11 Dog Breeds that Look Like Huskies: Shikoku, Kugsha, etc

The Siberian Husky is one of the most elegant-looking dogs. They are intelligent, are perfectly suited for families, and don’t even have that characteristic ‘dog smell’.

One thing about Huskies though, you’ll have a tough time adapting them to apartments. They shed a whole lot twice a year data-wpel-link=”exclude”. The fur you’ll find all over the place will be a lot.

And then, in addition to that, Huskies love to run. They’ll run all over the place if you give them the chance. If all the troubles of having a Husky don’t sound like a good time for you, then you’ll be glad to know that there are a lot of dog breeds that look like Huskies that you can opt for.

These Husky breeds look close enough, but tend to be less demanding to keep as pets. Here’s a list of some of these dogs that look like Huskies. Now then, let’s get into it!

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Finnish Spitz

The Finnish Spitz is a very special hunting breed, and similar to your Husky – they like to ‘speak’ a lot. They are described as active and alert, making excellent watchdogs.

They’re also incredibly polite and gentle with children and visitors. They’re faithful right down to the bone, and they’re always able to tell you how they feel through their talkative nature, making them one of the most stress-free Husky-type dogs.

Akita Inu

The Akita Inu needs firm training as a puppy to keep them from being violent and overprotective.

Overall, this breed and dogs like Huskies love to have a human being that can show the qualities of a true pack leader. Otherwise, they’re going to take control and decide that they’re the boss!

They normally live between 10 and 12 years of age.

Utonagan

Utonagan is a younger crossbreed, introduced to the United Kingdom in the 1980s. It is a combination of Malamute, Siberian Husky, and German Shepherd.

Similar to the Husky, they are curious, affectionate, obedient, and playful, but they need regular training and exercise. These dogs have a big personality, and they are really receptive to their owners.

Utonagans are energetic, so they’re going to have to run and need mental stimulation. Their free-roaming instinct is very much alive so that they are ideally suited to vast living spaces and acreages.

Samoyed

The Samoyed, known by some in Europe as the Bielker, is one of the more popular types of Husky dogs. These dogs are really sweet, and they don’t like to be alone. The typical Samoyed really looks like a white, fluffy Husky, doesn’t it?

They can quickly adjust to living in an apartment, but the Samoyed’s middle name might as well be shedding. These small Husky-like dogs like to be outdoors – they enjoy walking, hiking, jogging, and canine sports. They typically live between 12 and 14 years of age.

American Eskimo Dog

While American Eskimos and Samoyeds look a lot the same, these two breeds are not related. Eskies are usually more obedient but less forgiving of children and other pets.

There are three large varieties of this small Husky-looking dog breed: the Toy, the Miniature, and the Standard.

Malamute

Let’s start with the most obvious candidate among Husky-like dogs: the Malamute Alaskan. The Malamute is taller and heavier than the Husky. And a little more muscular too.

The Husky and the Malamute were bred for pulling sleds in harsh arctic environments. However, the Malamute was built for heavy loads over longer periods, hence the need for extra muscle. 

The owners of a Malamute will also tell you about their stubbornness. These dogs need a lot of preparation and maturity to fit into your typical family.

They’re a working breed. If they don’t have a regular outlet for their extreme energy, they’ll easily get bored and destructive.

Keeshond

This dog enjoys nothing more than spending time with its family and loved ones. In reality, the Keeshond is a very social animal and can never be left alone at any time. That’s going to be really clear as they stick to you and follow you everywhere.

And that thick coat requires love, too, so you might have to be prepared for a role of a full-time brusher to handle the heavy shedding.

Keeshonds can be a loud breed, and while they have the best intentions, they prefer to bark and yell often.

Swedish Vallhund

The best way to explain Vallhund in Sweden is to combine a Husky and Corgi (although they have no relation to either).

Given their small size, they are very much a working breed. Originally bred to herd cows, there is countless running and barking stored within these small Husky-like dogs. Which is sure to test your patience.

But there’s still time for fun and play. And if you can tolerate their energetic lifestyle, Vallhund makes excellent companions.

Shikoku

Shikoku is an enthusiastic and friendly dog. And these will definitely make a good addition to your family.

They are working breeds, however, and have also been used for the hunting of boars. Although they are basically a good-natured breed, they still bear these characteristics to this day.

You have to challenge this breed with exercises and socialization tasks every day. If they get bored, they can become angry and destructive.

Also, Shikoku has a very strong prey drive, so these dogs that look like Huskies will hunt down any small creature or interesting thing.

Czech Wolfdog

The Czechoslovak Wolfdogs are a relatively recent hybrid breed and have a striking resemblance to the ordinary wolf.

The breed is a hybrid between the German Shepherd and the Carpathian Wolf and was bred to support the Czechoslovak armed forces in various tasks.

These dogs are more like the Carpathian Wolves than the Huskies and have the temperament of the German Shepherds. They are very independent, active and social, but need consistent training from birth to become obedient adults.

Kugsha

Kugshas are working-bred dogs with a past shrouded in mystery. They’re a lot more physically capable than the Huskies, with their brawnier body and sturdy legs.

While the precise origins of this breed are uncertain, their wolf-like appearance suggests that they are descendants of Malamutes and Huskies. They have a wide head, triangular ears, a long neck, and a balanced body.

These Husky-type dogs have a very independent and aggressive personality, with a high prey drive that makes them excellent hunting dogs. They need rigorous training from an early age. However, they have a very close relationship with their master once they have been trained.

Credits: thanks for the cover photo to Canva and Wikimedia Commons.

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