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The Husky is a species of northern sled dog that is well adapted to the cold arctic terrain where it comes from. These breeds share many traits, including a muscular and athletic body, deep chest, thick double coat, webbed feet (for traveling in the snow), an intelligent mind, and a seemingly light gait. At some point in the distant past, it is believed that they mingled with wild wolves. This legacy has given them a surprisingly wolfish appearance. But despite some misconceptions, they are not dog / wolf hybrids. These are 100% legal dog breeds.
Today, huskies are rarely used for travel, although they are a special event in the annual Iditarod, in which teams of 14 sled dogs compete in grueling, multi-day races. They are more often kept in the home as affectionate and loyal family members. Huskies are versatile dogs with an amazing work ethic and strong drive for social interaction. They excel at hiking, agility training, go-karting, skiing, and obedience rallies. In addition, they are quite healthy and long-livers.
However, these breeds are not for everyone. They really need a tremendous amount of exercise, plenty of space, abundant grooming, strong obedience training as a puppy, and constant social interaction and companionship. A stubborn streak is also a disqualifying factor for many owners. Huskies often end up in animal shelters because the previous owner can’t handle them. However, if you understand how to care for these types of dogs, they will be grateful and affectionate pets.
This article will cover 10 different types of huskies. Unfortunately, the husky has no clear definition other than the northern sled dog. The very name husky probably comes from a term referring to indigenous peoples and does not tell you anything about its purpose or characteristics. As a result, virtually any sled dog will be considered for inclusion on this list.
1. Siberian husky
The Siberian Husky is perhaps the most famous of all husky species. The American Kennel Club ranks it as the 14th most popular dog breed in the United States alone. Originally from the Chukchi of northern Siberia, the ancestor of modern Siberian huskies was bred as an ideal breed for transporting light loads over long distances in subzero temperatures. The modern breed gained international fame in 1925 when legendary driver Leonard Seppala made the 658-mile trip in five and a half days to Nome, Alaska with his team of Siberian huskies.
This breed is medium in size, weighing around 60 pounds. He has very thick double coats of black, white, gray, sable and red fur with markings on the back and a face mask. Heterochromia, meaning the appearance of two completely different colors of the iris in each eye, is a common feature of this breed. Many people find the combination of one cool blue iris and another gold or amber color instantly alluring and inviting. This trait also does not appear to have a negative impact on the dog’s actual vision.
Despite its working background, the Siberian Husky is a very people-oriented breed with a pleasant temperament. He is extremely affectionate, loyal, outgoing, playful and slightly mischievous. He loves to communicate with people, doing fun activities and games. Although they do suffer from hip and eye problems, this breed has a lifespan of 12 to 14 years.
2. Miniature Siberian Husky.
For owners who do not want to deal with such a large dog, some breeders have developed a smaller version called the Miniature Siberian Husky. Its distinguishing feature, of course, is its relatively small, almost puppy size. This dog reaches 16 inches at the shoulders and weighs no more than 35 pounds in adulthood. Moderation and behavior is otherwise the same as that of the Siberian Husky, but due to the fact that their small size does not meet breed standards, it is deprived of purebred status.
3. Alaskan husky
Alaskan Husky was designed with one goal in mind: to pull the sled. All other characteristics, including its appearance, are secondary to its characteristics. These mongrels have been created over the years by crossing with many different breeds, including German Shepherds and Greyhounds. As a result, many dog clubs and organizations simply do not recognize them as legal breeds. But they are remarkably good at the sole purpose for which they are bred.
The Alaskan Husky is perhaps the most common sled dog in the world today. He’s not as well suited as a family companion if he doesn’t have to work hard and exercise. The Alaskan Husky is a medium-sized dog, usually weighing between 38 and 50 pounds. It is characterized by short to medium length wool with any acceptable color or pattern.
Alaskan Husky vs Siberian Husky
The Alaskan Husky and Siberian Husky have a lot in common. They are both excellent working breeds. They are both very affectionate towards people. And they enjoy working in large packs with other like-minded dogs. But the main difference is that the Siberian Husky usually has a larger body with white fur and darker colors, while the Alaskan Husky has a much wider range of different coat colors and appearances.
4. Alaskan Malamute
An extremely strong and heavy dog weighing up to 85 pounds, the Alaskan Malamute descended directly from the first dogs to appear in America. He is very affectionate, loyal and playful, but he is also quite dignified in the way he behaves. This breed is characterized by white fur with an admixture of black, blue, gray, red, sable or silver. The average life expectancy is 10 to 14 years.
5. Samoyed
It is a controversial issue whether the Samoyed dog belongs to different types of husky. This breed was bred by the Samoyeds of Siberia as a versatile working dog for herding reindeer and hunting for prey. However, it is also a talented sled dog with a medium-sized muscular body and boundless energy. With its luxurious all-white fur, the Samoyed is known for its incredibly infectious smile and cheerful personality. Although this breed can be liked by people of all ages, it is especially well suited for homes with children. Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years.
6. Greenland dog
Originally introduced to the island of Greenland by the Thule people around AD 1000, the Greenland Dog is an iconic breed of its homeland, historically used for sledding and hunting bears and seals. He has a typical husky temperament: affectionate, noisy, independent and very playful. As a result, training this breed for a puppy can be quite chall
en
ging and not for the faint of heart. The dog has a thick double coat of black, white, fawn, brown and many other possible color combinations.
7. Canadian Eskimo dog
Some people believe that this is the same breed as the Greenland dog; They both have a very similar temperament and appearance. Their almost identical genetic profile also indicates their similar ancestry. But the Canadian Eskimo is considered slightly heavier than the Greenland dog with a thick mane of fur all over its neck. Almost any combination of colors and markings is allowed.
8. Labrador Husky.
This extremely rare breed is not a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Siberian Husky, as some might think. Instead, it is a completely separate breed with its own unique identity and history. It was introduced to the Labrador region of Canada by the Inuit around 1300 AD. Although distantly related to the Siberian Husky, he nonetheless has a very similar appearance, affectionate temperament, and hard work. This large breed weighs up to 90 pounds and measures about 26 inches at the shoulders. Thick wavy coat is available in black, brown, red, gray, white and even variegated colors.
9. Husky on the Mackenzie River.
The Mackenzie River Husky is not a well-defined breed. Instead, it is a generic term for several different overlapping dog types from northwestern Canada. It can be defined as a sled dog from the Yukon Territory region that has been crossed with European breeds such as the St. Bernard or Newfoundland to produce a powerful pulling dog. Many of these dogs are quite rare and little known outside of their homeland.
10. Sakhalin Husky.
Sakhalin Husky is another extremely rare breed. As the name suggests, it originated on the large island of Sakhalin, located north of Japan, now part of Russia. This relatively large dog, weighing 66 to 88 pounds, has black, reddish brown and even cream markings. He is remarkably alert, loyal, intelligent and active. Unfortunately, only a few of them remain in the world.
Next: What types of wolves are found in North America?
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