Agouti husky

A Complete Guide On The Beautiful Agouti Husky

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Huskies are beautiful dogs known for their big and luscious fur. Most people know the Husky as a mix of gray and white, but there are some less-known Husky colors.

The Agouti Husky is a rare variation of the Husky with a noticeable wolf-like pattern. Its coat hairs are made of mixed bands of black and tan color giving it a wild look. Usually, there are patches of white on their coat. But these dogs have other notable traits.

What Is An Agouti Husky?

Agouti Huskies are a variation of the Standard Husky that have a big difference in the color of their coat. Mainly, they have mixed bands of color, usually black and tan, throughout the length of every single hair in their coat. This gives them a “wild look” and it makes them look like wolves. This is a rare type of Husky but it is officially accepted by the AKC. 

Otherwise, these Huskies have the same origin as Standard Huskies. The Agouti coat variation was usually bred less in the show ring communities, which made the color rare.

Genetics Of An Agouti Husky

Two pigments in the body are responsible for the coloration of the dog coat. Those are melanin which gives the black color, and pheomelanin which gives the red color. Any other color variations are a result of blocking, diluting, or enchanting these two pigments. And all that depends on the inherited genes.

In Agouti Huskies, a gene called the “agouti” gene is active. It has four alleles, out of which the wild-type allele (aw) is the responsible one for the coloring. This is a gene that is not only present in dogs, but also in other animals like horses and mice.

What Does The Agouti Colored Husky Look Like?

When it comes to their overall appearance, Agouti Huskies have the same physical features as any other Husky. They have a sturdy athletic build, pointed ears, a bushy tail, and a fluffy coat. What makes them different is the color of that coat.

The interesting banded pattern of their hair makes these Huskies look darker than usual. The dark color is most noticeable on their face and tail, but it is present all around the body. Their coat is also coved in white or cream markings around the body. The eyes of these Huskies can be brown or blue.

Agouti Husky Size And Coat

Agouti Huskies are medium-sized dogs, just like the Standard Husky. They are 20-23.5 inches tall and 35-60 pounds heavy. They have a mid-length double coat made of an undercoat and a top coat. The Husky coat has many other colors besides the Agouti.

Temperament Of Agouti Huskies

The Agouti Husky Temperament is the same as all Huskies. These dogs are affectionate and loving family dogs that are great with children. 

Agouti Huskies are very energetic and love to play. If left alone for too long, they will become destructive and develop separation anxiety. They are known for their friendly and outgoing behavior, which is why Huskies are bad guard dogs. They are quite loud though and will make for great watchdogs.

These dogs are also very intelligent and learn a lot of commands. That said, they are also quite stubborn, and training them will take a lot of persistence.

Taking Care Of Agouti Huskies

Caring for Agouti Huskies is the same as caring for any other Standard Husky. They require a proper diet, exercise, training, and grooming.

Lifespan And Health

The Agouti coat Husky has a life expectancy of 12-14 years. They are generally healthy dogs but have a few health issues they are predisposed to.

  • Eye problems – Cataracts is an eye disease that affects the lens of the eye and makes it cloudy. It progressively causes loss of sight and blindness. Progressive Retinal Atrophy is another eye disease that can lead to blindness.
  • Hip Dysplasia – This joint disease affects the ball and socket joint in the hip and causes a misalignment. Dogs affected with this disease will not be able to walk properly and limp. It is painful and in time will lead to arthritis.
  • Hypothyroidism – This is a disease that affects the thyroid gland. It causes a smaller production of thyroid hormones which slows down the metabolism. Some symptoms include weight gain, lethargy, excessive shedding, and cold intolerance.

Nutrition

The Agouti Siberian Husky has the same dietary requirements as Standard Huskies. On average, these dogs need around 2 cups of food every day. This can be split up into two or more meals during the day.

Make sure that the food you give your dog is of high quality and from a reliable company. It should contain a lot of protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fatty acids. It should also be low in carbs and artificial ingredients.

Besides the food, you should also consider buying some supplements for your dog. Fish oil is essential for maintaining healthy skin and coat.

