as the measurement for dog bite force.
Alaskan Malamute Bite Force
There is very limited research into how strong a Malamute’s bite is, but looking at other similarly sized breeds, we can assume it is in the range of 300 to 500 PSI.
This assumption is based on several similar-sized dogs with accurate bite force data and similar breeds like the Siberian Husky.
How Does This Compare To Other Dogs?
Dogs like the Kangal and Cane Corse have the strongest bites, with around 700 to 800 PSI.
Most normal dogs have a bite force of around 200 PSI, so Malamutes are definitely on the higher end.
Huskies, for example, have a bite force of around 320 PSI, which is easier to put into perspective as they are very similar to Malamutes but smaller in size.
Are Alaskan Malamutes Strong?
There is no denying that Malamutes are incredibly strong – they were bred to pull heavy loads (over 100lbs) for miles and miles, after all.
Are Alaskan Malamutes Prone To Biting?
It’s important to understand why there isn’t much research into Alaskan Malamute bite force, and the answer is straightforward.
Alaskan Malamutes are not prone to biting and are not good guard dogs, either.
There is no denying the power of an Alaskan Malamute, but when you think about bite force, you associate it with dogs that are more likely to bite if you need them to, like in protective situations or for guard dogs.
There are several reasons why Alaskan Malamutes are not prone to biting:
- They don’t have strong guarding instincts. Malamutes were bred to pull heavy sleds and not for guarding purposes.
- Malamutes have a very typical Spitz-type personality and are independent and stubborn. This means they don’t have strong protective instincts.
- Malamutes are also very friendly to just about everybody – they are more likely to make friends with strangers than be wary of them.
Bite Inhibition
Even though bites are very unlikely to occur, some Mals may bite when playing, and it’s important to teach them something called bite inhibition from a young age because of this.
Bite inhibition means learning to control the pressure they exert when they bite.
This is usually taught by the mother or other puppies when they are young and happens when one puppy bites another (or the mother). When this happens, the other dog will react to the bite with a loud bark or screech, and they will slowly learn to bite gentler to prevent this from happening.
If your Mal hasn’t learned this from a young age, you can do it yourself by reacting to their bites by showing emotion and repeating this until they bite gently and offering praise.
Even though bites are extremely unlikely, bite inhibition should still be taught to Mals.
Do Alaskan Malamutes Have a High Prey Drive?
Malamutes do have a high prey drive, and this is something that all Malamute owners should know.
A high prey drive means that Mals are prone to chasing small animals without a second thought – think cats, other small dogs, or any other small animal.
It’s important to know this because it’s the main reason Malamutes should be kept on a leash when on walks, and it also relates closely to their impressive bite strength.
If your Mal goes after a small animal due to their prey drive, it’s possible they could bite and cause severe damage without meaning to.
While Malamutes are not dangerous to other humans or animals in the vast majority of cases, they can still cause damage simply due to their sheer size and power.
In Summary
The Alaskan Malamute bite force is undoubtedly very powerful, but this has very little impact in practice as Mals are not likely to bite anybody for any reason.
It is important for other small animals regarding their prey drive, and it’s why as a Malamute owner, you need to be responsible for your dog when you are around other animals that can set off their prey drive.
Check out some of our other Malamute articles below:
