Husky Vs Wolf : 5 Clear Ways Huskies Relate To Wolves

Why do huskies look like wolves? This is a common question about these two confusing animals. It is difficult to give a direct answer, because there is so much hidden, in fact, some unknown up to date, as you will find out.

In the next few slides, there is a whole heap of recent information, both scientific and genealogical, all to explain how these animals are closely related.

First, let’s dive into a brief introduction of the dogs and wolf’s origin before checking for the Husky vs wolf relations.

Dogs vs Wolves History

The root of a dog starts with its divergence from the wolf’s origin, and the first case of its domestication. All dogs share a similar ancestry with the wolf, according to genetic studies. The common relations are due to dog to wolf genes interbreed. As of today, dogs have a close connection with the Late Pleistocene wolf believed to be the dog’s ancestor and is similar in size to a dog.

Siberian Husky originated as a sled dog from the Chukchi tribe of Siberia. They came to Alaska in the 20th century and first appeared in the Sweepstakes race in 1909.

A Husky was bred, with Alaskan Malamute to survive in the polar regions and pull heavier loads faster. This case was recorded when Huskies saved people by delivering Diphtheria vaccines across an icy region for some days. That was when Huskies received notable worldwide achievements.

Today, Siberian Huskies are the top 20 most popular dog breeds in the US, as ranked by the American Kennel Club. 

Is A Husky Related To Wolf?

Ultimately, husky vs wolf relations show that they are related more than other dog types. Since they share a common family, it is possible to interbreed husky and wolf to bore wolf husky. But Huskies differ totally from wolves, however.

Are huskies related to wolf? This can be more clear by visiting certain husky vs wolf criteria of comparisons.

Wolf vs Husky Comparison

All sharing a common ancestry, the wolf is the biggest of the dog family. There is so much in common for these two animals. If you have a Siberian Husky vs wolf comparison, Husky and wolf side by side, you would see a close resemblance. Conversely, the only big difference is how they think about you. This does not mean they are the same either.

On the come up, check the recent full husky vs wolf comparison below to learn the potential differences by judging from specific paradigms. At the end of the comparisons, you will be able to shrewd comfortably, are huskies related to wolf? Let’s begin the comparison

Wolf vs Husky Size Comparison

Husky is smaller than a wolf. Wolf is the largest of the dog’s family. It is easy to distinguish a wolf compared to Husky. Physically, a Husky has more pointed ears and a shorter tail than a wolf. A wolf’s head is also bigger, and so has its teeth.

Wolf vs Husky Weight Comparison

Undoubtedly, since a wolf is larger than a Husky, it follows that it is heavier. The wolf’s weight averages from 50lbs to 200lbs, depending on the species, for example in our case, we are referring to the most popular, gray wolf. Huskies’ weight is between 45 to 60lbs for males and approximately 10lbs lighter for females.

The Canadian Timberwolf is the largest wolf ever recorded and weighs about 40 to 175lbs(18 to 80 kgs). Please check our Husky vs wolf comparison table above for more details.

Husky vs Wolf Color Coat

A gray wolf is gray, as the name suggests, however, there are over 40 different species of wolf.

The point is, judging from the fur, it is difficult to differentiate between the two dogs. For an efficient comparison, it is better to consider other aspects. You can check more straightforward differences in the Husky vs wolf comparison beginning from temperamental issues and behavior.

Husky vs Wolf Shedding

Husky experience substantial shedding, because they have a thicker coat. If you notice falling fur from your Husky, this is normal and happens, especially in warmer seasons. Grooming should be a priority at all times, for this reason.

Huskies will never stop shedding precisely twice in a year, but this depends on the seasons.

Wolf hybrids or a Husky wolf shed moderately, and more heavily during the change of seasons.

As already stated in our Husky vs wolf comparison, a Husky cannot withstand harsh climatic conditions, but a wolf can. Let’s discuss the prop of the topic, is Husky a wolf, looking at behavioral perspectives.

Wolf vs Husky Temperamental

Naturally, wolves are wild, highly temperamental, and prefer living in quiet locations away from humans. Wolves become independent at a young age, so they won’t care whether or not you feed them. They have a strong pack living mentality.

Huskies, though not temperamental like wolves, may seem to be fierce, but are friendly and so much not of guard dogs.

They are kept as pets because of their friendliness, compassion, and obedient character.

Wolf vs Husky Training

A husky is intelligent, but a wolf is more intelligent. To some degree, wolves are trainable but lack manageability. Animal behaviorists suggest that, with motivation, they can be trained and can catch hand signals faster than Huskies.

Following the case of the man-eating Wolf of Gysinge, the quick answer to this is, wolves are wild, untrainable, and aggressive.

