Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes are two different dog breeds, and both are officially recognized by the AKC. Even though they both originated from cold northern regions and might look similar, they have some important differences. Think of a Siberian Husky as a “thoroughbred” and a Malamute as a “draft” horse (think Clydesdale).Both breeds are sled dogs, but their purposes are different. The Siberian Husky is good at pulling light loads over long distances at a moderate speed, akin to a thoroughbred racehorse designed for swift endurance. The Alaskan Malamute, meanwhile, is like a big, strong workhorse, bred for strength and stamina. They’re great at hauling heavy freight.You can also tell them apart by their size: Siberian Huskies are smaller, usually around 45–60 pounds for males and 35–50 pounds for females. Alaskan Malamutes are much bigger, ranging from about 85 pounds for males to 75 pounds for females.