Exercise And Training

The Agouti dog is often seen working as a sled dog rather than in dog competitions. Therefore, most of these dogs have higher energy levels and strength compared to show Huskies. On average Agouti Huskies need around 2 hours of exercise every day. This can be split into more sessions during the day. Take the dog for a walk, running, hiking, or playing games together. You should also make sure it has enough mental stimulation during the day.

Training Agouti Huskies can be a challenging feat. These dogs are intelligent and can learn a lot of commands. However, they are also stubborn and can lose interest fast. So you should keep the training sessions short and interesting. Obedience training and persistence are also important.

Grooming

The dark Agouti Husky should be groomed just like any Husky. One good thing about Huskies is that they like to clean themselves. This means that they shouldn’t be bathed too often. Once every month or two should be enough. You should use a shampoo made for dogs to prevent irritation of their skin. Avoid overbathing them as it can destroy their coat and skin.

They have big fluffy coats that allow Huskies to withstand cold temperatures. This coat should be brushed 2-3 times a week to keep it clean. Their teeth should be brushed often to prevent dental diseases. Their ears should be checked and cleaned and their nails should be trimmed regularly.

Are Agouti Huskies Rare?

Agouti Huskies are considered a rare variation of the Husky. They are rarely bred and seen on show lines. These dogs are more likely to be seen working or pulling sleds. Contacting breeders who breed working Huskies is a good idea. But think well before getting one.

Because these dogs were mostly bred as working dogs, they will require owners that give them a lot of physical activity. If you are a busy person and don’t have an active lifestyle, avoid getting an Agouti Husky puppy as it will only lead to problems.

How Much Are Agouti Huskies?

The price of Agouti Huskies will vary from $1000 to $3000. The price is so high due to the rarity of the dog. If it comes from a family of Huskies that have won prizes at dog shows, expect the price to be higher. But there are cheaper ways to get this dog.

Adopting the dog from a rescue shelter will cost you much less and will feel very good.

Buying From A Breeder

Getting a puppy from an Agouti Husky breeder will cost you a bit more than you expect. If you are sure that you want this dog, try to find a breeder that is reliable. They should give you all the information you need about the dog. You can also ask to visit and see its parents to check if there are any genetic diseases to worry about. Avoid puppy mills at all costs.

Some Husky breeders you can try are the Husky Palace and the Siberians of WildHeart.

Adopting From A Shelter

Getting this dog from a shelter will cost you much less than buying one from a breeder. Rescue shelters have a lot of dogs that need a home and they will be happy if you give them one. You won’t always find the dog you want, but you might find one that you really like. If you are adamant about getting a Husky, checking out the Husky rescue shelters would be your best option.

Some Husky rescues you can try are the Husky House and the Husky Education and Rescue Team.

a lighter agouti husky

Final Words About The Agouti Husky

Agouti Huskies are a variation of the Standard Siberian Husky. The only difference they have is their coat, which has a rare “agouti” color and coat pattern. Every single hair on their coat is banded with a mix of colors. In the end, they end up with a darker coat covered in white or cream patches. Most people would describe these dogs as wolf-like.

When it comes to their personality, these dogs are the same as any Huskies. They are very friendly and affectionate making them perfect for any family. They are intelligent, yet stubborn, which can make training difficult. 

If you want this dog for yourself, you can choose to buy one from a breeder or adopt one from a rescue shelter.

FAQ

Do Agouti Huskies shed?

Yes, all Huskies are known to shed a lot. The shedding gets worse during spring and fall. The darker the dog is, the more visible the shedding, and this is especially true for the black Agouti Husky.

Do Agouti Siberian Husky puppies change color as they grow?

Yes, just like all Huskies, Agouti Huskies also change color when they age. When they are still puppies, these dogs will have darker coats. Then, as they age, their coats will get lighter.

What Is the rarest color of Siberian Huskies?

Even though the Agouti Husky is pretty rare, it isn’t the rarest Husky color. That place belongs to the full-white Husky, making it the most expensive Husky on the market.

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