Types of Huskies: 12 Different Types of Husky Dogs

Last Updated on April 21, 2023

When someone says “Husky,” most people think about the Siberian Husky. It’s probably one of the reasons why they’re one of the most popular husky breeds.

But did you know that there are 12 different types of huskies?

Some of them are purebreds, while some are crossbreeds or wolf hybrids. Curious what other huskies are out there?

Keep scrolling and meet them all!

What are the Different Types of Huskies?

Huskies, or more appropriately, spitzes, are kind of like retrievers, or hounds, in the sense that they are a type of dog specifically bred for a particular kind of work.

While retrievers are gundogs and hounds are hunters, huskies are used in freezing climates for warmth, transport, and sport.

Bred to be racers and to pull sleds across long distances in the biting cold, these breeds of husky have a thick coat and unbelievable stamina.

Whether you choose a pure-breed husky or a mixed-breed dog, there’s no escaping the husky dog’s active and playful manner.

Over the years, people have selectively bred them to be companion dogs.

Still, they will always be the types of dogs that need lots of stimulation and a dedicated owner who wouldn’t mind spending an entire day combing out their undercoat during shedding season.

These independent doggies aren’t the best for first-time owners due to their aloof nature and tendency to wander, but with lots of love and dedication, you will be able to have an excellent companion.

1. Siberian Husky

Sleek and goofy, the Chukchi’s Siberian Husky is loved for its wolfish coloring and striking eyes. They are friendly to all and are not meant to be guard dogs.

They would sooner slip out of the ajar door than to stop an intruder from entering your home.

These hyperactive canines can be a handful for the uninitiated. They love escaping, howling, and running. Sometimes, this even means running away from home!

Even the most devoted and well-trained Sibe might take off running when the urge comes knocking.

The AKC faults Huskies that have a pure white coat. They are the only husky breed allowed to have blue eyes and eyes with heterochromia.

These beautiful and unique eye colors don’t come without a price. Juvenile cataracts are especially prevalent in this breed. 

2. Miniature Husky

Growing up to 16 inches (40 cm) only, these dogs should not be confused with the American Klee Kai.

The Miniature Husky shares the same genetic makeup as the Siberian Husky, with their only difference being their small size.

You can expect them to be as challenging to handle as their full-sized brothers.

Unlike the Siberian Husky, they aren’t recognized by the American Kennel Club. This doesn’t mean that the Miniature Husky is a mixed breed.

It’s just that they don’t meet the breed standard for Siberian Huskies by being so small. 

It’s crucial to acquire them from knowledgeable and well-meaning breeders. Otherwise, you might end up with a sickly pup as many create Mini Huskies by breeding runts together.

3. Chinook Dog

This dog breed was developed back in the 1900s, but by 1965, they were considered by the AKC to be the rarest dog breed.

Thanks to breed enthusiasts, the Chinook was saved from extinction and named the New Hampshire representative in 2009.

These dogs are highly athletic and adept at skijoring and are lovely hiking partners.

A Chinook is precisely how you’d imagine a Labsky to look like. They have golden and brown coats, and unlike many of these Arctic sled dogs, the Chinook may have floppy ears.

They are strong and athletic dogs used for freight and sledding, as well as farm work. Delightfully obedient dogs make excellent family companions and efficient watchdogs.

4. Samoyed 

Known as the fluffier version of a Husky, the Samoyed is a sled dog. Being all white, they might look like polar bears, but they can get very attached to their families. Samoyeds are goofy, affectionate, and vocal.

While they are easy to train, they aren’t suited for households that hold the discipline to a high standard as they are inherently playful. 

Sammies are sometimes used to pull sleds that are almost twice their weight but have become increasingly popular as house pets.

Friendly and pleasant, they can get along well easily with everyone except small animals due to their high prey drive. 

Their lush coats need to be regularly maintained, and they are susceptible to developing skin problems, which makes warm and humid climates ill-suited for this gorgeous breed.

