Miniature huskies come from a line of huskies that have been purposefully bred down in size to achieve a smaller dog. Aside from being smaller, they share all the same attributes as full-sized huskies. Though they are small, they have the same big personalities as their larger counterparts!
We understand that huskies are unique and require special care, so we’ve created this one-stop shop to help you find the must-have items for your furry friend.
- Grooming Tools
- Dog Food, Treats & Supplements
- Toys & Enrichment
- Training Aids
- Comfort & Safety
Key Questions Answered
What is a miniature husky?
A miniature husky is the end result of selectively breeding smaller sized huskies.
How much is a miniature husky?
The price of a miniature husky is usually $800 to $1500, but can be as high as $3000 depending on location and reputation of the breeder.
Where to buy a miniature husky?
If you are looking for a miniature husky for sale, we recommend Nordic Mini Huskies.
Miniature Husky Traits & Characteristics
| Traits | Mini Husky |
|---|---|
| Eye Color | Brown, blue, green or mixed |
| Coat Colors | Black and white, red and white, gray and white, sable and white, agouti and white, as well as all black and all white |
| Shedding | High shedding but less volume due to smaller size |
| Height | 12 to 16 inches tall |
| Weight | 15 to 30 pounds |
| Temperament | Affectionate, free-spirited, playful , energetic |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years |
| Intelligence | Average obedience intelligence. High instinctive and adaptive intelligence. |
| Activity Level | Highly active |
| Good With Kids? | Great with kids |
| Origin | Bred by Bree Normandin |
| Price | $800 to $1500 |
| PROS | Smaller-size, active, and intelligent |
| CONS | High-energy, potential health issues and shedding |
Appearance
In terms of appearance, miniature huskies are carbon copies of huskies. They are just a little smaller! A standard husky will typically weigh between 35 and 60 pounds, but a mini husky will rarely weigh more than 30 pounds. They will also be about half the height of a standard husky. They have the same face shape, the same triangular, husky ears, and the same fluffy medium-length coat.
Color
Miniature huskies come in all of the standard husky colors. These include black and white, red and white, gray and white, sable and white, agouti and white, as well as all black and all white. Husky eyes, including miniature huskies, can be brown, blue, green or heterochromia, meaning they can have one of each!
Further reading: Do huskies change color as they age?
Coat & Shedding
Mini huskies have the same thick, double-coat as full-size huskies. It is made up of a soft, downy undercoat with longer, more coarse guard hairs for the topcoat.
The volume of fur may be less but mini huskies still shed a lot. They will require regular brushing, and your home will require regular vacuuming!
Further reading: Husky Shedding
Size
Miniature Siberian Huskies typically weigh between 15 and 30 pounds and stand around 12 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder. Typical Siberian Huskies are usually about double that size and stand at about 20 to 23.5 inches tall, and weigh between 35 and 60 pounds, depending on whether they are male or female.
Further reading: Why is my husky so small?
Temperament & Personality
These dogs are known for their affectionate nature and are very loyal to their owners. They enjoy being close to their family members and crave attention and affection. These dogs are typically very friendly with people and other dogs.
Mini Siberian Huskies are also known for their vocalizations, including howling and ‘talking.’ They are expressive dogs that use their body language and vocalizations to communicate their feelings.
Lifespan
As is the case with most dog breeds, like the standard Siberian husky’s lifespan, the lifespan of a miniature husky can vary based on several factors such as genetics, environment, and overall health.
On average, a miniature husky has a lifespan of 12 to 14 years. However, with proper care and attention, some Miniature Huskies have been known to live up to 16 years or more. Of course, proper nutrition, exercise, and regular veterinary care are all factors that can help improve their health and, thereby, their longevity.
Activity Level
Despite their smaller stature, rest assured that miniature huskies are just as active as their full-sized counterparts! They require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation each day to stay happy and healthy.
Intelligence
Miniature Siberian Huskies, or “mini huskies,” are bred to have the same intelligence as their larger counterparts. Siberian Huskies are known to be intelligent and independent dogs, which means that mini huskies may also possess these traits.
