Huskies are a popular dog breed these days. When you think of a Husky, you may picture a gray and white coat. However, they come in other colors as well. These include white, black, and of course, red.
A red Husky is particularly striking, and comes in a variety of red shades and color combinations.
Red Husky Facts
Red Huskies are descendants of the Taimyr wolves of Siberia. They still have a very wolf-like appearance. However, their temperaments could not be more different. They have a friendly personality, and love meeting new people.
The Husky was originally domesticated by the Churchuri tribe of Siberia. They served as sled dogs and companions. In 1908, the first Huskeis came to Nome, Alaska, to participate in the All Alaska Sweepstakes.
They quickly gained a reputation as excellent sled dogs. They eventually became popular in New England sledding circles. They were recognized by the AKC in 1930.
In recent years, they have gained popularity as pets. They’ve jumped from 24th to 12th in popularity over the last decade.
Red Husky Appearance
Like snowflakes, no two red Huskies will look exactly alike. Let’s take a look at the different shades of red and potential color combinations.
Basic Red Husky Appearance
Huskies have a fluffy double coat, and a bushy long tail. They have medium sized erect ears, and an elongated muzzle.
They typically have brown or blue eyes, with some sporting green eyes. It’s fairly common for them to have eyes that are different colors. Your Husky may have one brown eye and one blue one. This is known as heterochroma.
They can also be parti-colored, which means they have different colors within the same eye.
Red Huskies typically have a pink nose and paw pads, rather than the standard black. This adds to their charming appearance.
Shades of Red Husky
Siberian Huskies can be a dark copper color. In fact, it can be difficult to distinguish between chocolate or brown Huskies, and those who are a deep dark red.
On the other end of the spectrum is light red, which can appear similar to cream. They can also sport a medium red color.
Red Husky Color Combinations
It’s very rare for a Husky to be solid red. In fact, you are highly unlikely to find one with a solid red coat. They are most commonly red and white. They typically have a white belly and face mask, with the rest of their body being red.
They can also be red and black, which is stunning. Red and gray is also possible, and gives them a wild wolf-like appearance.
Compared to the other more basic colors like black, grey and white, the red Husky is quite rare.
Red Huskies often comes with pink noses.
Red Husky Price
Red Huskies are not as common as most Husky colors, so they can be a bit more expensive. The average price for a Husky is $1,000. Prices range from $800-$2500 for a registered Husky puppy.
Show quality Huskies are more expensive, and can cost up to $3,000.
Huskies from a prestigious bloodline can go for more than $3,000. This is particularly true for those with a renowned racing bloodline.
Huskies who are not registered will be less expensive, often $400 to $800.
Red Husky Rarity
Red Huskies are rarer than most colors. However, they aren’t the rarest. The most common Husky colors are black and white or gray and white.
Solid color Huskies are more rare than those with two or more colors. Solid white Huskies are the rarest Husky color of all.
Red is recessive in Huskies. This means that a puppy must inherit the red gene from both parents to be red. This makes them more rare than dominant colors, like black.
Red Husky Life expectancy
Red Huskies have a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. Their lifespan is determined by their genetics. However, you can extend your pooch’s lifespan by providing a healthy diet, exercise, and routine veterinary care.
Red Husky Size and weight
You can expect your red Husky to be a bit longer than they are tall. Females are smaller than males. They are typically 20-22 inches tall, and weigh 35 to 50 pounds. Males will reach 22-24 inches tall, and weigh 45 t 60 pounds.
Red Husky Health
Red Huskies are considered a heathy breed. Genetic testing has decreased the prevalence of many genetic health issues. It can reveal health conditions that can be passed on to puppies. If a dog has a genetic condition, they are not bred.
Despite this, there are still some health conditions that can affect Huskies.
Eye Conditions
Huskies are at a risk of a few eye conditions. One of these is progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA. This essentially programs the eyes to go blind, usually at 2 to 3 years old.
Glaucoma is another potential issue. This causes increased eye pressure. This causes pain and affects vision. Severe cases of glaucoma can require surgery.
Cataracts are another disorder that Huskies are at risk for. This condition causes a film to form over their eyes. This is generally seen in older dogs. However, Huskies can develop cataracts at a young age, which is known as juvenile cataracts.
Arthritis
Huskies are prone to arthritis. The condition is essentially the same for dogs as it is for humans. You may notice that they have difficulty moving or walking, particularly early in the morning.
Arthritis causes the joints to swell. This leads to pain and stiffness. Arthritis can’t be cured, but it can be managed with medication. Exercise can also help a pooch cope with arthritis.
Epilepsy
There are three types of epilepsy that can affect Huskies. The first type is secondary epilepsy. This type is caused by trauma to the brain. Strokes or head injuries can cause this type of seizure.
Reactive seizures are typically caused by a metabolic issue, like low blood sugar, or ingesting something toxic.
The third, and the type that Huskies are at a higher risk for, is primary epilepsy. This occurs when there’s no clear cause for the seizures.
The symptoms include drooling and involuntary muscle movements. They may fall over, kick their legs, or drool. They may also lose control of their bowels and bladder.
Seizures can last for 30 seconds to 5 minutes. They typically begin between 6 months and 3 years old.
Bloat
Any dog can get bloat, but some are at a greater risk than others. Huskies have an increased risk for the condition. The cause of bloat is still not well understood.
Gas gets trapped in the stomach. As food digests, more gas forms. This increases the pressure in the stomach. If it’s not treated, this can cause the stomach to twist. If the stomach twists, the condition is fatal in about half of cases, even with veterinary care.
The signs of bloat include stomach swelling or bloating, and the inability to pass gas, pee, or poop. Dogs will typically retch, with no productive vomiting as well. The condition is very painful, so the first sign you notice may simply be that your dog is in pain.
Bloat can be treated, but time is of the essence. Dogs can go from beginning to show symptoms to death in only a few hours.
You can reduce the risk of bloat by feeding several small meals each day. If your dog is a fast eater, a slow feeder bowl is also helpful.
Red Husky Behavior/Characteristics
You can expect your Red Husky to be energetic and friendly. They form close bonds with their owner. They are an excellent choice for families, because they are good with children. They are always ready to paly, which is great for kids and active families.
They are friendly with everyone, including strangers and other dogs. This means they are easy to socialize, but they are not effective guard dogs.
How to care for a Red Husky
Red Huskies are energetic and require plenty of attention each day. They are considered high maintenance, but they are well worth it for the right owner.
Exercise
Huskies are incredibly energetic. They can travel 150 miles in a single day, and they can reach speeds up to 30 mph. It’s easy to see that this breed needs a lot of physical activity.
They need to walk or run 3 to 5 miles at least 4 days a week. You can also exercise them for at least one hour, preferably 2, each day.
In addition to exercise, your red Husky does best when provided with a large fenced in yard. They are talented escape artists, so you’ll need to be sure they are secure in the fence.
Many Husky owners believe that its easier to have two Huskies rather than one, because they can play with each other. However, a fenced in yard and a companion is not a replacement for exercise with you.
Grooming
Huskies have a double coat. They will shed their undercoat twice a year in the spring and fall. This allows them to prepare for the cooler or warmer weather. They shed their topcoat a little at a time, all year round.
Like all double coated breeds, they need regular grooming. You’ll need to brush your Husky at least twice a week.
Begin with a comb to remove any tangles. Then use a paddle brush to remove dirt and shed hair. You’ll need to start with their undercoat, and then brush their top coat.
When they shed their undercoat, they need to be brushed daily. This will remove shed hair, which speeds the process. It also reduces the amount of hair that gets everywhere.
Training
Training is important for all dogs, and Huskies are no exception. They are intelligent, which can make them seem easy to train. However, they are very independent.
They were originally bred for sledding. This requires them to make quick decisions, often without input from their owner. This independence can make them uninclined to follow commands.
If you are not experienced in training a strong willed dog, you should take them to an obedience class. This will help both of you learn to work together effectively.
Socialization
Hukies are highly social. They love being around people. They need lots of time with their owners. They get along well with strangers as well.
They are also pack oriented. This means it’s important for them to spend time with other dogs. Sledding requires dogs to work together as a team, so it’s no surprise they crave social interaction.
Without enough attention and interaction with other pooches, they can become lonely and even depressed. This can lead to compulsive behavior, and them losing interest in playing and meal times.
They do have a high prey drive, so they must be trained with smaller animals if you intend to allow them around each other. A Husky that has been socialized with other animals will have no problem with the neighbor’s cat. However, if they aren’t socialized with them, they will view them as prey.
How do you buy a Red Husky?
When buying a red Husky, it’s important to select a reputable breeder. Unethical breeders are problematic for you, your pooch, and the breed as a whole.
Breeder Registires
The simplest way to find a reputable breeder is through a breeder registry. The requirements these registries have typically eliminate unethical breeders, so you can choose a pooch worry free.
The AKC breeder registry provides a directory of AKC certified breeders. All puppies on the site are AKC registered.
You can also check out the Siberian Husky Club of America. They are closely affiliated with the AKC, and have similar high standards.
Registered Vs. Unregistered Huskies
When searching for a red Husky, you’ll need to decide if you want a registered pooch or an unregistered one. Breeders who register their Huskies are typically ethical, because of the registration process.
Unregistered Huskies are less expensive. However, you’ll need to be sure the breeder is ethical if you choose this route.