We all know and love the Siberian Husky. While they are quite the Drama Queens, their loving nature and bubbly personality will win anyone over. We all know and love our grey huskies, but did you know that there are also other color variations out there, like the black tan Husky, piebald Husky, white Siberian Husky, and even a red Husky. While the red Husky is pretty rare, they do exist. And we are so grateful that they do — because these dogs are absolute stunners!
In this article, we will get to know the red Husky. But before doing that, let’s clean the air first, shall we? The first thing that you have to know is that the red Husky is in no way a separate dog breed. A red Husky is basically just a rare color variation of the classic Siberian Husky.
And the second thing is — a red Husky is just as much of a challenge as any other Husky is. So if you’re looking for a low-maintenance dog, this isn’t it. Huskies need a lot of love, attention, and exercise. But just believe us when we say — it’s all so worth it.
Origins of the Husky
Let’s take a look at the brief history of this dog breed. The ancestors of the red Siberian Husky are – as the name suggests – sled dogs from Eastern Siberia. The nomadic peoples living there have been breeding their tough and persistent dogs for centuries. In 1909, the Siberian fur trader William Goosak competed for the first time with his dogs in the “All Alaska Sweetstakes Sled Dog Race”.
However, the nowadays popular white and black Husky didn’t do too well in this competition. Since the dogs were much smaller than Alaskan Malamutes, which are currently popular in Alaska, the other participants ridiculed him. They called his dogs “Huskys” – a insult to the Inuit at the time.
When he took third place in the demanding race with his “Siberian Huskies”, the curiosity of the other mushers was aroused. The dogs were able to keep a high speed over long distances. In addition, they were more agile than the other four-legged friends. Then in 1910, the Norwegian musher Leonard Seppala began the first husky breeding outside Siberia with his male Togo. In 1930, the breed was recognized in the USA by the American Kennel Club. Even today, the Inuit use the dogs as sled dogs, but they are also popular family dogs worldwide.
Personality
If you are already familiar with the Husky breed, you know that these dogs could be considered a handful. Like all Huskies, the red Husky has a big personality that often gets them into trouble. They are, to put it mildly, sociable and often mischievous. They get bored quickly and love to run away. This is why a fenced yard would be ideal. Trust us, these dogs are true escape artists.
They are very smart, and they love to test your limits to see what they can get away with. You have to let them know who the pack leader is as soon as possible. But because they are so smart and high energy, they also make great work dogs.
They howl instead of bark, which makes it even more obvious that they are like wolves. They also like to talk in weird ways that often make them sound like Wookies. Siberian Huskies are one of the best dogs you could ever have if you train them, give them a big yard with a fence around it, and are patient. If you are not willing to do those things, this isn’t the breed for you.
We can’t say enough about how big and fun their personalities are. They’re big, funny dorks with a lot of stubbornness. Siberian Huskies are what you’d get if you put a cat and a dog together. They are a sociable dog, that enjoys family life, but they just love to test your limits.
Are red Huskies good family dogs?
Yes, they are! Siberian Huskies are actually well-known for being great family dogs. They like to be around other dogs because they are pack animals, and they are very good with kids. Because they were also raised to hunt, you should keep an eye on them around smaller animals like cats. Their prey instincts are strong and you shouldn’t ever leave them unsupervised with small children as well.
But even though they like to hunt, Huskies can get along well with everyone if they are trained well. It’s important to socialize them early on and introduce them to as many people, sounds, and animals as possible. Start while they are still puppies, and it will be much easier for you later on. Huskies can be a bit intimidating to some, so both of you will be much better off if your Husky is calm and well-behaved.
In addition to that, your Husky will appreciate a spacious home with a nice garden. Sure, people living in apartments can adopt Huskies as well, however, that isn’t the ideal living situation for them. These dogs love to live in a pack in a place where there is a lot of room for them to roam.
Physical characteristics
The AKC breed standard for the Siberian Husky look says that this dog should have a strong body, a deep chest, and a straight back. Their heads are round, and their noses are pointed.
They have their signature erect ears, but they are a bit rounded at the top, which makes them look softer. Huskies are also known for their beautiful piercing eyes. While blue eyes are the most popular feature in this dog breed, they can also be in an abmer, brown or even black color.
The Red Husky’s almond-shaped eyes can sometimes have more than one color. This is called heterochromia. Sometimes even one of their eyes has more than one color, which is called “parti-colored.”
The Red Husky has strong, muscular legs that give it a solid base. Their front and back legs are just a little bit tilted, which helps them pull heavy loads over long distances. These dogs were meant to be fast, sturdy, and able to serve their purpose as a working breed.
Red Siberians are about the same size as most Huskies, which is between medium and large. Males and females are a little different in size, though. The male Husky is usually a bit larger than his female counterparts. They are between 20 and 23 inches tall and 35 to 60 pounds heavy.
The Huskies have a white, dense undercoat, whereby the top hair is red, but can also have traces of brown or black. Usually, the fur on the back is strongly colored and becomes weaker and weaker over the sides to the tummy.
What patterns do they come in?
