Male vs. Female Siberian Husky: Which Is Better?

Male and female Husky in the woods

Choosing between a male and a female Husky is challenging because both dogs are worth owning. Although neither is inherently superior to the other, some distinctions exist between the sexes, which could affect your decision.

If you’re looking for a better family dog, you might want to choose a male Husky, as it is more affectionate and showy than a female Husky. Meanwhile, if you consider trainability as a significant factor, a female Husky is what you need since it is more intelligent and independent.

You may find yourself wondering which gender is best for you. Before making a decision, there is a lengthy list of considerations, so let’s get started and learn everything about the male and female Siberian Husky.

Physical Differences

Male and female Husky side by side

Male Huskies

It is difficult to distinguish between a male and a female Husky in terms of physical appearance. There is no significant difference between them. Both genders have wolf-like appearances and mesmerizing eye colors.

Like most dog breeds, male Siberian Huskies are typically larger and somewhat taller than females. Nonetheless, the size is also affected by how much you feed a male Husky.

Male Siberian Huskies grow between 21 and 24 inches in height and 45 to 60 pounds in weight.

In addition to having more prominent body builds than female Siberian Huskies, they are also furrier and come in various colors. Their classic coat combination is white, agouti, black, gray, red, or sable.

Male Huskies have larger heads and sharper features than females, making them appear more imposing as the pack’s alpha.

Female Huskies

The female Siberian Husky is slightly smaller than the male. However, the difference in size between the two is typically minimal.

The female Siberian Husky is around 20 to 22 inches tall and weighs between 35 and 50 pounds.

Since the difference in size and weight between male and female Siberian Huskies is not particularly significant, it can be challenging to distinguish them from a distance.

However, you may notice that a male Husky has a larger and stockier build compared to a female’s more fit and delicate facial features.

Check out the physical characteristics of the Siberian Husky in this video:

SIBERIAN HUSKY APPEARANCE DEEPDIVE

Temperamental Differences

Male Huskies

Huskies are generally regarded as an “independent breed,” which means they are usually content with their own company. Despite this, they can still be highly devoted companions.

It is widely acknowledged that male Huskies depend more on their “pack” and loved ones than female Huskies.

Compared to a female, a male Husky typically spends more time with its humans and develops a stronger bond with them. It enjoys playing with its masters and has relatively few mood swings.

Male Huskies are more active, dominant, and playful than females. They are suitable as house pets because they are highly expressive. However, the playful nature of males makes them less receptive to teaching than females.

In addition, male Huskies like to establish dominance, unlike females. Their territorial nature may result in more aggressive behavior.

However, note that this is not always the case. Regardless of gender, Siberian Huskies are not an aggressive or territorial breed.

Female Huskies

Perhaps one of the most significant differences between male and female Huskies is their need to establish dominance. In terms of their authority, female Huskies differ significantly from male Huskies.

The female Siberian Husky has a strong sense of independence and enjoys setting its own limits. In contrast to male Huskies, you may expect them to retain a greater degree of autonomy well into old age.

Female Huskies tend to be more introverted. Generally, they are more mature than male Huskies and do not exhibit territorial tendencies.

They also prefer to spend time alone and only interact with their owners during playtime.

A female Siberian Husky does not have a heartless disposition despite this. It is actually kind and affectionate. But in this sense, you should not expect it to be as protective as its male counterpart.

Females are sometimes difficult to get along with. However, this is more likely to occur if you do not get your female Siberian Husky spayed.

In addition, female Siberian Huskies possess the same agility as their male counterparts. They share the same need for stimulation.

Consequently, regardless of whether you choose to raise a male or female Siberian Husky, you must be prepared for significant physical and mental challenges.

Behavior and Training

Male Siberian Husky during training

Male Huskies

Male Huskies’ aggressive behavior toward other dogs stems from a lack of socialization at an early age. If other dogs make your male Siberian Husky nervous and agitated, it will lash out as a protective mechanism.

Male Huskies are also fiercely protective of what they view as their property, which includes their home. This leads them to mark their territory through urinating.

It is important to be firm with your male Husky, correct his behavior whenever it occurs, and not be hesitant to seek professional assistance if necessary.

In terms of training, male Huskies are more challenging to train than female Huskies and other dog breeds due to their independence and stubbornness. Nonetheless, early training can help curb these tendencies.

It is also preferable to begin once your pup turns eight weeks old. Insufficient training as puppies can result in behavioral problems in the future.

In addition, male Huskies are significantly more dominant and require more time to mature than females. They need obedience training from a young age and are a breed that can be difficult and resistant to exercise.

Female Huskies

Meanwhile, female Huskies are unlikely to display territorial aggressiveness compared to male Huskies. However, they may mimic dominating behavior characterized by snarling, snapping, and biting.

