ukpets logo
Pet Classifieds Pet Classifieds
  • For Sale
  • For Adoption
  • For Stud
  • Wanted
Post An Ad
Pet Care Blog
  • All Pet Care
  • Training Tips
  • Health / Grooming
  • General Advice
  • Interesting Articles
Tools Tools
  • Dogs
  • All Dog Breeds
  • Breed Finder Quiz
  • Compare Dog Breeds
  • Cats
  • All Cat Breeds
  • Breed Finder Quiz
  • Compare Cat Breeds
Account Account
Register
Sign In
Connect With Us:
  • Classifieds
  • Blog
Advanced Search Post an Ad
£0£2000+

Siberian Huskies and Their Lookalikes

Share this: Facebook Twitter Email

Reading Time: 4 minutes

a husky sitting on the grassIf you can’t tell a Husky from a Malamute, you’re not alone. To the untrained eye, all Arctic dog breeds can look the same. It’s perfectly understandable to mistake one breed from another because their physical features are so similar. But the confusion doesn’t end there. If you add other cold-weather dog breeds in the mix, chances are you’d have a hard time telling them apart.

The best way to distinguish a Siberian husky from an Alaskan malamute and other Husky-like dog breeds is to learn their history, distinctive physical features, and typical behaviour. You’d be surprised at how different they are from each other despite having similar looks.

Siberian husky

The Siberian husky has earned massive admirers from people all over the world due to its wolf-like appearance. They were originally bred as working sled dogs by the Chukchi tribe in northeastern Siberia. The tribe depended on the dogs for survival. They were used as a medium of transport by the natives as well as loading supplies.

a blue eyed siberian husky hiding behind a tree

Despite sporting fierce wolf-like features, this is a canine with an adaptable temperament that can get along well with people and other animals. Here are some of its distinct behaviours:

  • Instead of barking, they are known to howl.
  • At times they are called stubborn as they have a mind of their own.
  • This is an intelligent breed that needs constant mental stimulation and exercise. For this reason, it is not the best choice for first-time dog owners.

You may also like: Dog Training: 8 Golden Rules That Can Turn Anyone Into an Alpha Dog

Its dense coat may come in different pattern colour combinations. The most common are white, albino, and grey. Its piercing eyes usually come in blue colour, some may have a combination of shades:

  • Both eyes are blue
  • Both brown
  • Blue and Brown
  • Brown with blue flecks
  • Blue with brown flecks
  • Red (appears in rare types of huskies)

The Alaskan malamute

three alaskan malamutes sitting on the grass

Photo Credit: wencinja

The Alaskan malamute is amongst the oldest of the Arctic sled dogs. They’re most commonly mistaken for Siberian huskies even though they’re considerably larger and taller. They are named after the Mahlemiut which is an Inuit tribe of Alaska that finds the breed helpful in their hunting expeditions as a sled dog. In contrast, Malamutes are freighters whilst huskies are racers.

The Inuit bred the dog to be able to work in packs to help with transporting heavy loads quickly in long distances. This is why they have heavy bone, powerful shoulders, and well-muscled body. Their thick and weatherproof coat keep them protected from snowy climates.

The Alaskan husky

an alaskan husky walking in the grass

Unlike the Malamute, the Alaskan husky is not recognised as an official breed by major kennel clubs and organisations, hence, there is no registered breeding standard. Its breeding is purely focused on its ability to race rather than its looks and bloodline. They are leaner and shorter with a more compact body.

Having been bred as a working dog, it is usually used as a sled dog nowadays. They make wonderful companions for owners who love to hike.

Dogs that look similar to huskies

Apart from the above-mentioned dogs, there are other canines that are commonly mistaken as huskies:

a northern inuit dog walking in the grass field

Photo Credit: wikimedia

The Northern Inuit dog
This is a canine often compared to the German shepherd and the Siberian husky because of its body build. Technically, rather than a pure breed, it is categorised as a hybrid canine.

a utonagan dog lying down on the ground

Photo Credit: reddit

The Utonagan dog
The Utonagan dog breed sports an appearance resembling a wolf as well as a husky but is bigger in size. This pooch is a mix of Siberian husky, Alaskan malamute, and German shepherd.

an adorable samoyed dog standing on the grassSamoyed
The friendly Samoyed sports a similar appearance to the Huskies but are distinguishable by their thick all-white coat that make them impervious to the icy cold weather. They have a perpetual smile, which serves a practical function: to keep them from drooling, hence, preventing icicles from forming.

