Last Updated on January, 2025
Do you love huskies but are afraid of big dogs? What if I told you, you could get the best of both worlds?
That’s right! Have you heard of a miniature husky? The most famous dog from the husky breed is the standard sized Siberian husky. However, these loveable fluffballs are a type of husky that is small in size but still have the same characteristics of other husky breeds.
You must be wondering, are miniature huskies good pets? Will they be a suitable companion for you and your family? Let’s find out…
Quick Summary
A Miniature Husky Dog is a smaller version of the Siberian husky with a similar appearance and temperament.
Miniature Huskies were first bred in the 1990s by breeding the smallest Siberian huskies and are considered a pure breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
When looking to buy a miniature husky, it is important to find a reputable breeder, as they are not available in pet shops or shelters, and other breeds with similar appearances may be sold in their place at the same price.
Table of Contents
What is a Miniature Husky?
As the name suggests, it is a miniature Siberian husky. These playful furry canines have gained traction for their small size and sweet temperament.
Just like its bigger counterpart, this dog breed has different types. However, it would be best not to confuse a miniature husky with an Alaskan Klee Kai. Although Klee kai’s are similar in appearance and sort of like a mini husky, they are different.
What are Their Breed Origins and History?
The Chukchi people of northeastern Asia were the original Siberian husky breeders who used them as family companions and endurance sled dogs.
When the semi-nomadic Chukchi were driven to expand their hunting areas due to shifting climates, they created sled dogs that could carry light loads over stretches of frozen wasteland in freezing weather.
Miniature huskies, also known as teacup huskies were first bred in the 1990s by a lady named Bree Normandin.
Unlike its other mini counterparts, miniature huskies are a pure breed as they were bred using the smallest Siberian huskies (runts) till a mini version was created.
Due to this, even the American Kennel Club classifies them under the original Siberian husky category.
What is Their Appearance?
Like the original Siberian huskies, they have a wolf-like appearance, piercing blue eyes, and a thick fluffy coat. From their erect years to their fluffy tail and colorations, mini huskies are a replica of a typical Siberian husky.
The Siberian husky’s double, medium-length coat gives the dog a well-furred appearance, yet it never becomes too long. The undercoat is long enough to support the outer coat and is velvety and dense.
They naturally share the same hues as their relatives in the north. Mini Huskies come in various colors mixed with white, including black, gray, and red.
Their eye color also varies from blue to green or brown; therefore, they can be easily confused for an Alaskan Klee kai or Pomsky. One way to tell them apart is through their size and temperament.
Related article: Siberian Husky Eye Colors
What is the Full-Grown Miniature Husky Size?
A miniature husky breed can grow up to 17 inches tall if they are a male and weigh around 25 to 35 pounds. On the other hand, a female miniature husky could weigh between 20 to 30 pounds and is generally shorter than a male standing at 13 to 16 inches.
Miniature Husky Temperament and Personality
The Siberian Husky has a temperament that is alert and extroverted, as well as kind and compassionate.
He does not exhibit the possessive characteristics of a guard dog, nor is he unduly wary of strangers or hostile toward other dogs.
Mini huskies become more dignified dogs that learn to control their youthful exuberance as they mature.
Despite how adorable they are, a word of caution: little huskies are just as energetic and prone to mischief as their larger counterparts.
Bred to transport a light load over long distances, even the mini husky is classified under working dogs, although they are more of a companion dog.
These canines are extremely intelligent and energetic. They need a lot of daily exercise and interaction with humans and other dogs.
A miniature husky’s temperament is one way to tell it apart from other smaller breed huskies. Mini Huskies are typically friendlier and more welcoming of strangers.
Guide to Buying Miniature Siberian Huskies
Are you convinced a miniature husky dog is the best companion for you but need help knowing where to start? I got you covered.
Ways of Getting a Miniature Dog Breed
These dogs are not available in pet shops or shelters as a luxury breed. You will need to purchase mini huskies through breeders. Unfortunately, one problem people face is finding reputed breeders.
Miniature Huskies are a pure breed, but other dogs with similar appearances, such as the Alaskan Klee kai, are sold in their place for the same price.
