Black Huskies have an intimidating appearance with a gentle nature. They are absolutely striking, with a solid or nearly solid black coat. Huskies are a high energy breed that are known for their friendliness and work ethic.
Black Husky Facts
Black Huskies are considered rare. They can be difficult to find, because the black coat is uncommon. However, they are one of the most unique Husky colors, which makes them well worth finding.
Husky History
To better understand the history of the Black Husky, let’s take a look at the history of the Husky. The Siberian Husky is actually a very old breed. Their roots go back at least 4,000 years, to the Churchi tribe.
Huskies are often thought to be related to wolves. Technically, all of our modern dog breeds are descendants of wolves. The Siberian Husky is a descendant of the Siberian wolf.
The modern Husky has a genial personality, but they have inherited the looks and appearance of their wolf ancestors. The Husky can still be found in all the color combinations of the wolf, including black.
The Churchi tribe of Siberia were the first to domesticate the Husky. They were similar to many dog owners today. Their dogs worked alongside the tribe, pulling sleds and performing other tasks. They also played with the tribespeople, and even slept with their families.
The first Huskies were brought to Nome, Alaska in 1908. In 1909, they participated in the All-Alaska Sweepstakes races. The Husky team got a respectable third place.
This began their lives as sled dogs in America.
In 1925, they became heroes. A diphtheria epidemic had broke out in Nome. The town is very isolated, so sled dogs were used to bring medicine from Neana. One of the Husky teams, and their driver, Leonhard Seppala, went on a National Tour.
While touring the US, he participated in sled dog races in New England.
In 1908 and 1909, Huskies were brought to Nome, Alaska. In 1909, they participated in the All-TAlaska Sweepstakes races. The team of Huskies got third place. This solidified their place as sled dogs, and they were popular sled dogs from that moment on.
The Huskies did very well in the races, which solidified their renown as sled dogs in America. New England teams began purchasing Huskies for sledding. In 1930, the AKC recognized the breed.
Black Husky Appearance
Black Huskies are either completely black, or mostly black, according to the AKC. Their topcoat is black. Their undercoat is black or charcoal. Typically, they will have white markings on their feet and chest. They may also have white on their face. Generally, their paw pads and nails are black as well.
Black Husky Genetics
The black color in Siberian Huskies is unique, because it can be either dominant or recessive. The dominant black gene is known as (Kb), and the recessive version is (a).
Each dog will inherit a color gene from each parent. A dominant gene will express itself if one copy of the gene is present. For a recessive gene to express itself, the dog must inherit a copy of the gene from both parents.
Dominant black is much more common than recessive black. However, black is a rare Husky color, in spite of this.
Husky color genetics comes down to two basic colors. Black and brown/copper. The black gene can create black, gray, agouti, or white coloring.
The brown/copper gene can produce dogs who are chocolate, copper, or white.
So, the black gene is common in Huskies, but the solid black expression of the gene is not.
White and black Huskies are common, because the white and black gene expression is more common.
Black Husky Price
Black and white Huskies are common, so they cost around $1,000. You can find them for as little as $600. However, they may not have registration papers. A Husky from a reputable bloodline is typically $2,000- $2,500.
For rarer colors, including solid Black or White Huskies, the price is higher. They typically cost around $3,000.
Black Husky Rarity
Black Huskies are one of the rarest colors. Other rare colors include white and agouti.
Black Husky Life expectancy
A black Husky has an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. Much of their lifespan is determined by their genetics. However, you can extend their lifespan with a proper diet, exercise, and regular veterinary care.
Black Husky Size and weight
Black Huskies are medium sized dogs. They come in two sizes, standard and miniature.
A standard Husky is a little longer than they are tall. Females will weigh between 35 and 50 pounds, and reach 20-22 inches in height. Standard male Siberian Huskies are a little bigger. They weigh 45 to 60 pounds, and reach 21 to 24 inches tall.
Miniature Huskies are smaller. They are the same breed as Standard Huskies. However, they were bred to be smaller. They usually weigh between 20 and 35 pounds, and they can grow to 13-17 inches tall.
Miniature Huskies size disqualifies them from the breed standard, so they cannot currently be registered.
Black Husky Health
Black Huskies are generally healthy, but they are prone to some health problems. These can be reduced with genetic testing. Many diseases that are common in Huskies are inherited.
Genetic testing can reveal these conditions before a dog is bred. If they have a disorder, the breeder will choose not to breed them. This keeps the breed healthy, and prevents puppies from being born with these health conditions.
Eye Conditions
Siberian Huskeis are well known for their striking eyes. These can be blue, green, brown, or amber. Many Huskies have eyes that are different colors, which makes them even more interesting.
However, they are prone to several eye conditions. One of these is Progressive Retinal Atrophy, or PRA. PRA causes the eyes to go blind, usually at 2 or 3 years old.
