There's no denying the apparent similarities between Huskies and German Shepherds. Their big, soft ears can be spotted from a mile away, and those fluffy wagging tails are undoubtedly hard to miss!
But how similar are these two breeds when you get into the nitty-gritty details of their appearance? Let's dive into size, weight, eye color, and every coat color variation that sets them apart.
German Shepherd Stats
For a large breed, you might be surprised to find that when it comes to weight, German Shepherds are not quite as heavy as you might expect — combined with their tall stature, this gives them a strong, lean appearance.
Weight & Height
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), males are between 24-26 inches tall, while females are slightly shorter at an average of 22-24 inches. Weight-wise, males have a pretty sizable range from 65 up to 90 pounds, and females range from 50-70 pounds.
While most commonly known for their black and tan coloring, German Shepherds also have a variety of coat colors — there are pure white and black German Shepherds, too!
Husky Stats
Often compared to wolves in their appearance, Huskies are a beautiful breed with gorgeous coat variations and striking eyes — usually piercingly blue. Some huskies may have an especially interesting and unique trait: one blue eye and one brown eye.
If you're interested in a somewhat more compact, but still large, dog, a Husky might be a better choice over the German Shepherd.
Weight & Height
According to the AKC, the Siberian Husky is shorter than a German Shepherd, with males ranging from 21-23.5 inches tall and females from 20-22 inches tall. Weight-wise, there's also a significant difference — so if you're looking for a dog you can lift with a bit more ease, this is good to keep in mind! Male Siberian Huskies have a weight range of 45-60 pounds, and females are slightly smaller at 35-50 pounds.
Like the German Shepherd, Siberian Huskies have several coat colorings beyond their standard black and cream coat. The AKC recognizes nine!
We want to give an honorable mention to the Alaskan Husky, too. Though not recognized by the AKC, the Alaskan Husky shares many similar traits to the Siberian Husky, including similar size and weight ranges, but technically it is a mixed breed. According to A-Z Animals, the Alaskan Husky is "a mix between northern spitz dogs (like the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute) and a variety of European spitz dogs."