5. Alaskan Malamute

The biggest husky-type dog breed, the Alaskan Malamute, can grow up to a whopping 26 inches. Highly intelligent and affectionate, they require a firm but loving hand to help shape them into ideal pets. 

Mals look very much like a large and fluffy Siberian Husky, but their key difference is that where Sibes may have blue eyes, Alaskan Malamutes only have brown eyes.

Mals are freighters, whereas Huskies are races. This means that they would much prefer hiking with a heavy pack to running.

Due to their ultra-thick coats, they don’t do well in tropical climates, and special care should be taken to ensure they don’t overheat in the summer. 

6. Labrador Husky

The Labrador Husky’s name is misleading, and many might assume they are a Labsky – a Labrador Retriever and Siberian Husky crossbreed.

That’s not true, though! They are purebred sled dogs from Northern Canada. However, they do have some Alaskan Malamute and German Shepherd heritage. 

These dogs aren’t suitable for households with smaller pets as they have a powerful instinct to hunt. They can also bond quite closely with their families and become quite protective.

Owners without a whole lot of time or determination should look at a different dog. The Labrador Husky doesn’t do well alone, even for short periods.

7. American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog comes in three size variations, with the smallest weighing at 8 lbs (3.6 kg) which is around the size of the tiny Pomeranian!

Funnily enough, they do have a common ancestor: the German Spitz. 

A cheerful breed, they once worked as circus dogs and brought cheer to everyone. According to the AKC, they can even pick up tricks by watching other dogs. 

These small cute spitz dogs are also called Eskies. The smaller variations make perfect companions for little children.

On top of that, they are super friendly and eager to please, an excellent choice for first-time owners. However, just like any working type dog, they require lots of exercises to be happy.

8. American Klee Kai 

Created to be a toy version of the Husky, these lithe dogs are small, but they are just as independent and much more aloof.

Their size makes them the perfect companion for young children, especially since they are incredibly playful and loving towards their family.

Throw in a stranger or a small animal, and it would be a completely different story.

They are vocal little dogs, and they won’t let you forget that. Take a listen to the funny and weird noises these doggies can make: 

Unlike Miniature Huskies, the American Klee Kai has more of a wedge-shaped head, giving him the appearance of an oversized Chihuahua. 

9. Sakhalin Husky

In the 1990s, these Japanese husky dogs, also known as Karafuto Dog, were highly popular. Today, they are on the verge of extinction, but not without leaving behind a legacy.

This is the dog breed that inspired the movie Eight Below, showing their unfailing loyalty and resilience. 

10. Azurian Husky

Nobody knows if the elusive Azurian Husky is a hoax or simply rare. They look like a light-colored Siberian Husky with blue-tinged fur.

Not much can be found about this husky breed, except that it first made its appearance on Pinterest in 2014, which points to it being a joke.

11. Alaskan Husky 

The Alaskan Husky isn’t a breed but a category of dogs bred explicitly for sled racing. These mixed breed dogs are bred to be faster and taller than the average Siberian Husky.

They are much leaner too. Paired with its intelligent brown eyes and pointed ears, it looks distinctly wolf-like.

They generally have a thinner coat, and according to breeders at Hetta Huskies, they may require coats to keep them warm when they are resting. 

You could say that any dog that’s bred with multiple breeds to enhance its endurance and speed is essentially an Alaskan Husky.

Still, they are most often mixed with the Siberian Husky, Eskimo dog, Alaskan Malamute, Border Collie, German Shepherd, German Shorthaired Pointer, Taimyr, Laika, Greyhound, and the Inuit Husky.

12. Greenland Dog

The Greenland Dog is classed as a different breed despite sharing the same genetic makeup as the Canadian Eskimo.

Since there aren’t apparent differences besides the lack of a breed standard for the Greenland Dog, they are still often lumped together as the same breed. 

According to history, they were descended from large Huskies that were imported from Siberia into North America. Similar to their ancestors, they are stubborn dogs.

Paired with their strong pack mentality, this dog breed is best suited for alpha-type owners who can command their respect. 

What are Some Additional Husky Crossbreeds?

