Huskies are fascinating and the thought of a dog sled trip in the far north is dreamy.
Huskies have long been indispensable as loyal companions in our temperate latitudes.
But do you know all Husky species? You’re sure to find your new favorites in our post.
8 Husky species at a glance
The Inuit people were referred to as “Eskimos” by English sailors. Their sled dogs as “Huskimos”. This is where the term “Husky” in use today came from.
1. Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky makes good friends with people and is known to be an extremely loyal and affectionate breed.
Siberian huskies usually weigh between 15 and 30 kilograms and measure between 50 and 60 centimeters at the shoulder.
Do you want to know more about the size of the husky? Then have a look at the article: How big does a husky get? at!
This breed is characterized by its wolf-like face with erect, pointed ears, as well as its piercing blue eyes. They can also have a mixed eye color.
Siberian huskies like to howl, especially to the sound of musil or sirens. They are considered stubborn and will show you their displeasure if something doesn’t suit them.
The extremely strong-willed dogs need good training and experienced caregivers and are therefore not recommended for first-time owners.
2. Malamute
The Malamute is one of the large husky species and weighs between 35 and 45 kilograms when fully grown.
In contrast to the Siberian Husky, he is also slightly larger and has a shoulder height of up to 66 centimeters.
The extremely intelligent and strong-willed dogs have their origins in Alaska.
Their quite stubborn streak requires an assertive and experienced owner who has ample experience with large and stubborn breeds.
Do you want to know more about the differences between the Siberian Husky and Malamute? Then I recommend this article to you Husky vs Alaskan Malamute!
3. Chinook
A rather rare Husky species is the Chinook. This breed is also relatively modern in contrast to the classic and traditional husky breeds.
Chinooks were bred from a cross between a farm dog and a husky.
They are used not only as sled dogs, but also as guard dogs, although their nature is not very aggressive.
They are even considered to be particularly suitable for families and children.
In contrast to classic huskies, the Chinook is said to be more obedient and less stubborn.
4. Labrador Husky Mix
Source: Wikipedia
Contrary to popular belief, the Labrador Husky comes from the naming, not from a hybrid between the two breeds. Rather, this husky breed shares many of the physical traits of a Labrador.
Originally, Labrador huskies were bred in North America as sled dogs and hunting dogs. They have a strong prey drive and are therefore not always well-disposed towards other animals.
The muscular dogs are medium-sized, their shoulder height is 50 to 70 centimeters. They reach a weight of 30 to 45 kilograms.
Reading tip: You can find more great Husky crossbreeds here!
5. Alaskan Husky
Recognizing an Alaskan Husky is difficult. The similarities to the Siberian Husky are too great.
According to theories, a crossing with the Siberian dogs took place before the connection between Alaska and Russia disappeared.
The Alaskan Husky is slightly larger than its Siberian counterpart. Otherwise, the two breeds appear outwardly the same.
Differences are more likely to be found in the personalities of the animals. Friendly and graceful, Alaskans are less stubborn than Siberians. This makes training easier.
6. Samoyed
The Samoyed is between 48 and 60 centimeters tall and weighs around 25 kilograms on average as an adult. This makes them smaller than most husky species.
Nevertheless, they are bred and valued as sled dogs. Their long and fluffy white fur allows them to endure unimaginable temperatures of up to minus 60 degrees.
Samoyeds are friendly and do well with people. In addition, this breed is particularly good for people with allergies to dogs.
7. American Eskimo Dog
If you think the American Eskimo Dog originated in the USA, you are wrong. This breed originally comes from Germany. According to speculation, a husky was crossed with a German Spitz here.
Before the world wars, this breed was very popular in North America. However, due to the connection to Germany, demand suffered. Because of this, the breed was renamed the American Eskimo Dog.
The dogs have all the characteristics of a husky, but they have a long, white coat and are noticeably smaller than other husky breeds.
They are 22 to 30 centimeters tall and weigh between 3 and 15 kilograms.
8. American Klee Kai
The American Klee Kai is a more modern strain that dates back about 40 years.
Linda Spurlin wanted to create a new breed that would serve as a companion dog to the big huskies.
The first dog from the breed was named «Klee Kai», which means something like «little dog» in the Inuit language.
The Klee Kai is sort of a mini version of the Siberian Husky. It grows to a maximum of 43 centimeters and weighs between 4.5 and 9 kilograms. The fur is similar in color as well as in length. Only the shape of the head is much more wedge-shaped in contrast to the Siberian Husky.