The Husky is the dog breed that closely resembles a wolf in its facial features and body. Due to these similarities, many people get confused as to whether Huskies are actually wolves or not.
However, Huskies are not wolves – sorry to be the bearers of bad news – and they’re not related to wolves, either. In fact, a Husky is no closer related to the wolf than a Poodle or Golden Retriever is.
With that being said, some breeders do use Huskies and wolves to breed and make a wolf hybrid. While this is a completely different animal altogether, some do get them confused with the Husky and therefore think it is a wolf instead of a purebred dog.
Today we’ll be looking at the differences between Huskies and Wolves so that you can differentiate between the two instead of getting them confused in the future.
Differences between Huskies and Grey Wolves
Appearance
Both of these animals do look very similar and this is one of the key reasons why many people get the two confused. Both Huskies and wolves have thick fur, straight fur with an undercoat to keep them protected from cold weather.
Their heads are also very similar in shape, with long and boxy snouts, pointed ears, and piercing eyes. However, these are the only similarities regarding appearance between these two animals. At a quick glance, you might think that they look the same. But on closer inspection, you’ll be able to tell the difference easily.
For example, a wolf is extremely large with a height between 26 and 32 inches. While a Husky is a large dog, it will only reach heights of 23.5 inches from floor to shoulder. As you can imagine, the size difference will be easy to notice.
Another difference between Huskies and wolves is their eyes. Huskies are known for their beautiful and piercing blue eyes, while wolves show off their yellow/orange eyes.
Again, Huskies come in various different colors and coat patterns, but the grey wolf will often only have grey and white fur.
Looking at these two canines next to one another, it’s clear to see that the domestication of Huskies has made them unsuitable for living in the wild.
Their paws are smaller than a wolf’s and their teeth are much shorter. A wolf would have no issues surviving and hunting in the wild, while Huskies would have a much harder task of it.
Wolves also have much larger heads than Huskies. This is partly due to the larger size of the wolf, and partly due to the fact that the wolf has a larger brain. This means that the wolf is more intelligent than a Husky, which is necessary when they have to survive in the wild.
Personality
There is not one similarity between the Husky and the wolf’s personality. It’s not surprising, really, when you consider that one of these animals is a domesticated pet and the other is a wild animal.
Domestication has been used to alter Huskies’ temperament and mindset so that they can coexist with humans without an issue. As domesticated animals, Huskies love human company and need it to thrive in life.
On the other hand, wolves don’t want anything to do with humans and live (see our article Are There Wolves In Kentucky) well away from humans, making their habitats far away from human life.
Huskies are also dependent on humans to live, with them requiring food, water, and shelter from their human owners. However, wolves are much more mature and leave their family at the young age of two, either to make it on their own or join another pack.
If you have known a Husky for yourself, you’ll know how fun-loving and affectionate they are to humans. Don’t let their slight resemblance to wolves confuse you – they’re very cuddly and loving animals.
Alternatively, wolves do not thrive on love and affection. They’ll fight with their playmates instead of cuddling them, and this is only to work on their fighting technique.
The only similarity between a Husky and a wolf’s personality is that they both howl when they want attention. They both do this to warn other dogs or canines not to enter their territory.
However, Huskies are not the only dogs that howl and therefore this cannot be considered a distinct similarity between the wolf and Husky only.
Summary
Overall, Huskies are not wolves, nor are they related in any way. At first glance, there are a few similarities between the two with looks and how they communicate. However, this is where the similarities end.
There are many more differences between Huskies and wolves, both in their personalities and appearance. Wolves are larger, more intelligent, and less dependent on humans or other animals than the Husky.
