Dog Breed Information: Just how rare is the Red Husky?

Last Updated on April 27, 2023

Siberian Huskies are one of the most popular working dog breeds in America. They’re well-loved for their sense of devotion and even their penchant for mischief.

We frequently see black and white Huskies, but have you seen a red Husky, even while making a Google search about the breed?

Red Huskies have captivating fur, ranging from light rust to flaming orange. Get ready to learn all about these beautiful dogs!

What is a Red Husky?

Regardless of color, all purebred Siberian Huskies share the same history.

Also known as the Alaskan Husky, this is an ancient breed that originated from northeastern Siberia, where the indigenous Chukchi people bred their earliest ancestors to be skillful sled dogs.

Interestingly, the Siberian Husky still carries DNA from their extinct predecessors.

More specifically, Huskies, just like the Alaskan Malamute, can be directly linked to the Taimyr Wolf–a breed that walked the earth 35,000 years ago.

Let’s fast forward to the early 20th century. Huskies made a name for themselves by sledding through Alaska’s icy terrain, thanks to their endurance and capability to withstand freezing temperatures.

In fact, it was a team of Siberian Huskies that saved lives during a diphtheria outbreak in Alaska. These Huskies traveled nearly 700 miles in just six days to deliver critical medication. Talk about a fantastic feat!

Not surprisingly, this accomplishment catapulted the breed to stardom. The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized them in 1930, only five years after the “serum run.”

They’ve shown time and time again how versatile they are, both in real life and on-screen. Did you know that the 1995 movie “Balto” is based on a true story of the Serum Run?

If you haven’t seen it and you’re a fan of Siberian Huskies, you’ll love it.

What does a Red Siberian Husky look like?

As per the AKC breed standard for Siberian Huskies, this fido has an athletic build, a deep chest, and a straight back. They have a rounded skull with a tapered muzzle.

Their ears point straight up but are gently rounded, giving them a softer look. For their peepers, they can have amber, blue, or brown eyes.

Sometimes, the Red Husky’s almond-shaped eyes can sport different eye colors, a condition known as heterochromia. Some have multiple colors in each eye called parti-colored.

The Red Husky’s sturdy, muscular legs serve as a firm foundation. Their forequarters and hindquarters are slanted ever so slightly, helping them pull their cargo across long distances.

From head to toe, they’re engineered for agility and perseverance.

Size: How big do Red Huskies get?

Like most Huskies, Red Siberians are medium- to large-sized with slight variations between males and females. They have a height of 20 to 23 inches (51 to 58 cm) and a weight of 35 to 60 pounds (16 to 27 kg).

Siberian Husky puppies reach this full-grown size at around 18 months. Then they’ll continue to get heavier and stronger until they reach the age of three.

Don’t let their size fool you, though. While the Husky certainly isn’t a giant breed, this is not an apartment dog. Canines with high energy need plenty of room to stretch their legs and let off some steam.

What are the color patterns of a Red Siberian Husky?

Red Huskies can come in either the standard or woolly fur varieties. Woolly Red Huskies have longer, heavier fur, however.

Whichever type of hair your Husky has, they have a thick double coat made of a topcoat and undercoat that serves as protection, especially from harsh climates.

When it comes to coat color, the Husky dog breed can come in the usual black & white, black, gray & white, sable & white, brown & white, piebald, or black, tan, & white. There are also pure white Siberian Huskies.

But this Husky’s red coat doesn’t just come in one solid color.

They’re mostly red with white masks and bellies, but there are other combinations such as red & black, as well as red & gray. Then the shade can be from light red to a deep crimson.

It will depend on the parents’ recessive genes that they will pass to every Red Husky puppy in their litter.

Like with the rare agouti color, there’s no assurance if all pups are red and how light or dark they are until they’re born.

Our advice? Meet your Red Husky puppy in person. That’s the only way to get an accurate idea of how they’ll look.

Do Red Huskies love to cuddle?