Huskies are domestic dogs that can be petted and are easy to get along with. Is husky a wolf? For this Husky vs wolf difference, a Husky is not a wolf.

Husky vs Wolf Behavior

If you placed a Husky and wolf together, they are almost alike, but they won’t act the same. The big difference is how they two think about humans. Husky vs wolf behavioral differences begin from aggressiveness, tractability, and friendliness.

You will watch your Husky chase cats because it is prey driven and playful most of the time. It is not an apartment dog as you would imagine.

A wolf is only friendly to its pack members, the wolves, it is aggressive and believes that it can not get along with humans. Huskies are friendly, social, loving, and trainable.

Is A Husky A Wolf Or A Dog?

From all these significant behavioral differences, it is crystal clear that a Husky and a wolf are different breeds. A Husky can be described as a domesticated dog breed. It is neither a wolf’s crossbreed nor Huskies wolves hybrid, at all.

Wolf husky mix, also known as a wolf hybrid, is not 100% Husky. Although the crossbreed might look like a husky, it is usually not a domestic dog. Different from Huskies, the wolf hybrid howls at strangers, it is pretty aggressive and might attack visitors. For this reason, you can differentiate a wolf dog vs Husky through observing this behavior.

In the same case, a Siberian Husky wolf is a Husky wolf hybrid that is unfriendly, sensitive, and will resist your terms.

Perhaps a clearer answer can be since all dogs share 99% of similar genes, the remaining 1% brought all the differences to all the 400 dog breeds. Huskies existed earlier than other breeds. Geographical isolation influenced the genetic makeup of dog breeds and gave rise to other breeds. Humans then classified a Husky as a sled dog.

If you want to acquire a wolf hybrid, confirm if your laws permit that in your state.

You can learn more about Husky vs wolf comparison by looking at the next slide. We have given out more observable characteristics to guide you with this.

What Is The Difference Between Husky And A Wolf?

In this regard, it is even better if we dive deeper into differentiating these two animals physically. Great, let’s look at the physical difference between husky and wolf.

As it is, there are clear contrasting features that make these animals different.

Why Do Husky Look Like Wolf?

They probably are alike. Because they are of the same dog’s family and believed to share the same wolf ancestry. Two, they are thought to have been crossbred, although this is still unverified. Researchers from the University of Chicago confirmed that dogs and wolves originated from an extinct common ancestor, and not that dogs originated from wolves.

So many dogs resemble wolves, we can’t overlook this idea and conclude that Huskies are hybrid genes, just because they are more similar to wolves than coyotes and other domestic dogs. Chow chow has their DNAs even more related to wolves than Huskies are.

Although similar in appearance, they are not related. Correspondingly, there are some observable differences in their physical characteristics.

What Percentage Of A Wolf Is In A Husky?

For this scientific question, are Huskies part wolf, these are two different breeds despite having a 98.8% DNA mitochondrion match.

How close are Huskies to wolves? Looking at the genes’ similarity, only less than 2% is similar, although the Taimyr wolf records up to 30% genes. Despite that other domestic dogs show similarities, Huskies have a closer DNA to wolves.

Do Huskies Act Like Wolves?

Yes, and No! Huskies, just like wolves, are pack animals who like howling. They also prefer running after prey and do not show sausage preferences like other dogs. Although they look similar and share some characteristics with the wolves, they, however, share more traits with other dogs than the wolves.

Having a common ancestry is the only reason they are similar, but they are different in not only appearance but also behavior. 

Can A Husky Kill A Wolf?

Can a husky win in a husky vs wolf fight? The wolf is stronger, judging by how sturdy both are, and bigger than a husky. A Husky’s bite force is about 320 PSI compared to the wolf’s 1200 PSI. Generally, wolves bite pressure is around 400 pounds of pressure but when they defend themselves, it can go as high as 1200 PSI, according to the research.

However, it depends, a Husky can bruise a distracted wolf, but in the genuine sense, a wolf will undoubtedly disintegrate a husky in no time. A wolf is certainly more powerful.

Final Verdict – Husky Vs Wolf

Are huskies wolves? From the brief Husky vs wolf comparison above, you can tell that a Husky is not a wolf. As from behavioral to physical characteristics, these are two totally different breeds.

Do not fear getting your Husky if you have that idea, make sure you have given your Husky puppy the right training if you want to raise the best dog.

We cover everything about Husky Dog in detail. Take a look at our other in-depth Husky articles to learn more about this beautiful dog breed

1. Husky Colors
2. Husky Whining
3. Husky Barking
4. Husky Howling
5. Husky Eye Colors
6. Husky Running
7. Husky Weather Resistant Dog

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️