That being said, it is important to keep in mind that intelligence can vary among individual dogs, regardless of breed or size. Additionally, the intelligence of a dog can be influenced by factors such as training, socialization, and environmental factors.
Are Miniature Huskies Good With Kids?
Miniature huskies are, in most cases, really great with kids! They are the perfect small size but still full of energy and eager to play with someone. That being said, though, it is important to supervise interactions between children and dogs, especially when the dog is still a puppy or if the child is very young.
Speed, Strength & Endurance
Mini huskies, though small, are still incredible athletes. They may not be quite as fast or have as much endurance as standard huskies, but they certainly are not far behind! They are well-suited for all sorts of outdoor activities and sports.
Behavior
One of the defining characteristics of huskies is their high energy level, and mini huskies are no exception. They are a very active breed and require daily exercise and playtime to keep them happy and healthy.
Exercise can include activities like:
- Walks
- Runs
- Playing fetch
- Going to the dog park
If they don’t get enough exercise, they may become bored. When huskies get bored, they can start to exhibit naughty or unwanted behavior like digging, scratching, excessive barking, and so on. It will be important to focus on training as well as making sure these pups have plenty of opportunities to keep busy throughout the day.
Visit our Husky Behavior hub to learn more.
History & Origin of the Miniature Husky
Siberian Huskies’ history can be traced back to 4,000 years ago. They were first bred by the Chukchi people of northern Siberia, where they were used to help pull sleds. Over time, Siberian Huskies found their way to the rest of the world and continued to grow in popularity.
Miniature huskies, on the other hand, were first purposefully bred in the 1990s when a breeder by the name of Bree Normandin started adding some of the smallest huskies she could find to her breeding program. By selectively breeding smaller huskies, Bree was eventually able to produce a husky that was about half the size of a full-sized husky!
Further reading: Different Types of Huskies
Breeding
Miniature huskies are bred by breeding huskies that are smaller in size to one another until, eventually, a miniature pup is produced. As you can imagine, this practice takes some time to get to the end result, and since they are still a rather new breed, there aren’t very many breeders out there.
However, you can expect the number of breeders and the number of mini huskies to start rising as there seems to be an increasing demand for these miniature pups, and they are growing more and more popular.
How to Take Care of a Miniature Husky
Learning how to take care of a husky is soooo important, even if they are miniature!
Nutrition
In order to meet the nutritional needs of a miniature Siberian husky, it is important to provide a high-quality, balanced diet that contains adequate amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
Protein is necessary for maintaining strong muscles and healthy tissues, so it is important to look for dog foods that list meat, poultry, fish, or eggs as their first ingredient. A moderate amount of fat is necessary to provide energy and maintain healthy skin and coat.
It is important to choose dog foods that meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards for a balanced diet.
Additionally, portion control is important for Miniature Siberian Huskies to prevent weight gain, so try to stick to a regular feeding schedule and follow the feeding guidelines provided by your chosen dog food.
These feeding guidelines are typically based on weight and age. They will have a chart with weight and age and correlating amounts of food.
Visit our Husky Nutrition hub to learn more.
Exercise
Miniature huskies need daily exercise to maintain their physical health and energy levels. Even with their smaller size, they are still bred to be active and energetic dogs.
Miniature huskies require at least 60 minutes of exercise per day, which can include:
- Walks
- Runs
- Playtime in a fenced yard
Other forms of exercise or activity can include obedience or agility training. These types of training sessions typically involve a fair amount of movement as well as mental stimulation, which is especially important for huskies.
Consistency is key when it comes to exercising a miniature husky. A regular exercise routine will help them stay healthy and happy, and it will also make it easier for you to manage their energy levels and behavior.
For more info, read our guide about how much exercise huskies need.
Grooming
Grooming a mini husky requires frequent brushing. To effectively brush your mini husky’s coat, you will need a slicker brush or a comb. Slicker brushes have fine wire bristles that are designed to penetrate the thick fur, while combs can help to remove tangles and mats.
