It doesn’t matter what you heard from that bloke down the pub, Siberian Huskies are not wolves – and quite frankly, we’re sick of hearing it. Next time someone makes a ‘wolf’ comment, satirically or otherwise, here are 5 key differences you can use to point out why your husky is not a wolf.
1. Curly Tail
A wolf will never carry its tail above its back in a curve or a sickle. This is a dog-only trait and an immediate indicator that any canine is from domesticated stock.
2. Eye Colour
Many huskies have at least one blue or partially blue eye. Wolves never have blue eyes (with a few exceptions at birth). Adult wolves eyes will range in colour from red, amber, yellow, brown or green.
3. Temperament
Whilst the list of temperament differences between dogs and wolves is endless, there’s a few really key differences that are easy to asses. Whilst captive wolves have shown limited-affection to their handlers, they are rarely willing to do so with strangers. Dogs (and huskies in particular) tend to enjoy the company of any human, stranger or otherwise.
4. Claws
The claws or nails of wolves are usually black in colour, whereas huskies and other dogs tend to be visibly milky-white with a pink core. Dogs can have black-claws – but rarely are they a complete set.
5. Size
On the larger end of the breed-spectrum a Siberian Husky would confirm to the following:
Height: 60cm | Weight: 27kg
Whereas your average gray wolf (and by no-means the largest):
Height: 83cm | Weight: 50kg
That’s a staggering difference – their height alone puts them in to Grate Dane territory.