Alaskan Husky vs Siberian Husky

Just a look at those almond-shaped, collyrium-lined eyes endears these adorable canines to you! Huskies have been used for pulling sleds and skis since ages and this working dog breed is well-known for its strength, stamina, energy and resilience. The average weight of female huskies ranges between 35-50 pounds whereas male weigh somewhere between 45-60 pounds on an average. Males stand about 21-24 inches tall at their shoulders while females stand about 20-22 inches tall. Alaskan husky and Siberian husky are the two most common types of huskies around. You must have guessed by now that the only difference between these two breeds is geographic location, right? WRONG! To start with, Alaskan husky is not a distinct dog breed at all! Let us dig deeper into the details of both huskies to know those factors that differentiate these two from each other.

Alaskan Husky

As mentioned before, the Alaskan husky is not a separate, distinct breed at all! This is because there is no specific preference or restriction to its descent and this husky "type" is categorized solely by its purpose to humans - which is that of an excellent sled dog. Alaskan huskies can trace their ancestry from various other dog breeds such as Siberian Husky, Border Collie, Alaskan Malamute, German Shepherd, etc. Alaskan huskies usually have brown, blue or blue brown eyes. Their coats are either short or mid length, thereby, not requiring intensive maintenance. The average lifespan of an Alaskan husky ranges between 12 - 15 years.

These huge dogs are actually very gentle and are good to have around children. However, they can be a bother to other household pets as, owing to their hunting instincts, these huskies can playfully turn on them with disastrous results. Also, huskies are not at all good as indoor dogs and consider getting one only if you have close access to open grounds or if you live in the countryside. These playful but unbelievably strong dogs are generally friendly and docile by nature though you may want to keep constant watch over them as they can get easily bored if left alone for long and may discover ingenious ways of breaking out of the domestic vicinity.

Siberian Husky

Siberian husky is a proper, distinct and registered breed of working dogs that are primarily used for pulling sleds in the Northern tundra. The origins of this breed can be traced back to Siberia and genetically, the Siberian husky belongs to the Spitz family of dogs. Besides breed, the biggest factor that separates the Alaskan husky from the Siberian husky is the fact that Siberian huskies are shorter and stockier in terms of physique. Siberian huskies are used for both work as well as show purposes, as opposed to Alaskan huskies which are used strictly for work and dog sled racing purposes. Siberian huskies can have ice blue, dark blue, amber or brown colored eyes. The occurrence of heterochromia is quite common in Siberian huskies, which is characterized by one distinct color for each eye - say, one eye blue and the other amber!

The coat of a Siberian husky is very thick and long so as to protect the dog from the harsh cold conditions of the Arctic region. Siberian huskies share many common characteristics with their canine ancestors, wolves! Such traits include howling instead of barking, hunting instinct, hyperactivity and independence. They are very affectionate but cannot tolerate being held captive in closed places. Their puppy-like playful behavior lasts all their lives and leaving them alone for long can result in unpleasant behavior such as persistent howling, chewing, crying, etc. This breed is very intelligent and is very good at learning commands fast. Bred for obedience and hard work, Siberian huskies do not make good indoor pets but are excellent as outdoor working dogs!

Difference between Siberian Husky and Alaskan Husky

Check out the following table for a quick glance at the differences that separate both huskies from one another.

Points of Difference	Alaskan Husky	Siberian Husky
Breed Recognition	Unrecognized as a breed	Recognized as a breed
Sole Purpose	Working dog, sled pulling dog sled racing	Working dog, sled pulling, dog sled racing (short distances), show purpose
Registration with AKC, CKC	Not registered	Registered
Coat Length	Short to mid length	Long
Coat Thickness	Not very thick	Very Thick
Country of Origin	USA	Siberia
Genetic Family	Mixed	Spitz

That was all about the two types of huskies. Both huskies are adorable and high-energy canines and if you are contemplating upon getting one for yourself, make sure you give it enough time, exercise and access to big grounds. Do not consider getting a Siberian husky if it does not snow at your place as warmer climate is not suitable for this thick coated breed and it may make him uncomfortable, even sick. Whichever dog you get, make sure to take very good care of it and spend quality time with it. After all the unconditional affection and loyalty it generously bestows upon you, that's the least you can do for it!