Whats the difference in huskies and malamutes?

My boyfriend and I are planning on getting a Siberian Husky.
Stupid me, I was tihnking siberian huskies were from Alaska, since they look like those dogs you see in the movies. Then I realized those dogs were actually Alaskan Malamutes. They look EXACTLY the same to huskies. So I wanted an alaskan, but my boyfriend still wants a siberian, haha.
Does anyone know the difference, since they are physically similar? & does anyone have either dog, and what are they like? Good dogs / easy to train, things like that.

Siberians are smaller than Malamutes.

Siberians should be 45-65 lbs, Mals can be 85-100 lbs. Anything larger than either of those is poorly bred.

Both have similar, double, arctic coats, and will shed in huge clumps of fur twice a year, especially if not regularly brushed.

Siberians absolutely require a fenced in yard. I'd recommend one for a Mal, as well, but Siberians MUST have one. (Huskies have a tendency to try and run away... a lot)

Malamutes are mellower, but both breeds are good with well-behaved children.

here is a chart that describes the differences in greater detail:
http://www.minnesota...

xox
Sika

Other differences...

Mal's also have only brown eyes...Huskies can have one or both blue eyes...Huskies are exuberant...Mals can actually be trained for guard work...

phrannie

Okay thats great, but does anyone actually HAVE either of them to tell me any social differences?

Huskies are a LITTLE easier to train. They can both be very stubborn but I've found that Huskies are a little sharper than the mals. They both have great temperaments and are very trustworthy with people and children- not so much with other pets though. Both need a lot of exercise and shed a lot twice a year, as well as regularly throughout the year. They are both extremely ineffective as guard dogs or watch dogs. They don't don't bark at strangers and wouldn't attack. You'd have to rely on their appearance for intimidation. Siberians absolutely require a fenced in yard. I'd recommend one for a Mal, as well, but Siberians MUST have one.