Red Huskies can have either regular fur or fur that looks like wool. Woolly Red Huskies, on the other hand, have longer, heavier fur. No matter what kind of hair your Husky has, it has a thick double coat with a topcoat and an undercoat that protects it from harsh weather and other dangers.
We all already know the usual black and white color pattern, however, other possibilities include: Solid black Husky, black tan Husky, piebald Husky, white Siberian Husky, sable Husky.
But this Husky’s red coat does not just come in one solid color. They are mostly red with white masks and bellies, but they can also be red and black or red and gray. Then the color can range from a light red to a dark crimson.
It will depend on the recessive genes that each Red Husky parent has and passes on to every puppy in their litter. Like the rare agouti color or the Piebald Husky, you don’t know if all the red pups will be light or dark until they’re born.
If you want to know what your red Siberian Husky puppy will look like, meet their parents. That’s the only way to know for sure what they’ll look like.
Training
The Siberian Husky is smart and strong-willed, and the red one is no different. This doesn’t make training the easiest, but it doesn’t make it the worst, either. Huskies are stubborn, but they are smart enough to know when they should really listen. But training needs to start soon for this to happen.
When trained, your dog will be gentle, loving, and affectionate, and it will listen to you most of the time. If you don’t train them, things are going to go wrong. Huskies can be destructive because they have so much energy, and they will always try to push your limits and see who is in charge. Don’t move, or they will remember!
The Siberian Husky is an open and honest dog who likes to spend time with its owners. But training them won’t be a piece of cake. The independent polar dogs are best stored in the hands of experienced dog owners. With consistency and discipline, you can make the dog a loyal and incomparable partner.
Positive reinforcement training works best with these dogs. Attending a puppy school where your young dog can make contact with other dogs is the best way to socialize. Many breeders only hand in their dogs if the new owners guarantee a visit to the dog school.
Activities with the Siberian Husky
If you let them, Red Huskies could play all day. At the very least, they should work out for 30 to 60 minutes every day. Really, though, they’d be much happier if they had at least two hours. So if you are a couch potato that does not enjoy running or exercising with a canine companion, this isn’t the breed for you.
Keep in mind that Red Siberian Huskies were raised to pull sleds full of goods over long distances. A simple walk around the neighborhood won’t be enough. You need to give them a good workout and they have to let off some steam. These dogs were meant to use their muscular bodies on a daily basis.
If the weather doesn’t let you take them outside, think of ways to keep them busy inside. You could throw their favorite toy up the stairs or make them do tricks to get treats. As they are also a very intelligent dog breed, they need mental stimulation just as much as physical exercise.
If you don’t give your dog enough activity, either mental or physical, he could fall into his destructive behaviors. Your Husky will let his frustration out on your furniture, shoes, or whatever he may find. So if you are not prepared to give this dog a daily challenge, maybe consider a different dog breed.
Health issues
The average life span of this dog is between 12 and 15 years, so Husky owners can look forward to over a decade of mischief-making. Red Huskies are very active, but they are also at risk for a few serious health problems.
First of all, Siberian Huskies often have problems with their eyes. Over time, you can get cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, or Corneal dystrophy. There are treatments for cataracts and PRA, but there is currently no treatment for corneal dystrophy.
There’s also the chance of bloat. This usually happens when your Red Husky eats a lot of its favorite kibble and then plays or works out before giving it time to digest. Even though bloat doesn’t sound like a big deal, it can sometimes be fatal. Make it a habit for your Red Husky to rest for about 30 minutes after meals, just to be safe.
Also, hip dysplasia is a very common health issue in this breed. If your Red Husky puppy has problems with its joints, you may be able to tell while they are still young. In other cases, your dog won’t show any signs until he or she is older.
Even though hip and elbow dysplasia can be passed down from parent to child, lifestyle plays a big role in how it develops or gets worse over time. Whether it’s from too much exercise or too much food, putting too much stress on your Red Husky’s joints can make the condition worse.
Red Huskies may also be more likely to have allergies, thyroid problems, or not get enough zinc. Keep an eye on your Red Husky to see if their behavior, skin, or weight changes. Also, make sure they get their annual health checks.
Does the Siberian Husky suit me?
The Siberian Husky really is one of the best dogs you could ever want. They are smart, strong, and have a lot of personality. But they are not easy dogs, so you shouldn’t get one unless you can handle some things.
The iconic and elegant appearance gives the Husky many fans. If you want to get a Siberian Husky, you don’t have to be a trained musher. However, there should not be a lack of dog experience and enough time for the four-legged friend. You should definitely attend a sled dog race beforehand and see the dogs in action
They enjoy running. Ok, let’s say that again. Are you ready to run after your Siberian Husky down the street at the drop of a hat if they see an opening while you’re bringing in groceries? Because this has happened to every Husky owner at some point.
These dogs love winter and the cold, which is why you shouldn’t mind long walks in the snow. Keeping in a house with a large, secured garden would be optimal, where the dog can be let off-leash. But if you can give them a big yard, a lot of exercise, and you’ve trained dogs before, you’ll have a really special dog. Having a Siberian Husky as a dog is like nothing else.
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