The Sprightly, Charming Miniature Husky

Believe it or not, the Miniature Husky isn’t a pup.

Instead, he’s a miniaturized version of the Siberian Husky, one of the world’s most famous sled dogs.

And that’s not the only interesting thing about him.

Though he’s nowhere near as imposing as his larger cousin, the Mini Husky is a fun pooch in his own right.

Some people confuse the mini husky with an Alaskan Klee Kai, but they aren’t the same — so it’s good to know the differences between the two.

Also, you want to be careful about who you buy him from.

If you want to know why and are itching to know more about the Miniature Siberian Husky, read on.

All About the Miniature Husky

What Does A Mini Husky Look Like?

The Miniature Husky is exactly what he sounds like — a shrunken version of the Siberian Husky.

Luckily, there’s an easy way to tell him apart from a Siberian Husky pup. If he doesn’t grow taller than 16 inches at the shoulder, you’ve got a Mini Husky on your hands.

Apart from the size difference, Siberian and Mini Huskies are basically the same dog.

Like most types of huskies, both of them look like wolves, albeit with the distinctive husky markings.

Both of them have almond-shaped eyes, which can be ice blue, earth brown or bi-colored.

Both of them have coats that are uniquely suited for winter climates.

If you’ve had a Siberian Husky before, taking care of a Mini Husky shouldn’t be much of a problem. Otherwise, here’s what you need to know about Miniature Siberian Huskies.

How Big Does A Miniature Siberian Husky Get?

A full-grown Mini Husky stands between 12 and 16 inches at the shoulder.

Males weigh between 18 and 35 pounds, while females weigh between 15 and 30 pounds.

Why Are Mini Huskies Small?

As you can imagine, Siberian Huskies are quite popular.

With their good looks and constant appearances in popular media like Balto, it’s no surprise that a lot of people fall in love with them.

miniature husky

But here’s the thing: Siberian Huskies are big. Even the smallest ones can reach up to 18 inches at the shoulder, which is already a handful for most owners.

So, to meet the demand for beautiful Huskies minus the size issues, a woman named Bree Normandin began to breed Miniature Huskies.

Mini Huskies are typically bred from the runt of the litter. This practice has been controversial since it increases the possibility of introducing genetic disorders into the breed line.

It’s also worth noting that the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Siberian Husky Club of America (SHCA) do not recognize the Miniature Husky as a separate breed from the Siberian Husky.

They don’t even consider it a variant, so calling the Miniature Husky a “small husky breed” is misleading.

Nonetheless, if you buy your dog from a reputable breeder, and you know how to care for your Mini Husky, there shouldn’t be too many problems down the line.

Grooming Your Mini Siberian Husky

Like all Huskies, the Mini Siberian Husky has a thick double coat, which consists of a long straight outer coat and a dense undercoat.

Double coats are prone to shedding, especially during the spring season, so it’s important to brush your Mini Husky regularly.

Regular brushing minimizes mats and tangles, which can lead to skin infections that huskies tend to be prone to.

Other things you can do to keep your Miniature Husky well-groomed are:

  • Give him a full body inspection every now and then. Watch out for smelly buildup in the ears, redness on the skin, or anything that warrants the attention of a vet.
  • Brush his teeth at least once every other day. Invest in a toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs. Remove any signs of plaque and tartar buildup that could lead to oral problems down the road.
  • Get a good nail clipper. The moment your dog’s nails are long enough to clack on the floor, clip them short.

In case you don’t have time to groom your Miniature Husky, or you’re new to the whole grooming business, you can always take your pooch to a pro.

A good groomer can clue you in on how to keep your Toy Husky clean, as well as make your dog feel comfortable while he’s at it.

Mini Siberian Husky Temperament

Siberian Huskies are strong and hardy, and their smaller cousins are no different. If Mini Huskies had their way, they’d probably be pulling sleds too.

But since they’re not the right size to pull sleds, they settle for the next best thing: Being playful. As any Siberian Husky owner will tell you, huskies are master escape artists.

Whether it’s a door flap or a gap in the fence, a husky will find his way through it.

Considering that the Mini Husky is better able to slip through small cracks than his bigger cousin, you need to be extra careful.

However, you shouldn’t keep him cooped up 24/7 either.

Just like the Siberian Husky, the Miniature Siberian Husky is a big bundle of energy packed inside a tiny body.

If you don’t give him an outlet for his nervous energy, he’ll find said outlet by trashing your house completely.

How to Exercise A Small Husky

Despite their size, Mini Huskies are no less active than Siberian Huskies.

The Mini Siberian Husky isn’t the type to go on a 20-minute walk and be done with it. He needs to walk for at least an hour or two, and at a brisk pace.

If you’re a runner or hiker, it’ll be easier to keep up with your spunky little furball.

Take him with you on your trips: He’s sure to love the opportunity to stretch his paws.

Related: The Loving Pitbull Husky Mix or Pitsky

If you’re not up for a walk, but your husky is, no worries: Let him play in your yard instead. Just make sure all possible escape routes are sealed.

Otherwise, he won’t have second thoughts about sprinting after any small animal he sees.

