Malamute and husky: description and differences of breeds

Malamutes and huskies are loyal, good-natured dogs, good friends and helpers of people. Outwardly, only at a cursory glance it may seem that they are similar.

Both breeds are sled and bred in the north, but on different continents. They have different ancestors, so the breeds have many differences.

The Alaskan Malamute is a strong muscular hardy dog ​​with a large square body. Her height is 56–66 cm, and her weight is 32–43 kg, the difference depends on gender. The dog has a coarse, long, dense coat.

There are 2 breed lines: M ”Lut with wolf color and Kotzebue, endowed with wool of any color: gray, black, brown, red or beige.

Malamute has a wide head with pointed ears sticking out upward, which is raised high while running. Outwardly, the breed is distinguished by a "mask" on the face and a "cap" on the head. The dog has muscular paws with wide pubescent pads that prevent it from falling into the snow.

The back is straight with a flexible lower back that allows the body to spring while running. The tail is moderately curled.The look is smart and friendly, full of charm.

The willful character and mind of a dog from birth. She will use them to her advantage, if she does not engage in education from early childhood.

Malamute is a sled dog. He, of course, can be taken on a hunt: he has an excellent sense of smell.

He will quickly find the shot or caught game, but he will not bring it to the owner, he will keep it for himself. Hunting requires completely different animals.

It should not be forgotten that the Malamute descended from the wolf, and although the character of the dog is good-natured, leadership qualities and the desire to be the leader of the pack remained from his ancestors. If there are several dogs of different breeds in the family, there is no doubt that the malamute will become their leader.

A person with a weak character should not start this breed. From childhood, the owner will have to explain to the dog who is the boss. If you give up the slack, the Malamute will become the leader.

In training, he needs an integrated approach, it is necessary to load the dog with physical and mental exercises to the same extent. Although he is stubborn, he will be happy that they are doing him.

An owner who does not have skills in raising animals can turn to dog handlers for help. The main thing is not to waste time, using the young age of the pet to form character.

You should not put security or protective tasks in front of the dog: this good-natured merry fellow is always glad to people and is not going to bark at them.

He is generally silent by nature. For sledding competitions the dog is also not suitable. He is ready to spend the whole day on the road tirelessly, but he will not come to the finish line first.

Husky in comparison with malamute - the very grace, she is light and mobile. Its height reaches 50-60 cm, and its weight is 16-28 kg (the size depends on the gender). Despite its graceful appearance, the breed was developed for active work, transporting heavy weights, and long journeys in the snow.

Today, breeders are guided by the beauty of the pet's appearance and its compactness for the possibility of keeping dogs in an apartment. But a dog that is genetically suited to hard work is difficult to reorient. If you do not give her a daily sufficient load, she will destroy the house from idleness.

Husky is a Siberian breed obtained thanks to the small peoples of the North. But they registered it in America. Dogs gained wide popularity among Europeans in the 17th-18th centuries during the exploration of the North, and among Americans - in the 19th century. During the gold rush, they were used as sled dogs.

American breeders started to improve the breed. Already in the 30s of the last century, a standard was developed and the population was registered. The breed returned to Russia only in the 90s of the last century.

The husky has its own external characteristics.

• Wool can have a silvery hue, as well as brown, white, gray, black and white, brown. The dense warm fur allows the dog to sleep in the snow, even in severe frost. The axial hair is of medium length, the undercoat is thick and soft.
• The dog's body is proportional and compact.
• Paws are straight, medium in size.
• A beautiful head with a slightly elongated muzzle.
• Strong neck with good bend.
• Amazingly intelligent almond-shaped eyes. Most often, huskies can be found with blue eyes, but there are also brown ones. Representatives of this breed often have heterochromia (irises of different colors).
• Ears set on high look like 2 triangles.
• The nose is most often black, sometimes brown. In light colored dogs, a beige nose can be seen.
• The strong tail is curled into a ring.

The character of the animal should be discussed separately. Many people who want to take a husky into the house give up this idea when they find out about the wayward nature of the pet.

The dog is very smart, cunning and quick-witted, and if you add stubbornness and self-will, it becomes clear why it is so difficult to train.

She will not play games "fetch the ball", for her intellect this is not an interesting activity, she will find more important things for herself that the owner will not like. For example, after returning from work, you can find gnawed furniture, upturned flower pots, torn bedspreads.

Husky is not a couch dog, it should be outdoors up to 8 hours a dayand should be loaded with physical and mental exercise. The more she spends her irrepressible energy on the street, the more whole the owner's apartment will be.

But it is worth remembering that while walking, the dog can run away. However, she is also able to escape from the yard, having made a tunnel under the fence. In addition, the husky is good at opening simple locks, she is smart enough to find various loopholes to break free.

Moreover, the animal is very friendly. It will not catch a thief or guard its owner: northern dogs are trained not to harm people. They love everyone, but most of all they are attached to their master.

Husky is tactful, she will not impose her society. But she will not allow others to command herself, she makes decisions on any issue.

Husky loves to make noise, she "sings", even tries to imitate people with her voice. If the owners are late, the dog can howl for a long time, which irritates the neighbors. Dogs live up to 15-16 years.

Malamute and Husky are northern breeds of dogs that were bred for hard work, long trips in low temperatures. Performing the same tasks under the same conditions, of course, the dogs will have a certain similarity in character, ability and appearance. At first glance, their appearance seems to be similar, especially the almond-shaped eyes and smart kind look. Both dog breeds have thick, warm coats.

