Their incredibly fluffy coats, beautiful eye colors, and their good temperament make them popular dogs for many families.
When you think of a husky, there is probably a stereotypical image of one that comes to mind, however, did you know that there are actually many different types of husky out there.
So If you’re unfamiliar with all the different types of husky, this guide will help to teach you about all the different breeds of husky!
Siberian Husky
This is probably what you imagine when you think of a husky, as it’s considered the original husky! Originally bred to be sled dogs, these dogs are incredible athletes and have the endurance to match too!
Despite being known for their proficiency in sled races, these Huskies also played a part in the Arctic Rescue unit for the US Army throughout World War 2!
Typically, a Siberian Husky can grow up to be between 35 to 55 pounds, and up to 24 inches tall.
Owning a Siberian husky isn’t easy, they require a lot of extensive exercise as well as mental stimulation in order to ensure they behave well, additionally, huskies shed a LOT of fur, so be prepared to have to deal with a lot of brushing!
Ultimately, you shouldn’t own a husky as your first dog due to the extreme amount of care and attention they require.
Alaskan Malamute
Considered almost a big cousin to the Siberian husky, reaching up to 95 pounds in weight and as tall as 26 inches!
These dogs are directly descended from wolves and are known as the oldest sled dogs.
Some of their uses long ago included towing supplies, guarding properties, hunting game, as well as providing warmth to their owners.
Whilst not used for these sorts of tasks anymore, they are still an incredibly popular choice amongst prospective owners.
Similar to Siberian Huskies though, they require a lot of effort on behalf of their owners, needing a lot of exercise and care, which means that they aren’t great if you’re a first-time dog owner.
American Klee Kai
If the Alaskan Malamute is considered a giant husky, then the American Klee Kai are quite the opposite!
Similarly to other huskies, this breed originated in Alaska.
In the past, they were much larger than they are nowadays and were commonly used by their owners to guard their property, pull sleds, and were also used to help track game!
Their smaller size came about due to a breeding program in the USA that took place during the 1970s, which was designed to create a more companion-like husky dog by selective partnering smaller and selective breeding process.
This program was a success, the Klee Kai only weighs in at anywhere between 15-22 pounds, and reaches up to 21 inches in height.
If you want to own a husky but are perhaps unsure that you’d be able to keep up with the exercise and amount of care required to look after a Siberian husky or Alaskan Malamute, then you should look into an American Klee Kai!
American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo dog is another small companion type Husky, and are distinguishable from Klee Klai as their fur is completely white with no black markings.
They also tend to be slightly larger than Klee Klais too, weighing up to 35 pounds and up to 20 inches tall.
Despite their name, these dogs originated from Germany, where they become popular companion dogs for many as a result of their loyal nature and the deep attachment they form with their owners.
The American Eskimo dogs also come in smaller sizes too due to selective breeding, which are known as the Toy or the Miniature American Eskimo Dog.
These are smaller relatives of the American Eskimo dog, with the Toy growing up to a height of 15 inches, and the Miniature growing up to a height of 12 inches!
Despite their size, they still shed just as much fur as a standard husky, so you have to be prepared if you want to own one!
White Husky
Whilst technically a Siberian Husky, the White Husky is arguably the rarest form of Husky, typically these Huskies have light brown or black markings, however, White Huskies have no markings whatsoever and are white all over.
Despite their unusual appearance, they have the exact same traits as your traditional Siberian Husky.
So whilst this type of Husky might be particularly appealing to prospective owners, not only are they typically more expensive than a normal Siberian Husky, but they also require the same high amount of care and attention, so not ideal for first time owners.
American Akita
These dogs are extremely prevalent in North America, and grow up to a considerable size too!
American Akitas are able to reach up to 27 inches in height, and up to 90 pounds in weight, so they’re not small by any means!
These dogs can be rather dominant around other dogs, which means that they will frequently get into fights with other dogs given the chance.
Unfortunately they’re also quite hard to train, so it’s only recommended that you own one if you have experience training larger dogs and ones that are harder to train to begin with.
Summary
In summary, there are a whole host of different types of Husky out there, big to small, light to heavy, these wonderful dogs come in many different shapes and sizes, and each of them all have an incredibly rich history and ancestry, some of which go back thousands of years!
So if you’re thinking of possibly bringing a Husky into your life, just remember that they can be incredibly difficult to care for and will require a lot of attention and exercise in order to keep them mentally and physically stimulated!
Hi, I’m Olivia Kepner and I am a zookeeper here in San Diego. Since I was a young girl I have always been fascinated by animals and species across the globe.
I used to beg my parents to take me to our local zoo every single weekend. Well, I say local – it was more like a two hour drive away. But they took me as much as they could, allowing me to fall in love with the animals again and again.
