When you think of an Alaskan Malamute and a Siberian Husky, you might not be able to tell the difference in your head. They both have an extremely wolf-like appearance, which would lead some to believe that they are one and the same. The reality, though, is that Malamutes and Huskies are very different, but most of these differences break down to the overall temperament and size.
What is the difference between a Husky and a Malamute? Size and temperament, mostly. There are a few major differences between these northern dog breeds. The biggest difference is that the Huskies are far more independent and intelligent than Malamutes and require far more energy. The Malamute is a bit larger than the Husky counterpart and will be more friendly and less destructive.
Knowing the differences between a Malamute and Siberian Husky can help you to make a decision on which breed is right for your family. We are going to break down the differences between these two breeds, from appearance and size to purpose and temperament and so much more.
The Difference Between Huskies and Malamutes
While Huskies and Malamutes may look similar, there are many differences between these breeds. However, the bulk of these differences are below the surface.
1. Appearance
If you think about a Husky and Malamute in your head, you probably can’t think of any differences in their appearance.
After all, they are both fairly large dogs that resemble wolves.
Both also have thick double coats to deal with harsher weather conditions. So what is the difference between these two dogs appearance-wise?
Malamutes are larger in size than Huskies. While the Malamute can be up to 25 inches in height, the Husky will tap out at around 22 inches.
However, the true difference lies in their weight.
Malamutes can grow to be up to 100 pounds, the less-heavy ones reaching 85. On the other hand, Huskies will only be around 30 to 60 pounds.
That’s quite a difference!
However, as we previously mentioned their coats will be of similar length and be doubled. Both breeds will shed twice a year depending on the change of the season. As far as shade is concerned, both breeds can have coats that range in color from black to gray, red to white.
2. Temperament
One of the biggest differences between Malamutes and Huskies is temperament.
It’s important to note that both breeds are friendly and playful. You shouldn’t choose either of these dogs to be guard dogs as they are likely to run up to strangers and be perfectly friendly and happy with them.
While both dogs have a friendly nature, Huskies are said to be more independent than Malamutes. This means that they will not require too much social interaction with their owners or other dogs. On the other hand, Malamutes enjoy spending time with people and would much prefer to be engaged with humans than to be alone.
That being said, Malamutes are more dominant and can be aggressive with same-sex dogs. The Husky is a pack dog and won’t have a problem sharing the limelight as a Malamute will. You should make sure that a male Malamute dog isn’t sharing space with another male.
Of course, always keep in mind that the overall temperament of both breeds can change due to a number of factors including genetics and training. The overall temperament, though, is fairly true across the board.
However, you can train the ‘bad’ traits out of your Malamute and Husky with ease as both are intelligent (although the Husky is a bit more challenging due to his independent and stubborn nature).
3. Energy Levels
One thing that concerns potential pet owners is the energy level of the breed they are considering. Well, Malamutes and Huskies are fairly similar when it comes to their overall energy levels, but the major difference is this:
- Huskies have higher energy levels than Malamutes. Their incredibly high energy means you need to make sure that you are exercising and playing with your Husky for long periods of time throughout the day. They will need to run, exercise, swim, taken to dog parks to socialize, and more. This can be overwhelming for some pet owners.
- Malamutes still have a lot of energy, but not as much as the Husky. Malamutes have slightly less energy which is easier for the owner to control. They should still be exercised daily, but it is not nearly as intense as Husky’s needs.
Why is there a difference between these two breeds?
The Siberian Husky was bred to pull sleds at a fast pace for extended distances, while the Malamute pulled heavier sleds at a slower pace.
4. Destructive Behavior
If you have heard anything about Huskies, you may have heard that they are on the destructive side.
Unfortunately, this is true.
Huskies have a tendency to be extremely destructive, and this only worsens when they are bored or have not been able to let out their high energy levels.
Huskies, aside from being rambunctious, have a tendency to jump over fences, dig under fences, or try to escape.
This is mostly due to their independent and preying nature (watch out, cats!).
They will try to chase after things they see and will stop at nothing to go after it. This, again, can be overwhelming for the pet owner trying to keep their Husky happy and inside the lot.
Malamutes, on the other hand, are a bit less destructive than Huskies. However, they are known to do some digging in the yard and chewing on things. This can easily be fixed with proper training either done at home or professionally.
5. Lifespan
The overall lifespan of the Malamute and the Siberian Husky is fairly similar:
The majority of Huskies live between 10 and 14 years, while the Malamute typically lives 10 to 12 years.
This means you might get a few more years out of your Husky than you would a Malamute, but the difference in average lifespan is rather small.
Related Questions
No. One of the biggest questions when it comes to the difference between Huskies and Malamutes is eye color. Huskies are known for their bright, piercing blue eyes, but what about Malamutes? Can they have blue eyes, too?
A purebred Alaskan Malamute will never have blue eyes. It simply is not in their gene pool. A mixed Malamute may end up with blue eyes, but purebreds will not. This is another one of the major differences you will find between a Husky and Malamute.
It depends what you personally want or need. While someone who wants a high-energy, yet independent dog may prefer the excitement of a Husky, a family may choose a Malamute for the simple fact that they have overall less energy and love to be around the family.
Both dog breeds are friendly with people so that is not an issue. Neither are bred to be guard dogs. Both are also intelligent and fairly easy to train, though the Malamute is easier to train as they are not as stubborn. Both have wonderful wolf-like appearances, but you only get the icy blue eyes with Huskies.