You can also set up a pool where your Mini Husky can swim to his heart’s content.

Although swimming might not seem like an activity a sled dog will enjoy, a Mini Husky will happily take a chance to freshen up, especially if he lives in a warm climate.

How to Train A Small Husky

As their skill for escaping shows, Huskies are smart dogs. With the right training, they can easily pick up anything you teach them.

However, they do need firm and consistent guidance. The Husky temperament can give way to stubbornness unless you gently nudge them in the right direction.

Like human children, Miniature Huskies learn fastest when they’re young. As soon as you Mini Husky is eight weeks old, start teaching him the basics.

Start with crate training. Put your pooch inside a crate, but leave the door open so he can go out anytime he wants. Don’t forget to put things inside the crate that comfort him, like toys and blankets.

By doing this, you reassure your Mini Husky that the crate is a safe space, not a prison.

Repeat the same steps above, except gradually lengthen the time you keep your pooch in the crate. For example, you can keep him locked for 30 seconds, 60 seconds, a few minutes, an hour and so on and so forth.

The idea is to get him comfortable with staying in a crate for as long as possible.

Another way to train a Mini Husky is through the use of clickers.

For example, if you ask him to sit, and he sits, sound the clicker and then give him a reward. The reward can be in the form of praise (“Good Boy!”) or a treat.

Eventually, you’ll have to “wean” him off the clicker. Ideally, your dog should get to a point where, if you give out a command, he won’t need the clicker or a reward to understand what he needs to do.

That said, if your dog isn’t picking up a trick as quickly as he should, it might be a good idea to readjust expectations.

Different people learn in different ways, and dogs are no different. If the way you’re training him doesn’t work right now, try a different method.

Are Miniature Huskies Good Family Dogs?

Like all huskies, Mini Huskies are strong yet affectionate.

Huskies are lively dogs, but they’re rarely aggressive. They get along well with children, and can even get along with cats as long as they’ve been socialized to do so.

Plus, since Mini Huskies are small, there isn’t much of a chance of them knocking down toddlers and infants.

If your kids need a cute and furry playmate, the Mini Husky is more than happy to play the part.

Miniature Siberian Huskies possess energy levels that belie their size, making it easy for them to keep up with hyperactive children.

Related: The Lean and Beautiful Border Collie Husky Mix

Even though they only reach up to 16 inches in height, Mini Huskies will do everything they can to protect their family.

They will alert you whenever something’s not right in the house, and may even go after suspicious-looking strangers.

Sure, they’re nowhere near as intimidating as German Shepherds and Dobermans. But Mini Huskies aren’t afraid to let people know that nobody “messes” with their pack.

Health Concerns for the Mini Husky Breed

In general, Mini Huskies are healthy dogs. They can live for 12 to 14 years if well-cared for.

However, poor breeding practices (as well as the husky’s genetic predisposition to certain diseases) make them vulnerable to certain health conditions.

For example, a syndrome similar to Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada tends to affect Mini Huskies.

The syndrome causes blindness, fur discoloration, and skin infections, so get your dog tested as soon as any of these symptoms show up.

miniature husky

Other eye disorders that affect Miniature Siberian Huskies are cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and progressive retinal atrophy.

It’s not really known why these diseases affect huskies in particular, but research is still being done on the subject.

Also, Mini Huskies can suffer from skin disorders and hypothyroidism.

These skin disorders can be in the form of follicular dysplasia or zinc deficiency, the latter of which can be easily remedied by a vet-recommended additive.

As for hypothyroidism, a Mini Husky can develop it at any time. Therefore, get your dog checked for the disease at least once every two years.

How Much Is A Miniature Husky?

Since Mini Huskies are bred from the runt of Siberian Husky litters, they’re rarer than their bigger siblings and are more expensive.

On average, Miniature Huskies for sale cost between $950 and $1,450 for a single puppy.

Related: The Loving Athletic Golden Retriever Husky Mix

Note that the price range doesn’t include the additional costs of caring for a dog, such as food, training, supplies, medical care, grooming, and other essentials.

Factoring in these costs, your annual budget for a Miniature Husky would be roughly equivalent to what you initially paid for the puppy.

Where to Buy A Mini Husky

The best place to find Miniature Siberian Huskies is in North Carolina, where they were originally bred by Ms. Normandin. Any puppies purchased from her are sure to be of high quality, not to mention healthy.

miniature husky

Alternatively, you can buy Mini Huskies online, but you need to be careful.

A seller might claim to have Miniature Husky puppies (and charge accordingly), when in fact they have Siberian Husky puppies.

If you want to make sure you get what you pay for, buy your dog only from reputable breeders.

Is this the breed for you?

The Mini Husky shouldn’t be purchased on a whim.

Not only is the price a bit heavy on the wallet, but the dog may also come with a host of health problems that you’d probably rather not deal with.

Still, if you’re looking for a beautiful, companion-sized family dog who’ll bring energy and warmth to your home, you can’t go wrong with a Miniature Siberian Husky.

What are your thoughts on the Miniature Husky? Let us know in the comments, or give us a shout out through the social media venue of your choice.

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