Last Updated on April 22, 2023
Agouti Huskies is a medium-sized, beautiful dog with a thick fur coat. It is generally accepted that they are more similar to wolves than any of the other breeds of Huskies.
The Agouti Siberian Husky possesses a rare show of colors in their coats that distinguish them.
They are very hard-working dogs with intelligent minds and love doing tasks such as pulling sleds through the snow.
If you are thinking of getting one of these beautiful dogs, you may be wondering how you can find an Agouti Husky, if these dogs have any health issues and if you can show a dog of this unique coat color.
In this article, we’ll examine all this and more as we take a look at this beautiful Husky variant.
Quick Navigation
- 1 What is an Agouti Husky?
- 2 The History and Origin of Agouti Siberian Husky
- 3 What’s the Difference Between an Agouti Husky and a Siberian Husky?
- 4 Are Agouti Huskies Purebred?
- 5 What Does an Agouti Husky Look Like?
- 6 Genetics: What Makes Siberian Huskies Exhibit the Agouti Coloration?
- 7 Are Agouti Siberian Huskies Rare?
- 8 Temperament and Personality
- 9 Are Agouti Huskies Intelligent?
- 10 Are Agouti Huskies Easy to Train?
- 11 Do Agouti Huskies Tend to Be More Energetic Than Other Huskies?
- 12 Are Agouti Huskies Adaptable Dogs?
- 13 Do You Need to Groom an Agouti Husky?
- 14 Lifespan and Health Issues
- 15 What Kind of Food Should an Agouti Husky Eat?
- 16 How Much Does an Agouti Siberian Husky Cost?
- 17 Frequently Asked Questions
- 18 Should You Get an Agouti Husky?
- 19 Further reading:
What is an Agouti Husky?
Despite what some people think, an Agouti Husky is not a separate breed of dog. They are purebred Huskies with beautiful, unique coat colors.
Agouti Huskies are like giant furballs with wolf-like faces. They look like Huskies, and the differences are really only skin deep. The wild coloring of these dogs is also called wolf sable.
Their faces and tails are slightly darker than regular Huskies, and the Agouti’s lighter markings are cream, whereas those of the Huskies are more of a bright white.
Originally these Huskies were bred in Russia, and it is believed that wolves were used in their original genetic makeup.
Hence, their beautiful soft coats keep them warm in the cold, snowy weather. Agouti Huskies were especially used for pulling sleds through the snow.
They are friendly, playful, affectionate dogs and very energetic. They love kids and have a lifespan of 12 to 14 years.
Do you want to know what an Agouti Husky looks likes? Watch this video to meet Rogue, an adorable Agouti Husky puppy:
Is an Agouti Husky a wolf dog?
Due to their ancestral origin, they are the best alternative to a wolf as a pet. The Agouti Huskies can thank their existence to Chukchi, which is a Siberian tribe that used the Taymyr wolf for breeding them.
They were used as transport, pulling sleds for this tribe.
These dogs resemble wolves so much that people sometimes negatively react to them. Although they resemble wolves in their appearance, Agouti Huskies are not wolf dogs. This is a myth, thanks to Hollywood using them to act like wolves.
DNA research proved that all the current dog species are related to wolves but were separated twenty-seven thousand years ago. The Agouti Siberian Husky possesses 1.5-17% of the Taymyr wolf DNA.
What does “agouti” mean?
The word “agouti” means color. It refers to a coat type that is made up of alternate bands of light and dark color on each individual hair shaft.
There are six coat colors that are recognized in the Siberian Husky breed standard, and Agouti is one of them.
The History and Origin of Agouti Siberian Husky
The Agouti Siberian Husky was originally bred for pulling a sled during wintertime and pulling a cart during summer.
The Taymyr wolf found far in Northern Asia, and Russia was originally used to breed these Huskies. The Chukchi people were responsible for breeding and training them to be used as companion animals and sled dogs.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) accredited the Husky in 1930, allowing a variety of colors, including agouti. The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) recognized them in 1939.
