If you are a fan of Northern dog breeds and want to get one, you will definitely come across the Malamute vs. Husky vs. Samoyed discussion. 

These fantastic dog breeds are popular in the US, Russia, Siberia, England, and other European nations.

Let us look at a breakdown of each dog to see their traits, the advantages of having them, and issues that might come with them. 

This will give you all the information to help you make a decision about which one is best for you, so let us get into the details;

Malamute Vs. Husky Vs. Samoyed

All of these dog breeds are Northern dog breeds with some major similarities. Some breeds are suitable in areas that some are bad, and vice versa since they are bred for different reasons. 

This makes it hard to say which is the better breed, so let us look at each one individually and help you figure out the ideal one;  

1. The Siberian Husky 

The Husky or Siberian husky is a popular dog breed in the US and other cold regions. It has held a position in the top 20 most popular dog breeds in the US for decades, and its popularity is not dropping.

The breed is also popular in Canada, Russia, and many more countries around the world; here are some details on the dog breed;

Dog Traits 

• Thick double coat. The Siberian husky is a Northern dog breed bred for the cold regions around Russia and other North pole areas. This means they need a mechanism to keep warm, and one of the best natural choices is a thick fur coat.
• Athletic and energetic. Huskies are bred for endurance and can do heavy tasks like pulling sleds over snow and ice with people on them. Even if they don’t do these jobs they still have that energy and you can see it in their behavior. 

They are energetic, playful, and athletic dogs that can run and jump around your house and yard all day, especially in the cold weather. 

• Overall friendly breed. Huskies are wolf-descended; therefore, they have a strong pack mentality. They are good with children and are easy to move with in public places or around new people if adequately trained. 
• Highly intelligent and easy to train. The husky’s sophisticated parentage makes it an amazingly intelligent dog breed. This means you will have an easier time training and connecting with a husky than other dog breeds. 

However, the dog is bred to think independently, and this heightened intelligence might make them a bit stubborn if you don’t bond with them.

• Strong prey drive. Like other Northern dog breeds, huskies have wolf DNA, and some wolf instincts come up in the dogs. Without proper training, this trait will make your husky unfriendly with other dogs and smaller animals, as it might attack and kill them. 

The Upside of Keeping A Husky 

1. Siberian Huskies are loyal and make amazing companions for people of all ages. The internet is full of videos of huskies doing crazy things with kids and family members, and they can be a fun breed to be around.
2. Their high energy levels and endurance makes them good hiking and running companions.
3. Their heightened intelligence makes them easy to train and be around. 

The Downside of Keeping A Husky

1. The breed’s strong prey drive can make them difficult to train, especially around small animals like cats.
2. They need a lot of exercises and mental stimulation lest they become stubborn and destructive.
3. They have thick coats that constantly shed if they are not groomed regularly. 

Who is the Breed Ideal For?

The breed is a good choice for active families that can give enough stimulation to the dog. The dog owner must be willing to invest time and effort into socializing with the husky to keep their behavior in check. 

2. Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamutes are ancestors of the Siberian husky, and they, therefore, share some traits. The malamute is a majestic dog breed but is not quite as popular as the Siberia husky. Let us look at more details about this breed;

Dog Traits 

• They are large and powerful. Alaskan Malamutes are working dogs, one of the most popular breeds of sled dogs. They are much larger and more powerful than huskies and other northern breeds.
• They have a thick double coat. They are bred for cold environments; therefore, they have thick double coats to keep them warm in the snow and ice. This makes it hard for them to live in hot areas without additional cooling systems.
• Known for endurance and strength. Like all working dogs, Alaskan Malamutes are strong and have a lot of endurance. They can run or play for hours daily, pulling heavy objects and jumping over high fences and furniture. 
• Social and friendly. Malamutes are pack dogs, and they instinctively try to grow their pack. They will therefore be nice and friendly with kids, adults, and other dogs, provided they don’t feel threatened and are properly trained.
• Strong prey drive. Like their wolf ancestors, Malamutes have a strong prey drive; without proper training, this instinct will get the better of them. They will attack other dogs or smaller animals around them if they are not well-trained or bonded. 

The Upside of Keeping an Alaskan malamute

1. Malamutes are loyal to the owner’s family and can be awesome companions.
2. Their high energy levels and friendliness make them good playmates for children.
3. They are easy to train and highly adaptable to new surroundings.

The Downside of Keeping An Alaskan Malamute 

1. Malamutes are strong-willed and need lots of socialization and training to prevent destructive behavior.
2. They need a lot of attention regarding grooming, mental stimulation, and exercise, which can be time-consuming.

Who Is The Breed Ideal For?

Malamutes are ideal for families that live in colder regions with members that have the time to bond with the dog and give it exercise. Its thick coat makes it bad for hot areas, and you need cooling equipment to prevent heat stroke and poor social behavior.

3. Samoyed 

The last breed on our list is one of the cutest dogs you will ever see, and they are not as common as the other two. The Samoyed is a good choice for most people because they are a bit smaller and easier to live with in a house. Here are some more details on the dog; 

Dog Traits

• Medium-sized. Samoyeds are smaller than Siberian huskies but bigger than Chihuahuas, giving them a medium size that is perfect for most dog owners. They can fit in most apartments and don’t need too much space or a playing room.
• Thick Double coat. Samoyeds are a Northern dog breed with that characteristic thick double coat to keep them warm in the poles. They therefore shed and are hypoallergenic and thus need thorough and regular grooming.
• Outgoing personality. Samoyeds are often called the smiling breed because of their sweet and outgoing personality. Here is a dog that always seems excited about everything, and it will be sure to cheer you up.
• Trainability and high intelligence. Samoyeds are bred as working dogs and have a personality that makes them easy to train. They are intelligent; therefore, it is easier for them to learn new commands and tricks.
• Cute and easy to be with in public. The dog breed is playful and energetic but not so strong that it will drag you across the street like a pit bull or Cane Corso. They are friendly with other people and dogs; therefore, aggression isn’t a big concern.

The Upside of Keeping Samoyeds 

• Samoyeds make for cheerful and fun companions that are always loyal.

• Samoyeds are friendly with other dogs and children, making them ideal family pets.

• They are intelligent and easy to train.

The Downside of keeping Samoyeds

• They need a lot of grooming, especially white dogs.

• Are prone to separation anxiety which can cause destructive behavior.

• They need lots of exercises and mental stimulation.

Who is the Breed Idea For?

This is ideal for a person needing an emotional support animal, as the breed is often cheerful. They need time to groom, which can be therapeutic for the groomer. Cold weather is the best for Samoyeds, and they love the snow. 

Conclusion

You have all the information on the Malamute vs. Husky vs. Samoyed discussion, and you can now choose which one is the best for you. The three breeds are closely related and share their adaptations for cold weather.  

They all show high levels of intelligence and are easy to train. The Siberian husky stands out since it showcases the best part of the Samoyed and Malamute. It is the most popular breed of the three for this reason.