Are Alaskan Malamutes the same thing as a Siberian Husky?”
Although all of these breeds (and a few others) trace their heritage to northern climes, there are some distinct differences between them. The Malamute is a large, draft animal. Although similar in appearance to the Siberian, you will find some notable differences: the Malamute is about double the size of a Siberian; the ears of Malamutes are also set much lower on a much broader head; and Malamutes tend to bark more than Siberians. The Alaskan Husky is not a pure-bred dog. Generally, the name “Alaskan Husky” is one given to a cross-bred animal produced for sled dog racing. This is generally some sort of hound (for more of a sprint-racing animal with longer legs) crossed with a Siberian (for more ability to survive in the cold). Siberians are a pure-bred dog, domesticated long ago by the Chukchi natives of northern Siberia.
It is sometimes mistaken for a Siberian Husky, but in fact is quite different in many ways. The coat is a dense double northern dog coat, somewhat “harsher” (in a certain sense) than that of the Siberian Husky. The usual colors are various shades of gray and white, sable and white, black and white, red and white, or pure white. Eyes are almond-shaped and are always various shades of brown (from dark to light, honey or hazel brown); blue eyes will disqualify the dog in shows. The physical build of the Malamute is compact with heavy bone, in most (but not all) cases.. In this context ‘compact’ means that their height to length ratio is slightly longer than tall, unlike dogs like Great Danes which are longer and lankier in their ratios.
