Husky vs Malamute

Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes are both thick-coated northern sled breeds with erect ears and curled tails, so they are mixed up constantly. Breed standards show clear differences, though. The husky was developed to pull light loads quickly over long distances, and the malamute was developed to haul heavy freight.

That job difference shows in the body. Huskies are lean, medium-sized and quick, and malamutes are larger, with heavier bone and a broader head. Mixed-breed dogs and young puppies blur the lines, so look at eyes, size and coat texture together rather than relying on color, which overlaps heavily.

Husky vs Malamute side by side

Last verified October 2026. Typical values; individual animals, products and local prices vary.

When you are looking at which

Siberian Husky

• The dog has blue eyes, or one blue and one brown.
• It weighs well under 60 pounds and looks lean and light on its feet.
• Its coat is the same length all over and lies smooth.
• It keeps escaping the yard and is relentless about running.

Alaskan Malamute

• The dog is large and heavy, around 75 pounds or more, with a broad head.
• Its eyes are all some shade of brown.
• Its coat looks coarse and longer over the shoulders, neck and back.
• It is happy to come back home after yard time, and may be pushy with same-sex dogs.

How this works

This page compares the two breeds using breed standards and kennel club descriptions: height, weight, eyes, coat, ears and temperament. The quiz asks five questions about what you can see in the dog and how it behaves, and each answer includes a one-line reason.

Neither quiz nor table can identify a mixed-breed dog or a very young puppy, and show-line and working-line dogs can differ from the standard. Use several cues together, and ask a vet or breed club if you need to confirm a pedigree.

Where these numbers come from

The figures and defaults on this page are based on:

• AKC: Siberian Husky vs. Alaskan Malamute, Weights, coat, ears, eye color rules and temperament differences (checked October 2026)
• Royal Kennel Club: Siberian Husky breed standard, Husky height, weight, eyes, coat, ears and tail (checked October 2026)
• Wikipedia: Alaskan Malamute, Malamute height, weight, eyes and lifespan study (checked October 2026)
• Wikipedia: Siberian Husky, Husky height, weight, eye colors and lifespan study (checked October 2026)

Field-identification guide based on breed standards. Mixed-breed dogs and puppies may not match either description.