Agouti Husky: Your Complete Guide

Siberian huskies have long been admired for their gorgeous looks, but there’s much more to them than meets the eye. Today, we will focus on the stunning agouti husky. This coat pattern is a mix of banded colors and often gives the husky a fierce, wolf-like appearance, but as you will learn in our article, agouti huskies aren’t fierce at all!

Instead, they are incredibly friendly and adore people. Today, we will share with you everything you need to know about the agouti husky so that you can determine if this breed is right for your family.

You’ll learn about the breed’s history, temperament, grooming needs, energy levels, exercise requirements, trainability, health problems, costs, and more. If you have a question about agouti huskies, we have an answer, so keep reading!

A Quick Look at Agouti Huskies

We know our article is detailed, so before you spend a lot of time reading about a breed only to find it’s not right for you, here’s a quick overview. If you like what you see here, then keep reading!

 

What Is the History of Agouti Huskies?

Agouti huskies share the same history as any other Siberian husky. The breed’s ancestors hail from northeastern Asia, where they had been bred by the semi-nomadic Chuckchi people who used them as sled dogs to carry light loads over long distances.

In 1925, a team of huskies journeyed 658 miles in five and a half days in order to deliver a lifesaving serum to Nome, Alaska, which was suffering from an outbreak of diphtheria. Thanks to advances in technology, we probably won’t be seeing any future “serum runs,” but huskies are still pulling sleds for sport, and they love doing it!

What Do Agouti Huskies Look Like?

In terms of size and build, agouti huskies look just like any other husky. However, what is special about them is their coloring. Agouti is a word used to describe coat colors that are dark and banded. What we mean by banded is that a single hair will have at least two different bands of color on it.

For the agouti husky, the bands are usually shades of black and tan. They may also have areas of white fur, often seen on the nose, chest, and legs. The coat appears to be almost speckled or similar to a salt and pepper coloring. Depending on the angle of light, the overall color of the coat can even appear to shift due to the individual strands having more than one band of color on them.

What Size Is an Agouti Husky?

Female agouti huskies are about 20-22 inches tall and weigh between 35-50 pounds. Male agouti huskies are 21-23.5 inches tall and weigh 45-60 pounds.

What Is an Agouti Husky’s Coat Type?

Agouti huskies have a double coat made up of soft, dense fur in the inner layer and medium-length fur in the outer layer. The hairs in the outer layer are straight and smooth. Agouti huskies also have the voluminous tail that is so characteristic of the breed.

What Is an Agouti Husky’s Temperament?

Agouti huskies are some of the most friendly dogs you will meet. They love people in general and warm up to strangers immediately. They’re good with kids and love to play. The breed is quite high-energy and thrives when given a job to do. Otherwise, they can get themselves into trouble when they’re bored.

Are Agouti Huskies Affectionate?

Huskies are people-lovers. They love getting attention from their families and tend to be friendly toward strangers immediately.

Although agouti huskies adore their families and live for attention, they don’t always enjoy cuddling. Usually, they prefer attention in the form of petting, playing, or even just hanging out in the same room as their people.

Most dogs actually do not like being hugged but may enjoy curling up against you. An agouti husky will likely adore you but may not be interested in receiving your affection via gestures like hugs or kisses. Of course, every dog is an individual; even if your husky doesn’t like hugs, they may be the type who thinks they are a lap dog despite weighing 50 pounds!

Are Agouti Huskies Good With Kids?

Agouti huskies and children are a great match. Huskies are friendly, affectionate, and love to play! However, they are high energy and, when excited, could easily knock young children over if caution isn’t taken. In general, dogs and children should always be supervised when together, no matter the breed.

Are Agouti Huskies Good With Other Animals?

Being bred as sled dogs meant that huskies had to get along with other dogs since they worked in teams. Therefore, they do just fine in homes with other pups. Unfortunately, agouti huskies typically do not mix well with other species.

They have a strong prey drive and are known to chase critters in the yard. They do not get along with domestic animals like cats, either. If you are looking for a dog that gets along with cats or small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, or ferrets, then we would not recommend the agouti husky.

Are Agouti Huskies Aggressive?

Agouti huskies tend to be friendly in general, and this friendliness extends to both humans and dogs. They are not known for displaying aggression of any sort. Of course, any dog could become aggressive if they are not properly trained, or worse, if they are abused.

Many dogs are aggressive out of fear. Therefore, it’s important to socialize huskies well during their puppyhood so that they do not become fearful of strange sights, sounds, objects, or people. Furthermore, you should never use physical punishment on your dog.

Do Agouti Huskies Bark a Lot?

There are many viral videos about how talkative huskies are. Though they are very vocal, they don’t bark that often. Instead, agouti huskies tend to vocalize through howls, whines, and whimpers.

If you live in an apartment that has noise restrictions, an agouti husky probably isn’t a great choice. They seem to be more likely to howl if you have more than one of them, but they are not afraid to use their voice when interacting with their humans, either.

Are Agouti Huskies Intelligent?