Since their prey drive is innate, training your Female Husky to control aggressive behavior toward smaller animals will require firm and consistent management.

This territorial aggression and prey drive becomes stronger after giving birth. I personally experienced this with my three-year-old female Siberian Husky, who had one-month-old puppies at that time.

She once bolted out of her enclosure as I was reaching for her food bowl. She then dashed after a stray cat and chased after it for almost two blocks, not listening to my commands. She only responded after she lost track of the stray. Hence, female Huskies must be handled better when they have puppies.

Further, in terms of marking behavior, female Huskies are less likely to urinate in places and on objects compared to males, especially if they are spayed.

Since female Huskies reach maturity earlier than males, their training efficiency is more remarkable because they can better retain instructions at a younger age.

They are considerably more calm, peaceful, and consistent. Therefore, they would not pose many difficulties if you begin training later.

Female Huskies are less likely to question your authority than male Huskies. However, their training demands consistency and perseverance from their owners.

Watch this video to see the behavioral differences between male and female Husky:

Male vs Female Siberian Huskies - (WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?)

Health Differences

Male Huskies

Male Huskies are more susceptible to health issues such as hip dysplasia, arthritis, hypothyroidism, and eye problems such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).

Neutering your male Siberian Husky is also essential. This will help lessen hormonal mood swings and undesirable behaviors in your male Siberian Husky, including marking and fighting.

Additionally, neutering will benefit the health of your male Husky. In fact, it has been shown to lower the risk of testicular cancer and prostate-related health issues in male dogs.

Male Huskies are also more susceptible to injury than females because they are more active.

Female Huskies

Female Siberian Huskies are also susceptible to acquiring certain health problems.

They are more likely to develop corneal dystrophy than male dogs. This condition affects the cornea, the transparent outer layer of the eye. It typically affects young adults, but it does not impair vision.

An unspayed female Husky can also develop pyometra, a potentially fatal infection caused by the growth of extra tissue in the uterus.

Another severe illness of an intact female Husky is ovarian cancer. A physical examination and blood test would be necessary to diagnose this.

If you want to decrease the chances of your female Siberian Husky catching these illnesses, you should consider spaying it. This surgery will lower the risks of pyometra, ovarian cancer, and other health problems.

With Other Dogs and Pets

Female Siberian Husky licking a cat

Male Huskies

Male Siberian Huskies are friendly with other dogs, especially those they have been raised with.

A male Husky who is well-socialized and gets along well with other dogs will behave calmly. It will not display aggression when introduced to another dog or when living with other pets.

Because male Huskies are accustomed to living in packs and are typically calm and relaxed, training them to get along with other dogs is typically not too difficult.

However, it is essential to introduce dogs to your male Husky appropriately so that it doesn’t feel that its territory or space is being invaded and react aggressively.

Female Huskies

When introducing other dogs and animals to your female Husky, it may be essential to consider their high prey drive. As owners, you should train your dog to distinguish them as part of the pack and not as prey or rivals.

Similarly, having two female dogs at home can be troublesome. Two female Huskies may engage in a fight if they are both dominant.

The presence of two untrained dogs will result in frequent fighting. Also, consider the two dogs’ energy levels and temperaments, as these are significant indicators of their compatibility.

That said, it is important to provide early socialization for your female Husky. It teaches your dog how to react to the world around it in a healthy way without unnecessary fear or aggression.

With Children

Male Huskies

Many owners attest that male Huskies are friendlier than their female counterparts. They specifically get along with children and are willing to do silly things to please them and other family members.

Male Huskies are also expected to be more expressive, so children can enjoy playing and napping with them. You can also expect that they are excellent cuddle companions.

In addition, male Huskies are excellent family dogs, and their pleasant nature makes them ideal companions for young children. 

Due to their even temperaments, you don’t need to worry about them suddenly becoming aggressive towards your children.

Males appear to be the superior option if you want a dog that will shower your kids with attention, love, and affection.

Female Huskies

In contrast to male Huskies, females are less reliant on humans and children due to their superior intelligence and maturity.

There is a tendency for them to be a little more reserved. Most of the time, a female Husky prefers to be left alone. However, it may interact with children during playtime.

Female Huskies will still show kids love and affection. However, according to Husky owners who have male and female Huskies, they are more selective when displaying such affection.

Females are more independent and usually mind their own business, unlike males, who are better with children.

Pros and Cons of Male and Female Huskies

Male and female Siberian Husky walking side by side

Male Huskies

Owning a male Siberian Husky offers benefits and drawbacks. The male Husky’s brilliant coat, upright ears, and brushtail create a wolf-like appearance that many individuals find appealing.