As a working breed, you can expect Red Siberian Huskies to be jam-packed with energy and innate drive. The best-behaved Red Huskies are tired Red Huskies, so keep this hyper doggo busy!

At the end of the day, it’ll be happy to just snuggle with you and relax.

Without frequent activity, Red Huskies won’t hesitate to find their own fun. Heck, they’ll probably do that anyway. Huskies of all coat colors are famous for their mischief-making talents.

They’re also well-known for their conversation skills. This talkative breed will say anything, whether you want to hear it or not.

Husky howls are actually pretty endearing. Just listen to Toya the Red Siberian Husky let out her inner feelings.

As cute as that howling can be, you have to be careful about how often you feed into it. Otherwise, you’ll hear it nonstop.

That’s easier said than done, however. Even with experienced dog owners and trainers, Red Huskies can be a bit challenging.

If you’re planning to have a Siberian Husky for the first time as a family pet, you will likely find yourself outmatched.

You see, Siberian Huskies–including Red Huskies–are notorious for knowing what you want them to do precisely and simply deciding to do something else.

Don’t let them fool you with those blue eyes. These canines are incredibly intelligent. But they’re also wildly independent.

Now, that’s not to say that Red Siberians don’t adore quality time with their humans. They’re packed dogs to the core. While they may act on their own free will, they want to be around you as much as possible.

Red Huskies are so social that they make terrible guard dogs. They can make friends everywhere they go! Just not with cats or squirrels because of their prey drive.

They can also suffer from destructive separation anxiety, which doesn’t bode well for your living room sofa. You can try crate training, but don’t be surprised when your Red Husky houdinis their way out of their enclosure.

Because Red Huskies, and Siberian Huskies in general, require consistent training and expert handling, they’re best left to the pros.

How to take care of your Red Siberian Husky dogs

How would you know if your doggy best friend is too cold? Your Red Siberian Husky will tell you that they’re feeling chilly, but they can quickly become too hot.

Huskies are cold-weather canines. While they can tolerate high temperatures for a short time, they’d much rather hang out in the snow. Keep that in mind if you live in a warmer climate.

But besides keeping them from overheating, how else can you care for your Red Husky?

Your Red Husky’s exercise needs

Red Huskies could play all day if you let them. At the very least, they need 30 to 60 minutes of dedicated exercise per day. Honestly, though, they’ll be much happier with 2 hours or more.

Remember that Red Siberian Huskies were bred to pull cargo-laden sleds across long distances. One casual stroll through the neighborhood simply won’t cut it.

If the weather prevents you from taking them outside, find ways to entertain them indoors. Throw their favorite toy up the staircase, or make them show off tricks for treats.

Whatever you do, don’t neglect your Red Husky’s exercise! You (or your furniture) will pay the price.

How much grooming do Red Huskies need?

If you’re wondering how much Red Huskies shed, the answer is a lot. This double-coated canine shed year-round, with extremely heavy shedding when the seasons change.

You might’ve heard of Huskies “blowing their coats.” This phrase refers to that intense seasonal shedding.

Most of the time, you can get away with brushing their coats 1 to 2 times a week. When their shedding increases, however, you’ll want to brush them every day.

Of course, you don’t want to neglect other aspects of their grooming. Brush their teeth weekly, and trim their nails as needed.

It’s also good practice to check their ears weekly. You’re on the lookout for redness or odor, as these are signs of possible infection.

What you don’t need to worry about is bathing your Red Siberian Husky. Like cats, these dogs tend to clean themselves.

Besides, you can damage their fur if you bathe them too often. Shampooing them once every few months is plenty!

How much food should a Red Siberian Husky eat?

For all their energy, Red Huskies don’t need that much dog food.

2 to 3 cups spread over two meals is usually enough for adult Huskies, but this amount will vary from dog to dog based on their size, weight, metabolism, and health.

Not only were they bred to withstand long hauls over icy terrain, but Huskies were also designed to do so on very few calories.

Don’t miss: Best Dog Food for Siberian Husky

Husky health: How long do Red Siberian Huskies live?