What’s the Difference Between an Agouti Husky and a Siberian Husky?
Although the Agouti Huskies’ appearance is similar to wolves; there are no differences between Agouti Huskies and Siberian Huskies according to behavior and needs. The difference is in the coat color.
Agouti Huskies can be registered in dog shows since the agouti is a standard color for Husky. However, they are usually used for work or companionship because their coats look “dirty” or have a grey-like color.
Sometimes Agouti Huskies come more from a working dog background, so they are more energetic than Siberian Husky show dogs.
Secondly, these dogs do not perform well in shows due to Agouti Huskies’ wolfish appearance, regardless that it’s not a wolfdog cross.
The color pattern makes them look striped, and the Agouti’s face and tail are darker than a standard Siberian Husky. While the Siberian Husky has primarily blue eyes, the Agouti Husky’s eyes are usually brown.
The Agouti Husky’s coat colors also change along with the weather, while the Siberian Husky does not.
Are Agouti Huskies Purebred?
Yes, Agouti Huskies are purebred. Agouti Huskies did not originate because of inbreeding or mutation. With their distinguishing colors, they are also a pure breed, just like the Siberian Husky.
There are six colors recognized as standard by the AKC, and Agouti is one of them.
Do AKC and other kennel organizations recognize Agouti Siberian Huskies?
Yes, Agouti Siberian Huskies are definitely recognized, for they are purebred dogs. In 1930 the Siberian Husky was recognized as a breed by the AKC.
Agouti Siberian Huskies can also be accredited by the CKC, Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), and the United Kennel Club (UKC), where they are allowed in the ring.
Are Agouti Huskies used as show dogs?
Agouti Huskies are seldom used as show dogs, although they are recognized by the AKC, which entitles them to enter the ring.
Many dog show judges consider the Agouti’s color as “dirty” because they have this grey-like color. They would rather prefer a “cleaner” white color.
Agouti Huskies were originally bred as working dogs, so they would rather focus on doing tasks or just being companions to their owners than show dogs.
What Does an Agouti Husky Look Like?
The appearance of an Agouti Husky resembles that of other Siberian Huskies. These beautiful dogs have pointed ears and bushy tails. They also possess those striking eyes and an athletic, slim body frame.
Agouti’s unique coat color patterns distinguish them from other Huskies. Opposed to the white seen on standard Siberian Huskies, the Agouti’s coats have creamy markings, and their faces and tails are darker in color.
A special unique feature is that every individual hair in their coats is banded, which makes the Agouti Husky look striped.
How big do Agouti Huskies get?
Male Agouti Huskies tend to be slightly bigger than females. Because the males have to be leaders in the pack, they are very powerful and exhibit that dominating feature.
Of course, take into consideration that weight depends mostly on a diet. The parents’ genes also play a role in the dog’s height and weight.
| Agouti Husky | Male | Female |
| Height | 21-24 inches (53.3-61cm) |
20-22 inches (50.8-55.8cm) |
| Weight | 50-56lbs (22.7-25.4kg) |
35-45lbs (15.4-20.4kg) |
Read our article here to learn more about the Husky Growth Chart.
Do they have blue eyes?
Agouti Huskies predominantly have brown eyes, but the icy blue Husky eyes sometimes emerge in this variant. The brown eyes show just how much they are related to wolves.
Also read: The Different Eye Colors of a Husky
Coat type and color
The coats of Agouti Huskies are made up of two layers. The inner layer is soft and dense fur, while the outer layer consists of medium-length straight and smooth fur.
An Agouti has wild-type coloring, referring to the appearance of such coloring in wolves, rodents, and rabbits.
They display a rarity in color combination, distinguished by various banded hair strands of cream and darker markings on the face and tail. Each strand of hair is banded so that the color varies from the root to the tip.
Also read: Everything You Need to Know about Siberiann Husky Colors
Genetics: What Makes Siberian Huskies Exhibit the Agouti Coloration?