Getting it right

Considering getting an arctic dog? Whether you have a preference for a Husky, a Malamute, or other hybrid winter dog breed, you can be assured that they will be great at running, pulling sleds, and adapting to cold weather.

a group of sled dogs running in a snowy mountain

FREE E-BOOK

home-remedies-for-dog-health-issues
Get your FREE e-book on

Home Remedies for Most Common Dog Healthcare Issues

when you subscribe to your weekly dose of pet-infused newsletters

Packed with solutions and ideas for treating
common health issues for your dog at home.

Share this: Facebook Twitter Email

Hannah Mitchell

Related Stories

Newcastle is at the Top!: Ranking of the 25 Best Largest Cities for Dogs
Newcastle is at the Top!: Ranking of the 25 Best Largest Cities for Dogs
Dog Training: 8 Golden Rules That Can Turn Anyone Into an Alpha Dog
Dog Training: 8 Golden Rules That Can Turn Anyone Into an Alpha Dog
Tesla Launches “Dog Mode” for Dogs in Hot Cars
Tesla Launches “Dog Mode” for Dogs in Hot Cars
Latest Stories
  • 8 Simple but Effective Tips for Socialising Adult Dogs
  • Can Cats Eat Bananas? Is It a Safe Treat?
  • 6 Natural Mite Treatments for Dogs
  • How Long Do Turtles Live? The Secret to a Long Lifespan
  • 8 Natural Flea Treatments for Dogs
  • 5 Dangerous Illnesses Caused by Dogs Walking in Hot Weather
  • 5 Natural Tick Treatments for Dogs
  • Featured Story

    8 Simple but Effective Tips for Socialising Adult Dogs
    8 Simple but Effective Tips for Socialising Adult Dogs

    Socialising adult dogs may seem like a daunting task as some full-grown pooches are set in their ways. However, all hope is not lost. There are many … [Read More...]

    Latest Pets for Sale
    7
    Mixed Breed For Sale in Great Britain
    Cockapoo Puppies for Sale

    Stourbridge

    695

    5
    Bengal For Sale
    PEDIGREE BENGAL KITTENS

    Teignmouth

    1,100

    5
    Python Snake Online Listings
    Female Royal python

    Bristol

    255

    10
    Whippet Dogs Breed
    Pure bred whippets for sale

    Newark

    550

    View All
    Post Pet Advertisements
    For Free!
    Sign Up Now
    UK Pets Tools Dogs
    • Dog Breed Selector Quiz
    • Dog Breeds (A-Z)
    • Dog Breed Groups
    • Compare Dog Breeds
    • Dog Names
    Cats
    • Cat Breed Selector Quiz
    • Cat Breeds (A-Z)
    • Compare Cat Breeds
    • Cat Names
       Services
    •    Pet Sitters
    •    Pet Transport
    •    Pet portraits
    •    Pet Cremation
    •    Dog Walker
    •    Dog Training
    •    Dog Grooming
    •    Dog Photography
    •    Dog Kennels
    •    Hydrotherapy For Dogs
    •    Catteries
    Dogs & Puppies for Sale
    • Mixed Breed Dogs & Puppies for Sale
    • French Bulldogs for Sale
    • Cockapoos for Sale
    • Labrador Retrievers for Sale
    • Cocker Spaniels for Sale
    • American Bullies for Sale
    Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Mixed Breed Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • British Shorthair Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Ragdoll Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Bengal Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Sphynx Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Maine Coon Cats & Kittens for Sale
    Other Pets for Sale
    • Birds for Sale
    • Rabbits for Sale
    ukpets logo
    • About Us
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy & Cookie Usage
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Pet Insurance
    • Post Free Pet Ads
    Copyright © 2022 UKPets. All rights reserved.