i always get people asking if mine are malamute, maybe i'm just crazy, but i never even heard of malamutes until i got huskies, i always thought they were all huskies lmao

Huskyluv wrote:

Karen, Alaskan huskies do exist and they are basically a mutt for all intents and purposes. However the "Alaskan Sled dogs" you mentioned does not exist, in fact I'd like to know where you heard that one as I've never even heard that one myself. Could you be thinking of the Alaskan Klee Kai perhaps? Alaskan Klee Kais are a fairly new breed (since the 80's) and are recognized by some kennel clubs but not yet recognized by the AKC. AKK's came about from breeding huskies with smaller nordic breeds such as the Schipperke and American Eskimo dog to create a breed that bears the look of a Siberian husky but in a smaller package if you will. The AKK should not be confused with the unrecognized "Miniature" Siberian husky (which really does not exist although some dwarfed huskies are bred and sold as such), AKK's may resemble a small husky but they are quite different in temperament and all that jazz. Alaskan huskies are huskies crossed with other breeds to achieve the perfect dog for pulling sleds fast, think the sprinting version of a sled dog. Siberians were bred to pull light loads over long distances, basically sibes are built for endurance, not speed. Mals are the work horses and can do the heavy pulling for heavy loads. Alaskan huskies are bred for speed which is why pitting a team of Alaskan huskies against an all Siberian husky team in a sprint race will almost always result in the Alaskan husky team winning. But if you pit an all Alaskan husky team against an all Siberian husky team in an endurance race you will generally see the Siberian team win.

While they do exist and are recognized as husky mixes they are not officially recognized by any kennel clubs. You could mate a sibe with a greyhound and the result would qualify as an Alaskan husky, and there are so many possible combinations. So technically they are not recognized by kennel clubs but they are recognized enough to qualify their existence in my opinion.

Brian, your response of "...there is no such breed as an Alaskan husky. The term refers to a generic mix breed of sled dog" would be correct. They are not an officially recognized breed but they are recognized enough (especially in Alaska) that I would not expect the term to ever disappear. Most of the dogs in the Iditarod are Alaskan huskies and the owners and breeders will call them as such.

Excellent post!

The usual reaction I get when some one sees me with one of my Alaskans is "What....is that?". lol After I explain that its an Alaskan Husky, mixed with either Greyhound or pointer (depending on which dog I have with me) they usually get it (although some still walk away with a weird look on their face).
I have gotten the oh-so-common "Is it part wolf?" question about Cougar. Although she does appear "wolfy" she doesn't have a lick of wolf in her. lol

ETA: I think because of movies like Snow Dogs and 8 Below people have this image in their head of what a Siberian Husky or sled dog should look like. So, when they see a dog that differs from that image, they have a hard time believing it's purebred.

i got american husky the other day....

Jennet&Embry wrote:

i got american husky the other day....

snrose wrote:

Jennet&Embry wrote:

i got american husky the other day....

Red, White and Blue eyed!

I always get "what kind of Husky is that?"

I met a couple at the dog park a long time ago who had a shaved Husky, I said "oh he's cute, why did you shave him though?" She said: "He's an alaskan Husky. He sheds much worse than yours." (and yes, she put the emphasis on Alaskan lol) I said No I think he's a Siberian and she literally got angry and said "We bought him from Alaska, I think I know what kind of dog he is!"


Ohhhhkaaayyyy!

arooroomom wrote:

"We bought him from Alaska, I think I know what kind of dog he is!"

Jay Leno on the streets worthy!!

arooroomom wrote:

I met a couple at the dog park a long time ago who had a shaved Husky, I said "oh he's cute, why did you shave him though?" She said: "He's an alaskan Husky. He sheds much worse than yours." (and yes, she put the emphasis on Alaskan lol) I said No I think he's a Siberian and she literally got angry and said "We bought him from Alaska, I think I know what kind of dog he is!"


Ohhhhkaaayyyy!

BAH HA ha ha ha!!!

Quote :

I always get "what kind of Husky is that?"

I met a couple at the dog park a long time ago who had a shaved Husky, I said "oh he's cute, why did you shave him though?" She said: "He's an alaskan Husky. He sheds much worse than yours." (and yes, she put the emphasis on Alaskan lol) I said No I think he's a Siberian and she literally got angry and said "We bought him from Alaska, I think I know what kind of dog he is!"


Ohhhhkaaayyyy!

Oh man, I would have had a hard time not laughing!

Right now I often get "Is that a white German shepherd?"

I think its because he hasn't fluffed out yet. Plus German shepherds are a lot more common around here than huskies.

My friend thought white huskies were albinos!

I had to go to school after hours to pick up my son from a field trip today. So Hyper, Hyper Spazzo went along. On the sidewalk, all the kids were petting him and commenting (as everyone does) on which distant relative, neightbor or friend of theirs has a husky. Cute kids... Then a teacher, "That's really not a SIBERIAN husky is it?" Me, "Yes he is." Her, "There's just something wrong. He doesn't look like a Siberian Husky should look."

...What?! Could it be the blue eyes, the common white face, the eye mask, the pointy ears, the fluffy, curled tailed, the crazy, hyper behavior...that is throwing you???

I got asked if Willow was part husky....I'm wondering if some people believe huskies are only black and white. I only see black and white huskies in my area, is it the same for you Lisa?

LOL Lisa Poor Sabaka isn't a real Siberian oh nope nope nope! hahaha

[quote="hypers987"]

arooroomom wrote:

"We bought him from Alaska, I think I know what kind of dog he is!"

So would that mean if I buy a Husky in Mississippi its a Missypissy Husky?

26nikita wrote:

I got asked if Willow was part husky....I'm wondering if some people believe huskies are only black and white. I only see black and white huskies in my area, is it the same for you Lisa?

I'm not sure. I really don't see many huskies in this area. Since we've had Sabaka and been frequenting pet shops, we've seen only one black and white (who ended up in our puppy school, BTW ) in a pet store for sale. There are a bunch of solid whites that are breed at a BYB close to us, but I never see any of them out and about. There's really no breeders close to us - BYB's or otherwise.

I think I saw a little black and white puppy out for a walk on the way home tonight, though!! It was hard to tell for sure and not wreck.