Spot the Difference - Malamutes and Huskies

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

Do you know the difference between an ALASKAN MALAMUTE and a SIBERIAN HUSKY?

The Alaskan Malamute is the native Alaskan Arctic breed from the Kotzebue Region, whereas the Siberian Husky is of the Kolyma River Region in Siberia, Russia. It is not uncommon for most people to confuse these two most common Nordic breeds with each other. Follow each picture description to get to know their differences;

1. GENERAL APPEARANCE, CHARACTERISTICS

& TEMPERAMENT:

A) SIBERIAN HUSKY (right) -

Medium size, moderate bone. Performs his original function in harness most capably, carrying a light load at a moderate speed over great distances. His body proportions and form reflect this basic balance of power, speed and endurance. Keen, friendly and gentle, interested and even mischievous. but also alert and outgoing. He does not display the possessive qualities of the guard dog, nor is he overly suspicious of strangers or aggressive with other dogs. Agreeable companion and willing worker.

ALASKAN MALAMUTE (left) -

Heavily boned, powerfully built, not too compact and never appearing short on the leg. Sled dog capable of surviving in Arctic temperatures and of pulling heavy loads at steady speeds. Affectionate, friendly, loyal, devoted companion but not a "one man" dog, playful on invitation, generally impressive by his dignity after maturity but tends to show aggression to other dogs.

2. HEAD AND SKULL:

A) SIBERIAN HUSKY (right) -

Skull of medium size and in proportion to the body; slightly rounded on top and tapering from the widest point to the eyes.

ALASKAN MALAMUTE (left) -

Head broad, powerful, not coarse, in proportion to size of dog. Skull broad between ears, gradually narrowing to eyes, moderately rounded between ears, flattening on top as it approaches eye, rounding off to moderately flat cheeks. Very slight but perceptible stop. Muzzle large in proportion to size of skull, scarcely diminishing in width or depth from stop. Nose black except red and white dogs when it is brown. Pink streaked ‘snow nose’ acceptable.

3. EYES:

A) SIBERIAN HUSKY (right) -

Almond shaped, moderately spaced and set a trifle obliquely. Eyes may be brown or blue in colour; one of each or particoloured are acceptable.

ALASKAN MALAMUTE (left) -

Brown, almond-shaped, moderately large, set obliquely. Dark eyes preferred, except in red and white dogs where light eyes are permissible. Blue eyes highly undesirable.

4. EARS, MOUTH & NECK:

A) SIBERIAN HUSKY (right) -

Of medium size, triangular in shape, close fitting and set high on the head. They are thick, well furred, slightly arched at the back, and strongly erect, with slightly rounded tips pointing straight up. Nose black in gray, tan or black dogs; liver in copper dogs; may be flesh- coloured in pure white dogs. The pink-streaked ‘snow nose’ is accept

able. Lips are well pigmented and close fitting. Teeth closing in a scissors bite. Neck is medium in length, arched and carried proudly.

ALASKAN MALAMUTE (left) -

Small in proportion to head. Triangular in shape, slightly rounded at tips, set wide apart, at back of skull. Ears forward when erect. When dog is working sometimes folded against skull. Upper and lower jaws broad with large teeth, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Neck is strong and moderately arched.

5. FOREQUARTERS, BODY & HINDQUARTERS:

A) SIBERIAN HUSKY (left) -

The shoulder blade is well laid back. The upper arm angles slightly backward from point of shoulder to elbow and is never perpendicular to the ground. Bone is substantial but never heavy. Body deep and strong chest but not too broad, with the deepest point being just behind and level with the elbows. The back is straight and strong, with a level topline from withers to croup. It is of medium length, neither cobby nor slack from excessive length. The loin is taut and lean, narrower than the rib cage, and with a slight tuck-up.

When standing and viewed from the rear, the hind legs are moderately spaced and parallel. The upper thighs are well muscled and powerful, the stifles well bent, the hock joint well-defined and set low to the ground. Dewclaws, if any, are to be removed.

ALASKAN MALAMUTE (right) -

Shoulders moderately sloping; forelegs heavily boned and well muscled, straight as far as pasterns which are short, strong and almost vertical viewed from side.

Body strong and powerfully built, chest strong and deep; back straight but not level, sloping slightly downwards from shoulder to croup. Loins well muscled, never so short as to interfere with movement. No excess weight. Hind legs broad and powerfully muscled through thighs; stifles moderately bent, hock joints broad and strong, moderately bent and well let down. Viewed from behind, hind legs vertical, standing and moving true, in line with movement of front legs. Legs indicate tremendous propelling power. Dewclaws on hind legs undesirable.

6. FEET, TAIL & GAIT/MOVEMENT:

A) SIBERIAN HUSKY (right) -

Oval in shape but not long. The paws are medium in size, compact and well furred between the toes and pads. The pads are tough and thickly cushioned. The paws neither turn in nor out when the dog is in natural stance.

The well furred tail of fox-brush shape, is set on just below the level of the top-line, and is usually carried over the back in a graceful sickle curve when the dog is at attention. When carried up, the tail does not curl to either side of the body, nor does it snap flat against the back. Hair on the tail is of medium length and approximately the same length on top, sides and bottom, giving the appearance of a round brush.

The Siberian Husky’s characteristic gait is smooth and seemingly effortless. He is quick and light on his feet, exhibiting good reach in the forequarters and good drive in the hindquarters.