This fido has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years, so Husky owners got over a decade of rambunctious antics to look forward to!

But as invigorated as Red Huskies are, they’re also at risk for a few significant health problems.

For starters, eye issues are common among Siberian Huskies. Cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), and corneal dystrophy can all develop over time.

Treatments are available for cataracts and PRA, but there is no treatment for corneal dystrophy at this time.

Bloat is another possibility. This usually occurs if your Red Husky binge-eats their favorite kibble and starts playing or exercising before letting it digest.

While bloat may not sound serious, it can occasionally be fatal. Get your Red Husky in the habit of relaxing for half an hour or so after meals, just to be on the safe side.

Hip dysplasia could crop up, too. This genetic condition is relatively common among larger breeds. If your Red Husky puppy has joint problems, you may notice signs while they’re still young.

In other cases, symptoms won’t present until your dog gets older.

While hip and elbow dysplasia can be inherited, lifestyle factors play a huge role in its development or worsening over time.

Putting too much strain on your Red Husky’s joints can exacerbate the condition either through vigorous exercise or overfeeding.

Red Huskies may also be at risk for allergies, thyroid dysfunction, and zinc deficiency.

Make a habit of observing your Red Husky for any changes in their behavior, skin, or weight. Keep them up-to-date on annual health screenings, too. These methods will help you catch any health issues early on.

How much does a Red Husky cost?

You can expect a price range of $300 to $500 for a Red Husky puppy. Some may cost upwards of $1000, depending on their parents’ pedigrees.

You might be surprised to know that Red Huskies aren’t all that rare. Sure, they’re not as common as other Husky colors. But they’re not hard to find, either.

Choosing a Red Siberian Husky breeder

Siberian Husky breeders are everywhere, but not all breeders are created equal.

Look for a Red Husky breeder that’s knowledgeable about the breed and can readily answer any questions you have. They should also require prospective buyers to visit their litter.

Be cautious of those who are willing to sell you their pups sight unseen.

Before you commit yourself to any breeder or Red Husky puppy, ask for health guarantees. You want to be sure your new pooch comes from healthy stock and that they’re healthy themselves.

We should also mention that the best Husky breeders don’t breed for appearance, especially for a specific color.

There’s no way to predict how a litter of Husky puppies will look. Plus, attempting to breed Huskies for recessive coat colors can contribute to severe health conditions. It’s just not responsible or ethical.

Choose a seller who follows the Siberian Husky Club of America, Inc. (SHCA) code of ethics.

Ready to find your forever Husky? Here are a few breeders to check out within the United States:

• Bama Huskies (Blountsville, Alabama) – bamahuskies.com
• Jalerran Siberians (Clarion, Pennsylvania) – siberianhuskypups.com
• Skyler’s Siberians (Lacey, Washington) – skylerssiberians.com

Adopting from a Red Husky rescue

If you’re looking to save a few dollars or prefer an older Red Siberian Husky, why not go through a rescue instead?

Sadly, Huskies frequently end up in shelters if their owners didn’t understand what they were getting into.

But you’ve done your research, and you know that the Red Husky is perfect for you, so you’ve got nothing to worry about.

You can always start with local shelters. If you don’t find any Red Huskies or Husky mixes in your area, branch out and look at Husky-specific rescue organizations, like these:

• Northern California Sled Dog Rescue (Walnut Creek, California)
• Free Spirit Siberian Rescue (Harvard, Illinois) – www.huskyrescue.org
• GTS Husky Rescue (Jupiter, Florida) – gtshuskyrescue.com
• Texas Husky Rescue (Carrollton, Texas) – texashuskyrescue.org

Who should get a Red Siberian Husky?

We’ve given everything you need to know about Red Huskies, and they’re surely not for everyone. But for the right owner, they’re the perfect dog. So, how do you know if a Red Siberian Husky is the canine for you?

• Pros: energetic, affectionate, loyal, friendly
• Cons: highly active, hard to train, too friendly, high grooming needs

What do you think? Will a Red Siberian Husky soon be joining your pack? Tell us in the comments!