This is extremely dangerous as other husky breeds have different personalities and needs than an original mini husky.
If you want to find reputed husky breeders go through the Siberian Husky Club of America, as all the sellers are verified and registered breeders.
Irrespective of the breed, eight weeks old is the ideal age to bring a new husky puppy home. Your mini husky puppy must spend enough time bonding with its mother and other puppies.
They should also have had enough exposure to other dogs to prevent any issues when they encounter other dogs in the future.
A reputable breeder will spend time with the puppy before the puppy is brought home to establish the framework for training and will only allow puppies to be brought home after the seven or eight-week mark.
Types of Breeds
Although the miniature Siberian husky is from the original Siberian dog breed, several other breeds are labeled as miniature huskies.
Two of these are Pomsky and Alaskan Klee kai. T
hese dogs are similar in appearance to the miniature husky and are sometimes boxed in the same category.
However, these two dogs are mixed breeds and not pure, unlike the Siberian mini husky.
The Pomsky is a mixture of a pomeranian and a husky.
At the same time, the Alaskan Klee kai is a crossbreed between an Alaskan husky and an Eskimo dog.
Although there are many variations and names, the original miniature husky dogs were the ones bred by Bree Normandin. These dogs usually live for 12 to 14 years, while if they are mixed breeds, they might live longer.
Type of Climates Miniature Huskies Can Live in
Well, you are in luck because this dog is adaptable to any climate despite its double coat.
One question most potential husky owners want is whether a miniature husky can live in hot weather conditions. YES, they can! Huskies can live in the cold like a standard husky but also in tropical climates.
However, as the owner, you need to keep them hydrated and ensure they do not suffer from overheating if you live in an area with very high temperatures.
It is advisable not to own a miniature husky if you live in a country or region that is extremely hot unless you can keep them hydrated in an air-conditioned room.
Price of a Miniature Husky
Miniature or teacup huskies are highly desired dogs similar to their standard counterparts. However, they are more expensive since they are a luxury breed costing over $1000 going up to $2000.
Furthermore, miniature husky dogs are rarely found in shelters; therefore, they can only be bought through breeders. Although the list of miniature husky breeders that sell them as puppies or adult dogs is growing, only a few are authorized dealers.
Although mini husky puppies are cheaper than an adult mini husky, if you pick from the litter, you might have to pay an additional $600 and have a wait time of up to 9 months.
How to Take Care of a Miniature Husky?
Even though these furballs are expensive, they are worth every penny! Especially if you like low-maintenance dogs, mini huskies are a perfect choice. Compared to the standard Siberian husky, the miniature version requires lower maintenance.
However, they do need regular exercise and grooming. As descendants of sled dogs, they can be quite a handful when they are younger since husky puppies are energetic and playful creatures. Mini huskies do become much easier to care for as they get older.
Feeding
Although they are miniature dogs, please do not feed them the same way and amount as a typical small breed dog. A mini husky is not a lap dog. These canines are very energetic. Therefore, the diet must consist of more protein than carbs and fats.
Miniature huskies must be fed premium dog food to maintain good skin and fur. Depending on their activity level, you need to adjust the amount of protein in their diet. If you are keeping them as pets in an apartment, make sure to control their diet so they don’t gain too much weight.
Consult a veterinarian for more details when creating a diet plan for your dog. However, a slightly reduced version of a standard Siberian husky’s diet is enough for the miniature version.
Around 2 cups of food per day is enough, and make sure they consume both meat and plants to follow a balanced diet.
As puppies, they require more food to grow; therefore, try to feed them three times a day. A mini husky usually stops when it is full, so you do not have to worry much about overfeeding.
Siberian mini husky puppies have sensitive stomachs compared to other smaller breeds. Therefore you can feed your mini husky puppy any commercial dog food brand till they are atleast six months before switching to a raw diet.
Grooming
The Miniature Husky sheds a lot of fur. These Siberian huskies, in miniature must frequently shed to keep their seasonal double coat, which grows twice a year.
Using brushes and combs to penetrate both layers of the double coat, brush your husky twice a week.
You must brush your Miniature Husky every day, even while shedding.
To avoid health issues like infections, keep their ears dry and clean and take them to the vet for necessary vaccinations.
