| Plus, both malamutes and huskies are recommended for dog owners with families, as they get along well with children. While males weigh around 85 pounds, female malamutes weigh around 75 pounds. Hence, the two breeds have a number of physical similarities. The malamute is also larger than the husky. "What's the Difference Between an Alaskan Malamute and a Husky?" "Siberian Huskies were bred to run have a desire to run and should have regular exercise on-leash or in a securely fenced-in area. "They make wonderful companions but because they are large, and naturally protective, prospective owners need to know how to properly train and socialize a dog.". It's the Alaskan malamute. DiNardo offers specific advice for handling both breeds. These dogs don't exist in the real world though they did once upon a time in the Ice Age and later became extinct and the dogs used on the show are actually Northern Inuits. ", DiNardo cautions that a failure to properly train or exercise Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies will wreak havoc on the well-being of both the owners and the dogs. A major difference between the two is that the malamute tends to have longer hair as compared to the husky. Male malamutes stand at 25 inches at the shoulder while females stand at 23 inches high. Updated: May 12, 2021. Alaskan huskies, although not a recognized breed, are often used as working sled dogs. In the hit HBO television series "Game of Thrones," the children of the royal Stark house are accompanied by dire wolves, which are a sort of impressive wolf-dog hybrid. "They can have an independent nature so both benefit from early socialization and obedience training.". So, if you're willing to put in the time to care for your dog, there's no reason why you shouldn't consider rescuing an Alaskan malamute or a Siberian husky. Siberians are bigger than Alaskans; Siberians will have blue or a combination of blue and brown eyes while Alaskans usually have brown eyes. The American Kennel Club (AKC) an organization that serves as the foremost authority and resource on dog breeds in the U.S. ranked the Siberian husky as the 12th most popular breed in 2017. It's no wonder that people often get the two mixed up. By: Tara Yarlagadda The Alaskan husky sometimes resembles the Siberian husky in terms of appearance, and bothdogs typically weigh between 40 and 60 pounds (18 and 27 kilograms). Ask breeders specific questions about the dogs they host and their treatment in the kennels. In fact, so many fans are purchasing Siberian huskies that shelters are seeing an uptick in Siberian huskies being abandoned, sadly, likely due to the fact that cute Siberian husky puppies grow up to be hyperactive adults requiring a lot of training and exercise. Siberian huskies are well-suited for running and must adhere to a fitness schedule that keeps this factor in mind. The AKC does not recognize the Alaskan husky as an official dog breed because it does not meet the organization's required threshold. Unlike the Alaskan husky, the Alaskan malamute is an officially recognized dog breed according to the American Kennel Club. husky wolf vs siberian 28 October 2019. But if you're looking for a sure way to spot the difference between the two breeds, you need look no farther than their tails. They're also pretty alike when it comes to behavior, training needs and communication. But the Alaskan husky is usually taller, and because it is a mix of different breeds, its appearance can vary widely. Siberian huskies receive world renown for their baby blue eyes, which are linked to a gene mutation on the canine chromosome 18. "Be prepared that the breeder will ask you questions about your life too as much as you're vetting them, they are also vetting you as a potential dog owner," says DiNardo. In contrast, most Alaskan huskies have brown eyes. The average cost of an Alaskan malamute ranges between $1,000 and $6,000. Although it's easy to confuse Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies, there are some notable differences. malamute alaskan alaska perros The level of aggressiveness in malamutes mainly depends in the way they are bred. "For people looking to purchase a puppy, the AKC recommends finding a reputable and professional breeder to ensure you are getting a happy, healthy pup.". "To become an AKC recognized breed there must be a minimum number of dogs geographically distributed throughout the U.S., as well as an established breed club of responsible owners and breeders," says DiNardo. And boy, do they require a lot of dedicated training and a lot of love. Bred to assist man, they excel at jobs such as guarding property, pulling sleds and performing water rescues," says Gina DiNardo, executive secretary of the AKC, by email. Due to their potentially aggressive behavior and a small handful of high-profile attacks on humans and other canines, both Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies are on Bankrate.com's list of the top 10 dogs that are most frequently blacklisted by insurance companies. In the U.S., the Siberian husky is undoubtedly the more well-known of the two dogs, as seen by the number of rescue organizations and breed clubs dedicated specifically to Siberian huskies. "They were also used for carrying packs in the summer, locating seal breathing holes in the ice, and distracting bears on hunts.". However, some states in the U.S. have pushed back against insurance companies profiling based on dog breed. But what does it mean to be a working dog? wolf malamute vs alaskan But adopting isn't a one-way street. But they also give a lot of love in return. "A Malamute's pluming tail curls over his back, while a husky's