Siberian Huskies are a popular dog breed, especially with pet owners that admire their exotic, wolf-like appearances.

Here’s a list of the most interesting Husky designer dogs, with the top most popular being:

• Pomsky (Pomeranian Husky mix) 
• Huskita (Husky Akita mix) 
• Alusky (Alaskan Malamute Husky mix) 
• Pitsky (Husky Pitbull Terrier mix) 
• Ausky (Husky Australian Cattle Dog mix) 
• Siberian Boston (Boston Terrier Husky mix) 
• Chusky (Husky Chow Chow mix) 
• Dusky (Dachshund Husky mix) 
• Hug (Husky Pug mix) 
• Shepsky (German Shepherd Husky mix)
• Utonagan (Alaskan Malamute German Shepherd Husky mix) 
• Mackenzie River Husky (Newfoundland St. Bernard Pitbull Husky mix)
• Eurohound (Alaskan Husky English/German Pointer mix)

What are the Different Types of Husky Colors?

If you think that there’s such a wide variety of Husky dog breeds, just wait till you take a look at all the various colors they come in.

Siberian Huskies can be pure white or shades of grey and red. They can also have various types of markings, with open-faced Huskies being the most common. 

There are also different patterns, such as piebald or agouti – a personal favorite, as it most closely resembles the coloring of wolves.

Learn more: Everything You Need to Know About Siberian Husky Colors

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do different types of Huskies have different temperaments?

A few of these husky breeds might share similar characteristics, but different dog breeds very often have distinct temperaments.

The traits they share are a combination of playfulness and willfulness. They may also tend to howl and have a strong prey drive.

Overall, huskies are pack animals and do very well with their same kind and can bond exceptionally well with their human companions.

Some of these breeds can be rather stand-offish to the point of being downright unfriendly such as the Klee Kai and Greenland Dog.

While Samoyeds and Sibes are friendly dogs, they won’t be as easy-going as the Labrador Retriever. 

Which type of Husky dog sheds the least?

All huskies are double coated to protect them from the harsh climates that they hail from. You should expect them to blow out their coat biannually.

They aren’t suitable for families that can’t tolerate having fur drifting around the house because you will find fur everywhere, in your soup, and all over your carpet.

Huskies definitely aren’t for households with sensitivities. 

If you really want to get technical, the big fluffy spitz dogs shed the most, so you’ll want to choose a smaller breed.

Since Siberian Huskies shed much less than Malamutes, you can come to the logical conclusion that the small Klee Kai or American Eskimo Dog would shed the least.

Are Huskies easy to train?

They are highly trainable, but they need the right approach, which makes them better suited for experienced dog owners.

Most huskies are working dog breeds, which means they need to be worked and worked hard. They can run for miles and miles without stopping.

These dogs used to be the only way to transport goods all over Alaska and Siberia, after all. 

While some of the small dogs on this list were created to be companion dogs, they also have high energy requirements. 

Are Husky dog breeds good for a first-timer owner?

These Arctic dogs aren’t the best for first-time owners because they are unlike other dogs. Much like wolfdog breeds, they have an independent and quirky streak which makes them harder to handle.

Furthermore, they are pack animals that need to be thoroughly stimulated daily. Failure to give them the attention they require will result in an unmanageable dog.

However, this doesn’t mean that a dedicated and determined dog owner cannot rear a husky dog successfully.

You will need lots of patience and passion for training and guiding your husky into a respectable and well-mannered pup.

What is the Best Husky Breed? 

Before bringing home a dog, always consider your lifestyle and living conditions. Do you have lots of space? Are you an active person?

When choosing a husky, you want to make sure that you are committed to giving your dog the care and attention it deserves.

For first-time owners, we’d suggest going for the American Eskimo Dog.

If you have small children, the Alaskan Klee Kai would be more apt, and Mals also get along quite famously with kids above the age of five.

Let us know if you have decided which husky is the right breed for you in the comments, and tell us what your determining factor was!

Further reading: Ready to learn more?

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