When you think of a Husky, you probably picture a gray and white pooch. You may be surprised to learn that they come in a wide variety of colors, including chocolate. Their rich brown coat is luxurious and beautiful.
Chocolate Husky Facts
Chocolate Huskies are brown colored Siberian Huskies. They are energetic and very friendly.
Chocolate Husky History
The best way to understand the Husky is to know their history. The breed is at least 4,000 years old. They are descendants of the Taimyr wolf. Today, they still exhibit the same colors and coat patterns as these ancient canines.
They were first domesticated by the Churchuri tribe of Sibreia. The tribe used them to pull sleds. They also provided companionship. The relationship between the Churchuri and their Huskies is similar to the relationship dog lovers have with their pooches today.
In 1908, the first Huskies made their way to the U.S. They came to Alaska for the All Alaska Sweepstakes. A team of Huskies finished 3rd place, which spawned interest in them.
However, they are most well known for their role in a rescue operation. This occurred in 1925. A diphtheria epidemic broke out in Nome, which is a remote town.
Medicine had to be delivered from Nenana, which was 600 miles away. The final leg of this journey was completed by a team of Huskies, with Togo and Balto being the lead dogs.
You can learn more about this journey by watching the movie Togo. The animated classic Balto is also loosely based on this event.
Huskies soon became well known in New England for their sledding abilities, as well as being beloved heroes. It didn’t take long for New Englanders to adopt them as pets as well as working dogs. Eventually, the breed spread across the country as a faithful companion.
Chocolate Husky Appearance
Chocolate Huskies have a brown coat. The shade can range from dark chocolate brown to a mix of brown and copper. They can have patches of white on their chest or paws.
Because solid colored Huskies are so rare, they are considered solid chocolate, even if they have small patches of white.
Of course, Huskies can also be chocolate and white. This is a bit more common than solid chocolate, but it’s still relatively rare.
One reason for this is that the brown gene is recessive. A puppy must get the brown gene from both parents to be brown.
Husky Features
Huskies are longer than they are tall, and have a graceful lean appearance. They have erect ears and a long bushy tail.
Their eyes are their most striking feature. They are typically blue or brown. However, they can have one eye of each color. Rarely, the eyes will be a mix of blue and brown within the same eye. This is known as parti-colored.
Do Husky’s Coat Colors Change?
Yes, the color of a Husky’s coat can change over time. This won’t be an extreme change. For example, a brown Husky will not turn white. However, it may turn a lighter or darker shade of it’s original color over time.
A Husky may also develop more brown or red tones over time, because these two colors are closely related.
Chocolate Husky Price
The average price for a registered Husky puppy is $1,000. They can range between $800 to $3,000. Rarer colors, like chocolate, can cost more. You can expect to pay between $1,200 to $3,000 for a solid chocolate Husky. A chocolate and white Husky may be a little less expensive.
Unregistered puppies are cheaper than those with registration papers. They can be found for $400 to $800.
Lastly, the bloodline and quality of the dog affects price. Show quality puppies typically cost about $3,000. This is also true for those with a well respected bloodline.
Chocolate Husky Rarity
Chocolate Huskies are rare, with solid chocolate Huskies being rarer than chocolate and white. This is because solid colored Huskies of any color are rare.
The chocolate color gene is recessive, which also contributes to the scarcity of chocolate-colored Huskies.
Chocolate Husky Life expectancy
You can expect a chocolate Husky to live for 12 to 14 years. Their lifespan is ultimately determined by their genetics. However, you can maximize their life expectancy with regular exercise, a healthy diet, and routine veterinary care.
Chocolate Husky Size and weight
Chocolate Huskies are medium-sized dogs, with females being slightly smaller than males. Females grow to 20-22 inches tall, while males can reach 24 inches in height. Females weigh 35 to 50 pounds, and males weigh 45 to 60 pounds.
In addition to standard sized Huskies, miniature Huskies also exist. They are genetically the same as their full-sized counterparts. The smallest standard Huskeis were bred, until they reached the desired compact size.
Miniature Huskies are 13-17 inches tall, and weigh 20-35 pounds.
They can’t be registered because they don’t meet the breed standard size requirement. However, they are popular pets, particularly for those in urban areas where space is limited.
Chocolate Husky Health
Chocolate Huskeis are considered healthy, but they are at risk of several health conditions, like all dogs. It’s important to be aware of these before getting a Husky.
Eye Condiotns
Huskies are at risk of a few eye conditions. PRA, or progressive retinal atrophy, is one of these. This disease essentially causes the eyes to go blind, because they are programmed to do so. The condition is not painful, and typically occurs at 2 to 3 years old.
Glaucoma is also a concern for Huskies. This condition causes increased eye pressure. This causes pain, and also affects vision.
Another condition that can affect Huskies is cataracts. Cataracts cause a film to form over the eye. This doesn’t cause pain, but it does affect vision.
Cataracts typically affect older dogs. However, Huskies can develop juvenile cataracts, which affects younger dogs.