Examining the coat of an Agouti Husky, it becomes very clear that the hair strands are individually banded.
A definite pattern develops from the root to the tip of each hair, coloring first the roots dark, then the middle part light, and finishing the tip dark again, making the coat striped in appearance. Genetics plays a role here.
Two basic pigments that determine a dog’s color are eumelanin which is the black cell or melanocyte, and pheomelanin, a red melanocyte.
To get red, white, and grey Huskies, specific genes influence and regulate pigmentation, namely black and red in the body. Varying colors result from these pigments being blocked, weakened, or intensified.
Grey, silver, or blue emerge when the black eumelanin gene is regulated. Shades of tan, yellow, and cream can be obtained by the pheomelanin (red) gene.
Special genes produce unique patterns and markings for the coat, such as brindling, patches, facial masks, and banded hairs.
Interestingly, eumelanin and pheomelanin are regulated and issued to activate the agouti gene for every hair strand to display a banded color.
Four forms of agouti gene are observed, namely the fawn sable allele, wild type allele, black and tan allele, and the recessive black allele.
The Agouti Husky is the outcome of the wild-type allele, also called the wolf-sable allele.
Why do they have darker coats?
Agouti Huskies have darker coats because they usually have black and deep red pigment bands in their fur. Sable dogs also have red-based coats with black tips on the fur on the top of their head, ears, and back.
Sable involves bands of black and red, which causes a darker appearance; if there is a wide band of black, then the dog is an Agouti.
When the gene eumelanin is intensified, the dog naturally will have a darker coat. Agouti’s faces and tails are much darker too.
Do puppies change color as they grow?
Yes, like solid-colored Huskies, Agouti Siberian Husky puppies will change color as they grow. Starting with a darker-hued coat color as puppies, it will gradually get lighter as they grow and mature.
The mask or body patches might lighten up or vanish as they mature. In the same way, the marking may also change color as the puppy grows older.
Breeders have also reported noticeable color changes as seasons come and go. Agouti Huskies’ fur changes when they are exposed to sunlight and even when they shed as well. Genetics plays a big role in color changes in Agouti Huskies.
Are Agouti Siberian Huskies Rare?
Yes, Agouti Siberian Huskies are rare, quite the same as solid white Huskies. Typical show quality breeders usually sport pure white markings, so Agouti Siberian Huskies would not be easily found there.
Because performance is the priority for these dogs and not conformity, these are born from working and racing bloodlines.
To obtain such a dog, one will have to contact breeders that specialize in coat color or those of working line Huskies.
What is the rarest Agouti Husky color?
It seems as if the Agouti Husky is enveloped in a dark rainbow due to the variety of colors on one single strand of his coat. The overriding color appears to be dull brown or gray. The rarest Agouti Husky color is definitely the yellow one.
Do Agouti Huskies change coat colors depending on the weather?
Like all Huskies, Agouti Huskies are protected from cold weather by their thick coats. Agouti Huskies’ coat colors do change as the weather changes.
Especially during the summer, when these dogs are overexposed to sunlight, their coats tend to lighten up.
Temperament and Personality
Despite its intimidating, aggressive appearance, the Agouti Husky has a surprisingly soft personality. Agouti Huskies are super energetic and just love doing tasks, especially those that involve running.
They have charming, friendly personalities and are playful and social, but they do not make good guard dogs at all.
They do have a pack mentality. Due to their origin of breeding, they used to work in packs pulling sleds.
Because in a pack, there should always be an alpha, especially the male dogs have this dominant trend and might need to be well trained to have their owner always acting as superior.
Are they affectionate?
Agouti Huskies are absolutely besotted over humans. They love to get attention from their human family. However, Agouti Huskies would rather be petted and in the presence of their humans than cuddled.
Do they make good family pets?
Generally, Agouti Huskies are excellent family pets. They are very loving, friendly, and affectionate dogs that love to play with children and protect their families.
That said, a family with small children or a first-time dog owner should be hesitant to buy an Agouti Husky due to their difficulty in training.
