Do Siberian Huskies Have Wolf in Them? Facts and Info

Siberian huskies are beautiful, exotic-looking dogs. Their face and body shape, pointy ears, thick coats, and long snouts are eerily similar to wolves, leading many people to wonder if they’re more closely related to wolves than other dogs.

Siberian huskies are ancestors of ancient Siberian wolf populations, specifically Taimyr Wolves. However, Siberian huskies have no more wolf in them than other domestic dogs. They look similar to wolves because they share DNA and originally lived in similar environments.

Throughout this article, I’ll discuss the similarities and differences between huskies and wolves and provide some facts and information about the breed.

How Are Siberian Huskies Related to Wolves?

Siberian huskies and wolves share a common ancestor, just like all domesticated dogs. It’s believed that ancient travelers brought domestic dogs (similar to our huskies) from Siberia to the North American Arctic and Greenland settlement areas.

A DNA study showed that gray wolves, arctic dog breeds, and other domestic dogs descended from a common ancestor as ancient Taimyr wolves. All dogs share ancestry with wolves, but huskies share more of their genetic profile with ancient Taimyr wolves, giving them a similar appearance.

The study also found that domestic dogs have a wide range of gray wolf DNA from various regional species, while arctic dogs (like the husky) have retained more Taimyr wolf DNA over time – as much as over 27% of Taimyr genes.

However, these similarities are purely cosmetic and don’t mean that the dogs are more wolf-like in their behaviors or temperament.

Similarities Between Siberian Huskies and Wolves

Most people notice a striking resemblance between Siberian huskies and wolves, and that’s mainly because they were bred to live in cold environments. Both breeds have thick fur in color patterns meant to blend in with their environments.

They also have an insulating undercoat to help retain body heat in the coldest parts of the world.

Wolves more than likely hunted their prey in the snow, which is why they have pointed snouts. Huskies have similarly shaped heads and snouts as a result of this evolution.

They both have pointed ears on the top of their head, which is a feature that’s common to many breeds.

Another similarity is the howling that both wolves and Siberian huskies do to communicate with the pack, which is most likely an inherited, instinctive trait from their shared ancestry. However, it should also be noted that they’re not the only dogs to vocalize in this way.

Wolves also demonstrate some behavioral similarities to dogs, as they like to play and chew, but they also growl and snarl if they feel threatened.

Differences Between Siberian Huskies and Wolves

Despite their similar look, there are actually more differences than similarities between Siberian huskies and wolves.

	Siberian Husky	Wolf
Eye Color	Blue	Yellow
Size	23.5” (59.7 cm)	26-32” (66-81 cm)
Weight	35-60 lbs. (16-27 kg)	50-175 lbs. (23-79 kg)
Lifespan	12-14 years	5-8 years (in the wild)

When it comes to both appearance and temperament, Siberian huskies and wolves each have their own specific characteristics that make them unlike the other. For example, wolves have longer legs, larger paws, longer teeth, and a bigger head.

These are all traits that make the wolf more suitable for life in the wild.

Siberian huskies are domesticated and do very well around humans and within families. While wolves exist in packs, they usually live in remote wilderness areas, away from human activity.

Wolf packs are also relatively small and only consist of one male-female pair and their young.

One of the most important differences between wolves and Siberian huskies is that wolves are not domestic animals and should never be treated as such. A wolf is a wild animal, and it’s dangerous to approach them in the wild, even if they look similar to other dogs.

Science has even shown that while wolves can be socialized with their primary caregivers, this only occurs if they’ve done so since birth. Even then, they still show fear-based behaviors when interacting with strangers.

To see a side-by-side comparison of these two amazing creatures in action, you can check out this video:

What To Expect From a Siberian Husky

Even though these dogs share some common characteristics with wolves, they’re still an extremely popular domestic breed. They’re known to be highly affectionate with their family and excellent around children. Check out this article: Do Siberian Huskies Get Attached to Their Owners? to learn more about the relationship between huskies and their families.

The Siberian husky is happy to meet new humans and loves being around all people, unlike wolves. They’re natural pack dogs who are most comfortable when they’re with their four-legged family members as well.

Siberian huskies are high-energy pups, so they need sufficient room to run and play, and should get at least 2-3 hours of exercise each day.

Are Siberian Huskies Aggressive?

Because Siberian huskies and wolves share similar traits and come from a common lineage, some people wonder if they’re more aggressive than other dogs. These loveable pups are highly intelligent and high-spirited animals.

Siberian huskies are not aggressive dogs but are affectionate, social creatures that love people and other animals. They’re not typically good guard dogs because they enjoy people so much.

Further, Siberian huskies were bred to be around families and children.

Are Siberian Huskies Wolf-Dog Hybrids?

Siberian huskies aren’t hybrid dogs. The husky was developed to be a working dog by a Siberian tribe which used them to haul walrus meat back from the sea by sled. They’re no more “wolf-like” than other dogs.

Wolf-dog hybrids are highly unpredictable and dangerous pets. Siberian huskies are excellent family dogs and don’t share the same temperament or behaviors as wolves.

How Did Siberian Huskies Become Sled Racing Dogs?

Huskies were brought to Alaska to compete in long-distances racing where they were highly successful. In 1925, a group of Siberian huskies was used to bring life-saving medicine to people stranded in Nome, Alaska during a winter epidemic. They traveled 700 miles in 6 days.

After the heroic trek, Siberian huskies became famous for their abilities. They were used to deliver mail, go on expeditions, and even perform search and rescue missions.

Conclusion

Siberian huskies and wolves share common ancestors and have similar appearances, but huskies are no more wolf-like than other domestic dogs. Wolves are wild animals and should never be treated as pets. A Siberian husky is a great family dog and one of the most popular breeds around.