The wolf''s head was longer, wider and generally larger, while the malamute was bigger in the chest by a few inches. Although they both had 42 teeth, the jaw pressure of the wolf was double that of the malamute. The wolf stood two inches taller, was three inches longer in the leg, and eight inches longer in the body. The wolf's track was twice the size of the dog. The average weight for a North American wolf is 80 pounds, although it is not uncommon to see a wolf in Alaska, weighing over 100 pounds.
Males are generally five to ten pounds heavier than females.
Many Alaskan's say the largest wolves are black. A wolf's coat can vary from white to various shades of beige, brown, gray and black. The shading of the fur, which is more distinctive around the face, accents the wolf's facial communication. In the late spring the wolf sheds his winter coat. The new hair that forms the short summer coat, continues to grow just enough to gradually form the long winter coat.