Siberian huskies and agouti huskies are sometimes thought of as different breeds, but they are actually both Siberian huskies. The main difference is their appearance.
Agouti huskies have a darker coat with bands of black and another color, while Siberian huskies have solid colored hairs. Black and white is the most common coloration, but they can be white, gray, red, black, or tan, or a combination of these colors.
Contents
What Is a Siberian Husky?
A Siberian husky is a breed within the Spitz family. They originated in Siberia, where they were domesticated by the Chukchi tribe. Huskies lived with the tribe and pulled sleds for the Chukchi, which helped them get through the harsh Siberian winters.
They are medium-sized dogs and have high energy levels. They are known for being stubborn, but highly affectionate.
They are highly pack oriented. They need plenty of attention from their owner and socialization with other dogs. They need a strong owner to be the alpha of their pack, or family.
They are excellent for families, because they are loyal, gentle, and love to play. They get along well with other dogs, but their high prey drive can make them living with smaller animals problematic.
Are They Related to Wolves?
Huskies have a close resemblance to wolves, which leads many people to wonder if they are closely related to these wild canines.
The truth is, all dogs are descended from wolves. However, the husky is often considered more wolf-like than other breeds.
Huskies are descended from the Taimyr wolves of Siberia, while most breeds have a significant amount of gray wolf DNA.
Arctic breeds, including the husky and Alaskan malamute, have more wolf DNA than other breeds. This means, genetically speaking, they are more closely related to their wolf ancestors.
What Is An Agouti Husky?
An Agouti Husky is a Siberian husky with a specific coat coloring. The agouti husky has banded hairs. These are typically banded with black and tan, which gives them a speckled or “dirty” appearance.
They will typically have patches of white or cream as well, but they are generally darker than other huskies.
Are They Related to Wolves?
The agouti husky doesn’t have more wolf DNA than other huskies. However, these are the most wolf-like huskies you’ll see. In fact, you could argue that these pooches resemble wolves more than any other breed alive today.
Their wolf-like appearance has earned them the nickname wolf sable. In fact, it can be difficult to differentiate between agouti and sable huskies.
Sable huskies have a red or copper-colored undercoat. Their guard hairs are red near the roots and become black at the tips. They also have black points.
What Causes the Agouti Coloring?
The agouti coloring is caused by genetics, like other coat colors and patterns. Agouti huskies have two copies of the agouti genes. Huskies with one copy of the agouti gene can pass the agouti coloring on to their offspring, but they will not display the agouti coloring.
The agouti coloring is the most common coat color for wolves. This is because it provides great camouflage in the wild.
The agouti coat is typically found in racing or working husky lines. The color is uncommon in show lines because it was not considered a desirable coat color, despite being accepted by the AKC.
Today, some husky owners love this coloring, while others prefer a more traditional look for their husky.
What Are The Key Differences Between The Two?
The most significant difference between the two huskies is simply their appearance.
The price is often different as well. Agouti huskies are also more likely to be from a working or racing line. There are a few differences between show and working lines that you should be aware of, including their energy levels.
Appearance
We’ve discussed the differences in appearances of Siberian and agouti huskies somewhat, but let’s take a closer look. The agouti husky has black bands on each guard hair. The other color on the hair is typically tan, but it can also be gray.
These huskies usually have patches of white as well, particularly on their chest and stomach.
Blue is the most common eye color for huskies, with brown being the next most common, and green being the least common. Hetereochroma is also common, which means each eye is a different color.
It’s possible for agouti huskies to have blue or heterochroma-colored eyes, but brown is more common.
Siberian huskies come in a range of colors. Solid white is the rarest, with agouti also being rare. Other solid colors, including black, gray, and brown, are also rare.
Black and white is the most common husky coat color, but they can also be black and brown, gray and white, and red and white.
Price Differences
The price of huskies will vary based on their appearance, bloodline, and breeder. Most huskies from a reputable breeder will cost $800 to $1500. However, huskies from show lines cost more, usually about $3,000.
Agouti huskies typically cost about $3,000 when purchased from a reputable breeder as well, thanks to their rare coloring.
Show VS Working Huskies
Not all working huskies are agouti, but nearly all agoutis are from working or sledding lines. Because they have been bred for different purposes for many years, there are a few differences.
Energy Levels
The biggest difference is probably their energy level. Any Siberian husky will be very active. However, agouti huskies are typically more involved than show huskies.
Huskies need about two hours of exercise each day. If you want a jogging or hiking companion who can keep up mile after mile, a working husky may be the best choice. If you want a walking partner who also enjoys couch cuddles, a show husky is the better choice.
If you do want a husky to pull a sled, you should probably choose a working husky. Show huskies are capable of sledding as well, but they aren’t quite as high-performance as their racing counterparts.
Tail Differences
Huskies from working lines typically have a curled tail, which helps them keep their balance when they are running. Show huskies usually have a straight tail.
Differences In Coat
You’ll also need to be prepared for a little more grooming if you choose a working husky. Their coat is typically thicker than show huskies, because they are bred to spend more time outside in harsh conditions.
FAQs
Do Agouti Huskies Have A Different Temperament Than Siberian Huskies?
Agouti huskies may be a bit more independent than Siberian huskies, because they are usually from working lines. However, despite their wolf-like appearance, they are not more aggressive or less affectionate than other husky colors.
Should I Get An Agouti Husky?
When deciding what type of husky to get, it’s tempting to focus on coat color. However, coat color should be the last thing you consider.
You’ll need to think about the differences between working and show lines, and which is right for you.
Do Breeders Intentionally Breed Agouti Huskies?
Usually, the answer is no. Working line breeders focus on the best dogs for the job, rather than their coat color.
Show line breeders do consider coat color, but only after considering other factors, like the health and temperament of the dog. Show breeders usually avoid breeding agouti, rather than breed for it.
