Siberian husky and malamute share a lot of characteristics in common. They are both spitz breeds, a type of cold weather dogs bred to work hard, and both of them are smart. Both of these dogs are not only similar in appearance and most definitely could be seen as brothers.
Besides, they are also very energetic dogs and they must get a lot of exercise much more than your average pooch. Get to know the other popular dog breeds you can pet at home and choose the best one!
The next part will be the differences between the Malamute and the Siberian Husky. All the differences include the temperament and key character differences between the breeds. By knowing the differences, you will be able to know which one is suitable for you.
- Appearance
Regarding to the size of these two breeds, the Malamute will win the paws down. The Malamute can weigh up to 100 pounds and the Husky is at 35% less than the Malamute, around 65 pounds. The Malamute also measures up to 28 inches from paw to shoulder, while Husky only measures up to 23.5 inches.
Because of their size, the Husky is classified as a medium-size breed and the Malamute is a large breed. Size could be a significant factor to consider choosing between the two. If you’re living in an apartment, then you could choose Husky instead of the Malamute.
Regarding to size and weight, if you plan to have one of these breeds, make sure they are not overweight. Overweight in dogs can be dangerous, but there are some ways to lose your overweight adult dog.
- Temperament
Both the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky are bred to work in packs of dogs and live around their masters and family. They both are very loving and affectionate with their pack.
However, the Malamute tends to be more distant with strangers or those he hasn’t accepted as one of the pack yet. In contrast, the Husky is more sociable and willing to accept other humans and animals alike.
The Husky is known to be a ‘dopey derp’ dig who will be able to bring lots of laughter. As a result, the Husky is known to be more prone to suffer from separation anxiety. The Husky doesn’t like to be left at home by himself for too long.
The Husky also tends to be more vocal than the Malamute. Both of them howl and bark, but the Husky is known to be chattier. Dogs like to bark, however, you also need to understand these common situations that make a dog keeps barking.
- Energy
Both breeds have to exercise a lot, as they need at least 90 minutes of activity every day. They are required not only to have a 90-minute walk, but they also need to burn off some stream with intense exercise.
The Husky prefers to run and can often get all the exercise it needs in a large backyard. On the other hand, the Malamute does better when it goes on hiking or swimming and even relishes a chance to carry a pack.
You can even put a canine backpack and let the Malamute to carry some of your supplies, or even its own water and bowl.
The Husky has higher energy level than the Malamute. Its incredibly high energy will enable you to spend most of the time playing with it. The Husky will also need time to run, exercise, swim and socialize with the other dogs in the park.
It can be overwhelming for some pet owners. On the other hand, the Malamute still has lots of energy too, but not as much as the Husky. The Malamute has slightly less energy and it will be easier for the owner to control.
Still, the Malamute should be exercised daily, but not as intense as the Husky’s needs. You can also consider these simple exercises for your dog to maintain its health.
- Health
Both Husky and Malamute come from reputable breeders that have likely been screened for genetic disorders and common chronic issues. From these two breeds, the Husky tends to have fewer health issues to watch out for.
The Husky is at risk for cataracts and requires regular exams to catch them early before they develop. The Husky also fall victim to hip issues as they are getting older.
On the other hand, the Malamute is also predisposed to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and day blindness. If you decide to have a Malamute, make sure to take it from a reputable breeder.
- Care and Grooming
Both dogs require some grooming effort. However, the Husky requires more low maintenance than the Malamute. The thick coat of the Malamute requires daily brushings, with care taken to watch for mats and hot spots. It can cause a lot of problems if it is not cared quickly. The Malamute also need baths every six to eight weeks and much more frequently.
On the other hand, the Husky requires weekly brushings. Regarding to the bathing schedule, the Husky is fairly self-cleaning and only needs around a couple of baths every year. Also spend time reading these following facts worth to know about dog grooming for beginners.