Representatives of both breeds are quick-witted, kind and willful, they are on their own, they are difficult to train. These animals do not attack people, but they are not particularly obedient to them. Dogs have hunting skills, in the north they can take care of themselves, catch game, but only for themselves, they will not bring it to humans.

Huskies and malamutes are loving and devoted animals, they miss loneliness and are always happy to communicate with people.

Husky appeared in Siberia, its ancestors were local northern dogs, which were used by the Chukchi for sledding. The breed was registered in 1930.

Malamutes, whose ancestors were wolves, were bred by the Eskimos of Alaska. These dogs became so popular that in 2010 they were made the symbol of the state of Alaska.

Both breeds were intended for sledding trips, they had to be able to overcome a huge path through the snowy expanses.

Huskies are very mobile, they are able to quickly run long distances, but due to their relatively light weight, they cannot carry heavy loads. Malamutes are large, strong dogs and can travel many kilometers with a heavily loaded sled. But malamutes are deprived of the indefatigable energy of huskies and will overcome their path slowly and gradually. The different possibilities of working with the team are reflected in their appearance, weight and size.

Despite some similarities, both breeds have many differences. Dogs have completely different ancestors.

It is not surprising that the appearance and character of these animals may differ even with the same tasks that are assigned to them.

... Let's consider how to distinguish representatives of these species from each other.

• Visually, you can immediately understand that the malamute is larger: it is about 10 cm taller than a representative of another breed and 10 kg heavier. But the husky can eat a lot and gain extra pounds, overeating is not noticed for the malamute.
• Dogs work in a sled in different ways; their appearance can be used to assess their working potential. At first glance, one can see the strength and power of the Malamute, strong stocky bones, well-developed muscles, strong legs. Gives the impression of a handsome athlete with his head held high. He has a lot of energy, without getting tired, he transports heavy loads over long distances. But speed is not his strong point, it belongs to the advantages of the husky. The average size of dogs of this breed, their mobility and lightness allows them to develop tremendous speed in a team. They cover long distances, but they are not able to carry too heavy loads.
• The coat of both breeds is quite warm, dogs do not freeze even in the most severe frosts, but the difference in fur can be noticed visually and tactilely. Malamute has coarse, coarse spinous hair that sticks out to the sides. The color of the fur coat can be from light gray to black, from beige to brown, but the coat on the belly remains white. The husky's fur is close to the body, the undercoat is very soft, the spinous hair is also not endowed with special rigidity. The Siberian breed wool is more pleasant to the touch. Any color from white to dark is allowed.
• The head of the Malamute is proportionate to the body, large, well set. In a husky, it is smaller, more graceful, the muzzle is more elongated. Outwardly, the Malamute looks very good-natured, which corresponds to its character. Husky can look different, sometimes the pattern of the mask and the cold shade of blue irises, framed by a black line around the eyes, makes the expression of the muzzle angry and angry. But this is a misleading impression. A kind, loving, playful animal is hidden under the mask.
• Malamute, according to the standard, must have brown eyes, blue are rare and are considered a marriage. Husky can have any shade, but blue is considered more advantageous.
• The triangular high-sitting ears of the Alaskans have rounded curves, while the Siberians have their corners sticking up.
• The tails of both dogs are fluffy, raised upward with a slight bend. The Malamute has a longer coat on the tail; during the stance, it is thrown over its back. In a husky, the tail drops during a stance.

Despite the fact that both dogs are sled, there are many differences in their character and habits. Husky is fast, light, energetic and "talkative" dog. Malamute is also full of energy and strength, but the speed of the Siberian is inferior. He is imposing, sedate, likes to be quiet.

Husky are cunning, playful, on their own mind. They love to dig the ground, arrange tunnels and other pranks.

Malamutes are calm, but stubborn and independent, submission to someone is considered beneath their dignity.

Both breeds get along well with other pets, but have their own claims in relation to them.

Husky can run after cats, pretending to hunt, and the malamute will prove to everyone that he is the leader of the pack.

First, let's decide who shouldn't have dogs of these breeds.

• For those who have a weak character or are taking a pet into their family for the first time, such breeds are not suitable. They are brought up and trained in a very difficult way. A newcomer will most likely not be able to cope, and in the future, instead of a devoted friend, he will receive a problem.
• Sled dogs should not be taken by lazy, busy or irresponsible people. You will have to walk with pets for 8 hours a day, loading them with mental and physical training.
• These dogs are not suitable for living in an apartment. Firstly, they will create a mess, and secondly, they need to stay a lot of time in the fresh air.
• You cannot take Malamutes and Huskies for protection or protection. They will be affectionate with everyone and will not harm even thieves.

These breeds are suitable for people living in private houses, where dogs have the opportunity to spend a lot of time in the yard.They can be kept in enclosures, provided they are walking and exercising.

It is better for families with children to choose a husky: they are smaller, easier to train and like to play with children. Malamute is suitable for a lonely person. He becomes attached to one master, and, although he is friendly with everyone, he will definitely not be a nanny for children.

The cost of puppies can play a role in choosing a pet: huskies are estimated at 15 thousand rubles, and malamute - at 20. If dogs are taken for their intended purpose: in a harness, everyone decides for himself who he needs: a runner or a heavyweight. Dogs of both breeds are beautiful, kind and very fond of people. But their maintenance is connected with certain difficulties, if you are not ready for them, it is better not to take puppies.

You can learn about the difference in the character of a malamute and a husky from the video.