Last Updated on March 10, 2022 by Griselda M.
Ah, the Husky. One of the most stunning dogs of breed around.
If you ask people what they know about this breed, they may mention that it hails from Siberia.
Huskies are also known as ‘Siberian Huskies’, in reference to the northern climes of Russia where they were used as sled dogs. And generally speaking, when someone refers to a Husky, they are talking about the Siberian Husky
But did you know that there are many other variations in the Husky rainbow?
What type of Huskies are there? Keep reading to learn all about all the different types of Huskies.
What Type Of Huskies Breeds Are There?
Siberian Husky
The O.G. of the Husky world. This mid-sized dog, once used mainly for pulling cargo across the snows and ice of the Northern Hemisphere, is now a household favorite. Owners of this type of Husky will appreciate that they are independent, headstrong, smart, and quite vocal! These guys need a LOT of exercise to keep them happy and healthy. The rarest, and therefore most expensive, of this group, is the White Husky.
Agouti Husky
Agouti Huskies have mostly black fur, known as ‘wolf sable’. They are mainly found in sled-racing teams and are rarely seen in the show ring. Its dark coat gives it a more wolf-like appearance than other Husky types. And just like the White Husky, it must be noted that the Agouti is still a Siberian Husky, just with a gene variation that darkens the fur! And like the White Husky, dogs with this color gene variation are rare.
Akita Inu
A Japanese Husky breed, the Akita Inu is a tall and sturdily built dog. They are not easy to train and are therefore not so easy to keep as household pets. This different type of Husky has been around since the 1600s when it was used to hunt bears and to guard property. The Akita Inu is wary of strangers, loyal to its family, and like all of the other Husky breeds, drops A LOT of hair!
Alaskan Malamute
If you have even seen an Alaskan Malamute, then you will appreciate that they look very similar to the Siberian Husky. The Malamute is the larger of the two types of Husky dog, though. The breed was also bred to haul cargo in the snow. This dog was developed by native North Americans as far back as 2,000 years ago and was also used to hunt.
American Eskimo Dog
This Husky type comes in Standard, Mini, and Toy sizes. They have pure white fur, and they are extremely popular as companion dogs. Smaller than the other types of Husky dog, this little dog is known for being friendly, and for not needing as much exercise as its cousins.
American Klee Kei
This type of Husky is not officially recognized by the American Kennel Association. However, this mini Husky type is popular in Alaska, where it is used for hunting and racing. In fact, its name is Eskimo for ‘little dog’! The Klee Kai is loyal to its family, disinterested in strangers, and is a quick learner. This different Husky type is very agile too.
Canadian Eskimo Dog
This working dog was first used by the Thule people somewhere between 1,000 and 4,000 years ago. Not only did this Husky dog breed pull sleds, but it also hunted polar bears! Not surprisingly, these guys are big, strong dogs. The Canadian Kennel Club recognizes that the Canadian Eskimo Dog is a ‘primitive’ working breed and therefore not suitable as a pet. This Husky type almost became extinct after there was a mass cull of the breed in the 1970s when snowmobiles made the dog obsolete. Luckily, a breeding program has saved this fascinating type of Husky.
Sakhalin Husky
Like the Akita Inu, this is another Husky bred by the Japanese, to use as sled dogs for their expeditions in the Antarctic. They are exceedingly rare and considered to be close to extinction. This Husky type is also called the Karafuto Ken.
Other Husky Types
Some mixed Husky breeds are starting to gain recognition.
This includes the Siberian Husky and German Shepherd mix, called a ‘Shepsky’.
It also includes the Pomeranian Husky, which is a miniature Spitz-type dog with the Husky’s coat coloring.
And there is also the Utonagan, which was developed in the 1980s by a breeder who wanted a dog with a wolf-like appearance, but with a family-oriented temperament.
The Alaskan Husky is yet another mixed Husky type, which features Greyhound bloodlines, to increase the speed of the dog.
Many of these mixes are not officially recognized breeds by international kennel clubs.
There are also several other Spitz-type breeds that may be considered similar to the Husky, including the Samoyed, the Keeshond, and Norwegian Elkhound. These are all similar to the Husky in terms of appearance – they are bred for cold climates and have an abundance of fur. Yet, their personality is quite different. For example, the Keeshond is a very easy breed to train.
In Summary:
- The Siberian Husky is the ‘classic’ Husky, bred to pull sleds, and is a mid-sized dog;
- The Alaskan Malamute was bred for a similar purpose, but is much larger;
- White Huskies and Agouti Huskies are simply Siberian Huskies with a color gene variation;
- The Akia Inu was bred in Japan for a different purpose to pulling a sled, which was bear hunting and guarding property;
- The American Eskimo Dog and Klee Kai are smaller versions of the Husky with a more manageable temperament;
- The Canadian Eskimo dog is considered primitive and therefore not suitable as a pet;
- The Japanese Sakhalin Husky is by far the rarest type of Husky, and is almost extinct;
- Other Spitz-type breeds look like the Husky due to their thick coats but have a much more trainable temperament.
