I totally understand your reluctance with the shedding thing. We have had two dogs during our marriage. First a toy poodle and now a Yorkie. I was drawn to the poodles first because that's what I had growing up. After he passed away, I found the Yorkie to be my dream-dog. I think I'm drawn mostly to the no shedding, lap dog thing. When we built our new house in the country, my husband decided he wanted an "outside dog"... you know, to run around with him outside and help with the cattle and stuff. He was torn between a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd. We had MANY "discussions" about whether this dog would be allowed inside. My biggest issue was the shedding. I don't have allergies, per se, to dogs but I absolutely can't stand when I get those little hairs on my face and neck. They make me itch and my eyes get swollen when I get the hair in them. I don't know if I'm actually allergic or just don't "like" it. We ended up getting the Aust. Shepherd, "Stormie", and she's a wonderful dog, very playful and helpful with the cattle. But my husband still gives me that sad look when Stormie looks at us through the glass door like she wants to come in. I know some people have a real issue with any dogs that have to stay outside but I firmly believe that dogs can live just fine being "confined" to the outdoors. Stormie has a really nice chain-link style kennel outside with a doghouse inside it that she only stays in at night when we go to bed. Otherwise she has the run of our property. She loves it out there. My sister gives me a hard time sometimes too because I won't let Stormie inside but she has 3 dogs inside - 2 medium size mutts and 1 Great Dane!!
So she isn't much help!
I agree that malamutes and huskies need to be in a colder climate anyway but I do understand the reluctance with the shedding issue!