A dog is man's faithful best friend, and huskies and malamutes are considered among the most devoted and loving of their owners. These are two different breeds of sled dogs, and many often confuse them. When deciding to get a puppy of one of these breeds, it's important to know the differences between a husky and a malamute in appearance and personality.
Differences in dogs' appearance
The Malamute's historical homeland is Alaska, where it has even become a symbol. The Husky's country of origin is Siberia. It was in this northern region that this sled dog breed was first registered. That's why both huskies and malamutes tolerate low temperatures well.
The external differences between the two dog breeds are as follows:
- Size. The Malamute is somewhat larger than the Husky (both males and females): on average, the height at the withers is 6–12 cm longer, and the weight is 9–15 kg.
- Color. The Husky has a soft, smooth coat that comes in any color—from white to black—while the Malamute has a coarse, wiry coat that can come in brown, red, black and white, or gray, and has a distinctive "mask" on its face. Because of their coat color, these dogs have distinctive expressions: the Husky has a somewhat "angry" and wary look, while the Malamute has a playful and kind expression.
- Eyes and ears. Huskies most often have blue eyes, while Malamutes have brown eyes. However, individuals of both breeds also have different eye colors. Both breeds have triangular ears, but Huskies have them set close to the head, while Malamutes have slightly rounded ears with the lower edge of the ear aligned with the eyes.
- Paws. Huskies have longer, thinner, oval-shaped paws with soft pads, while Malamutes have short, powerful paws, wider paws with hard pads.
- Tail. In the husky it is similar to a fox's - fluffy and hanging down, while in the malamute it is more voluminous and slightly curled upward.
Are there any differences in character?
Malamutes and huskies have different personalities. The former are calmer, quieter, and kinder, and are easy to train. The latter are curious, playful, energetic, and affectionate. They can even run away from home if they haven't had enough fun. But both are good companions, don't show unprovoked aggression toward people, and are friendly with other dogs.
Which breed is better to choose?
When choosing a breed, keep in mind that huskies love to bark, while malamutes are almost always silent. However, huskies also don't make good guard dogs because they're so friendly.
The breeds are clean and can be kept indoors. Both representatives are easy to train and get along with children, but such interaction brings more joy to the husky than to the malamute.
When choosing a pet between two popular breeds, it's important to consider their differences. By making the right choice, you'll gain a loyal and devoted companion.