Choose a brush that is appropriate for your mini husky’s coat length and thickness. There are also various deshedding tools that can help remove loose undercoat.
Other aspects of grooming to keep in mind include:
- Regular nail trims
- Ear cleaning
- Teeth brushing
Mini huskies don’t need frequent baths, but they can benefit from an occasional bath. Bathing can help remove dead, loose fur. Be sure to use a deshedding shampoo, and to prevent your dog’s coat from drying out, use a deshedding conditioner to help keep the coat moisturized.
For more info, read our guide about husky grooming.
Training
Training a mini husky can be a rewarding experience for both the owner and the dog. As with any dog breed, it’s important to start with basic obedience training, such as sit, stay, come, and heel.
Mini huskies are intelligent dogs and learn quickly, so dog training methods like positive reinforcement with treats and praise, can be effective in reinforcing good behavior. Consistency is also key when training a mini husky, as establishing a routine and being patient and persistent in training efforts can lead to the desired results.
For mini husky puppies, it will be important to focus on crate training, which will help teach the puppy that the crate is a safe and enjoyable place to be. This way, you’ll have somewhere safe to put your pup when you are unable to supervise them directly!
Visit our Husky Training hub to learn more.
Puppies
Mini husky puppies are incredibly cute pups. They look exactly the same as the standard husky puppies. They simply are smaller! Like any husky puppy, the mini husky puppy will be incredibly energetic and playful. They’ll also be just as much work as any other puppy!
It will be important to start training right away. But remember to train in short increments so the puppy doesn’t get worn out and keep it a fun and rewarding experience. A good place to start with training aside from potty training and crate training, of course, is recall or coming on command. Many dogs struggle with this command, especially if off-leash because there is just so much to see and do outside instead of going back to their owner!
However, for the dog’s safety, it is essential that they know to come when called, and dogs should always be kept on a leash until they are reliable in their ability to come when called. Training your husky to come when called could save them from danger!
For example, if they are running towards a busy road, or there is a loose dog that is coming their way, turning to come to you could keep them away from danger.
General Health
Miniature huskies are typically quite healthy dogs. They can live a long, happy, and healthy life with proper nutrition, exercise, and veterinary care. Just like their full-sized counterparts, though, mini huskies can be prone to some inheritable health problems.
Some common husky health problems that miniature huskies may also experience include:
- Hip dysplasia
- Patellar luxation
- Eye problems such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy
Additionally, they may be susceptible to certain genetic disorders due to their small size and selective breeding.
To ensure that your miniature husky remains healthy, it is important to provide proper nutrition, exercise, and regular veterinary checkups. Additionally, it is always a good idea to work with a reputable breeder who performs genetic health testing on their dogs to minimize the risk of inherited health issues.
Visit our Husky Health hub to learn more.
Miniature Husky Price
Miniature huskies, though still quite rare, are considered a designer breed by many people, so it is reasonable to expect them to be priced more so on the high end of husky prices.
The price of a miniature husky is usually $800 to $1500 However, depending on the location and reputation of the breeder, mini huskies can cost as much as $3,000.
Visit our Husky Price hub to learn about ongoing costs.
Miniature Husky Breeders
Below are two of the best miniature husky breeders in the United States.
Pros & Cons
Pros: Smaller-size, active and intelligent
Cons: High-energy, potential health issues and shedding
Miniature Husky Alternatives
Here is a list of husky mix breeds that are also miniature in size:
- Pomeranian Husky Mix
- Husky Chihuahua Mix
- Pug Husky Mix
- Corgi Husky Mix
- Beagle Husky Mix
- Boston Terrier Husky Mix
- Pitbull Husky Mix
- Jack Russell Husky Mix
Recommendation
Miniature Siberian huskies are a great option for those who love the Siberian husky breed but prefer a smaller size dog that is easier to manage. However, it’s important to note that the breed is still relatively rare, and finding a reputable breeder can be challenging. It’s important to do your research and ensure that you are getting a healthy and well-socialized puppy from a reputable source.
Do you have a mini husky?
Share your experience in the comments below.
