If you are dreaming of a husky, but prefer a smaller-sized furry friend, the miniature husky might be the right pooch for you. These huskies are extremely similar to their full-sized counterparts, with the only real difference being their smaller size and weight.
The Siberian Club and AKC don’t recognize the miniature husky. They are genetically part of the Siberian husky breed and line, but they don’t meet the size and weight standard for the breed due to their smaller size.
If you are interested in a miniature husky, keep reading to learn if they are the right choice for you.
Contents
Quick Profile
You’ll find the basics of the miniature husky breed right here! To learn everything you should know before getting one, check out the upcoming sections as well.
Other Names: Mini Husky, Miniature Siberian Husky
Average Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Average Height: 13-16 inches for females, 17 inches or less for males
Average Weight: 20-30 pounds for females, 30-35 pounds for males
Coat Appearance: Dense, straight, medium-length double coat, can be black, white, gray, red, or tan, typically bicolor
Eye Colour: Blue, brown, or heterochromia
Activity Level: Medium to high
Grooming Frequency: Every 2 to 3 days
Typical Temperament: Friendly, affectionate, intelligent, high energy, attention seeking
Daily Food Consumption: 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups of kibble daily
New Owner Friendly: No
Suitable to live with children? Yes
Suitable to live with other dogs? Yes
Suitable to live with cats? Yes, if socialized well
Miniature Husky Appearance
Miniature huskies are identical to full-size Siberian huskies in everything but size. They have a dense fluffy coat, which can be a variety of colors, a prominent fluffy tail, and expressive faces.
They are often confused for Alaskan Klee-kai due to their appearance, but they are not the same type of dog. Klee kais are recognised by the AKC and are a mixture of Alaskan and Siberian huskies, as well as Schipperke and American Eskimos dogs.
Average Size
Like most breeds, females are smaller than males. You can expect females to reach 13 to 16 inches tall, and weigh 20 to 30 pounds.
Males can reach 17 inches tall. They weigh 30 to 35 pounds.
Miniature huskies are bigger than most breeds referred to as mini. However, they are significantly smaller than standard-sized huskies.
A standard-size husky can be 20 to 24 inches tall, and weigh 35 to 60 pounds.
Coat Appearance
Huskies are known for their dense and fluffy double coat. This coat keeps them warm in arctic conditions. They have a dense undercoat, and a topcoat, which is made up of guard hairs.
These two coats can be different colors, which means that there can be a wide range of colors and patterns. The most common coat colors for huskies are black and white, and gray and white. Some have a wolf-like appearance, which is known as an agouti coat.
It’s also possible for them to be solid black, white, or tan, red and white, or black and tan.
Physical Features
A miniature husky has a graceful appearance, with sleek lines despite their fluffy coat. They have erect triangle-shaped ears, and a long bushy tail.
They have a medium-length muzzle. Their nose can be black, liver-colored, or pale pink, which is known as a snow nose.
The miniature husky’s eyes can be brown or blue, and rarely, green. Heterochromia, which means each eye is a different color, is very common in huskies.
Parti-colored eyes, which means that each eye features two colors, are rare but also seen in the breed.
Miniature Husky Grooming Guide
Every husky owner loves the appearance and feel of their iconic coat. However, you may not be a fan when it comes to grooming your husky.
Coat maintenance is one of the reasons why huskies aren’t a great choice for first-time dog owners.
Grooming Your Miniature Husky
The good news is that grooming them often makes the process much easier. Frequent grooming prevents their fur from getting matted and helps remove dirt that can get trapped in their coat.
If you want to get a husky, you’ll need to be prepared to groom them at least 2 to 3 times per week.
During shedding season, their coat becomes much more work. They must be brushed daily while they are shedding. This helps remove shed hair, which speeds the process, and maintains their beautiful coat.
Grooming Tools
Grooming your miniature husky is easier if you have the right tools. We recommend a few simple items.
An undercoat rake: This is a must for double-coated breeds. It removes the loose fur from the undercoat easily.
A dematter tool: This is essentially a detangling brush for your pooch. The husky’s coat can become matted easily. The dematter has serrated edges, which remove matted fur gently without damaging their coat.
A pin brush: A pin brush is used for regular grooming. It removes loose hairs and dirt. It also stimulates new fur growth by massaging the skin.
Bathing Your Miniature Husky
Many owners make the mistake of bathing their husky too often. They are hygienic pooches, and require surprisingly few baths.
In fact, you should generally bathe them once every 3 to 5 months.
Huskies are similar to cats in their grooming habits. They maintain their coat by regular grooming, which is why frequent bathing isn’t usually necessary.
Overbathing can damage their coat and dry out their skin, so you should avoid bathing them more than necessary.
However, miniature huskies are mischievous and adventurous, which means they may get really dirty from time to time. If their coat is heavily soiled with dirt, mud, or debris, or they smell like your neighbor’s trash can, bathing them is a good idea.
The key is not to bathe them too often on a consistent basis.
Miniature Husky Temperament
Miniature huskies are very friendly and affectionate. They are high-energy, and always ready to play. They love being near their owner, but they are independent and can be stubborn.
Much of the Miniature Husky’s temperament comes from their background. They were originally domesticated by the Chukchi tribe of Siberia.
Huskies and Chukchi lived and worked together, which helped both species survive the perilous Siberian winters. They developed a very close bond, which the husky still maintains with its owners today.
The husky served as much more than a companion, however. They also pulled sleds, and had other jobs as well.
Husky’s working history is what makes them independent and stubborn at times. When pulling a sled, they must be prepared to act quickly. At the same time, they don’t do well when left alone for long periods and want to please their owner.
Are They Good for Families?
Yes, a miniature husky is a great choice for a family. They are excellent dogs for children. They have a high need for attention and fall in love with everyone in their household. They are highly pack oriented and view their family as their pack.
Can a Miniature Husky Live with Other Pets?
Miniature huskies do have a high prey drive, which can make it challenging to pair them with other pets.
As long as they are socialized well, they get along great with other dogs. Because they are pack oriented, they actually need to socialize with other dogs on a regular basis.
It can be difficult to have a husky and a smaller animal, like a cat or a hamster, due to their prey drive. If they are introduced to cats and other animals when they are young, they should get along with them well.
Of course, each pooch has their own personality. Not all miniature huskies will tolerate cats, but most should with the proper training and socialization.
Miniature Husky Health
Miniature huskies are generally healthy pooches and have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. However, like all breeds, there are some potential health issues you should be aware of.
Eye Issues
Huskies are prone to a few eye issues. One of these is Progressive Retinal Atrophy, or PRA. PRA causes blindness, usually at 2 to 3 years old.
Cataracts, which impair vision, and corneal dystrophy, which can eventually cause blindness, can also affect miniature huskies.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid is responsible for many functions in the body, including hormone production and metabolism.
Hypothyroidism means that the thyroid gland is underactive. This can cause unexplained weight gain, fatigue, and a dull, dry coat.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is common in medium to large dogs, including huskies. Because it’s passed on genetically, miniature huskies can also be at risk. Genetic testing can reveal your pooch’s risk of the condition.
Maintaining a healthy weight and exercise routine can help manage or prevent hip dysplasia.
Miniature Husky Health Testing
If you plan to breed a miniature husky, genetic testing should be done. However, tests can also give you important information about your husky’s health.
Tests your miniature husky should receive include:
- Physical exam
- Hip and elbow exam
- Ophthalmologist evaluation (to check for eye diseases)
- Blood tests ( to check thyroid and organ function, and vitamin levels)
Miniature Husky Exercise Needs
Huskies were bred to pull sleds through the snow, so they have very high energy levels. In fact, they are capable of travelling 150 miles in a day and reaching speeds of 30 mph for short periods of time.
You won’t need to take your miniature husky on a 20-mile run, although they are capable of running that far in a single session. They do need about 2 hours of exercise each day.
You can provide this exercise by walking or running with your husky. You can also play tug of war, fetch, and set up an obstacle course.
The mini husky’s smaller size means they don’t require quite as much exercise room as the standard husky. However, they still need plenty of space.
A fenced-in yard, in addition to regular exercise sessions, is ideal. Dog parks and dog-friendly hiking trails are also great ways to provide exercise for your pooch.
In addition to physical exercise, huskies need lots of mental stimulation. In fact, this is just as important for their well-being, and your sanity, as physical activity.
You can provide mental stimulation for your mini husky by playing games with them, teaching them commands, and giving them puzzle toys.
Final Thoughts
A miniature husky is a great companion, but they aren’t for everyone. They require lots of time, exercise, and training. If you have what it takes to care for them, they make it worth it with their friendly, outgoing personality and love for their owners.
