What are the Differences between Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies?

Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies are two of the most popular breeds of sled dogs in the world. Find it hard to tell which is which? While they share some similarities, they also have some significant differences that set them apart. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the differences between Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies.

Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamute vs Siberian Husky: Appearance

There are some differences between Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies in their appearance. Alaskan Malamutes are larger and more muscular than Siberian Huskies. Females typically weigh around 75 pounds and males 85 pounds, whereas Siberian Husky females weigh between 35 and 50 pounds, with the males weighing 45 to 60 pounds.

While both breeds have thick coats, there are some parts of the Alaskan Malamute's coat that's longer, including over their shoulders and neck.

Eyes can be a key way to tell them apart: if the dog has piercing blue eyes, it's highly likely they're a husky.

Alaskan Malamute vs Siberian Husky: Temperament

Both Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies are known for their friendly, affectionate, and outgoing personalities. Siberian Huskies are more intelligent than Alaskan Malamutes, but neither are considered easy breeds to train, which is something to bear in mind if you're debating which dog breed is most suitable for you.

Siberian Huskies have a knack of escaping, so if you don't fancy getting your hands on an escape artist, this may not be the breed for you!

Alaskan Malamute vs Siberian Husky: Origins & Purpose

Both Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies were originally bred for sled pulling and other tasks in extremely cold, snowy environments. However, there's one key difference with their origins - the Alaskan Malamute comes from Alaska and the Siberian Husky originates from, you've guessed it, Siberia.

Thanks to their origins, both these breeds can easily cope with the cold, but their thick coat makes them unsuitable for more tropical climates. 

Alaskan Malamute vs Siberian Husky: Exercise

Both Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies require a lot of exercise and have lots of energy, particularly huskies - there's good reason we included them in our Best Breeds for a Super Active Lifestyle roundup. Their need for plenty of exercise means they're much better suited to homes with a good amount of outdoor space. Apartments and city life aren't ideal for either of these breeds. Our post Best Breeds for Apartment Living offers plenty of inspo if you need a dog that can happily live in this type of space.

Siberian Husky

In conclusion, while Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies share some similarities, they have distinct differences that make each breed unique. It's often suggested that Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes don't make great pets for first-time dog owners and we can see why - they both need lots of exercise, patience, and training. If you do choose to put in the work and provide the exercise they need, both breeds make excellent companions. Check out our Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky collections for lots of fun designs.