The Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute seem pretty similar, right? Both live in the snow, pull sledges and look more or less like a sophisticated wolf. But how would their crossbreed then be? The Husky Malamute mix definitely isn’t the newest or strangest hybrid dog out there. But there isn’t too much research done on them. So to get a better idea about this crossbreed, we will have to take a look at their parent breeds.
Just like with any other crossbreed, you can’t ever exactly know what you will get. But these two breeds really have a lot in common. And we really mean A LOT. So it would make a lot more sense to look at their differences, than there similarities. Because they are way less differences. But there still are some. These differences leave space for different variations of the Husky Malamute mix. And you can be sure that every one of them will be unique in their own way.
So what are the differences between the Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky?
Both breeds belong to the Nordic sled dogs. They both need a lot of exercise every day. And both of them can’t really tolerate high temperatures. Their appearance is incredibly similar, and so is their demeanor too.
But let’s see where the differences lay.
Origin
Through their names, we can already see where each individual comes from. The Malamute comes from West Alaska, more precisely from the Inuit tribe. He reaches back towards the end of the 19th century.
With the gold rush in this area, many began to adopt him. That’s why it’s so popular in Canada and the United States.
The Husky was bred by the Chukchi tribe in a cold and uninhabited area of Siberia. They were very proud to have one of these wolf dogs as a helper. He was a symbol of strength and power.
From the beginning, both breeds served hunting and transporting food, wood and even people by sled.
But the husky also had other tasks: to give the women and children warmth and protection during the snowy nights and to accompany its owner for a long time thanks to its physical resistance.
Geographically speaking, these two breeds weren’t close at all. At least not back in history. Nowadays you can find both breeds everywhere around the world. But it’s unclear when and where the first Husky Malamute mix dog was bred.
Size of the Husky Malamute mix
One of the main differences between Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky is the size.
Both are robust and large breeds. But the Malamute definitely being the larger one. Male Malamutes stand 25 inches tall and should weigh about 85 pounds. Females tend to stand 23 inches high and weigh about 75 pounds.
An average Husky male stands between 21 and 23.5 inches tall. The female averages 20 to 22 inches. The male weighs between 45 and 60 pounds and the female 35 to 45.
You can expect their cross to be somewhere between these measurements.
Appearance
One of the main features of the Siberian husky is that many of them have bright eyes, blue or green. He can even have an eye of any color. But the Alaskan Malamute always has dark eyes, either black or brown.
The Husky Malamute mix can inherit the eyes of either one of his parents.
At first glance, the Malamute has a square and larger face than the husky, although it is still harmonious with the rest of his body.
Both have a mostly white face with dark lines as if they had a mask on. It also seems as if they wear a cap as their fur in this area is particularly dark.
The ears of the Alaskan Malamute are smaller and wider at the base, while in the one from Siberia they are more elongated. In both cases, the shape is triangular and upright.
Coat
This is another and more striking difference between the Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky. Both have a double layer of fur, which can be different colors (white, gray, brown, black, reddish). But the coat of the Malamute is longer and feels rougher. The Siberian Husky has a very soft and medium-length coat.
It’s hard to tell which coat their cross will inherit. But either way you have to prepare yourself for some serious grooming. They need a lot of brushing, at least a few times a week. In addition to that, don’t forget to clean their ears and brush their teeth.
Personality of the Husky Malamute mix
The Malamute is very obedient to the whole family. These dogs enjoy your company. They are true family dogs who love to receive your affection.
They are known for their gentle nature, loyalty and dedication. If he is trained from an early age, he will never refuse an order.
As far as the Husky is concerned, he’s a nice, loving, friendly and sociable pet. But he can be aggressive towards strangers. Especially outside your home.
He’s very intelligent, obedient and needs not only physical but also mental activity. That’s why agility is the ideal sport for a husky.
Their mix will obviously share many of these traits as well.
Health
There are also not many differences between Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky in the health sector: Both usually suffer from hip dysplasia and eye problems such as cataracts. So their mix is prone to these conditions as well.
Neither of them likes heat and they can get weight problems if they eat too much and have no exercise.
Make sure you feed your Husky Malamute mix a healthy and balanced diet. Also, let him get enough exercise. These dogs love to move!
You can lower the risk of any health problems by making sure that their parents are as healthy as possible.
We also have a bunch of articles about other beautiful dog breeds:
- European Great Danes vs American Great Danes
- Red Boston Terrier: The different American Gentleman
- King German Shepherd: Giants of the canine world
- Alabai Dog: Central Asian Shepherd Dog
- Sarabi Dog: Everything You Have To Know
- Golden Mountain Dog: Smart And Friendly
- All Black Cane Corso: Frighteningly Beautiful