Miniature Husky: What to Know About Mini Huskies Breed

Miniature Husky What To Know About Mischievous Mini Huskies Cover

Siberian Huskies are usually known as large dogs, but have you ever seen a miniature one?

The Miniature Husky is just like the Siberian Husky except a smaller version of the Siberian

This little sled dog may be small but it has all of the standard-sized Siberian Husky’s big personality and high energy. Huskies are very loyal, funny, and family-oriented – the smaller version Miniature Husky is no different.

If you want all of the fun of a full-sized Siberian Husky but cannot commit to a large dog then the much smaller Miniature Husky Breed may be the perfect breed for you.

Are you ready to welcome this miniature new friend from the north into your home?

Read on to learn everything you need to know about this wolf-like little dog

Miniature Husky At A Glance

The Miniature Husky has all the fun of a standard Siberian Husky but in a much smaller and convenient size. This is a very active breed, with high energy levels and an undying sense of loyalty to its family. Their miniature size is the only thing that makes them any different from a standard Siberian Husky. You can expect a strong-willed and energetic smaller version of Siberian Husky that loves the great outdoors and spends most of their time being active.

  • Popularity: #14.
  • Specialty: Companion.
  • Weight: 20-35 pounds.
  • Price: $1500-$2500.
  • Personality: Social, loyal, high energy levels, and active.

Similar Breeds

Alaskan Klee Kai
Price: $1500-$3000
Lifespan: 12-16 years
Family Friendly: No
Size: 8-23 pounds
Shed: Medium
Activity: Medium
Pomsky
Price: $2500-$5000
Lifespan: 13-15 years
Family Friendly: Yes
Size: 10-35 pounds
Shed: Medium
Activity: High

Miniature Husky Overview

A Miniature Husky is simply a smaller version of a standard-sized Siberian Siberian Husky.

They are bred by selecting and pairing off the runts of the Husky puppy litter of the Siberian Husky breed.

Just like their larger breed counterparts, Miniature Huskies are classified as a working dog. This means the miniature version are able to carry much smaller and lighter loads as sled dogs while remaining quick on their feet.

When you look at this breed it is like somebody put a standard-sized Siberian Husky through a shrink ray. They have the same wolf-like appearance, fluffy salt and pepper fur, adorable curly tail, and icy blue eyes.

Most people looking to adopt a Miniature Husky do so because they are not quite able to manage a standard-sized Siberian (they might have a smaller living space or young children at home).

Because Miniature Huskies are very social, just much smaller, they make a great choice for families.

Finally, just remember that even though the miniature version are lower maintenance than a standard-sized Siberian Husky, they can still be quite a handful at times.

As a working breed, Huskies want to be put to work for most of their waking hours.

Pros

  • Can fit into apartments.
  • More adaptable than a standard-sized Husky.
  • Very agile and light on their feet.
  • Can help carry much smaller bundles and lighter loads as sled dogs.

Cons

  • Can be very stubborn.
  • Needs to be active for most of the day.
  • Known escape artists for running away.
  • Destructive when under-stimulated.

A Day In The Life Of This Miniature Husky Breed

You wake up with your Miniature Husky curled up at your feet. Once awake it will take some time before your Miniature Husky breed friend wakes up too.

After some prompting your miniature will start the day with you. After breakfast, your Miniature Husky will be eager for a walk or run.

When it is time to head to work they will rest up and await your return – you need to make sure your Miniature Husky has plenty of toys to stay stimulated.

The sound of your car pulling into the driveway will send your Miniature Husky running for the door!

Expect a shower of Husky puppy kisses as you arrive home.

A trip to the park to play will help get rid of their high energy. You can play catch and watch your Miniature Husky rush off after the ball.

When it’s time for home, both of you will be all tired out. You can settle down for a long cuddle. At bedtime, your Miniature Husky will seek out its favorite place – the foot of your bed!

After a kiss goodnight, get ready for more fun tomorrow.

History And Origin

Coming from Siberia, Huskies were originally bred by the nomadic Chukchi tribe thousands of years ago.

Sleds were the Chukchi’s primary form of transportation across the snowy terrain. Siberian Huskies were bred to pull these sleds over the frozen wilderness.