tail does not curl to either side of the body, nor does it snap flat against the back," says DiNardo. Are sled dogs a help or hindrance in the Alaskan wilderness? DiNardo dates the Alaskan malamute's working dog origins back to Inuit tribes in Alaska, who used the dogs to lug big game by working "in packs to haul heavy loads at low speeds over long distances," says DiNardo. First, the Alaskan malamute clocks in around 75-85 pounds (34-39 kilograms), whereas the Siberian husky is typically smaller, between 40 and 60 pounds (18 and 27 kilograms), says DiNardo. You can see this list to determine whether your city has any restrictions. Siberian huskies are purebred while Alaskans are mixed breed. The price varies depending on the malamute breeder. Nonetheless, prospective dog owners and fans of the TV show are turning in droves to a similar-looking pooch: the Siberian husky. Siberian husky: Claire Baxter//studiofetch.com-Getty Images/HowStuffWorks, Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security. You could also solicit help from your local kennel club. "Quick to learn, dogs of the Working Group are intelligent, strong, watchful, and alert. But to complicate things even further, there's ANOTHER dog out there with a very similar name, which also bears a strong resemblance to Siberian huskies. Malamute: @Hans Surfer-Getty Images. So, what should you do if you're interested in adopting either a husky or an Alaskan malamute? The Alaskan husky is the most commonly used dog in dog sled racing, as they're known for their tough feet and hardy fur coats that can withstand the chill of winter. The Alaskan malamute is not considered an aggressive dog. By contrast, there are considerably fewer rescues or shelters dedicated to Alaskan huskies, though there are a few that seem open to both Siberian huskies and Alaskan huskies. "Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies were both developed as working dogs for cold, snowy climates hence their thick, double-layer coats consisting of a straight outer coat and dense undercoat," says DiNardo. The fear goes beyond insurance claims: a few cities even have bans or restrictions that designate the dog breeds as "dangerous or vicious." A report on fatal dog attacks in Canada between 1990 and 2007 did find a very small number of incidents involving Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies. malamutes alaskan mia puppies past malamute giant hudsons hudsonsmalamutes "In other words, Huskies are racers; Malamutes are freighters," says DiNardo. Siberian huskies, on the other hand, can trace their working origins back to the Chukchi people of Northeast Asia and Siberia, who bred Siberian huskies predominantly as light-footed, compact and speedy sled dogs, according to DiNardo. "Romping in a well-fenced yard or other enclosed space will suffice, but Malamutes also enjoy hiking, running, and swimming with their owners," says DiNardo. "Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky are devoted to their owners and friendly dogs," says DiNardo. But did you know that there's another similar-looking husky, according to some dog lovers? Like the Siberian husky, the Alaskan malamute is also part of the Working dog group. In other words, owning a Siberian husky or an Alaskan malamute may make it more difficult for you to obtain homeowner's insurance if you live in the U.S. The Alaskan husky was bred specifically to be a working dog. Siberian huskies can have both blue eyes or a combination of blue and brown eyes. However, dog bites are still pretty rare among these breeds (and dog bite frequency lists have come under criticism from various advocacy groups). Do your homework by visiting the breeder's website and asking them for a reference from another buyer. However, the Alaskan husky is far from being recognized widely across the world of dog breeders. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: At left is the Alaskan malamute; at right, the Siberian husky. Tara Yarlagadda husky malamute alaskan siberian malamutes puppies cafepress puppy fav dogs shirt dark dog faq2 malamutes sebastian alaskan weight puppies winner malamute past nationals hudsons giant regional hudson amca unlimited class hudsonsmalamutes gentle This is "Tony," an Alaskan husky sled dog, that took part in the 2009 Iditarod race in Alaska. One of the most notable differences between Alaskan and Siberian huskies lies in their eye color. To make your search easier, AKC suggests heading to their online marketplace of breeders, where you can look up a dog based on breed, gender and location. Alaskan malamutes are adapted to carry heavy loads and thus need daily exercise, says DiNardo. malamute alaskan wolf vs husky giant grey wolves dog wolfdog shepherd german hybrid dogs "Both [breeds] require a job to do and without an outlet for mental and physical energy will resort to bad habits such as chewing and digging to alleviate boredom.". But it's undeniable that the Siberian husky is fast becoming one of the most popular canine breeds. It's more popular in the sled dog trade than even its Siberian counterpart, even though Siberian huskies are also considered working dogs. "If someone is looking to rescue an Alaskan malamute or a Siberian husky, the AKC recommends checking the national breed club's (Alaskan Malamute Club of America/Siberian Husky Club of America) breed-specific rescue first," says DiNardo. The Alaskan husky unlike the purebred Siberian husky is a mix of various Northern dog breeds, so it's not considered to be its own distinct purebred breed. Alaskan malamutes, alongside Siberian huskies, are also occasionally trained as racing sled dogs. malamute alaskan cons