Agouti huskies are good at problem-solving and tend to excel at puzzle games. For that reason, they are considered relatively intelligent dogs. However, they lack the motivation to learn, and, in that sense, their intelligence would be considered average at best.

Are Agouti Huskies Easy to Train?

Even though agouti huskies excel at puzzles and brain games, they are not easy to train. This is because they are stubborn and independent. They also have strong prey drives, which makes them easily distracted. Furthermore, it can be difficult to motivate them. We definitely recommend seeking professional help to train this breed.

Reward-based training is the best way to train an agouti husky as you can use high-value treats or even toys and play as a reward to help keep them motivated to learn. We suggest training sessions be kept short, no more than five minutes at a time, to prevent the husky from getting bored and losing interest.

Many husky owners simply accept that their dog will not have perfect recall and take care to keep the dog leashed whenever not in the house. For this breed, a fenced-in yard is considered a must.

Are Agouti Huskies Energetic?

Considering that huskies were bred to pull sleds across long distances, they are naturally high-energy dogs. Therefore, they need a lot of exercise to help them get all that energy out. The rule of thumb is to provide at least two hours of exercise per day for an agouti husky. It’s great if some of this exercise can be running, as agouti huskies positively adore running, and it will help tire them out more.

All dogs are individuals, but there’s an easy way to know if your dog is getting enough exercise. If your dog is being “naughty” by taking objects they aren’t supposed to have or chewing things up; it is probably because they are bored and trying to get your attention so they can hopefully be given a fun activity. Huskies that get enough exercise are generally calm around the house.

Are Agouti Huskies Good Apartment Dogs?

While it is possible to keep an agouti husky in an apartment, it is not recommended. Huskies are high-energy dogs and will do best in a home with a fenced-in yard where they can run every day.   Of course, if you have the time and are dedicated to taking your agouti husky to dog parks where they can run and play, then it may work out.

Generally, the more time and space one has, the better suited they are to owning a husky. Because this breed has so much energy, it can be tough to fit their exercise needs into a lifestyle that includes a full-time job. Having a yard is helpful as you can let the husky run or play games like fetch.

Are Agouti Huskies Good Watchdogs?

Agouti huskies do not make good watchdogs or guard dogs for a few reasons. First of all, huskies are just too friendly. If someone were to break into your house, they’d be more likely to ask for belly rubs than to go on the defensive.

On top of that, huskies don’t bark that much and are one of the few breeds that aren’t even likely to bark at strangers coming to the door. Agouti huskies do have a somewhat intimidating appearance, though, as they can look similar to wolves.

It is possible that their appearance would be enough to frighten off those who have no knowledge of the breed. In general, though, if you want a dog for protection, the agouti husky just isn’t the one.

Are Agouti Huskies Good Service Dogs?

You’d think an agouti husky’s pleasant demeanor might set it up to be a great service dog, or at the very least, a good therapy dog. However, that is not usually the case. Most agouti huskies are too stubborn, independent, and wilful to pass the type of training necessary to become a therapy dog.

As we mentioned earlier, huskies just aren’t easy to train and are perhaps a little too independent. Though their friendly mannerisms would make them a great option for therapy work, if they cannot be taught obedience, then they cannot serve in that capacity, either.

Agouti huskies can, however, be great emotional support animals (ESAs). Their talkative personalities and their friendly, affectionate attitude makes them perfect for this role. ESAs do not need to be well-trained or obedient, which is why agouti huskies can still be a good option.

How to Care for an Agouti Husky?

Agouti huskies are relatively easy to care for. They need to be brushed only weekly and do not require baths more than a few times per year because they actually clean themselves. Otherwise, they just need general maintenance such as nail trims and teeth brushing.

Do You Need to Groom an Agouti Husky?

Agouti huskies are relatively low-maintenance dogs. They do not require professional grooming and only need to be brushed about once per week.

One great thing about this breed is that they clean themselves often. Because of this, they are not plagued by “doggy odor” and only need a few baths per year. Like all dogs, agouti huskies require regular nail trims and teeth brushing.

Do Agouti Huskies Shed?

Agouti huskies shed quite a bit, and it gets especially bad twice a year (spring and fall) when they shed out their undercoats. During these times, especially, it is important to rake out the undercoat using a pin brush and metal comb.

What Should an Agouti Husky Eat?

Agouti huskies should be given the highest quality food one can afford. Working or highly active dogs should be given food with high protein content. The best dog foods meet AAFCO guidelines, are formulated by veterinary nutritionists, and have undergone feeding trials.

To determine how much to feed an agouti husky, you can follow the guidelines on the bag of your preferred food. Alternatively, you can calculate your dog’s caloric needs either using an online calculator or by doing the math yourself.

The latter method may be slightly more accurate as it allows you to consider different factors such as activity level within your calculations. No matter how you choose to determine your dog’s caloric needs, it’s important to watch for weight gain or loss and adjust portions accordingly.

What Health Problems Do Agouti Huskies Have?