This sweet-natured and friendly breed also served as a companion during the long, hard, and cold days. The Siberian Husky would snuggle up to their owners for warmth and provide comfort to the Chukchi children.

In 1908 the breed was introduced to Alaska to help out during the Gold Rush. The Siberian Husky gained American Kennel Club recognition in 1930, with their breed club established in 1938.

The miniature version is still very new, only emerging in the early 1990s, and were first bred by Bree Normandin. Copycat breeders to Bree Normandin emerged in the 2000s.

Now there are many places to get a Mini Husky of the type originally bred by Bree Normandin.

The breed remains a wonderful miniature version alternative for those who do not have enough space for a standard-sized Siberian.

6 Miniature Husky Fun Facts

  1. The Miniature Husky was first bred in the early 1990s by Bree Normandin. Even today there are only a few US breeders
  2. Looking wolf-like, Miniature Huskies are in fact no more related to wolves than any other dog breed.
  3. The Alaskan Klee Kai and the Pomsky are both marketed as Miniature Huskies but are different breeds.
  4. Lighter and more agile than the standard-sized Siberian Husky, the miniature version are very agile; obstacle course superstars.
  5. Siberian Huskies were first bred by the Chukchi tribe to pull sleds across the Siberian tundra.
  6. All Husky breeds are amongst the world’s best escape artists needing a tall and sturdy fence to stop them from jumping over or digging under.

Miniature Husky Temperament And Behavior

The Miniature Husky packs all of the breed’s loyalty and loving personality into a much smaller package.

Asserting themselves as a family member family as soon as they enter your home!

This breed is just as good a family dog as its standard-sized version. Young children love a playful Husky puppy that never truly grows up.

Whilst most small dog breeds have adapted to an indoor lifestyle the Miniature Husky remains an outdoor dog with plenty of energy and needs a safe environment to be let out.

On their feet for most of their waking hours, it’s not a breed for couch potatoes and quickly become destructive if neglected.

Generally much more loving than other working dogs, they’re no lap dog, but expect plenty of slobbery kisses from this lovable little breed.

Do not let their miniature size fool you. These little workaholics can help out around the house. You can even train them to pull a small cart or haul a light bundle.

Regardless of their size, all Huskies are known for their howling especially when they are bored or feeling stubborn.

Expect a few complaints here and there when your Husky breed is in a mood. But don’t validate a noisy dog that’s barking just to get your attention.

Most of the time however your Huskies are very quiet and well behaved.

This is an extremely social and family-oriented breed with a natural affinity for people.

Children of all ages will love a Husky puppy, and it will love them right back.

Huskies will lovingly accept any new pack member on either two or four legs!

Having this dog around is not always easy.

Huskies can be very testy at times and they may try to assert themselves as the leader of the pack.

You might get into a few arguments with your Husky breed friend now and again but they will always come around.

How Much Does A Miniature Siberian Husky Cost?

Unfortunately, miniature Husky Puppies do not come cheap.

To produce a miniature version Husky is difficult and this will be reflected in the Miniature Husky puppy’s price. In very high demand, a Miniature Husky puppy will usually cost you anywhere from $1500-$2000.

Miniature Husky puppies from show lines may cost up to $2500!

If you don’t have the budget you could consider adopting from a shelter – however, this is not a common shelter breed. If you are able to find a Miniature Husky puppy at a shelter you will pay around $350 in adoption fees.

AgePrice
Puppy$1500-$2500
Adult$1200-$2000
Adoption$250-$350

The Miniature Husky is a luxury breed so are more expensive than other dog breeds out there. You should have a budget of at least $1500 for a Miniature Husky puppy.Miniature Husky Buyer’s Tips

  1. Alaskan Klee Kais are often sold as Miniature Huskies. However, the Alaskan Klee Kai is a very different dog. Alaskan Klee Kais have a different personality and care requirements.
  2. You’ll need plenty of indoor and outdoor toys to keep this high-energy breed happy.
  3. The Miniature Husky breed needs a lot of socialization, including time at puppy kindergarten and doggie daycare. These services usually charge by the hour and may run to at least $25-$40 a day.
  4. If you’re not purchasing your Miniature Husky puppy from an official Miniature Husky breeder, check into your Husky puppy’s pedigree to make sure that you get what you are paying for.
  5. Unfortunately, as the Miniature Husky breed is very popular there are lots of scams out there. Some breeders will try to sell Alaskan Klee Kais, Pomskies, or other hybrids as Miniature Huskies. However, hybrids such as Alaskan Klee Kais have very different temperaments than purebred miniature version Huskies.

