Huskies are one of the most loved dog breeds in the U.S.
The miniature husky will also no doubt win the hearts of whoever comes into contact with them.
Despite their smaller size, you should expect them to behave the same as a standard-sized husky. This means they will have the same high energy, loyalty, and intelligent personality.
However, their smaller size will make them easier to fit in different situations and lifestyles.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is a Miniature Husky?
It is important to not confuse the miniature Husky with the Alaskan Klee Kai. Whilst these breeds look similar, they are in fact two separate breeds.
Miniature huskies are smaller-sized standard Siberian huskies.
They were initially bred by Bree Normandin who took smaller-standard sized Siberian huskies and bred them together until the miniature Husky was formed.
Miniatures are more of a companion dog but technically they are classified as working dogs.
Standard huskies were originally bred to carry a light load over great distances. These dogs have an abundance of energy and are highly intelligent. They require a lot of daily exercise and socialization around people and other dogs.
- Overview: Purebred.
- Purpose: Companion.
- Weight: 20-35 pounds.
- Size: 13-17 inches.
- Temperament: Stubborn, friendly, and vocal.
Miniature Husky Appearance
A miniature Husky shares the same coat colorings, markings as standard Husky.
The only real difference is their height and weight. One striking feature that Huskies are known for is heterochromia. This is when one eye is a different color than the other eye. Ears are always erect and alert and a brush tail is present.
Size
- Males should stand between 14-17 inches tall and weigh 25-35 pounds.
- Females should stand between 13-16 inches and weigh 20-30 pounds.
Coat and Colors
These mini pups come in all the same coat colors that standard Siberian Huskies come in.
They can be in any color variation between white and black including red, brown, and sable. It is not uncommon for mini Huskies to have unusual markings or patterns on their face and body. Since they thrive in the cold snow, they have a double coat.
The coat is medium in length with an undercoat that is soft and dense. The outercoat is straight and it should be noted that the undercoat is what the mini Husky will shed during the shedding season.
Outside of their shedding season they still shed quite a bit throughout the year and will require regular weekly brushing.
5 Fun Facts About The Miniature Siberian Husky
- Husky’s almond-shaped eyes allow them to squint and keep snow out of their eyes.
- They are very good escape artists.
- One of the few fog breeds with piercing blue eyes.
- Due to their double coat, they can withstand extremely cold weather.
- They are very vocal and love to howl.
Miniature Husky Personality and Temperament
Just because the miniature Husky is smaller, it does not mean that they will like to lie on the sofa the entire day. They are not a lap dog and have been bred to be more of a companion animal, but they still love exercise.
Since this breed is naturally very athletic and active, they will need lots of daily physical and mental stimulation. True to their working breed background they are happiest when they have a task to do.
Regular exercise will not only be beneficial for this breed but will also be beneficial for the owner because it will help strengthen the relationship between pet and person.
Rally, agility, and obedience are a few activities that Siberian Huskies succeed at.
Huskies are very social dogs and will require socialization with both humans and other dogs. They do have a friendly personality and socialize well with children. Supervision is still required due to their high energy levels. This is not a breed that is suitable to be left alone the entire day and will get anxious and possibly destructive if this happens.
These dogs are great at escaping and must be in a fenced or enclosed environment when left alone.
They are prone to mischief, but this can be combated with lots of exercise and attention.
Miniature Huskies are not an aggressive breed and would not make great guard dogs as they do not bark a lot. Instead of barking they often howl and make other vocalizations similar to their wolf ancestors.
Is The Miniature Husky A Good Family Dog?
Miniature Huskies are good with kids and will get along great with anyone in the family. They enjoy human attention and will fit in nicely with most active families.
Caring for a Miniature Husky
A miniature Husky could be a very rewarding and loving companion, but they will need plenty of physical and mental stimulation.
If you have the time to invest in taking them out on walks or runs and providing them with mental challenges then they will be your best friend. However, if you do not put in the time they will become bored and destructive.
Mini huskies are very energetic and will need a way to release that energy.
As long as their requirements are met they should fit perfectly in your family.
Exercise Requirements
It needs to be emphasized that this breed is happier with a lot of exercises every day. A large enclosed yard to run in would make them happy along with at least a walk a day.
As they are expert escape artists you need to make sure their yard is enclosed. They are very smart and will find a way to get over or under.
Miniature Huskies’ smaller size makes it even easier for them to escape.
- Number of Walks Per Day: 2.
- Total Exercise Needed Per Day: 60+ Minutes.
Grooming and Shedding
Grooming is an important responsibility of a pet owner and should be done as needed.
Generally, with this pooch, that means brushing them several times a week.
