Among wild dogs, one of the most commonly mistaken for a husky is the coyote. They share some similarities but they differ significantly in size, behavior, and habitat.
This guide will provide an overview of both species to help you understand the differences between huskies and coyotes.
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Physical characteristics
Huskies are large dogs well-known for their thick coats and pointed ears. They have a double coat which consists of a soft undercoat that helps keep them warm in colder climates and a coarser outer layer.
The most common husky colors are white, gray, black, red, and sable. Male huskies typically stand between 21-23.5 inches tall, while females can reach 20-22 inches. They usually weigh between 35 and 60 pounds.
On the other hand, coyotes are usually more petite than huskies. Their weight can range from 20 to 50 pounds. Although they can be of similar height; averaging ~24 inches tall. Male coyotes tend to be larger than their female counterparts, weighing up to 50 pounds on average.
The coat of a coyote is also thick, but it’s more coarse compared to a husky’s. Standard coat colors for coyotes include grayish brown with black tips or red mixed with a pale gray or tan shade all over their body.
Coyotes may have white patches on the neck and chest areas and near their legs and feet.
Temperament and behavior
Huskies are outgoing and friendly, making them an excellent fit for families with children. They’re also intelligent and independent, which allows them to be easily trained.
Huskies are known to be good problem solvers, but their strong prey drive can lead them to chase after small animals or other dogs.
Although they make excellent family pets, it’s essential to provide proper training and socialization from a young age for your husky. This will help them learn how to interact appropriately with people and other animals.
Conversely, coyotes tend to exhibit bolder and more aggressive behaviors than huskies due to their wild nature. In addition, they’re highly territorial and can be pretty vocal when feeling threatened. Although their vocalisation tends to be more of a sqeal than a bark or growl.
While coyotes can make good pets, it’s important to remember that they aren’t domesticated animals and shouldn’t be treated as such. Coyotes require a great deal of patience, dedication, and training to become accustomed to living with humans.
Lifespan and health
The average lifespan of a husky is between 12-15 years when given proper care and nutrition. Common husky health issues include hip dysplasia, eye problems, thyroid disease, and heart defects.
Regular veterinary visits can help keep your husky healthy by identifying potential problems early on.
Coyotes typically have a shorter lifespan than huskies, living only 8-10 years on average in the wild. Factors such as malnutrition, diseases, and parasites can adversely affect their health.
If you have tamed a Coyote, regular veterinary checkups are essential for detecting any potential health issues early on.
Adaptability to different environments
Huskies are well adapted to cold climates due to their thick double fur coat. This makes them an ideal choice if you live in a colder area or plan on doing any activities in the cold. e.g. sledding.
Huskies also have a high energy level, allowing them to stay active even in cold weather conditions.
Coyotes, on the other hand, are more flexible when it comes to their environment.
They can adapt and thrive in various climates, including temperate regions and desert areas. This makes them well-suited for owners who don’t have access to cold weather conditions or who live in warmer temperatures.
Nutritional needs
Huskies require high-quality dog food rich in protein and specifically tailored to their breed and energy level. It’s essential to feed your husky the right amount of food to prevent obesity, which can lead to serious health issues.
Owners should also ensure that their husky has access to plenty of fresh water at all times. Dehydration can quickly become a significant problem for this breed.
Coyotes need a diet high in protein and fat to meet their energy needs. This can be obtained through meats, fruits, vegetables, and occasional table scraps.
Both huskies and coyotes love eating real food, not commercial dry dog food. The best dog food is made from quality meat and other whole ingredients.
Reactions to interaction with humans
Huskies are known for being affectionate and loyal to their family members. They also love getting attention from people such as petting and cuddling when given the opportunity.
Huskies also enjoy playing games with their owners and other dogs. And participating in activities like running, walking, or agility training.
Conversely, coyotes are wary of human contact and can be very skittish when approached. As such, owners must take extra care when introducing a coyote to new people or situations to avoid startling them.
Coyotes should also never be left unsupervised with children. Their natural instinct for self-defense may cause them to act aggressively if they feel threatened.
Ease of training and obedience
Huskies are known for being intelligent and independent. This makes them easy to train when given proper guidance and leadership from an experienced owner.
Positive reinforcement techniques and clicker training have proven effective in training huskies. Huskies should be trained from a young age to understand how to behave around people and other animals.
Due to their wild nature, coyotes can take longer to train than huskies. It’s important to have patience and consistency when working with coyotes, as this will help them learn more quickly.
Positive reinforcement techniques such as treats or verbal praise should also be used. This encourages desired behaviors. Proper socialization is also essential for coyotes to become comfortable living near people.
Final thoughts
Huskies and coyotes are a bit similar in appearance, but they’re different in many other aspects. For instance, huskies live longer, are more friendly and easier to train, and are built for colder climates.
It’s important to note that having a coyote for a pet is very rare. And owners that do have them, generally have captive bred coyotes, not wild coyotes that they’ve tamed.