Miniature Husky Appearance

You can expect this miniature version breed to look exactly like the Siberian Husky – just much smaller, not growing more than 17 inches tall.

The defining feature of the Miniature Husky is their beautiful blue eyes. However, sometimes their eyes can be amber or hazel brown – heterochromia is also surprisingly common in this breed.

Mini Huskies have a broad muzzle with a black or brown nose and fully erect ears.

Miniature Husky Puppies may have rounded ears that point upwards as they grow.

Your Husky puppy will also have the iconic fluffy sickle tail.

Size

The Miniature Husky breed is small enough to be a lap dog but still large enough to do the work that it was bred for.

  • Miniature Husky males will stand between 14-17 inches and weigh 25-35 pounds.
  • Miniature Husky females will stand between 13-16 inches and weigh 20-30 pounds.

Colors

The Miniature Husky breed has a fluffy medium-length double coat that protects it from cold weather.

Black and white, or salt and pepper are the most popular double coat fur colors.

You can also find Miniature Huskies in double coats of silver or sable colors.

A dark-colored mask against a white muzzle is a very common look for this beautiful Husky breed.

Just like standard-sized Siberian Husky, this miniature version suffers from hair loss and is a very heavy shedder twice a year – you will need to brush them your Miniature Husky at least twice a week.

Miniature Husky Care Guide

A Miniature Husky is a fun little friend to have around but they can be quite a handful to keep happy.

Whilst a miniature is much more beginner-friendly than a standard-sized Siberian they still need lots of care. The Miniature Husky breed needs plenty of exercise and owners must be willing to get off the couch and play. It is not a breed that can be expected to amuse itself on its own.

Their fluffy double coat will also need regular grooming, also to help minimize hair loss.

Exercise

Miniature Huskies have high energy levels and need at least 90 minutes of exercise every day.

You can either do this all at once or break it up throughout the day. You can take your Miniature Husky puppy running or jogging with you, or even tie its leash to your bicycle as you ride.

Just remember that this breed are such good escape artists that they should stay on a leash even when playing in the backyard.

After their walk, you should give huskies regular playtime too.

This includes running and jumping, catch, brainteasers, and obstacle courses. Mechanical moving toys can provide hours of fun too.

Of course in the wintertime, your Miniature Husky will love to play in the snow. You might even be able to get them to pull your sled (just like their ancestors would do).

  • Total Daily Activity: 90+ minutes.
  • Activity Level: 5/5.
  • Favorite Activity: Playing in the snow.

Grooming

The Miniature Husky is a very big shedder.

These miniature version Siberian Huskies shed very often in order to maintain their twice a year seasonal double coat.

Brush your miniature twice a week with brushes and combs designed to reach both layers of the double coat.

When your Miniature Husky blows its coat in the spring and fall you will have to brush it every day.

Check your miniature’s nails every 2 weeks. It is likely that they will wear them down as they run and play but their nails must be trimmed if they are starting to curl over which can lead to health issues.

Finally, make sure to keep their ears clean and dry to prevent health problems like infections.

Nutrition

Miniature Huskies should not be fed a typical small breed diet.

Their high energy levels mean that they should eat only a little less than a standard-sized Siberian.

Feed them 2 cups of high-quality kibble made for active breeds. Give your Miniature Husky one cup in the morning for breakfast and one cup in the evening at dinnertime.

High energy breeds can have more carbohydrates than most others. Just make sure that these carbs come from healthy natural sources such as oats and vegetables. Protein is the second ingredient in the Huskies nutritious diet. It should come from real meat sources and never byproducts or fillers.

Aim for between 800 and 1000 calories a day to prevent health issues.

Growth Chart:

  • Between 8 and 12 weeks of age, your Miniature Husky will weigh 5-10 pounds. Females will be at the lower end of this weight range.
  • At the end of 6 months, females will be 13-15 pounds with males weighing 16-18 pounds.
  • By their first birthday, your Miniature Husky should weigh 18-25 pounds. They will reach their full weight of 20-35 pounds by the time they are 16 months old.