Every two weeks examine the nails on your miniature husky. Since they run and play, they will probably wear the nails down, but they should get their nails clipped if they are beginning to curl over, as this can cause health problems.
It’s typical for the undercoat to shed off throughout the shedding season completely.
Trimming the fur and whiskers around the feet and between the toes is acceptable to make them look nicer. Any other area of the dog’s fur should not be trimmed.
Health
Although they are often very healthy, miniature huskies are susceptible to the same hereditary issues as a standard husky. According to the National breed club, a Siberian husky should have these tests done: hip evaluation and ophthalmologist evaluation.
Siberian huskies may frequently experience eye issues such as cataract and progressive retinal atrophy. Progressive retinal atrophy is a severe condition that leads to retinal degeneration that results in complete blindness.
A milky film in your husky’s eye should alert you of a problem. However, until vision loss begins, progressive retinal atrophy sometimes exhibits no symptoms at all. Sadly, there is no known cure or therapy for this illness, so huskies must learn to live without their sight.
Although other hereditary disorders, including laryngeal paralysis and seizures, have been reported, hip dysplasia is another condition, although a relatively uncommon ailment.
Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that can develop at birth or later in life and raises the likelihood of joint dislocation.
Additionally, DO NOT ever overfeed a mini husky. If they don’t get enough activity, they can gain weight, which can cause extra health problems.
How to Train a Miniature Husky Puppy?
From when they are husky puppies, they should learn early socialization, basic obedience training, and good manners from a young age.
This is a very stubborn and intelligent dog, like its standard-sized counterpart, so the earlier you start training them, the better.
Owners who want to train their dogs in a harness must put in many hours and have patience. There are many excellent books or organizations like the Siberian Husky Club of America you can refer to train them if you need help knowing where to start.
These are dogs you cannot convince once their mind is made up. The greatest strategy is to make all training sessions enjoyable for the dog and the trainer.
Due to their high levels of socialization, mini huskies frequently require company. They are not suitable for being left alone all day.
Most essential, as mini huskies are active dogs, they should always be kept on a leash or in a securely enclosed space since they have an intense urge to run.
Exercise
Although these are a miniature version of the standard Siberian, they are still a working breed and happiest when given a task.
Regular physical and mental activity is crucial to keep a healthy miniature husky. Participating in activities together can deepen the relationship between a dog and its owner.
It is essential to keep the dog on a leash, in a harness, or in a fenced yard at all times, even as miniature husky puppies, because huskies are bred to run and will do so whenever they have the chance.
Due to this breed’s adaptability, frequent walks or doggy playgroups can be a great form of exercise for people living in more metropolitan areas.
We’ve also featured the best shock collars for huskies to make training and exercising sessions easier if the dog is too stubborn.
Is a Miniature Siberian Husky a Good Family Pet?
Absolutely!
These dogs are not aggressive and love the company of people or other dogs. Friendly by nature, they made excellent family pets.
Due to their temperament, miniature huskies are perfect for a household with children. Since a miniature husky is an extremely high-energy dog, it is essential to monitor all play, especially if you have young children.
Get your youngster engaged in any training programs for your mini husky if you want your kids to forge a great bond with them.
Beware, just like the standard Siberian huskies, the miniature version has a strong predatory instinct. Owners MUST be mindful of tiny animals in and around the home, including squirrels or birds, as they could be potential victims of a husky’s strong predatory drive.
Even though the mini Siberian husky is typically kind and loving with people and other dogs, they are skilled hunters who are quick, sly, and patient.
Other dog breeds guides:
FAQs
Conclusion
I hope this article gave you all the information you need about these beautiful pets. Isn’t it great to have a dog with the personality of a Siberian husky but stays small forever?
Although miniature husky dogs do not have a hypoallergenic coating, they are easy to groom. A miniature husky can be stubborn sometimes, but it is a fantastic companion. These dogs are not only beautiful but extremely intelligent and friendly.
If you like smaller low maintenance dogs, the miniature husky is the one for you. However, you should always ensure you buy your pet from a reputed breeder and not mistake them for an Alaskan Klee kai or Pomsky.
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