Huskies are one of the most popular breeds in the U.S. today. Miniature Huskies aren’t as well known, but those who do know them quickly fall in love.
Miniature Huskies are a smaller version of the Siberian Husky. They may be small, but they are big on energy and affection.
Miniature Husky Facts
The Miniaure Husky can be mistaken for the Alaskan Klee Kai because they look very similar. However, they are two separate breeds.
Siberian Huskies were bred to work in very cold conditions. They were sled dogs, and would pull sleds over long distances in the snow. Today, they are very popular as companions, but they are still used as sled dogs in northern areas.
Siberian Huskies began as companions for the Chukchi people, who lived in the Chukchi region of Eastern Siberia. In 1908, they were brought to Nome, Alaska, where they served as sled dogs. They quickly gained popularity in the region, and became popular for sled dog racing.
Miniature Huskies are technically working dogs as well. However, they were not bred for their sledding abilities. Instead, they were bred to be pets.
They were initially created by Bree Normandin. She began breeding smaller Siberian Huskies. Breeding the smallest sized Huskies she could find over generations eventually created what we know as the Miniature Husky.
Siberian Huskies are descended from wolves that was alive 35,000 years ago. Today’s Huskies are very similar to these ancient canines.
Miniature Husky Appearance
Miniature Huskies look just like their full size counterparts, only smaller. They often have different colored eyes, which is known as heterochromia. They have erect ears and a long bushy tail.
Miniature Husky Coat
Miniature Huskies have a double coat, like other Huskies. The undercoat is soft and thick. Their overcoat is medium in length. Huskies shed twice a year to prepare for changing weather conditions.
Minature Huskies come in a wide range of colors, just like the Siberian Husky. They share these colors with the ancient wolves they are descended from, as well as modern wolves.
Miniature huskies can be Augoti and black, black and white, gray and white, sable and white, and red and white. They can also be completely white, but this is a rare color.
The agouti color, also known as agouti and black, is the most common coat color. The undercoat is black. The overcoat is made up of lighter colors, typically white and gray.
This gives the Husky a wolf like appearance. This coat color is also known as “wild” for this reason.
Miniature Husky Price
Miniature Huskies are slightly more expensive than their full size relatives. They cost between $1,000 to $2,500. The average price for a standard Husky is $1,000.
Miniature Husky Rarity
Miniature Huskies are rare. This is because they are a new breed. As the breed grows, you can expect miniature Huskies to become more common.
Miniature Husky Life expectancy
Minautre Huskies have a relatively long lifespan of 12 to 15 years. This is a bit longer than full size Huskies, who live for 11-13 years.
Generally, smaller breeds live longer than larger breeds. This may be the reason mini Huskies live longer.
Miniature Husky Size and weight
Male Miniature Huskies can grow up to 17 inches tall, and weigh up to 35 pounds. Females grow to 13 to 17 inches tall, and weigh 20 to 30 pounds.
Some sources state that any Husky that is too small to meet the breed standard for the Standard Husky can be considered a Miniature Husky. Full-size Huskies typically weigh between 44-61 pounds for males, and females weigh 35-51 pounds.
Miniature Huskies do not currently have a breed standard, because they haven’t been recognized by any of the breed registries. They obviously don’t meet the standard for the Siberian Husky, and the registries have not declared them a separate breed.
Miniature Husky Health
Miniature Huskies are similar to standard Siberian Huskies in all respects other than their size. This means they are prone to the same health conditions as other Huskies.
They are considered a healthy breed. However, all breeds have their share of common health issues.
Eye Issues
Miniature Huskies are at a risk of a few eye issues. One of these is Progressive Retinal Atrophy, or PRA. This disease is inherited. The eyes are programed to go blind, usually at 2 or 3 years of age.
Glaucoma is another issue that is common in Huskies. Glaucoma causes increased fluid and pressure in the eye. Unfortunately, this causes pain as well as vision loss.
Seizures
Huskies are also prone to seizures. This is often passed on from parents, so Huskies with seizures should not be bred. The seizures can usually be managed with medication.
Seizures typically begin between 6 months to 3 years old.
The symptoms of seizures in Huskies are similar to those in humans. They include muscle spasms, salivating or drooling, pooping or peeing involuntarily, and “treading water”, which means their limbs move as if they are swimming. They can last for as little as 30 seconds or as long as 5 minutes.
Laryngeal Paralysis
Laryngeal Paralysis occurs when the muscles and nerves that control the voice box degenerate. It’s a progressive condition, which means it gets worse over time.
The symptoms of Laryngeal Paralysis include difficulty breathing, weakness, and difficulty swallowing. They may also make a noisy or raspy sound when breathing.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when the thyroid is underactive. The thyroid creates the hormones that control metabolism. Hypothyroidism leads to unexplained weight gain, fatigue, and coat issues.