ALASKAN MALAMUTE (left) -

Feet is large and compact, toes close, well arched, pads thick and tough, toenails short and strong. Protective growth of hair between toes. Tail is moderately high set, following line of spine at start then curving gently upwards. At rest may hang straight down. Well furred and carried over back when dog is working, not tightly curled to rest on back, nor short furred and carried like a fox brush, but giving appearance of a waving plume. Single tracking at trot is normal but movement not too wide or too close at any gait. Easy, tireless, rhythmic movement, produced by powerful drive from hindquarters.

10. NOTE - MALES:

A) SIBERIAN HUSKY -

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

ALASKAN MALAMUTE -

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

11. DISQUALIFICATION:

A) SIBERIAN HUSKY -

Dogs over 23_ ins. (60 cm) and bitches over 22 ins. (56 cm).

ALASKAN MALAMUTE -

Blue eyes

7. COAT & COLOUR:

A) SIBERIAN HUSKY (right) -

The coat of the Siberian Husky is double and medium in length, giving a well furred appearance but is never so long as to obscure the clean cut outline of the dog. The under coat is soft and dense and of sufficient length to support the outer coat. The guard hairs of the outer coat are straight and somewhat smooth lying, never harsh nor standing stra

ight off from the body. All colours from black to pure white are allowed. A variety of markings on the head is common, including many striking patterns not found in other breeds.

ALASKAN MALAMUTE (left) -

Thick, coarse guard coat, not long and soft. Dense undercoat, from 2.5-5 cms (1-2 ins) in depth, oily and woolly. Coarse guard coat stands out, with thick fur around neck. Guard coat varies in length as does undercoat but, in general, coat of medium length along sides of body, increasing somewhat around shoulders and neck, down back and over croup, as well as in breeching and plume. Range is from light grey through intermediate shadings to black, or from gold through shades of red to liver, always with white on underbody, parts of legs, feet and part of mask markings. Markings either cap-like or mask-like on face. Combination of cap and mask not unusual. White blaze on forehead, white collar, or spot on nape permissible. Heavy mantling of unbroken colour acceptable. Only solid colour permissible is all white.

8. SIZE:

A) SIBERIAN HUSKY (right) -

Height: Dogs : 21-23_ ins.(53-60cm.)at the withers Bitches : 20-22 ins. (51-56cm.) at the withers

Weight: Dogs :45-60 lbs. (20-26.5 kg) Bitches : 35-50 lbs. (16-23 kg)

Weight is in proportion to height.

ALASKAN MALAMUTE (left) -

Height : Dogs : 64 - 71 cms (25 - 28 ins)

Bitches : 58 - 66 cms (23 - 26 ins).

Weight : Between 38 - 56 kgs (85 - 125 lbs),

size consideration not to outweigh type.

9. FAULTS:

A) SIBERIAN HUSKY (right) -

Head clumsy or heavy; head too finely chiseled. Insufficient stop. Eyes set too obliquely; set too close together. Ears too large in proportion to the head; too wide set; not strongly erect. Muzzle either too snippy or too coarse; muzzle too short or too long. Any bite other than scissors. Neck too short and thick; neck too long. Chest too broad; ‘barrel ribs’; too flat or weak. Weak or slack back; roached back; sloping top-line. A snapped or tightly curled tail; highly plumed tail; tail set too low or too high. Straight shoulders; loose shoulders. Soft or splayed toes; paws too large and clumsy; paws too small and delicate; toeing in or out. Weak pasterns; too heavy bone; too narrow or too wide in the front; out at the elbows. Straight stifles; cow-hocks, too narrow or too wide in the rear. Long, rough or shaggy coat, textured too harsh or too silky; trimming of the coat, except as permitted above. Short, prancing or choppy gait, lumbering or rolling gait; crossing or crabbing. Any appearance of excessive bone or weight should be penalised.

ALASKAN MALAMUTE (left) -

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. Broken colour extending over body in spots or uneven splashings undesirable.

[BAGRI]

Good stuff! I always go by ...malamute big ... Siberian husky smaller lolll

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

Good stuff! I always go by ...malamute big ... Siberian husky smaller lolll

lol i cant do that cuz skyla is pure sibe but malamute standard lol

[Elyse]

Ooooh - interesting...thanks Nix!

I can't go by that rule either...as Suka's pretty big that a lot of people mistake him for a Mal.

[BAGRI]

Lol yeah Mikas pretty large.. Everyone thinks he's a mal too.

[mydiamond]

the only way I tell if it's a mally or a husky---> "ermm.. this one is a mal. Yep. A mal. You ask me how do I know? Well, I... I just know! There's just SOMETHING indescribably different between those two .__."

friends who heard this said I made it sound mystical xD

[Kara]

great post, I always have a hard time unless I am with my sibe, but am slowly learning the diff, I think the notation about position of the tail will come in handy.

[BlueWolf]

I'm the same as you, Olivia. I just "see" it being completely different than huskies. It's mostly the shape of their face that gives it away.

[kper]

[valkyra]

lol I have one of each and they are so different both smart as all get out, Mally is sneakier but she is older lol used to be zoe(mal) was the starter of all play this has hanged with age she is 2 now thinks she is an old lady and mya picks on her grabs her neck and tries to drag her across the room now zoe just pushes her away with those huge legs and feet. Zoe is a food eating machine mya not so much. zoe loves kids mya is getting better but not so much they scare her for some reason (glad her owner my son is 16) then there is this lol they are about 10 months apart in age huge difference in size.

[valkyries]

not sure what i have lol Nix (BingBlaze'n'Skyla) tells me i have donkies

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

not sure what i have lol Nix (BingBlaze'n'Skyla) tells me i have donkies

they are huge lol

[Removed #5]

Nix, thanks for this very interesting article! Tells me a lot I didn't know.