Do you love Huskies but worry that you don’t have the time, patience or room for one? Now might be the perfect time to consider a Miniature Husky. A Miniature Husky is essentially a shrunk-down version of a Husky. Though it looks the same and has the same temperament and attention span, this dog breed is a much smaller version. It has everything that you love about a White Husky but is usually only 17 inches tall or shorter.
They share some coat and facial features with a wolf but do not need as much space or exercise as a true Husky does. You might love this dog, even more, when you consider that you can keep one in a tiny home or apartment. Our guide introduces you to everything you need to know about the Miniature Husky before you welcome a puppy into your family.
Breed Information on the Miniature Husky
- A Miniature Husky typically stands 14 to 17 inches tall
- They weigh between 25 and 35 pounds on average
- Your puppy has a lifespan of 12 to 14 years
- Miniature Huskies belong to the Working Class breed
- They do best in homes where their families are very active
- These dogs can be pure white or have white fur with black, copper or gray spots
- You’ll hear some call this breed a Pocket-Sized Wolf or a Mini Husky
Mini Husky History
Mini Huskies are suitable for dog owners who love the look of Siberian Huskies but know that they do not have the space that those dogs need. Not only do they need less room inside, but they can get by with a smaller yard or with daily walks. You do not need to exert as much energy to care for or train one of these dogs as you would with a full-grown Husky.
Before you buy a Miniature Husky puppy in the hopes of taking part in dog shows, keep in mind that these dogs do not have recognition from the American Kennel Club. The American Kennel Club does not recognize this breed because it is too similar to the Siberian Husky.
Miniature Pedigree
Some of the other small dog breeds that you see are designer dogs such as the Miniature German Shepherd. Miniature Huskies are pedigree dogs that share genes and chromosomes with the Siberian Husky. Siberian Husky breeders looked for the smallest puppies in each litter known as the runts. They then bred males and females with different parents to create a miniature Husky. The smallest dogs in a litter will typically be the smallest adults. Mini Huskies can be more than 40% smaller than a traditional Husky.
The history of the Mini Husky dates back to the 20th century when breeders in the United States looked for a way to breed smaller than average Huskies. They wanted these dogs to have the same temperament and the features that reminded owners of wolves. The first Siberian Huskies appeared several thousand years ago when the Chucki people bred them. Those people used them as both sled dogs and for companionship on their long trips. They found that the dogs would curl up with them on cold nights but also protect their livestock from intruders. The Siberian Husky name came from the Siberian region where the Chucki lived.
Years In The Making
It took many years for the dog to transition from a working dog to a family dog. Many credit the popularity of the breed with Togo. He was a sled dog owned by a man tasked with bringing a vaccination to Alaska during a long and harsh winter. Togo became a celebrity around the world for his role in the journey. Willem Dafoe even appeared on the big screen in a film adaption to the Togo story in 2019.
Some also credit Togo with helping this breed receive recognition from the AKC. Togo was so popular that dog owners came from around the world to breed him with their female Huskies. Nearly every Husky in the world today can trace its lineage back to him. Once you hear his story, you may even feel tempted to name your new puppy Togo.
Mini Husky Puppy Issues
You should always look for reviews and information about a Miniature Husky breeder. Buying from the wrong person can result in a sick puppy that lives for a few years or less. You might wind up with one that requires more medications and help than you can afford. The breeder should treat the puppies as their own, including giving them a warm and safe place to sleep and making sure that they are healthy. You will want to avoid taking the mini puppy from its mother until its eight weeks of age or older too.
Parvo is a common condition that can affect the puppies. While a vet can treat the condition, it is not easy or cheap. When you identify a breeder, you can ask to see where the puppies sleep and the location of the mother. Never buy a puppy from someone if the mother looks sick or tired. This can be a sign that the dog belongs to a puppy mill. A reputable breeder can answer all your questions and send you updates from the time of the puppy’s birth to the day that you pick it up.
Your Guide to Miniature Husky Puppies
A mother dog can give birth to up to 11 Mini Husky puppies or have a litter with as few as nine puppies. Though most large breeds have litters of the same average size, this is on the high side for small and miniature breeds. The puppies come out of the womb looking like adorable little fluffy balls and only become more lovable over time. While they look similar to Siberian Husky puppies, they are usually at least half the size.
If you look for puppies for sale from good breeders, you’ll find that some charge as much as $3,000 for a Husky puppy that came from good stock. This can mean that one of its grandparents or great grandparents was a show dog. Breeders charge more for the smallest dogs too because they know that you can breed your money and make money from the litters. Some of the more affordable breeders sell these puppies for as little as $500-600. If you see Miniature Huskies selling for less than $500, the babies may come from a puppy mill.
Miniature Husky Temperament
As Siberian and Miniature Huskies share the same genes, you can expect the miniature version to act in the same way that the large breed does. They are very sassy, which is why you often see this dog walking down the street with a strut in its step and a wiggle in its tail. Miniature Huskies can also be downright naughty. Not only can the dog ignore you when you state a command, but it may take off if you drop the leash on a walk because it sees something interesting.
Husky owners also describe the miniature breed as playful and dominant. While they love playing games and chasing their tail, they also like to be the alpha dog and can act out if they don’t get enough attention. Many like how loyal the dogs are to their owners. If you need to spend a week or more away from home, you can come back to find that your dog loves you just as much as when you left. Some military people found that their dogs loved them after they spent a year or more overseas.
With a Miniature Husky, you also get a companion pet that loves you as much as you love it. They love cuddling with their owners and can cuddle with other pets too. Don’t be surprised if you come home from work one day to see your new puppy sleeping in the arms of your adult cat. They also do well in farm settings and with animals such as goats and chickens. As a bonus, they also have a small size that makes them perfect for traveling.
Miniature Huskies and Families
The Miniature Husky is a dog breed that you can feel safe bringing to a home with young children. They are excitable and love the attention that they get from kids. Not only can your Pocket-Sized Wolf help your kids burn off some of their excess energy, but your kids can wear the dog out too. As with Siberian Huskies, these mini dogs can have enough energy to go for a long run or bike ride and still want to play when they get home.
One thing to keep in mind is that this breed can develop separation anxiety, especially if your home is empty for several hours a day. The dog has a short attention span and feels as though time moves slower than it does. Your puppy can bark and howl when anyone leaves the house and make the same noises when people come home. They can also escape from small openings in an enclosure when kept inside or out.
How to Care for a Miniature Husky
Though Miniature Huskies require less care than Siberian Huskies do, this isn’t a dog that can survive on one meal and a few pets a day. This breed is best for people who work from home or are home for long hours. If you have some experience with large breeds, you can easily handle one of these dogs. While they are so cute that you might want to take one on vacation, it requires more energy and attention than you might expect.
Miniature Huskies need at least two bowls of kibble or dry food every day. You should pick a type of food that gives the dog a minimum of 1,000 calories a day. Puppy food is best for new puppies because it has more calories and the vitamins and minerals that growing dogs need. Once your puppy is one year old, you can switch to a dry food designed for small dogs. It’s also helpful to look for food designed for active breeds.
When feeding your little wolf, try to divide the food into two servings or more each day. This will keep the dog from overeating and ensure that it has enough calories to get through to the next meal. Though you can give your puppy healthy treats, try not to rely too much on those treats. Miniature Huskies are smart enough that they can pick up where you hide those treats and get to them when you’re not home. One treat per day is more than enough.
Mini Husky Exercise Routine
Despite their miniature size, this Husky breed needs just as much exercise as a Siberian Husky does. It needs daily activities that will stimulate both its mind and body. They have so much energy that you can go for a long run and come home to find your dog wants you to throw a toy or chase it around the yard. This miniature breed does best in homes where it has a large outdoor yard because it can find ways to occupy itself when you don’t want to play.
As Mini Huskies are such escape artists, you should have a fenced-in yard. Make sure that you walk around the perimeter of the fence to make sure that there aren’t any holes large enough for your dog to slip through. You can own this breed if you don’t have a fenced-in yard, but you will need to devote more time to it. Plan on spending a minimum of two hours playing and exercising with the Husky every day.
Running is one of the best activities for a Miniature Husky. It uses the same muscle groups that their ancestors used when working as sled dogs and helps them burn off some of their excess energy. Leash training is especially helpful for Huskies of all sizes because it teaches the dog that you are in control and that they can’t run off on their own. With proper leash training, your dog may stay in one spot and right by your side if the leash isn’t connected or its harness slips off.
Training a Miniature Husky Dog
It’s never too early to start working with your Miniature Husky. Early training with a leash and harness ensures that the dog doesn’t run away every time it sees something interesting. Experts often recommend positive reinforcement in which you reward the dog for a positive action. To make sure that your dog doesn’t take in too many calories, you can break the treats into small pieces and alternate treats with affection.
As the owner of a Mini Husky, keep in mind that these dogs are so smart that regular training sessions can feel dull and boring. They think of those sessions in the same way that you thought about some classes in school. Hide and seek is a fun game that this breed likes. You can hide in a different room and reward the dog for finding you or hide one of its toys and ask the dog to find it.
Miniature Husky Health Problems
Miniature Huskies are prone to the same health problems that affect Siberian Huskies. Progressive retinal atrophy is a serious condition that causes retinal degeneration. The retina can break down to the point where your dog cannot see. Some studies found that this condition is more common in males than in females.
These small dogs can also suffer from hypothyroidism, which affects the thyroid gland and stops it from functioning properly. It prevents the thyroid from releasing the right levels of hormones and can cause the dog to put on weight or lose patches of fur. Your veterinarian can perform a full exam and take into account the symptoms you notice to both determine what is wrong with your Mini Husky and come up with a treatment plan.
Grooming a Miniature Husky
Miniature Huskies are so small and adorable that you might think that they need a lot of grooming. This breed can have dark brown eyes that melt your heart or bright blue eyes that you want to stare at all day. They can have coats that mix black, gray or copper and white or a pure white coat similar to a White Husky. Huskies are not hypoallergenic because they shed as the weather changes.
Not only do you want to brush the dog once a week or more often, but you’ll also want to give it frequent baths to get rid of some of that shedding hair. A good stiff or wire brush can get through the double coat to the thicker coat below. If you opt for professional grooming, have the groomer brush the Husky’s teeth and inspect its ears too.
Similar to an Alaskan Husky, a Miniature Siberian Husky can be a lot of fun. This purebred loves playing and running through the snow as much as other Husky dogs do and require a lot of daily exercise. Their smaller size makes them perfect for those who can’t handle a standard Siberian Husky. Thanks to its adorable look and high energy levels, a Miniature Husky might be the ultimate dog for you.