Breeds, sizes, daily life, and the rescues near you that have huskies waiting.
The Field Guide
"Husky" covers more dogs than most people think. Here are the main members, with sizes taken from breed standards, not guesses.
The original
Developed by the Chukchi people of northeastern Siberia to pull light loads over long distances on little food. Eyes can be brown, blue, one of each, or split. Siberians ran in the 1925 serum relay to Nome, which is where Balto and Togo got famous.
The heavy hauler
Named for the Mahlemut people of northwestern Alaska and built for freight, not speed. Brown eyes only (blue is a disqualification in the breed standard), with a plumed tail that waves over the back.
The athlete
Mushers breed Alaskan Huskies for speed, endurance and attitude rather than looks, so they're mixes of northern breeds and sometimes pointers or hounds. They're the dogs you mostly see on competitive race teams.
The pocket husky
Developed in Alaska starting in the 1970s as a smaller companion with the husky look. Klee Kai are usually more reserved with strangers than Siberians. Small doesn't mean low-energy.
The smiley relatives
Samoyeds come from the Samoyede (Nenets) people of Siberia, where they herded reindeer and pulled sleds. The white coat and upturned "Sammy smile" give them away. Other northern spitz cousins include the Greenland Dog and the Canadian Eskimo Dog.
The surprise package
A lot of the huskies in shelters and rescues are mixes. A mix can get the husky energy, voice and escape skills from one side and anything at all from the other. Judge the dog in front of you, not the label.
Settle the dog-park debate
| Siberian Husky | Alaskan Malamute | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Speed and distance with light loads | Strength: hauling heavy freight |
| Size (males, AKC) | 21–23.5 in, 45–60 lb | about 25 in, about 85 lb |
| Eyes | Brown, blue, one of each, or split | Brown (blue disqualifies in the standard) |
| Tail | Fox-like brush, sickle curve when alert | Big plume carried over the back |
| Look | Lighter, distance-runner build | Heavier bone, broader head |
| Origin | Chukchi people, northeastern Siberia | Mahlemut people, northwestern Alaska |
Big blue-eyed dog that's clearly huge? You might be looking at a mix. Plenty of dogs are a bit of both.
Mini to mighty
Top of the height range at the shoulder, drawn to scale.
Klee Kai (toy)Klee Kai (mini)Klee Kai (standard)SamoyedSiberian HuskyAlaskan MalamuteAlaskan Huskies and mixes aren't shown, because they don't have a standard size. Malamutes are only a little taller than Siberians but often weigh 25 lb or more extra.
The pack
Shedding, escape tricks, the howling and the heat: the honest version.
Living With a HuskyHuskies end up in shelters and rescues more often than you'd expect. Find one near you.
Local Husky Finder