Health Concerns

Overall this is a very healthy breed however their eyes can develop health problems.

Cataracts are the most common health issue with this breed. It can lead to blindness if they are untreated and usually only occurs before the Miniature Husky is 5 years old – so make sure you are diligent in checking their eyes.

Any cloudiness in its eyes is cause for a vet visit.

Progressive retinal atrophy is a more severe disorder. It is a degeneration of the retina that eventually leads to total blindness.

Sometimes a milky haze in your Husky miniature eye will let you know that something is wrong. But more often than not progressive retinal atrophy has no symptoms at all until the vision impairment starts to set in.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment or cure for this health problem and Huskies will have to adapt to life without their sight.

Hip dysplasia is another common health problem. An abnormality of the hip joint resulting in an increased risk of joint dislocation, hip dysplasia may occur at birth or develop in early life.

How Long Does A Miniature Husky Live?

You can expect a miniature to have the same lifespan as a standard-sized Siberian.

A Miniature Husky will live until they are 12-14 years old.

How To Train A Miniature Husky

Training this breed can be quite a challenge.

They do not always want to be trained and they will become very vocal when they are not in the mood.

You should try to make training fun with all sorts of backyard games and courses. Take advantage of your husky’s natural agility skills and set up your own dog show in the yard.

Help your Miniature Husky puppy navigate the course and offer their favorite treats and toys as an incentive. Set up a new course each time so that your Husky never knows what to expect.

When training you should be firm but never stern.

Your Miniature Husky needs to learn to respect you and will only do so if you also show that you respect them.

Praise them for their good behavior and do not give in when they are misbehaving. They will learn what they can and cannot get away with soon enough.

Just remember this is a very social breed.

Poor socialization is one of the most common causes of bad behavior.

Puppy kindergartens and doggie daycares are very good for this Husky breed to make new friends while practicing their best manners.

Miniature Huskies must have their mind and body put to work at all times.

You can turn training into light work to do around the house.

Summary

The Miniature Husky is a purebred Siberian Husky that is much smaller in size.

Because they are so much smaller they are lower maintenance and can fit into apartments and smaller homes.

This Miniature Husky breed is suitable for anybody who wants but cannot keep a standard-sized Siberian.

They still have the same social nature, playfulness, and loyalty as their standard-sized ancestors.

Miniature Huskies just love to work and play – they will love to help out around the house. Their dedication to their families is just one of the many things that make them special.

Just remember that this Husky breed is not a toy or lapdog.

They have high energy levels and will want to be on their feet as much as possible.

Anyone who is looking to take in a Miniature Husky must be fully prepared for a Siberian Husky in a smaller version.

If you take the time to perfectly understand what Miniature Husky needs you will find yourself with one of the best friends in the whole world.

Let us know any of your questions in the comments section below, for a reply leave your email address, or leave a reply to answer

Miniature Husky FAQ

What is a mini husky called?

A much smaller size version of the Siberian Husky is the Miniature Husky breed. The Miniature Husky is the exact same as a purebred Siberian Husky, except that it is much smaller in size. Their miniature size is the only thing that makes them any different from a standard-sized Husky.  

Are Miniature Huskies good pets?

A very active breed, with high energy levels and an undying sense of loyalty to its family. Since they are so much smaller they are lower maintenance and can fit into apartments and smaller homes. This Miniature Husky breed is suitable for anybody who wants but cannot keep a standard-sized Siberian.

How big do miniature Huskies get?

By their first birthday, a Miniature Husky should weigh 18-25 pounds. They will reach their full weight of 20-35 pounds by the time they’re 16 months old.

Miniature Husky males Males will stand 14-17 inches and weigh 25-35 pounds. Miniature Husky females Females will stand 13-16 inches and weigh 20-30 pounds.

About John Woods 301 Articles
John Woods is the founder of All Things Dogs, member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, graduate in Animal Behavior & Welfare and recognized author by the Dog Writers Association of America.

8 Comments

  1. Thank you for the good info on Mini Huskies. Could you recommend reliable Mini Husky breeders in California? Also any other tips to finding a Mini Husky up to one year old.

  2. How can I get a list of breeders. Since I was a kid we had a husky in the family. I would love to have a miniature husky. I really appreciate your help. Thank you

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