Joint Conditions
Joint conditions can also affect chocolate Huskies. Hip dysplasia is a common issue. It occurs when the hip joint doesn’t form correctly. This allows the joint to slip out of place easily.
This causes pain, and can affect the dog’s mobility as well, depending on the severity. Hip dysplasia is passed on from parents to puppies.
However, a healthy weight and exercise can help reduce your dog’s risk of developing the condition. It can also reduce the severity of the condition.
Epilepsy
There are 3 types of epilepsy that can affect Huskies. Secondary epilepsy is caused by trauma to the brain. Strokes and brain trauma can cause this type of seizure.
Reactive seizures can be caused by metabolic conditions, low blood sugar, or toxin ingestion.
The type that chocolate Huskies are at an increased risk of is primary epilepsy. This type has no apparent cause. Seizures typically begin at 6 months to 3 years old.
When a dog has a seizure, they lose muscle control. They may fall over, kick their legs, and drool. They may also lose bladder or bowel control.
Chocolate Husky Behavior/Characteristics
Chocolate Huskies are very friendly, and develop close relationships with their owners. They are excellent with children, and they are always up to play with them.
They have very high energy needs. If they get enough exercise, they are well behaved. However, if they are left indoors without enough physical activity, they can become destructive.
Instead of barking, Huskies howl. Boredom can lead them to howl often, which can be unpleasant for the owner.
They are very friendly dogs, and seem to love everyone they meet. This makes socializing them easy, but it does mean they are not ideal guard dogs.
They are also friendly with other animals, particularly other dogs. They are highly social, and need time with other animals just as they do their humans.
It’s unwise to keep them indoors at all times, but they won’t thrive if left alone outside, either. A large fenced-in yard allows them to get some exercise, but they need indoor time as well.
They are well known for being escape artists, however. You’ll need to be sure they can’t jump or climb the fence. It’s recommended that a Husky fence be at least 6 feet high. Some dogs can even scale an 8 foot fence.
How to care for a Chocolate Husky
Chocolate Huskies require care, as all dogs do. They can be a bit high maintenance, due to their double coat and high energy level. However, they are well worth the effort.
Exercise
Huskies were bred for sledding, which requires an immense amount of energy and endurance. They can travel 150 miles a day, and reach speeds of 30 mph.
Of course, you won’t need to take your Husky on a 20 mile run. However, they do need to walk or run 3 to 5 miles, at least 4 days a week. Another way to think of it is that they need at least 1 hour, preferably 2, of exercise each day.
Grooming
Huskies are double coated, which means they require regular grooming. You’ll need to brush them at least twice a week. Begin with a comb to remove any tangles. Then, use a brush to remove any dirt and debris from their coat.
Huskies do shed during the spring and fall. This allows them to prepare their coat for the changing weather. When shedding, your Husky should be brushed daily.
This will reduce the amount of hair everywhere, and help speed the shedding process.
Socialization
Huskies are a pack oriented breed, which means they need lots of socialization. They need to spend plenty of time with their family. They also need time with other dogs.
Without enough interaction, they can become lonely or depressed. They may lose interest in daily activities, and develop compulsive behaviors like frequent barking or licking.
Training
Huskies require training, as all dogs do. They are intelligent, but they aren’t particularly easy to train. This is because, as sledding dogs, they must be very independent. They often need to make quick decisions, without input from their owner.
This independence is necessary for a working sledding dog, but it makes training them a challenge. If you aren’t experienced with training spirited dogs, you should consider an obedience class. This will help you and your dog to get the right start.
They do have a high prey drive. If they will be around small animals, like cats or birds, you’ll need to train and socialize them with these animals. When properly trained, prey animals are safe around them.
How do you buy a Chocolate Husky?
If you want to buy a chocolate Husky, it’s important to research the breeder. Unethical breeders and puppy mills are a problem for all dog breeds today. These breeders concern themselves with profit, with little concern for the dogs.
Reputable breeders, on the other hand, put the health and well being of the dogs first and foremost.
Breeder Registries
The simplest way to find a reputable breeder is through a breeder registry. Registries have high standards that breeders must meet to be listed. This eliminates unethical breeders.
The AKC has an extensive breeder registry. All the breeders listed are AKC registered. The Siberian Husky Club of America also has a breeder registry. They are closely affiliated with the AKC.
Finding a Reputable Breeder
Breeder registries aren’t the only way to find a breeder. You can also do an internet search for chocolate Husky breeders. If you choose a breeder who registers their dogs, they are likely ethical. They must meet requirements that deter unethical breeders.
However, not everyone wants a registered pooch. If you choose an unregistered Husky, be sure to ask a few questions. How do they select breeding pairs? What do they do to ensure that their dogs and puppies are healthy?
You should also expect the breeder to ask you questions. A reputable breeder will want to be sure that their puppies go to good homes. Expect them to ask you what your intentions are for the puppy, and what their living conditions will be. They may also ask about your current and previous pet ownership.