Husky vs Malamute: How They Really Compare, From Someone Who’s Loved Both

Husky vs malamute is a comparison I’ve lived. Today we have three Siberian huskies, Lucy, Leela, and Rose, plus Athena, our half husky, half basenji. Before them, I grew up with northern dogs, including a Samoyed and an Elkhound, and later my parents had an Alaskan malamute named Cody. They look alike at first glance, but they’re not the same dog. Here’s how they really compare, from someone who has loved both.

Husky vs Malamute: The Quick Answer

• Malamutes are bigger. They’re broader, heavier, and built for hauling heavy loads.
• Huskies are smaller and faster. They’re lighter, rangier, and built for speed and distance.
• Both shed a lot. Huskies may shed even more.
• Both are friendly, independent, and stubborn. Neither one is an easy dog for a first-time owner.
• Both have a strong prey drive. Small animals, including backyard chickens, are not safe around either.

Husky vs Malamute at a Glance

Sources: the Siberian Husky Club of America breed standard and the Westminster Kennel Club breed profiles.

Size: The Biggest Difference

Size is the easiest way to tell them apart. The Siberian Husky Club of America breed standard lists males at 21 to 23½ inches and 45 to 60 pounds, and females at 20 to 22 inches and 35 to 50 pounds. The Westminster Kennel Club lists malamutes at up to 25 inches and 85 pounds.

Our malamute, Cody, was bred to be smaller, but he was still over 100 pounds. My huskies are smaller and rangier, and less broad. Malamutes were bred as “sledge dogs for heavy freighting in the Arctic,” according to Westminster, while huskies were built for speed and endurance. You can see it in how they move.

Meet Cody, Our Malamute

We picked Cody out of a litter of malamute puppies that wore colored collars. His was blue, so he was Baby Boy Blue. He was a super sweet puppy, and his paws smelled like popcorn.

I’d only ever had female northern dogs before him, and I thought he was sweeter, calmer, and less stubborn than they were. He did have trouble with drunk or loud people, though. Cody lived to 10. We lost him to stomach cancer.

I’ll be honest: I was already an adult when my parents got him, so I never lived with him long-term. The same goes for my husband’s first husky, Stormy. Stormy was already 11 when we moved in together, so I didn’t know that husky for a whole lifetime either. I think both breeds are challenging in their own ways.

Personality and Stubbornness

Both breeds are friendly and independent, and both have a reputation for doing things their own way. Westminster describes huskies as “extremely affectionate, even clownish,” but also “independent and sometimes headstrong.” It describes malamutes as “dignified and strong-willed.”

In my experience, huskies may be the more stubborn of the two. Cody was calmer than the northern girls I’d had before. My huskies, on the other hand, are proud performers on camera and stubborn ones off it.

Escape Artists

Huskies are famous for escaping, and I think they’re better escape artists than malamutes. Westminster notes that huskies need a fenced yard because they love to run and generally don’t come when called. If you’re getting either breed, plan on a secure fence and a leash every time you leave it.

Shedding: Both Are a Lot

The malamute definitely shed a lot, but I’m not sure anyone sheds as much as my huskies. Westminster’s ratings back that up a bit, scoring huskies higher for shedding than malamutes.

Our huskies blow their coats several times a year. In our house, we pull loose clumps of fur out by hand and call them “ploofs.” I wrote all about it in my posts on husky coat blowing and whether huskies shed. With either breed, expect an undercoat rake and a vacuum to become your best friends.

With Kids, Other Dogs, and Small Animals

My huskies are great with kids and other dogs, but not with chickens. The malamute was similar.

That prey drive is real. We keep our huskies and our thirty chickens completely separate, and we learned that the hard way. If you have cats, chickens, rabbits, or other small pets, think carefully before bringing home either breed. I share more about that in my post on how long chickens live.

Which One Should You Get?

If a friend wanted to get one, I’d say, “Can I come pick the puppy up with you????”

Seriously, though, both are wonderful for the right family. Choose a husky if you want a smaller, lighter, high-energy dog and you’re ready for an escape artist. Choose a malamute if you have room for a big, powerful dog and want a slightly calmer companion. Either way, plan for lots of exercise, lots of fur, and a sense of humor. And if you’re thinking about more than one, here’s what it’s like owning multiple huskies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is bigger, a husky or a malamute?

The malamute. Huskies top out around 60 pounds, while malamutes are typically around 75 to 85 pounds, and some are bigger. Our malamute was over 100 pounds.

Do malamutes shed more than huskies?

Both shed heavily. In my experience, huskies shed even more, and Westminster’s breed ratings agree.

Are malamutes calmer than huskies?

Often, yes. Malamutes tend to be a little more laid-back, while huskies are high-energy and famously good at escaping.

Are huskies or malamutes good with chickens?

Generally, no. Both breeds have a strong prey drive. Keep them fully separated from backyard poultry.

Are huskies and malamutes good for first-time dog owners?

They can be a challenge. Both are independent, strong-willed, and need lots of exercise and grooming.

How long do huskies and malamutes live?

Westminster lists both breeds as living up to 14 years.

The Bottom Line

Husky vs malamute comes down to size, energy, and how much fur you can handle. Malamutes are bigger and a bit calmer. Huskies are smaller, faster, and true escape artists. Both are stubborn, loving, and unforgettable. I still think about Cody, our Baby Boy Blue, and I wouldn’t trade my husky pack for anything.