Alaskan Malamute vs Alaskan Husky – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between Alaskan Malamute vs Alaskan Husky"
Compare Alaskan Malamute and Alaskan Husky. Which is better: Alaskan Malamute or Alaskan Husky?
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Name | Alaskan Malamute | Alaskan Husky |
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Origins | ![]() | ![]() |
Group | Sled Dogs | Sled Dogs |
Popularity Rank | 59 | 495 |
Reviews | 3 | 2 |
Rate |
Other Names | Mal, Mally | Husky (Alaskan) |
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Breed Type | Purebred | Cross Breed |
AKC Group | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1935 as a Working breed. | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. |
FCI Group | Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the Nordic Sledge Dogs section. | Not recognized by FCI. |
Breed Recognition | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club | Dog Registry of America Inc. |
Price | $1200-$1500 | $1000-$1500 |
General Appearance - Alaskan Malamute vs Alaskan Husky
Size | Large | Medium |
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Weight | Male: 80 - 95 pounds (36 - 43 kg), Female: 70 - 85 pounds (32 - 38 kg) | Male: 40-60 pounds (18-27 kg), Female: 35-48 pounds (16-22 kg) |
Avg. Weight | Male: 80 - 95 pounds (36 - 43 kg), Female: 70 - 85 pounds (32 - 38 kg) | Male: 50 pounds (22.5 kg), Female: 41.5 pounds (19 kg) |
Height | Male: 24 - 26 inches (61 - 66 cm), Female: 22 - 24 inches (56 - 61 cm) | 20-24 inches (51-61 cm) |
Avg. Height | Male: 24 - 26 inches (61 - 66 cm), Female: 22 - 24 inches (56 - 61 cm) | 22 inches (56 cm) |
Hair & Care - Alaskan Malamute vs Alaskan Husky
Coat | Dense Rough Thick Weather-resistant | Dense |
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Colors | Red Gray White Black | Gray White Blonde Orange Black |
Grooming | Average: The Alaskan Malamute requires average grooming effort. | Average: The Alaskan Husky requires average grooming effort. |
Shedding Level | Alaskan Malamutes are heavy shedders. | Alaskan Huskys shed moderately. |
Characteristics - Alaskan Malamute vs Alaskan Husky
Temperament | Affectionate Dignified Loyal Devoted Friendly Playful | Agile Energetic Protective Alert Powerful Sensitive |
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Intelligent Rank | Average: Alaskan Malamute's has average obedience intelligence. | Average: Alaskan Husky's has average obedience intelligence. |
Trainability | Alaskan Malamutes are easy to train. | Alaskan Huskys aren't famous for their trainability. |
Playfulness | The Alaskan Malamute is a playful breed. | The Alaskan Husky is a highly playful breed. |
Sensitivity Level | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | Alaskan Huskys don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits. |
Affection Level | Alaskan Malamutes are average dogs regarding their affection level. | Alaskan Huskys are highly affectionate dogs. |
Social Needs | Alaskan Malamutes are a social breed. | Alaskan Huskys need for social interaction is average. |
Barking | Low to Average: The Alaskan Malamute rarely barks. | Average to high: The Alaskan Husky is a vocal breed. |
Watchdog Ability | Alaskan Malamutes are one of the best watchdogs. | Alaskan Huskys are average watchdogs. |
Territorial | Alaskan Malamutes are extremely protective guard dogs. | Alaskan Huskys are average defenders. |
Biting Potential |
Moderate The Alaskan Malamute has an average chance of biting somebody. |
Moderate The Alaskan Husky has an average chance of biting somebody. |
Mouthiness | Alaskan Malamutes have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Alaskan Huskys have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam | Alaskan Malamutes have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. | Alaskan Huskys have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. |
Prey Drive | Alaskan Malamutes have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Alaskan Huskys have a high impulse to chase and catch something. |
Apartment Friendly | Alaskan Malamutes are not apartment-friendly dogs. | Alaskan Huskys are not apartment-friendly dogs. |
Adaptability | Alaskan Malamutes adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually. | Alaskan Huskys adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
Tolerates Being Left Alone | Alaskan Malamutes do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. |
Fighting Dog |
Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Good With - Alaskan Malamute vs Alaskan Husky
Stranger Friendly | Alaskan Malamutes are stranger friendly dogs. | Alaskan Huskys are very stranger friendly dogs. |
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Child Friendly | Alaskan Malamutes are kid-friendly dogs. | Alaskan Huskys are average friendly dogs towards children. |
Cat Friendly | Alaskan Malamutes are not cat-friendly dogs. | Alaskan Huskys are not cat-friendly dogs. |
Dog Friendly | Alaskan Malamutes are very dog-friendly dogs. | Alaskan Huskys are very dog-friendly dogs. |
Office Friendly |
No Alaskan Malamute is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Alaskan Husky is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly | Alaskan Malamutes are usually recommended for elderly people. | Alaskan Huskys are commonly okay with elderly people. |
Pet Friendly | Alaskan Malamutes do best when they’re the only pet at the family. | Alaskan Huskys do best when they’re the only pet at the family. |
Good For First Time Owners |
No Alaskan Malamutes are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Alaskan Huskys are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
Service Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Therapy Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Boat Dog |
Not really Alaskan Malamute breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Alaskan Husky breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Health Factors - Alaskan Malamute vs Alaskan Husky
Health Issues | The Alaskan Malamute is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | Alaskan Huskys tend to have more and frequent health issues than other breeds. |
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Health Problems | Cataracts Chondrodysplasia Hemeralopia Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Inherited Polyneuropathy | Hyperthyroidism Laryngeal Paresis Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) |
Life Expectancy | 12-15 years | 10-15 years |
Hypoallergenic | No | No |
Energy Level | Alaskan Malamutes are high energy dogs. | Alaskan Huskys are high energy dogs. |
Exercise Need | Alaskan Malamutes need quite a lot of exercise. | Alaskan Huskys need a lot of exercises. |
Sleeping Need | Alaskan Malamutes don't need too much sleep. | Alaskan Huskys are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping. |
Avg. daily food consumption | Recommended daily amount: 4 to 5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two or three meals. |
Weight Gain Potential | Average. | Low to Average. |
Weather & Climate |
Prefers cold weather The Alaskan Malamute can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog. |
Prefers cold weather The Alaskan Husky can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog. |
Stinkiness |
Low The Alaskan Malamute has a low chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Alaskan Husky has an average chance of bad smell. |
Drooling tendency | The Alaskan Malamute is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Alaskan Husky is an average drooler. |
Reproducibility - Alaskan Malamute vs Alaskan Husky
Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
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How often can the have a litter? |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Litter Size | 4-10 puppies | 4-10 puppies |
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