The red Siberian Husky dog is known for their mischievous nature, playfulness, and high energy drive.
All Huskies (no matter the color) have the characteristics of true working dogs: running for hours, thriving off exercise, and requiring a job.
Unfortunately, no matter how beautiful, because of their working breed bloodline, most Huskies do not fit well into many living environments due to their demands.
In this article we cover everything you need to know about the red Husky from their history, behavior and temperament.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Red Husky Dog Breed Information
The Red Husky is not a separate dog breed from the Siberian Husky, they are simply just one of the more unique coat variations.
Siberian Huskies originated in North East Asia over 4000 years ago.
They had strong ties to the Chukchi people of Eastern Siberia as they were used as working dogs for sled-pulling and herding.
This breed was loved by Siberian communities due to their loyalty, beauty and work ethic.
They are able to live in extremely cool climates, and quickly adapt to the harsh weather with their thick double coat and bushy tail.
Breed Origin
Siberian Huskies were used in sledding races in the 1900s.
However, it wasn’t until 1925, where the breed gained recognition worldwide due to their heroic efforts in delivering medication to fight a diphtheria epidemic in Alaska.
In 1938, the Siberian Husky Club of America was founded and, in the same year, this breed gained recognition by the American Kennel Club.
Today, the red Husky ranks 14th out of 191 dog breeds in the United States as the most popular.
| Size | 19 to 23″ (females) and 20 to 24″ (males) |
| Weight | 35 to 50lb (females) and 45 to 60lb (males) |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years |
| Breed Type | Working Group |
| Purpose | Sledge Pulling |
| Suitable For | Active and Experienced Owners |
| Color Variations | Copper, Sable, and Red |
| Temperament | Free-Spirited, Friendly, Hard-Working, Loyal and Stubborn |
| Other Names | Red Siberian Husky |
Red Husky Puppy
On average, a Husky will have four to six puppies per litter. How many of these puppies are red coated cannot be determined until they are born; as their coloration is due to two homozygous recessive genes.
To breed a red Husky, both parents must carry the required recessive gene.
On average the cost of a red Husky Puppy is around $800 USD. However, this may increase to over $1,000 USD based on the breeder and the parents’ pedigree.
These puppies grow fast from birth, their growth spurt slows down as they reach maturity (at 16 months of age) and full grown size.
Red Siberian Husky Temperament
The red Husky has a high prey drive for smaller animals, this includes: birds, rabbits and cats.
Their high prey drive, combined with their high desire to play, may mean that they will often chase smaller animals.
It is true that these dogs are socialized, and introduced early, that their prey drives may be reduced.
However, a high prey drive is part of their temperament so we recommend keeping them in a pet-free home!
Red Husky Dogs are known to be howlers.
Howling is used by wolves as a form of communication, and this breed kept this trait from their wolf ancestors.
Talking and howling are more common forms of communication than barking for this dog.
Not known for having an aggressive temperament, they are one of the least aggressive large dog breeds.
Personality
The red Husky is a free-spirited, naughty yet loving companion.
They are known for being extremely playful, friendly and affectionate towards family members and usually bond with their owners very well.
Their friendliness and affection may also extend to strangers (provided they are socialized well from a young age).
Naturally, they are free-spirited which makes them a little prone to becoming distracted and getting into trouble.
The red Husky may have a lot of energy but they are still a breed who loves cuddles by the fire after a long day; so expect plenty of puppy licks and kisses!
Compatibility with Families
Red Huskies make beautiful family members and are both friendly and affectionate with loved ones.
They can be a little stubborn and independent which means that they do require experienced owners to help them develop into a well-mannered and good natured companions for everyone in the family.
This breed is a sucker for attention and playtime; this makes them excellent companions for families with children.
Due to their independent attitude; it may be wise to keep an eye on your Husky and your children while they are playing.
Your red Husky should never show aggression towards children but they may get a little impatient.
Red Husky Appearance
The red Husky is a working breed, known for their sled-pulling abilities, so their build is athletic (however this may be hidden under their thick and dense fur coat).
They have powerful limbs, a graceful gait and triangular, erect ears which sit on the top of their head. Their ears are covered in very soft puppy-like fur.
Their tails are long and bushy, you may see them use their tail to cover their eyes and nose while sleeping in cooler climates.
The eyes of a Siberian are very beautiful in both their shape and color, the most common variations are: amber, brown and shades of blue.
