Comparing Malamute vs Husky

Are Malamutes Better Than Huskies

We’ve listed some of the main distinctions between the malamute and the husky in the chart below. The Siberian husky is a working dog, but the Alaskan malamute is a member of the Spitz dog family. However, both dogs have differences, including size and preferred temperatures.

Husky Malamute Size 20 to 24 inches tall, 22 to 26 inches tall ten to twelve years 12-15 years preferred environment Prefers the cold; may need more time to become used to warm conditions. ability to survive in every climate, from arctic regions to tropical ones. Purebred cost with Curled Straightened Tail $1,200-$2,000 $600-$1,300

The 7 Key Differences Between Malamutes and Huskies

Are Malamutes Better Than Huskies

Make sure you understand what you’re getting into before adopting a dog. But there has long been confusion between the husky and the malamute.

The Siberian Husky was initially developed as a working and pulling type of dog. They were developed to make it easier for humans to transport heavy objects. Huskies can manage longer trails; the Alaskan Malamute was bred to pull hefty loads. Husky and malamute characteristics can be contrasted by noting that huskies are heavy and powerful whereas malamutes are light and agile.

Everyone tends to believe they are aware of the actual breed differences, but are they really?

Although the two animals are similar in size and shape, they differ significantly in 6 key ways that we’ll discuss in this article.

Malamute vs Husky: Eye Color

The eye color is one of the easiest ways to distinguish between huskies and malamutes. Purebred malamutes almost always have brown eyes because they lack the gene for blue eyes. Conversely, huskies will have blue eyes or heterochromia (two different colored eyes).

Malamute vs Husky: Curly vs. Extended Tail

The tail distinguishes a malamute from a husky the most easily. The dog’s curled tail, an evolutionary characteristic developed over many generations of breeding, aids in keeping the dog’s body and face warm when it curls up. Additionally, it has much more bush than the husky’s tail, which is frequently entirely straightened.

Malamute vs Husky: Relation to the Wolf

Look no further than the wolf if you’re unsure where the malamute gets its excellent looks! The breed dates back about three thousand years, and it is substantially larger than a wolf. The Inuit people who domesticated them are said to have chained their dogs to trees in the forest in the hopes that a wolf would breed with them and increase their strength.

The genetic makeup of the husky and the wolf differs greatly. The breed, which includes dogs like Pomeranians and Akitas, is more akin to the Spitz dog family.

Malamute vs Husky: Tribal Breeding Around the World

While it is clear that genetics are rooted in different breeds, the husky and the malamute come from entirely different parts of the world. The husky originally came from Northeast Asia, and it was bred to be a sled dog by the Chukchi people. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the Siberian husky ever made it to the United States at the request of the Alaskan people.

On the other hand, the nomadic Inuit tribe known as the Mahlemut directly bred the malamute in northwest Alaska. The Mahlemut employed them to hunt seals and as polar bear guardians rather than as sled dogs. They did, however, occasionally function as sled dogs for hauling supplies over considerable distances.

Malamute vs Husky: Taking Care of Grooming

Both dogs can be as attractive as possible, but grooming is crucial. The husky takes far less maintenance to maintain their coat; all that is needed is weekly brushing and a few baths a year. Malamutes require a lot of attention, and the best way to minimize shedding and mats is to brush them every day and bathe them every 6 to 8 weeks.