Despite their wolf-like appearance, male Siberian Huskies are not naturally aggressive and actually make terrible guard dogs.

Another benefit is that male Huskies are friendly and loyal to others. The male Husky is a great companion, forming a strong attachment with its owner.

Male Huskies are playful and like outdoor activities, making them excellent running, hiking, camping, and biking companions. They are extremely lively, agile, and resilient beings.

However, you will notice some disadvantages when raising a male Siberian Husky. This includes their intimidating looks, which may lead other people and animals to believe Huskies are aggressive.

Even though they are affectionate and loyal, they dislike being bored, so their owner will need to provide enough exercise and keep them occupied to prevent destructive behaviors.

Due to their dominance, they may become more territorial, resulting in aggressive behavior. They can also be stubborn and have a strong predatory instinct when playing with other animals.

Below is the summary of the pros and cons of owning a male Husky: 

ProsCons
Striking appearanceCan be intimidating to others
Friendly and loyalNeeds constant stimulation
Eager to please ownersTerritorial tendencies
More affectionate and easier around kidsStubborn behavior
Playful and dynamicStrong predatory drive

Female Huskies

As with male Siberian Huskies, having a female Husky has both advantages and disadvantages. Due to their early maturity, female Huskies are calmer than their male counterparts.

A female Siberian Husky may be welcomed if you desire a dog breed that does not always occupy your space. It does not require much attention, although a female Husky will gladly interact during playtime.

Consequently, they are independent. Female Huskies will be content to lie down in another room while you are elsewhere. They usually like their own company.

Moreover, if you want an easily-trained Siberian Husky, get a female who is more likely to be trained efficiently. This is because female Huskies will readily accept you as their leader.

These are some of the benefits of owning a female Husky. Still, they also have characteristics that can be challenging for owners to manage.

Since female Huskies usually prefer to spend their time alone, they might not be too eager to interact with their owners all the time.

Due to their earlier maturity, they will likely require additional care during their heat cycle.

They get along well with children, but you should never leave children alone with them or other pets because they might get aggressive when they feel that their space is being invaded.

Below is the summary of the pros and cons of owning a female Husky:

ProsCons
CalmProne to mood swings
Mature earlierNeed extra care during their heat cycle
Less needy for attentionCan be self-serving at times
IndependentNot the right choice for new dog owners
Easy to trainStrong-willed

Should You Get a Male or Female Husky

Are you still having trouble with whether to acquire a male or female Siberian Husky? This is hardly surprising, given that both genders of this breed make excellent household pets.

But to choose which gender is ideal, you must take into account your personal preferences, such as your way of life, your surroundings, and other factors.

The male Husky appears to be the preferable option if you want your dog to show you more attention, love, and affection. You will fall in love with them due to their playfulness and devotion to their owners.

Meanwhile, if you value your own space, female Huskies are a great choice for you as they are timid and physically less energetic than their male counterparts.

If you want easy-to-train dogs, then consider raising female Huskies. They are independent and will not likely question your authority. This means that female Huskies will readily accept you as their leader.

If you have small children at home, your best bet is also a female Husky. While both sexes are generally safe around children, males are more fond of interacting with children and other people.

Aside from considering your preferences and lifestyle when selecting the ideal Siberian Husky for you and your family, you should also consider the costs of owning a Siberian Husky and ensure that you are dealing only with reputable breeders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Male and female Siberian Husky exploring outdoors

Are Male or Female Huskies More Aggressive?

Due to their dominant behavior, male Huskies can be more territorial and, in some cases, aggressive. Antisocial or aggressive behavior from a female Husky is unusual.

Nevertheless, Siberian Huskies are not known to be aggressive breeds, regardless of gender.

Are Male or Female Huskies More Affectionate? 

In terms of being affectionate, male Huskies tend to give owners more attention, love, and devotion compared to female Huskies.

However, female Huskies are still affectionate towards their owners. That said, there are numerous methods in which you may ensure a strong attachment with your Husky regardless of its gender.

Are Male or Female Huskies Easier to Train?

Due to their maturity, it is easier to train female Huskies than males. They are more attentive and receptive to learning commands and can retain them well.

Male Huskies are significantly more challenging to train than their female counterparts. This is because they are more dominant and need more time to mature. But this does not indicate that male Huskies are untrainable.

Final Thoughts

There are differences between a male and female Siberian Husky. However, these distinctions do not indicate that one is superior to the other.

In choosing which gender is better to own, you should consider your preferences and lifestyle.

Regardless of the Husky’s gender, both are magnificent pets and wonderful additions to your family. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter which gender is better, but rather which gender fits your lifestyle the best.

Have you decided whether a male or a female Husky is the best fit for you? Let us know in the comments section below!

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