Glaucoma is another condition common in Huskies. Glaucoma causes increased eye pressure. This leads to pain and loss of vision. In severe cases, the eye must be removed with surgery.
Cataracts are another eye issue to be aware of. Cataracts typically occurs in older dogs, as it does for humans. It causes a film to develop over the eye, which impairs vision.
Huskies have a risk of juvenile cataracts. This means that they can develop the condition at a young age.
Joint Conditions
The most common joint condition that occurs in Huskies is hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition. It typically occurs when the hip joint doesn’t form correctly.
The condition causes pain and loss of mobility. The risk of severity of the condition can be reduced with a proper diet and exercise.
Arthritis can also affect Huskies. Like humans, arthritis causes swollen and painful joints. Arthritis can cause pain and limited mobility. However, it can be managed with medication.
Epilepsy
There are three types of epilepsy. When seizures occur due to a metabolic issue, including low blood sugar or ingesting a toxin, they are known as reactive seizures.
Seizures that are caused by brain trauma or a stroke are called secondary seizures.
Primary seizures have no known cause. Huskies are prone to this type of seizure. They typically begin at 6 months to 3 years old.
The symptoms of seizures in Huskies include involuntary muscle movements, drooling, and involuntary peeing or pooping. Often, the dog will fall onto its side and kick its legs during a seizure.
Seizures cannot be cured, but they can be treated or controlled with medication.
Laryngeal Paralysis
Laryngeal Paralysis occurs when the vocal cords become paralyzed. It commonly affects older Huskies. The disease is progressive, so it gets worse over time.
Common symptoms include difficulty breathing, particularly with exercise, noisy breathing, and lethargy.
Black Husky Behavior/Characteristics
Black Huskies may have an intimidating appearance, but their personality is actually very friendly. They are highly social dogs, and need plenty of attention and interaction.
They are usually happy, and easily excited. In fact, this is what makes life with a Husky interesting.
However, they are also working dogs. They are at their best when they are able to stay busy. Give them plenty of exercise and affection, and they will form a very close bond with the family.
They are a great dog for families, because they have a gentle temperament. Their high energy levels also make them perfect playmates for children.
How to care for a Black Husky
Black Huskies make great pets for active individuals or families. Before you bring one home, however, you should be aware of what it takes to care for one.
They are far from low maintenance, but they are certainly worth the effort.
Exercise
Black Huskeis are highly energetic, so they require a lot of exercise. They need to walk or run at least 3 5o 5 miles, 4 days a week. In terms of time, they need at least one, preferably two, hours or exercise each day.
It’s best if they have a large fenced in yard. This allows them to run freely. Keep in mind that this isn’t a replacement for exercising them.
It’s also important ot note that Huskies are great escape artists. They are known for scaling fences or digging under them to escape. If you put your Husky inside a fence, be sure it is secure.
Some Husky owners state that its easier to care for two Huskies than one. This is because they can play together and give each other companionship.
Grooming
A Black Husky requires a lot of grooming, like other double coated breeds. They must be brushed at least once each week.
You’ll start by combing the coat to remove any mats. Then, use a paddle brush to remove shed hairs, dirt, and oil. Start with the undercoat, and then brush the overcoat.
You can expect a Black Husky to shed twice a year when the seasons begin to change. They shed a lot, so everything they touch is likely to turn black.
You can speed up the shedding process and reduce shedding by brushing them each day during this time.
Training
Siberian Huskies are highly intelligent. However, they are not easy to train. This is because they are very independent. As sled dogs, they must do what’s needed with little input from the driver.
They work closely together, with little authority over them. They must be able to problem solve on their own.
This is great when sledding, but it makes them hard to train. They aren’t used to taking commands.
To train a Husky, it’s best to work with them as a partner, rather than an authority figure.
Socialization
Huskies are a pack breed. They need plenty of socialization with other dogs as well as humans to be happy. If they get lonely, they will become destructive. Their strong energetic nature means they can do a lot of damage if they aren’t properly cared for.
How do you buy a Black Husky?
The best way to buy a Black Husky is to find a reputable breeder. This requires a little research and patience.
Finding a Registered Breeder
The easiest way to find a reputable breeder is to check Breeder Registries. Registries require breeders to meet stringent requirements, which weeds out unethical breeders.
You can check out the AKC Siberian Husky Breeder Registry. You should also visit the Siberian Husky Club of America, which is closely affiliated with the AKC.
Determining if a Breeder is Ethical
If a breeder is registered, they are likely ethical. However, if you simply want a Husky as a pet, you may not want a registered puppy. In this case, you’ll need to determine if the breeder is ethical.
One way to do this is to ask questions. Ask how they determine which dogs to breed. How do they ensure their dogs are healthy?
A reputable breeder will always focus on the health and temperament of the dogs first and foremost, while unethical breeders are simply concerned with profit.