Are they good with kids?
Agouti Huskies are very playful dogs and thus great with kids, especially older children.
Because Agouti Huskies are very energetic, small children should only play with them under supervision because they tend to bump into them while playing.
Are they friendly?
Yes, Agouti Huskies are warm-hearted dogs. They love to play with children and other dogs. They even warm up quickly to strangers. Agouti Huskies are one of the friendliest dog breeds you will ever meet.
Are they good with other dogs and pets?
Agouti Huskies get along well with other dogs and prefer not to be alone. They don’t really like other animals like cats, ferrets, and guinea pigs.
If they didn’t grow up with them, they might chase them around because of their strong prey drive.
Are they aggressive?
Like any other dog, the Agouti Husky can be aggressive if not properly trained and socialized, or they can get aggressive if they have been abused.
But they are not really known to be aggressive towards humans and other dogs. They will, however, be aggressive towards other animals they did not grow up with.
Are Agouti Huskies Intelligent?
The Agouti Husky is averagely intelligent; however, they are not very eager to learn new tasks. They are excellent at problem-solving, brilliant in puzzle games, and can perform well at dog agility challenges.
Are Agouti Huskies good watchdogs?
If you are looking for a watchdog, the Agouti Husky will not work for you; they are too friendly to watchdogs and will kill the burglar with love rather than attack him.
They also don’t bark at strangers. Their wolf-like appearance might scare people away who don’t know the Agouti Husky breed.
Are Agouti Huskies good service dogs?
Agouti Huskies are very headstrong and independent. They aren’t easy to train and, because of that, won’t pass the type of training they need to become a therapy or service dog.
They are so vocal and friendly that they will serve better as Emotional Support Animals because they don’t have to be that excellently trained or obedient.
Are Agouti Huskies Easy to Train?
Agouti Huskies are not easy to train. They need to be persuaded through quality treats, toys, and playtime as a reward.
Training sessions should also not be too long because they get bored very quickly and will lose interest. It would be best to get professional help in the training of this breed.
Are Agouti Huskies more powerful than a Standard Husky?
There are not really valid records that show an Agouti Husky is stronger than other Huskies, but it is speculated that because they are bred for working purposes, they may be a little bit stronger. But it is not that big of a difference.
Are Agouti Huskies suitable for first-time dog owners?
Agouti Huskies are not suitable for first-time dog owners because they are quite a handful to care for and to train because they are very stubborn.
They need to be exercised daily because of the excessive amount of energy they have. If they aren’t handled correctly, they will pretty much destroy everything around them.
Do Agouti Huskies Tend to Be More Energetic Than Other Huskies?
Yes, the Agouti Husky tends to be more energetic because they are naturally bred to be sled dogs. As most Agouti Huskies come from working bloodlines, they tend to build up energy and need a lot of running space and playtime.
Are Agouti Huskies Adaptable Dogs?
Agouti Huskies are not high-maintenance dogs; they still need to be groomed and cleaned. Because they are a large dog breed, they need ample open space to run and play with a lot of toys.
It is also essential that they are not kept inside the whole time; they need to be in the open air. Agouti Huskies are, however, very adaptable to any climate.
Are Agouti Huskies good apartment dogs?
Keeping an Agouti Husky in an apartment is not recommended, especially if you don’t have the time to take them on daily outings to exercise. They are very high-energy dogs and need space to run and play.
It would be best to have a big yard with a fence where they can get rid of their excessive energy.
Do You Need to Groom an Agouti Husky?
Agouti Huskies are low-maintenance dogs that do not require grooming from a professional.
However, they need to be brushed once a week, their nails must be trimmed, and their teeth should be cleaned. Because they clean themselves regularly, they only need to be bathed a few times a year.
Do Agouti Huskies shed?
If you are reluctant to deal with intense shedding, the Agouti Husky will not be the dog for you. They shed quite a lot during spring and fall when they have to lose their undercoats.
