One thing that surprised me about my Alaskan Malamute, Kodiak, is how much energy he has. I knew they were strong dogs, but it’s incredible watching him run and play! They really need a lot of exercise to be happy and calm. This breed is also quite vocal, and I often find him expressing himself with playful howls. It definitely keeps things lively in our home! I’ve learned to plan our days around his energy needs, which has been both a challenge and a joy.

Their size surprised me. I didn’t expect them to be so big!

One surprise was how much they love to dig. It’s like they’re part-time landscapers!

I was surprised at how well they get along with other pets!

I was surprised by how much they shed. It's a lot more than I expected!

I didn’t realize how affectionate and loyal they could be.