Agouti huskies are at risk for the following health problems: eye problems such as juvenile cataracts, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, corneal dystrophy, and uveodermatologic syndrome; hip dysplasia; arthritis; epilepsy; and some cancers.

That may seem like a scary list, but you can increase your chances of getting a healthy agouti husky by working with a responsible breeder. Responsible breeders health test their dogs before mating them.

These health tests ensure that the parents are in good condition and do not display signs of the more common problems, like hip dysplasia or juvenile cataracts. Huskies that are being bred should be tested for juvenile cataracts on a yearly basis, so be sure to bring this up with any breeder you’re considering.

How Long Do Agouti Huskies Live?

The average lifespan of an agouti Siberian husky is 12-14 years.

Are Agouti Huskies Expensive?

The agouti coloring is not the rarest of husky colors (white is), but it is still rare. Because of this, breeders may increase the price of any agouti puppies they have. On average, agouti puppies cost between $1,000 and $3,000.

In terms of care, huskies are not usually more expensive than other large breeds. However, if you are unable to meet this breed’s exercise needs on your own, then you will need to invest in either pet sitting or doggy daycare. Similarly, you’ll want to put up a fence in your yard if you don’t already have one.

How to Find an Agouti Husky Breeder?

We know you already know how to use Google to search for puppies. Instead, we’d like to share a list of questions you should be asking any breeders you’re interested in purchasing a puppy from. These questions will help ensure that you’re getting a healthy puppy from an ethical source.

• What are your credentials? You should learn about how long the breeder has been in business as well as how familiar they are with agouti Siberian huskies.
• Have the parent animals undergone health testing? Ask to see these tests.
• Can I see where the dogs are kept? A respectable breeder should be happy to show you the dogs’ living conditions.
• Can I meet the parent? This will give you a sense of the parent dogs’ temperaments and the potential temperaments of the puppies.
• How do you socialize your puppies? Socialization is important for puppies to become friendly and confident.
• Are the puppies up-to-date on vaccination? You need to know your puppy’s health history so that you know which shots are still needed.
• Do you offer a health guarantee with a contract? Some breeders guarantee the health of their puppies: should your puppy come down with a serious illness early on, the breeder may offer to reimburse the purchase price of the dog or even take the puppy back. This will also help you avoid purchasing from breeders who are irresponsible.
• What do you require of potential adopters? Many breeders want to make sure their puppies are going to homes where they will be treated well and kept for life. Therefore, breeders may ask a number of questions about you, your situation, and your experience as a dog owner.

Can You Adopt an Agouti Husky?

It is possible to rescue an agouti husky, but not necessarily easy. Because the agouti coloring is rare, you’re less likely to find them in shelters. If you would prefer to rescue instead of purchase from a breeder, then you should seek out organizations that are dedicated to rescuing huskies alone.

There are a number of rescues dedicated to huskies, including Husky House, Taysia Blue Rescue, and Free Spirit Siberian Rescue. If none of these are located in your area, a quick Google search should help you find nearby husky rescues.

Are Agouti Huskies Purebred?

Agouti huskies are purebred dogs and are recognized as such by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Agouti is also considered a standard color, though the AKC is more technical and refers to it as “agouti and white.”

Can You Show Agouti Huskies?

Yes, you can show agouti Siberian huskies. Agouti and white is considered a standard color, and thus this type of husky is eligible to be shown. If you are interested in showing an agouti Husky, you’ll want to get one from a responsible breeder who has produced show dogs in the past.

Are Agouti Huskies Good for New Dog Owners?

Agouti Siberian huskies are typically not a great choice for first-time dog owners. As friendly and loving as they are, they can be difficult to handle and care for. Not only are they stubborn and challenging to train, but they also have boatloads of energy.

This excessive amount of energy requires owners to spend a lot of time (or money) keeping their huskies active. When this energy does not have an appropriate outlet, it can turn into destructive behaviors.

Between their exercise needs and disinterest in obedience training, huskies can be a real handful. Therefore, we would not recommend them to someone who has no experience as a dog owner.

Is an Agouti Husky the Right Dog for Me?

Agouti huskies are talkative and friendly, so their personalities are very endearing. However, their excessive amounts of energy aren’t a good fit for everyone. If you lead an active lifestyle and can give this breed the necessary outlet for their energy, then they could be a good fit.

However,  if you simply admire the agouti husky’s beauty but do not have the time to give this breed the mental and physical stimulation they need, then bringing one home would be irresponsible.

By now, we’re sure you have a better idea of whether or not the agouti husky would be right for you, but let’s quickly take a look at what might make this dog a good or bad fit.

The agouti husky may be right for you if

• You have a fenced-in space for the dog to run in
• You want a dog that can keep up with intense physical activity such as jogging, biking, long hikes, etc.
• You want a dog that is incredibly friendly by nature
• You want a dog that is good with kids
• You want a dog that can live with other dogs

The agouti husky is wrong for you if

• You want a dog that is easy to train
• You want a quiet dog
• You want a watchdog
• You want a dog that can live with other animals such as cats or small mammals