The undercoats need to be brushed out with a metal comb or pin brush during this time.
Should you groom an Agouti coat differently?
There is no difference between the Agouti and regular Husky coats. Because their coats consist of natural oils in their skins that clean them and keep the dirt away, they only need to be bathed a few times a year with dog shampoo.
However, they need to be brushed at least three times a week or, if possible, daily to prevent their hair from tangling. Never shave or cut your Huskies coat; this will do more damage than good to your dog’s skin.
Lifespan and Health Issues
Agouti Huskies have a lifespan of about 12 to 14 years. This breed has some common health risks, such as juvenile cataracts, glaucoma, corneal dystrophy, progressive retinal atrophy, arthritis, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and some cancers.
Even though this sounds like a terrifying list of health problems, you can increase the chances of getting a healthy puppy from reputable breeders; they do a health test on the parents before they even start breeding.
What Kind of Food Should an Agouti Husky Eat?
Because they are so energetic and active, Agouti Huskies must be given the highest quality food that fits your budget.
The food should be high in protein and meet the AAFCO guidelines. It is also essential to watch your dog’s weight and adjust portions accordingly.
Read more: Best Dog Food for Siberian Husky
How Much Does an Agouti Siberian Husky Cost?
Even though Agouti Huskies’ coat colors are not the rarest color, they are still considered rare, and the puppies will sell for anything between $1,000 and $3,000. They are not usually more expensive than other large dog breeds.
Also read: Siberian Husky Price
Breeders
The best way to find good reputable breeders is by attending dog shows, looking through national breed registries and regional clubs, and word of mouth.
You can also use the internet to search for breeders; just make sure it is a reputable breeder that cares for the dogs and is not just breeding for the money.
Here are some Agouti Husky breeders where you can look for a perfect puppy:
- Novel Siberians, Ohio
- Husky Palace, North Carolina
Rescues and Shelter
Because Agouti Huskies are so rare; it will almost be impossible to find them in shelters. Look for institutions that only rescue Huskies if you choose to adopt one.
There are a few places that are dedicated to that. You can check the internet to find a place near you or consult the list below.
- Siberian Husky Club of America (SHCA) Trust Rescue, Countrywide
- Forever Husky, Illinois
- Delaware Valley Siberian Husky Rescue (DVSHR), Delaware
Frequently Asked Questions
What other breeds exhibit the Agouti coloration?
The Agouti coloration is more seen in wolves or other dogs that are closely related to wolves. It is also called wolf-sable.
Other dogs that exhibit this wild-type pattern are the Keeshonds, Norwegian Elkhounds, Wolf Spitz, and German Shepherd dogs.
What is the rarest Husky color?
The Agouti coat color is considered one of the rare colors in Huskies but is not the rarest color. Solid white Huskies are the rarest coat color for this breed and thus are infrequently seen.
Are Huskies closely related to wolves?
It seems as if the Chuckie people bred the Huskies with wolves. High Arctic dogs like the Agouti Husky have about 1.5-17% of the Taimyr wolf DNA. Then again, almost all dog breeds have some wolf in their DNA.
Also read: Why Do Huskies Look Like Gray Wolves?
Should You Get an Agouti Husky?
The Agouti Husky is such a special rare dog that only an extraordinary person or family should have one. Such a person or family should be very active as this active, energetic dog should also have enough space to run around.
Agouti Huskies though very rare, are not meant to be show dogs. They were bred for work and companionship.
People who can give their dog a lot of attention, spend time outdoors and enjoy playing and working with their Agouti Husky will have the time of their lives caring and just focusing on their furry family member.
Do you have an Agouti Husky? We would love to hear all about your dog in the comments below.
Further reading:
Janine is an experienced content writer and travel journalist based in Cape, Town, South Africa.
Raised by a bundle of botanists, researchers, and biologists, she is passionate about things related to the animal kingdom, including, our furry friends. However, as a terrible allergy sufferer, she is limited in her pet selection and so has grown up surrounded by curly-haired Poodles.