12 Dog Breeds Similar to Huskies (With Pictures)
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A purebred Husky looks like a wolf, and they share 98.8% of the same DNA as a wolf1. But according to science, they aren’t any more related to a wolf than a Chihuahua2 is. While this breed can be crossbred with wolf species, these are entirely different beasts than the purebred Husky.
After acknowledging that a Husky is not a wolf or the direct descendant of one, you can begin to spot different breeds of domesticated dogs that are like the Husky. Here is a list of 12 most prominent breeds that are considered to be similar to Huskies.
The 12 Dogs Similar to Huskies
1. The American Eskimo Dog
First on our list of dog breeds similar to huskies is the American Eskimo Dog. These dogs look like the Husky but aren’t closely related. Instead, they are part of the German Spitz family. They came over to the United States as companions of Germans in the 1900s, and like Huskies, they enjoy consistent activity and require a great deal of mental stimulation to challenge their intelligence. They also get bored easily and can become destructive due to inactivity. Both American Eskimos and Huskies have been used as effective herding and guarding dogs.
2. The Samoyed Dog
Like the Husky, this breed has been traditionally raised to pull sleds and herd reindeer. They have similar dispositions to the Husky and are territorially driven. Their beautiful white coat looks like a Husky’s, which makes the breeds seem as similar in look as in temperament and stamina. But make no mistake, the Husky and the American Samoyed are two entirely different dog breeds.
3. The Icelandic Sheepdog
This breed is like the Husky because they have the same herding instincts. However, the Icelandic Sheepdog was bred to herd sheep instead of reindeer. Like the Husky, these dogs are intelligent and take easily to obedience training. They also have a tendency to bark to alert their family members of possible intruders.
The Icelandic Sheepdog has a similar coat texture and color to the Husky, which makes them look like cousins, if not siblings, when sitting next to one another.
4. The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
Next on our list of dog breeds similar to huskies is the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. This unique crossbreed can withstand frigid temperatures just like the Husky can. They’re the result of breeding the German Shepherd and the Carpathian Wolf. Therefore, this makes them a bit closer to the wolf than the Husky. Still, there are many similarities between the two breeds, such as a muscular build and a fearless attitude.
5. The Saarloos Wolfdog
This is another German Shepherd and wolf crossbreed that is similar to the Husky. Saarloos Wolfdogs are strong, intelligent, and independent dogs that like to spend their days working. Their fur is a little shorter than the Husky’s, but they share similar characteristics when it comes to body and head shape. This mixed breed is protective of their family members and loves to play with children.
6. The Canadian Eskimo Dog
The Canadian Eskimo looks like the Husky, but they tend to have darker fur on the tops of their bodies. They were bred by the Inuit peoples to hunt for food and to pull sleds of goods between villages. They thrive when living with a pack of other dogs but don’t particularly enjoy meeting strange dogs that aren’t part of their pack.
7. The Alaskan Malamute
These beautiful dogs have thick lustrous fur and look like they belong on the couch at home. However, they are one of the most primal dogs alive today, and they expect to spend their time working or playing outdoors. They tend to howl more than Huskies to communicate, but both breeds have similar temperaments overall.
8. The Alaskan Klee Kai
While the Alaskan Klee Kai looks like the Husky, they are much smaller dogs by design. Therefore, they aren’t effective sled pullers or watchdogs. They’re typically easier to train than Huskies, due to their high intelligence and patience. They are great hunters and enjoy living in a family environment.
9. The Utonagan Dog
This wolf lookalike is a gentle dog breed that is great with kids and loyal to their pack members. They do have Husky DNA in their blood, which makes both breeds similar in looks and personality. The Utonagan is energetic and curious, making them an awesome companion for adventurous families.
10. The Tamaskan Dog
Next on our list of dog breed similar to Huskies is the Tamaskan. Looking into the eyes of these dogs might make you feel like you’re looking at a Siberian Husky. They originated in Finland and were bred from a mix of breeds, including the German Shepherd. They are affectionate dogs that love children and adventures. Tamaskans don’t like spending time alone and can develop destructive behavior when they feel like they are being ignored.
11. The Akita Inu Dog
The Akita Inu is a popular dog that originated in Japan. They’re fluffy and soft like Huskies, and they know how to work hard as protectors and herders. They were originally used to hunt wild animals to help feed their human family members, but today, they typically spend their time as spoiled household pets. They do best as part of a single-dog home.
12. The Finnish Spitz Dog
These dogs are as cute as Huskies, but they have a more aggressive personality due to their deep hunting and guarding instincts. They share DNA with the now-extinct Taimyr Wolf, and they almost went extinct themselves when they were crossbred with several other breeds. Luckily, hunters decided that they were important enough to save.
In Conclusion
There are many great dog breeds out there that share similarities with the Husky. They might all share the same work ethics, but we think that they all have their own unique traits that are worth exploring. What are your favorite Husky-adjacent dog breeds? We want to hear what you think in our comments section below!
Related Reads:
- 100+ Husky Names: Ideas for Powerful & Elegant Dogs
- Best Dog Foods for Husky Puppies Available This Year
- 8 Different Types of Husky Dog Breeds
- Husky vs. Wolf: What’s the Difference? Are They Related?
Featured Image Credit: Konstantin Zaykov, Shutterstock