They will shed because they were originally northern sled dogs that have developed a thick fur coat. When winter is over they shed their thicker winter coat for the warmer months. This heavy shedding will happen twice a year.
Proper grooming can help minimize some of this shedding.
Feeding and Diet
The miniature Husky is a smaller breed but will not fit the diet of most lapdogs or smaller breeds.
They are an energetic active dog that needs a diet to match their energy levels. They do best with a low-fat low-carb diet that has more meat but this does not necessarily have to be a raw diet.
You should always consult your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns. When monitoring their growth, it should be noted that an adult male should weigh between 25-35 pounds and a female should weigh between 20-30 pounds.
| Calories Per Day: | Cups of Kibble Per Day: |
|---|---|
| 1000 | ~2 |
Known Health Problems
The Siberian Husky is a relatively healthy breed. However, there are some health problems that they can be predisposed to such as:
- Progressive retinal atrophy.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Hip dysplasia.
Exam fees are included, which saves you around $50-$250 per sick visit.
PetPlan covers injury and disease in every adult tooth — not just the canines.
Not all providers cover hereditary conditions linked to breed. PetPlan does.
How Long Does A Miniature Husky Live?
A miniature Husky on average lives between 12-14 years.
How Much Does A Miniature Husky Cost?
You should expect to pay around $1500 for a miniature Husky puppy.
How To Train a Miniature Husky
The miniature Husky is a very intelligent breed that can quickly learn new things. However they tend to be stubborn, so it is important to implement a training program as soon as they are brought home.
It is crucial to start early and find a way to train that is both fun for the trainer and dog.
Dog training requires hours of dedication, repetition, and patience.
In order to instill trust, you should always positively reinforce your puppy when it does something good (this can range from a pat on the head to a treat).
They enjoy the outdoors and running a lot more than being cooped up so you should keep that in mind. The best way to train these dogs is through outdoor running activities. They have a lot of endurance and including activities that can help them exercise is very beneficial.
One activity they would enjoy is cycling.
This involves a harness and a leash so your dog can run with you as you cycle. Huskies are also ideal candidates for agility completions as they are light on their feet and very fast.
The final and most obvious activity would be sled or dog race training. They have been bred to pull things over a long distance and this activity would be at the heart of what they like to do.
Buyer’s Guide
| Pros | Cons |
| Friendly and well-tempered. | Sheds a lot due to double coat. |
| Extremely intelligent. | Notorious escape artists. |
| Great athletic companion. | Very vocal. |
| Playful. | Strong prey drive. |
| Prone to destructive behavior when bored. |
Quick Breed Summary Table
| Breed Characteristics | |
| Size: | 13-17 inches |
| Weight: | 20-35lb |
| Lifespan: | 12-14 years |
| Coat: | Medium length double coat |
| Color: | Many different colors and mixes of whites, blacks, red, brown, and sable |
| Do They Shed: | Yes |
| Temperament: | Mischievous, loyal, and outgoing |
| Intelligence: | High |
| Socialization: | Independent but very social with both people and other dogs |
| Destructive Behavior: | Gets destructive if bored and not exercised properly |
| People Skills: | They can be stubborn but friendly |
| Good with Children: | Yes |
| Activity Levels: | Very high energy levels |
Summary
The miniature Husky will make a great companion for anyone who enjoys being active. They are not couch potatoes so the owner should be someone who can dedicate time to meeting their exercise needs.
If you can keep up with this mischievous and energetic breed then you will have a lifelong friend.
They will amaze you with their ability to run and run but will be there for you when you need them – their loyalty is strong.
Even though they love to be active they are still very adaptable and could live in an apartment providing that the owner is able to provide them with daily physical and mental stimulation.
I have had 4 huskys last 30 years. Love them!
I am looking for a miniature husky to get as a family pet for my fiancé and I neither of us can have kids any more and we would like one to raise as a pup so we can have a fur baby together to raise like our child and give us something to do together. So please contact me if anyone is breeding any and selling any at moment when you read this. Sincerely Donald Wayne Stephens
Hello Wayne, we have a Miniature Husky male we mated with our Klee Kai female. If you don’t know, a Klee Kai is like a long haired Miniature Huskey. She is due to have 3 pups any day now. They are both gorgeous, incredibly smart, and BEST mannered dogs. They truly are our babies! Both are also extremely healthy and have regular checkups with vet. Feel free to email me if interested, crefreshed2222@yahoo.com. – Christine
Hi Christine,
Did your klee kai have her puppies and are they available?
Look forward hearing from you.
Thanks
Bree
Hey i need one of best in breed dog breeder
Hi, we are looking for a miniature husky breed. We both just moved into our new home and are looking for a new edition. If anyone knows of a breeder that is preferably reliable, please contact us.