There are two main types of huskies: the Siberian husky and the Alaskan husky. Malamutes are also occasionally associated with huskies, but they are a different dog breed.
Several breeds of dog are well-suited to arctic temperatures and working as sled dogs; however, only two breeds are huskies. The Siberian husky is used for shows and as a working dog. This dog has thicker fur and tends to weigh a little more than Alaskan huskies, making it better at withstanding cold weather.
Alaskan huskies are preferred for racing and as working dogs. They are skinnier with lighter fur, but are faster than Siberians and more used to running long distances. Sometimes, a cross breed between the two is seen, called the Alaskan Amerindian husky. These crosses can be accidental or are made in an attempt to get the best characteristics of both huskies.