Miniature Husky Behavior/Characteristics
Miniature Huskies are bred to be companions. However, they are far from sedentary. These dogs don’t want to spend all day in your lap. Instead, they want to do things with you. They want to play, and will happily follow you around throughout your day.
They are very social animals. They are naturally very pack oriented. This is ideal for sled dogs, who must work closely together.
This means that they need lots of social interaction. They do best when they can interact with other dogs. If they are an only pooch, you should set up regular doggie play dates.
They also need plenty of human interaction. This makes them ideal for families, because they have more people to interact with.
Their gregarious personality means that they will get along with nearly anyone, including strangers and other animals. This makes them poor guard dogs, but excellent companions.
How to care for a Miniature Husky
Miniature Huskies can be a bit easier to care for than their full size counterparts, but they are still a lot of work. The effort is well worth it, however. They are loyal, energetic, and loving dogs that can make your life better.
What Does a Miniature Husky Need?
A Miniature Husky needs a few things. One of these is plenty of attention. They do not do well if left alone for long periods. They will get bored and lonely, which can lead to behavioral problems.
Before you get a Miniature Husky, be sure that you or your family have the time to devote to them. ‘
You should also be sure they have an adequate play area. Huskies are well known escape artists, and this applies to Miniature Huskies as well.
Standard Huskies can easily climb or jump fences. This isnt’ as much of a problem with Miniature Huskies. However, you’ll need to be sure their area is secure.
Preferably, they should have a fenced in yard that is difficult for them to climb over or dig under.
Grooming
Grooming a Husky can be intimidating, thanks to their lush thick coat. The good news is that they are easier to groom than many double coated breeds.
They need brushing at least once a week. You should start with a comb to remove any mats. Then, use a paddle brush to remove any shedding hair. This also removes dirt and oil.
Start by brushing their undercoat, and then move to the overcoat.
They will shed twice a year, when the weather begins to change. This allows their coat to adapt to the temperature, becoming thicker in the winter and lighter in the summer.
If you brush them daily during this time, you can speed up the shedding process. You’ll also reduce the amount of hair that gets on your furniture, clothes, etc.
You should bathe them between once every week to once every six weeks. Once a month is usually recommended. Their skin doesn’t produce a lot of oil. This prevents them from looking dirty or developing a “dog smell”.
Exercise
Miniature Huskies might be smaller, but they still have lots of energy. They require a little less space than a full size Husky, which makes them a better choice for apartments or small yards.
However, they do need a very high amount of exercise. Huskies can run as much as 150 miles a day. Obviously, you aren’t expected to take your Husky on a 2 day run. However, this does show how active they actually are.
In general, your Husky will need at least 1 to 2 hours of exercise each day. It’s best if they have a large yard. However, if you live in an urban area, you can walk them or take them to a dog park.
In addition to walks, you can play games like fetch. Huskies are very social dogs, and love having playmates. Many owners say that having two Huskies is easier than having one, because they help tire each other out.
They also require plenty of mental stimulation. They are highly intelligent. After all, they were originally bred for pulling a sled through the snow. This required them to be vigilant and problem solve.
Training
Huskies can be hard to train. They are very intelligent. However, they are also independent. A Husky pulling a sled receives little direction from their owner.
They know what to do, and they do it. This is great on the frozen tundra. However, this independence means they can be reluctant to listen to commands.
It’s possible to train them. In fact, it’s required for both you and your Husky’s well being. However, when training them, you’ll need to work with them.
Think of your Miniature Husky as a teenager. To teach children, you need to be authoritative. Once a child reaches their teenage years, you need to take a more co-operative approach. You need to be partners to a degree, instead of simply an authority figure.
If you train your Mini Husky in this way, training will be much easier and more enjoyable for both of you.
How do you buy a Miniature Husky?
In most cases, it’s recommended to buy a registered dog. This provides proof of their ancestry, and weeds out unethical breeders.
However, Miniature Huskies are not currently recognized as a breed, so they can’t be registered. This means you’ll need to do your homework before choosing a breeder.
Finding Breeders
The simplest way to find a Miniature Husky breeder is to do an internet search. However, this is only the first step. The next step is to make sure that the breeder is ethical.
Web Presence
One way to find an ethical breeder is to look at their web presence. A reputable breeder should have a professional web presence. If their website looks like no effort was put into it, or their only web presence is a classified ad, they are not a good choice.
Asking Questions
Another way to learn if a breeder is ethical is to ask questions. Ask them how they choose breeding pairs, and how they ensure the health of their dogs.
You should also expect them to ask you questions. A reputable breeder will want them to go to good homes. Expect them to ask you about the living conditions the dog will have, and what your intentions are with the pooch.