Size
The Husky is classified as a medium to large dog breed:
- Females stands at 19 to 23 inches in height and weigh between 35 to 50lb
- Males stands taller at 20 to 24 inches and are heavier weighing 45 to 60lb
Color
Huskies can come in a range of other colors:
| Black and white | White | Black and tan shades of gray |
| Black | Agouti | Copper |
| Sable | Red | Red and Tomato |
However, the colors listed by the American Kennel Club only include: black, white, gray, sable, agouti and red!
Coat
Given their sled-pulling heritage; the Siberian Husky has a thick double coat.
Their coat consists of two layers:
- An undercoat is dense and grows thick to protect them from harsh climates
- A topcoat is longer and consists of guard hairs which protect their skin
Red Husky dogs shed A LOT during blow out seasons (Spring and Autumn) as they are adapting their fur for the change in climate.
Heat cycles in non-spayed females make them shed more frequently due to changes in hormones.
Grooming
Grooming your dog should be a regular activity.
We recommend brushing your red Husky one to two times per week during non-shedding seasons (this will increase in Spring and Autumn).
Bathing your Siberian should be kept to a minimum. In fact, they only require a bath every couple of months; unless they decide to roll around in mud of course!
Brushing your dog’s teeth is highly recommended to avoid any unwanted dental issues. We understand not all dogs love a tooth brush, so perhaps you could try dental treats or chews.
Red Husky Dog Breed Care Guide
This dog is free-spirited, and an independent thinker, which means they may not be the best choice of breed for novice of first-time owners.
Huskies take a lot of time and work, because of this they do well with experienced owners.
Food and Dietary Requirements
| Daily Food Consumption | |
|---|---|
| Guide | 1,000 calories |
| Cups of Kibble |  |
Red Siberian Huskies must be fed a nutritious diet with lots of protein.
An active dog breed requires a high quality diet, which is well balanced with the correct amounts of: proteins, fats, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals.
We recommend feeding your red Husky a raw meat diet or a high quality dry kibbled diet which is specifically formulated for active dog breeds.
During the warmer months; this breed may be susceptible to over-heating, so we suggest providing them with some cool treats… freezing some Chicken Stock into cubes makes an excellent frozen puppy treat!
We recommend splitting up feedings to two, or even three, times per day.
The Husky is an active breed who bores easily and splitting up feedings will hopefully keep things a little interesting.
Exercise Requirements
| Daily Exercise Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Minutes | 120 minutes |
| Activity Level |  |
Be sure to walk your dog daily, red Huskies are very high energy companions, who require up to two hours of exercise per day!
Leash training is essential for your Siberian.
This a breed who is known to be somewhat mischievous and stubborn, so it is important to leash train them and to train them to come back when called.
If you have been searching for a running partner, then this breed may be your answer.
Exercise is a great outlet for your canine whilst also keeping them from becoming bored and destructive.
Their other exercise needs can be met through free play in the back yard or through interactive games with you.
Training
The Red Husky is a working dog and they love accomplishing tasks and being praised by their owners.
Training with your Husky will prove to be difficult, they will test you and require consistent and ongoing training. Here are some puppy training tips to help.
We only recommend experienced owners for this breed, novice owners may not have the experience required to train this canine.
Positive reinforcement methods are the best technique to use during training sessions.
Treats and praise will give them motivation to listen. Negative reinforcement methods have all been debunked – we strongly advise against them.
Mental stimulation is extremely important for a high energy companion like the red Husky.
If these dogs are not mentally stimulated, then the chewing and barking will begin.
Health Problems
Red coated Siberian Huskies are genetically predisposed to the same health issues as any of their siblings.
A major health issue is cataracts.
Cataracts is clouding in the lens of the dog’s eye which can impair your dog’s vision causing them to see blurriness and have trouble with seeing during the night.
If left untreated, cataracts will worsen and will leave your canine blind.
Summary
The red Husky is eye-catching and admirable to many people.
However, this is a breed who is definitely reserved for experienced owners only.
Free-spirited, mischievous, friendly, hard-working and loyal, the Red Siberian Husky brings both pleasure and a little frustration.
However, their stubborn behavior to training and their need for mental stimulation combined with lots of energy – makes them an exciting breed.
As long as you can keep up with this breed, then they have plenty of room in their heart for you!
I have a red husky, he’s wonderful the best dog I’ve ever owned he’s my best friend.Such a goofball sometimes he brings me so much joy.