Alaskan Malamute Vs Siberian Husky – What’s The Difference?

Both the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky are strong dogs that were bred for extreme cold. Their wolf-like appearance may seem intimidating, but in reality their personalities are quite the opposite. These two lovable, friendly, and intelligent dog breeds are revered around the world. Read on to learn how to tell the Malamute apart from the Husky.

Story between malamute and husky

The Siberian Husky is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. They were first bred by the Chukchi, an ancient nomadic Siberian tribe, in the northeastern regions of present-day Russia. The Chukchi used huskies as sled dogs for transportation, but they were also considered part of the family and slept with the tribe’s children to keep them warm. Siberian huskies were exported to Alaska in 1908 and used as sled dogs during the gold rush. The breed has changed only slightly from the original huskies of the Chukchi tribes.

The Alaskan Malamute is also an ancient breed and one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs. The breed was introduced thousands of years ago by Alaska natives who crossed the Siberian land bridge into the region. A tribe called the Mahlemuts in the northeast region of the Seward Peninsula developed the Alaskan Malamute. The dogs were used for hunting, tracking polar bears, and transporting food and supplies to camp. Like the Huskies, the Malamutes were valued members of their tribe and were treated like family. Most malamutes today can trace their heritage to the “Kotzebue” tribe of the Norton Sound region of Alaska.

Malamute against hoarse temperament

Medium-sized working dogs, Siberian Huskies are known for their intelligence and independence. They are still very affectionate, but not particularly needy. Although their intelligence and ability to learn are remarkable, huskies are notoriously difficult to train and can get bored easily, making them best suited to experienced and confident dog owners.

Huskies are sociable and full of energy. Because of their high intelligence, they can get bored if they don’t get enough mental stimulation or exercise. They love to dig and can wreak havoc on flower beds, gardens and even parts of the home if left unattended. They also have a reputation for being escape artists: they love to hike and go on adventures on their own.

Alaskan Malamutes are playful, loveable dogs with outgoing personalities. Like huskies, they are friendly with everyone, including strangers. Like huskies, they are pack animals, so they like to be included in all family activities. They are as playful as huskies and they also enjoy digging holes or even raiding garbage cans, so entertaining them is important. Malamutes can be cheeky, but proper training will bring out their intelligence. Like huskies, they can be quite difficult to train, so they also need an experienced dog owner who has the confidence to set boundaries through positive reinforcement and guidance.

Both of these very intelligent dogs need plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation. If left alone for long periods of time, they may become bored or frustrated. If you’d rather not leave your dog alone, there are many great sitters on Rover.com offering dog boarding across the country.

Huskies and Malamutes don’t usually make good watchdogs, they may share the looks of their wolf ancestors, but both dog breeds are very friendly, even with strangers. Neither Huskies nor Malamutes tend to be big barkers, so they may not make a very effective home alarm system! Instead, they can howl at the moon or when it suits them!

Both breeds will benefit from obedience training, especially from puppyhood.

Malamute vs Husky family

Huskies make great pets and get along well with children. They also do well in a multi-dog household. When raised as puppies with other animals, huskies can also live in a multi-pet household. We have put together a Husky puppy information pack to help you decide if a Husky puppy is the right dog for you. Originally Huskies had a high prey drive for small animals like squirrels, rabbits and cats, but when raised around small animals they can enjoy the company of animals of all sizes.

Malamutes also make great pets and are good with children. Their large size and high energy mean they can dominate young children, so they are best suited to households with children over 5 years of age. They also thrive in various dog and animal shelters as long as they are social with other small animals, such as dogs. B. a puppy, have grown up.

Malamute vs. Husky size and appearance

Although both huskies and malamutes share wolf-like traits, malamutes are larger and heavier than huskies. Husky males are around 53-60 cm tall while a female is around 50-56 cm. Male Malamutes measure about 64 cm and females 58 cm. Husky males weigh between 20 and 27 kg and females between 16 and 22 kg. In contrast, Malamutes can vary widely in weight. Most weigh between 34 and 38 kg, but some can weigh more than 45 kg.

Huskies come in different colors. He can also appear to be wearing a white mask with different shades of hair around his face.

Malamutes range in color from light gray to black or sable to red, while their bellies, feet, and parts of their legs are mostly white. His face will also have white markings, usually around his forehead and neck.

Both dogs have very thick fur, bushy tails, and pricked ears. Huskies are faster than malamutes, but the malamute’s larger size means it’s the stronger of the two dogs.

Both Huskies and Malamutes can have brown or blue eyes, one blue or multi-colored eye. A husky’s ears are medium-sized, triangular in shape and sit high on the head. A Malamute’s ears are similar in shape, but are set further apart on the head.

A husky has a muzzle of medium length and width, tapering slightly towards the nose. Its nose can be black or pink, which is called a snow nose. A Malamute’s snout is bulkier and the same width from the face to the tip of the nose. A Malamute’s nose is usually black, although they can also have a snow-pink nose.

Both huskies and malamutes have bushy tails. Malamutes also have a corkscrew tail, which they use to keep their face warm.

Malamute vs. Husky Grooming and Shedding

Both dogs are built for extreme cold and have a lot of hair. A husky has a double coat with shoulder-length hair. Its topcoat is smooth and its undercoat is soft and dense. Their thick fur, which keeps them warm in winter, will also shed (a lot) in spring and fall. In cooler climates, however, they tend to shed less. However, huskies are fairly clean breeds and tend to clean themselves. They don’t give off much odor or need brushing too often, just lots of brushing, especially during the shedding season. Brush them at least once a week throughout the year and daily when they fall off.

Malamutes also have a dense double coat. Its top layer is thick and rough and is called the protective layer. An inch or two thick, their undercoat is oily and woolly and is designed to keep them warm and repel moisture. A Malamute’s coat is longer on the shoulders, neck, and back. Also, her thigh-length hair can look like pants at times. Malamutes shed twice a year and their hair can fall out in clumps. Like a husky, they are fairly odorless and rarely need a bath unless they’re rolling around in something smelly. They also clean like huskies. Brush them at least once a week throughout the year and daily when they shed.

Malamute vs Husky exercise

Since both dogs are pack animals, they will enjoy participating in family activities and playing. Huskies are very energetic dogs and enjoy lots of intense exercise, around 30-60 minutes a day. They would be a great companion for hikes, long walks, runs or just to accompany you in your own activities. Malamutes also need plenty of exercise to stay happy and avoid boredom. As a working dog breed, they love to do chores around the house, but will also enjoy running, playing, or going for walks.

Be careful in the summer months – this thick coat means both dogs can easily overheat in hot weather.

Malamute vs Husky Health

Both Huskies and Malamutes have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Both breeds are healthy but can suffer from certain health issues. Huskies can develop eye problems such as cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and progressive retinal atrophy. Malamutes can also suffer from cataracts, are prone to hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism.