When you think about Huskies, tan may not be the color that comes to mind. Grey and white is the most common color, but Huskies can be a wide range of colors, including tan.
Tan Husky Facts
Tan Huskies are a tan colored Siberian Husky. They are well known for their athleticism and affectionate personality. Huskeis were originally domesticated by the Churchuri tribe of Siberia. The tribe used dogs to pull their sleds and other practical tasks. However, they were also close companions.
The Husky is a descendant of the Taimyr wolves of Siberia, along with modern wolves. Huskies retain a very wolf-like appearance, but they have a charming friendly temperament.
The Husky first came to America in 1908, when they participated in the All Alaska Sweepstakes. Soon, they became popular in New England, because of their sled dog skills.
They were recognized by the AKC in 1930. Today, Huskies are still used to pull sleds. However, it’s more common for them to be household pets, rather than working dogs.
Tan Husky Appearance
You may think that tan Huskies all look similar to each other. In reality, there’s a surprising amount of variation in tan Huskies. Before we get into this interesting color, let’s take a moment to talk about Husky appearance in general.
General Husky Appearance
Huskies are medium sized dogs. They have a fluffy double coat, and a long fluffy tail. They have a medium length muzzle, and medium sized erect ears.
They are graceful, with their bodies being slightly longer than it is tall. They have long powerful legs, and a slim but athletic build.
Their eyes are typically blue or brown, but they can be green as well. Heterochroma, which means each eye is a different color, is common in Huskies.
Parti-colored eyes are rare in Huskies, which means they have two colors within the same eye.
It’s in the Genes
Tan is a fascinating Husky color, because it can be created by either eumelanin or phaeomelanin. Eumelanin is black. It can be expressed as colors ranging from black, to gray, to a light tan or cream color. This is a cool tan.
On the other hand, eumelanin has a base color of red. It can create colors including deep red, yellow, and cream or tan. It’s yellow and red tones make this a warm tan color.
Solid Tan Husky
Solid colored Huskies of any color are rare. Most Huskies have at least one copy of the piebald gene, which causes areas of their body to be white.
Solid tan Huskies aren’t the rarest color, but they are far from common.
Tan and White Husky
Tan and white Huskies have a tan base coat, with areas of white. The white is typically on their chest and stomach, but can extend to other areas, including the feet, as well.
Black and Tan Husky
A black and tan Husky is often mistaken for another breed. Yes, black and tan pure Huskies to exist. They can look intimidating, despite their gentle nature.
They have a black coat, with tan areas, or points. The tan typically appears on the chest, stomach, and ears.
Black, Tan, and White
A black, tan, and white Husky sports all three colors in its coat. They usually have a coat with different shades of tan, areas of white, and black points.
Tan Husky Price
Tan Huskies vary in price, depending on the breeder, the bloodline, and the area.
Generally, a tan Husky costs $800 to $1,000 for a registered Husky. Registered tan Huskies can cost up to $3,000, particularly if they are considered “show quality”. Rarely, a Huksy from a prestigious bloodline or rare color may cost over $3,000.
Unregistered Huskies are less expensive. You can find them for $400 to $800.
Tan Husky Rarity
Tan is recessive to most colors, including black, which makes it a rare Husky color. Tan and white Huskies are the most common. Black and tan Huskies and solid tan Huskies are the rarest.
Tan Husky Life expectancy
Huskies have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Their lifespan is ultimately determined by genetics, but lifestyle also plays a part.
You can maximize your Huskys lifespan by providing a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and routine veterinary care.
Tan Husky Size and weight
Huskies are medium sized dogs, with female Huskies being smaller than males. Females weigh 35 to 50 pounds, and are 20 to 22 inches tall.
Males weigh 45 to 60 pounds, and reach 22 to 24 inches in height.
In addition to standard Huskies, miniature Huskies also exist today. They are genetically the same as their full size counterparts. Breeders chose the smallest standard Huskies, and bred them until they reached the desired size.
Miniautre Huskies weigh 15 to 25 pounds, and are between 13 and 17 inches tall. They can’t be registered with the AKC, because they don’t meet the height standard for the breed.
Some mini Husky lovers are hopeful that the AKC will declare the miniature Husky their own breed in the future, but for now, they are excluded from confirmation shows.
Tan Husky Health
Tan Huskies are healthy, but there are a few medical issues that can affect the breed. The good news is genetic health conditions are on the decline.
Responsible breeders perform genetic testing before breeding. If a dog has a health issue that can be passed on to their offspring, they aren’t bred.
Over time, this reduces the number of dogs with the health problem.
Bloat
Bloat is a serious condition that can affect any dog. It occurs when the gas from digestion can’t be released. This creates pressure in the stomach.
As the pressure builds, it can cause the stomach to twist. Stomach torsion is fatal in about 50% of cases, even with veterinary treatment.
The symptoms of bloat include intense stomach pain and bloating, and the inability to pass gas. They may retch or gag, without productive vomiting. They may also be unable to pee or poop.
Bloat progresses very quickly. It can be fatal within a few hours of symptoms beginning. Most dogs recover if they receive quick veterinary care.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common issue for Huskies. Like humans, dogs with arthritis experience pain and swollen joints. If your pooch has arthritis, they may have mobility issues, particularly early in the morning.
Arthritis typically occurs in older Huskies. There’s no cure for the condition, but it can be treated with medication and a gentle exercise routine.
Eye Conditions
Huskies are at risk for a few eye conditions. One of these is progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA. PRA causes the eyes to stop working, usually at 2 or 3 years old.
Glaucoma is another problem for Huskies. It causes increased eye pressure, which causes pain. It also impairs vision. It can’t be cured, but treatments can help manage the issue.
Cataracts can also occur in Huskies. Cataracts cause a film to form over the eye. It isn’t painful, but it does impair vision.
Most pooches who get cataracts are seniors. However, Huskies are at risk of juvenile cataracts, which occurs in younger dogs.
Tan Husky Behavior/Characteristics
Tan Huskies are very friendly and energetic. They make excellent family dogs, because they are gentle and patient with children. They always want to play, which makes them a great companion for high energy youngsters.
They are friendly with strangers and other dogs, particularly when socialized as a puppy.
They are highly pack oriented, which means they need a lot of social interaction. They need plenty of affection and attention from their family, or pack. They also need to interact with other dogs on a regular basis.
If they are an only dog, consider setting up doggie play dates.
Without enough interaction, Huskies become lonely. This can lead to behavioral problems and depression.
How to care for a Tan Husky
A tan Husky does require a lot of care. Before you bring home a new furry friend, you should know how to care for them.
Diet
Huskies are high energy, and they’ve evolved to consume a lot of fat and protein. If you choose a commercial dog food, you should choose one that’s listed as high protein. They also need a medium amount of fat.
Generally, wet foods have more protein than dry food. Howevr, there are some dry foods with a high protein content available today.
It is important to choose a quality commercial food. The first few ingredients should be meat.
Some Husky owners choose to feed their dog a raw diet, or a combination of raw and commercial food. If you choose to do this, it’s best to consult your vet for advice.
Exercise
Huskies need a lot of exercise. They can run 150 miles in a day, and reach speeds of 30 mph. You won’t need to take your pooch on a cross country adventure.
You will need to exercise them for 1 to 2 hours a day. Another way of looking at it is that they need to run or walk 3 to 5 miles at least 4 days a week.
A fenced in backyard can help your pooch get their exercise, but it’s not a substitute for exercising with them. You should know that Huskies are great escape artists, so you’ll need to be sure that they can’t get over or under the fence.
Grooming
Huskies have a double coat, which makes grooming very important. The good news is they are easier to groom than many double-coated breeds.
You’ll need to brush them at least twice a week. Begin by coming any tangles, and then use a paddle brush to remove shed hair and dirt. Start with their undercoat, and then brush their topcoat.
Huskies do shed twice a year, in the spring and fall. This allows them to prepare for the changing weather conditions.
Unfortunately, they do shed a lot. However, you can avoid finding tan hair everywhere by brushing them daily when shedding. You can also use a deshedding shampoo or a deshedding tool to speed the process.
Training
Huskies, like all breeds, require training. They are very intelligent, but they can be difficult to train. This is because they are very independent.
They were bred to pull sleds, which requires them to make quick decisions with little or no input from their owner. This is great when sledding, but it does make them less inclined to take orders than most breeds.
If you have never owned a strong willed dog, you may want to sign up for obedience classes. This will help you and your Husky get the right start.
How do you buy a Tan Husky?
When buying a tan Husky, it’s important to be sure you purchase your dog from a reputable breeder. Unethical breeders may only be concerned with profits, and show little consideration for the well being and health of the dog.
Irresponsible breeders can also be well meaning, but ill informed. This leads to poor breeding practices, which are bad for individual dogs and owners, and the breed as a whole.
Breeder Registries
The simplest way to find a reputable breeder is through a breeder registry. The AKC requires all dogs and breeders listed on their breeder registry to be AKC registered.
This typically eliminates unethical breeders, because of the strict registration requirements.
The Siberian Husky Club of America is another option. They are closely affiliated with the AKC, and also have a breeder registry.
Finding an Ethical Breeder
You can also find breeders through an internet search. If you choose a breeder who doesn’t register their puppies, be sure to research them well.
How do they determine breeding pairs? Do they perform genetic testing before breeding? Have the puppies been vet checked?
You should also expect the breeder to ask you questions. Any reputable breeder will want to ensure their puppy goes to a good home.
Expect them to ask about your intentions with the pooch, and what living conditions they will have.