What is the difference between a Husky, a Siberian Husky and an Alaskan Malamute?

Question

Are there other types of huskies? Are they good family dogs?

Answer 1

Siberian Huskies can make good family dogs, they just need some training because they are very active dogs. Alaskan Malamutes are bigger and I've noticed, that they have more wider heads than Huskies. Huskies tend to have blue eyes and Malamutes are brown. There is only one type of Husky, that's their name. Let me get back at you with a video of both the breeds, so come back on my question in a minute for the videos.

Answer 2

The Alaskan Malamute was originally bred by an Alaskan tribe known as Mahlemuts or Malemuit for hauling sleds. The dog is the oldest known native Alaskan breed. It has a thick, coarse outer coat, a woolly gray or black and white undercoat, and a bushy tail carried high. The husky came from Siberia about one hundred years ago. It was used as a sled dog, watchdog, and pet. It is usually smaller than the malamute and has a soft, thick undercoat, and the outercoat is soft, smooth hair having a neater appearance than the shaggy look of the Malamute. The husky is usually gray, black, or tan, and may have numerous markings, particularly about the head. The dog sometimes has one blue and one brown eye, and has a bushy tail that trails when it is working and is held up in a curve when alert. Both Malamutes and Huskies have a white face and a black forehead but a huskey has the break between white and black in the shape of an up-side-down U (the majority of this break is white) where as a malamutes' break is a right-side-up U (the majority of this break is black).

Answer 3

First, there ARE different types of huskies. The most common here in the states is the Siberian Husky, which is what most people are refering to when they say "Husky". There's also the Alaskan Husky, the Mackenzie River Husky, the Sakhalin Husky and others. The term "Husky" can also be used to refer to a sledding-type dog in general.
The siberian husky is a specific dog breed with a specific standard, they are a medium-large size spitz type dog originally bred for sled pulling. They are known as sprinters, meaning that they can travel short distances (comparitively, for sledding) very fast. Huskys can have blue eyes or brown.
The Alaskan Malamute is a large-giant breed dog of the spitz type, they are stockier than siberians and were originally used as draft dogs- meaning they work slower, but can carry heavier loads, over long distances. Malamutes must always have brown eyes.
A husky of any type can be a good family dog, but they need ALOT of exercise and they become bored quite easily. They have a funny combination of traits, because sledding requires a dog that can think independently, but that can work closely with humans. As a result they tend to have seperation anxiety, and they like to do things thier own way, which can make them a little obstinant and difficult to train. A husky is a good choice for an active family with someone who is often home with the dog. They are not a good choice for people who work all day or sedentary people. All of the Husky breeds are slightly different, and show bred dogs may adapt more easily to home life than working lines. -Neb

Answer 4

"Husky" is a generic term for a northern, spitz-type dog. There are many kinds of Huskies. So saying that the "Husky" and the "Siberian Husky" are the same dog is incorrect -- sort of like saying the "Retriever" and the "Golden Retriever" are the same dog.

The Siberian Husky is the only AKC recognized breed with "Husky" in the name. It is a medium-sized sled dog, generally 40-60 lbs., medium-boned. It can have blue eyes.

The Alaskan Malamute is a large draft sled dog, bred to pull heavy loads. They are generally 85-100 lbs, heavy-boned, and NEVER blue eyed.

A great side-by-side comparison of the two breeds:
http://www.minnesotamalamuteclub.com/malvsibe.htm

Neither of these breeds are good for a first time dog owner -- both require consistent training from a firm leader.

Neither should be allowed off-lead without a fenced in area.

Both can be good family dogs, but require a lot of exercise and cannot be left alone for long periods of time. Both can be noisy and destructive if bored.

If you are considering either, research the breeds carefully.

As I said, there are several different kinds of Huskies, but Siberian Huskies are going to be the easiest to find in a pet-only capacity.

Good luck!

More info on Siberians:
http://www.kaylenbergsiberians.com/Ready.htm
More info on Alaskan Malamutes:
http://www.alaskanmalamute.org/publiced/newown.asp

Answer 5

I own two Malamute mixes, and they are the most loving dogs I've ever owned. There crosses with a Great Pyrenees.

Many people have mentioned the differences in eyes color, and size. So I won't say anything about that.

But they are so sweet and so willing to please. There only a year old, and we've had them since they were 7 weeks old. They've never shown any aggression towards people or other dogs, and you can take the food out of there mouth while they eat, and they don't care. But the shed like CRAZY in the summer.

They’re more winter dogs, and they LOVE to run and play, and we have a big fenced in back-yard so they can. I know both the mother and farther of my pups, they live across the street. Sadly the Dad, who is a malamute was beaten by a man when he as a pup so he's scared of men he doesn’t know, but absolutely adores me, and the Mom is a sheep dog and never comes within 10 feet of you and always stays with the sheep, but she's a Great Pyrenees.

I don’t know if this helped at all, but …

Answer 6

There are actually two different types of huskies.
The Siberian:
http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=8144&rendTypeId=4
and the Alaskan:
http://www.samoyed.org/ows/images/sledding6.jpg

These two breeds, while maybe originating from a similar bloodline are totally different.

A malamute tends to be bigger with brown eyes-not blue. They are not sprinters, but rather strong sturdy dogs that can "get the job done"
http://mathjuu.pri.ee/blog/uploaded_images/Alaskan-Malamute-775995.jpg

these dogs can be great family pets, but the huskies do have a very high energy level. They also shed A LOT! The Malamutes tend to get very large as well. They are great for active families though!

Good luck!

Answer 7

A Husky and a Siberian Husky are the same. The diference between a Husky and a Malamute are:

Husky Malamute
blue eyes brown eyes
thinner coat thicker coat
looks thin looks fatter than a husky

Answer 8

Siberian Huskies are smaller, more compact, strong, and beautiful. (they are also HIGH energy) Malamutes are big, strong,wooly coated, and more couch potatoe-ish. Alaskan Huskies are NOT they same as SIberians. An Alaskan husky is any cross of nordic breeds to get the desired trait for the job. (ie- sled pulling) Basically they are mutts with a name, but very cute! Sibes and Mals both require ALOT of grooming and excersize. They need jobs. Sibes are great family dogs, and they are EXCELLENT with children when raised with them. (even small ones!)

Answer 9

Huskys - and Siberian Huskys are the same. Malamutes are a different breed. Look them up on the AKC web site. Both are sledding dogs.

Answer 10

Mackenzie River Husky