Mini Husky: Your Complete Guide
Want the goofy, playful personality of a Siberian husky in an apartment-friendly, manageable size?
Then the mini husky — a selectively bred, smaller version of the Siberian husky — is sure to make a paw-fect companion!
Mini huskies reach up to 17 inches tall and weigh under 35 pounds. They’re energetic, affectionate, and love nothing more than being by their owners’ sides.
While they make great family companions, these bundles of fluff aren’t suitable for every household. To help you determine whether a mini husky is right for you, we’ve covered the breed’s temperament, trainability, energy level, and care needs below.
Let’s dive in!
A Quick Look at Mini Huskies
Mini huskies are rare and pretty new to the doggy world. Chances are, this is the first time you’ve heard of them — we’ll provide a quick overview of what to expect below.
| Weight/Height | Around 15 to 30 pounds, up to 17 inches tall |
| Coat Type | Thick dense, double coat |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | Loyal, mischievous, vocal, independent, playful |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | Yes, with training and socialization |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits |  |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years |
What Is the History of Mini Huskies?
The mini husky was first developed in the early 1990s by Siberian husky breeder Bree Normandin. She selectively bred smaller-sized huskies together until the lovable, pint-sized mini husky became what it is today. Since Bree Normandin retired, her children have continued to develop the breed and carry on the mini husky’s legacy.
While mini huskies are a distinct size standard of the Siberian husky, they haven’t yet received official recognition from any breed organizations.
What Do Mini Huskies Look Like?
Apart from the size difference, mini huskies share the same physical characteristics as the Siberian husky. They have thick double coats, wolf-like facial features, and alert, striking eyes. Their coats are usually dual-colored and come in shades such as white, brown, tan, black, and agouti.
What Size Is a Mini Husky
The mini husky grows up to 17 inches tall and weighs between 15 and 30 pounds. Male mini huskies tend to be larger than females, though the exact size can vary on genetics, age, health, and diet.
What Is a Mini Husky’s Coat Type?
The mini husky has a thick, double coat consisting of a dense, short undercoat and a long, straight outer coat that helps protect him against the elements. The coat is also water-resistant and doesn’t trap odors and dirt easily.
A mini husky’s coat color can vary, but the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes the following colors and color combinations in the standard-size Siberian husky:
- Agouti and white
- Black and white
- Gray and white
- Red and white
- Sable and white
- Brown and white
- Black tan and white
- White
- Black
What Is a Mini Husky’s Temperament?
The mini husky is definitely the tiny comedian of the dog world! He loves to play, gets up to mischievous antics, and has an unrivaled sense of humour. When he’s not making you laugh, you’ll find him snoozing, exploring his surroundings, digging in the yard, or cuddling up on his favorite human’s lap.
While the mini husky does have an independent streak, he’s incredibly loyal and forms close bonds with his favorite humans. He also gets along well with people of all ages.
Be aware that the mini husky is a renowned escape artist; his inquisitive nature often leads him to squeeze through holes, dig out of fenced areas, or sneak past opened doors. So, it’s important you “escape-proof” your home as much as possible. You should also only let the mini husky off-leash in secure, fenced areas.
Are Mini Huskies Affectionate?
The mini husky is incredibly affectionate and loves nothing more than spending time with his family. With that said, he does also enjoy his own company and will happily entertain himself when you’re not around to shower him with belly rubs.
Are Mini Huskies Good With Kids?
The mini husky makes an excellent companion for kids. He’s nurturing, patient, and always up for a game of fetch. He’s a particularly great playmate for active kids who can match his energy level.
However, the mini husky does have a smaller, more fragile body than the standard-size Siberian husky. So, he may not be a good fit for boisterous young children who don’t know how to properly interact with pets.
Are Mini Huskies Good With Other Animals?
Mini huskies generally get along well with other dogs, but they do have high prey drives and should never be left alone (or off-leash) around small animals. Exposing mini huskies to small animals from an early age can help lessen their prey drives significantly.
Are Mini Huskies Aggressive?
While the mini husky has a reputation for being stubborn, that doesn’t mean he’s unruly or destructive! He’s gentle, nurturing, and incredibly affectionate with people of all ages. He’s also sociable and gets along well with strangers.
However, like any dog, the mini husky may exhibit aggressive behavior if his needs aren’t met. He requires plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and affection throughout the day to thrive.
Do Mini Huskies Bark a Lot?
The mini husky rarely barks. However, this doesn’t mean your ears are safe — he instead communicates his needs and emotions through loud yaps, howls, whines, and “screams” instead.
While training can potentially help lessen how vocal a mini husky is, don’t expect him to stop “talking” completely. He loves the sound of his own voice and it’s in his natural instincts to be loud and expressive.
Trying to restrict his voice may even have negative consequences. He may instead opt to express his needs through more destructive behaviors, such as scratching, digging, or chewing up your belongings.
Are Mini Huskies Intelligent?
Mini huskies are incredibly intelligent. They can pick up advanced tricks, adapt to a range of environments, and easily detect changes in their owners’ moods. They’re also excellent communicators and can verbalize their needs better than most dog breeds.
Are Mini Huskies Easy to Train?
Although highly intelligent, the mini husky isn’t easy to train. He’s independent-minded and often follows his own instincts. He also tends to lose focus if he catches a sight (or whiff) of something more interesting.
Despite the challenges, the mini husky responds well to a persistent, firm, and patient training approach. Keeping training sessions short and using high-value rewards can help keep the mini husky focused during training.
Are Mini Huskies Energetic?
Mini huskies are energetic dogs. While they don’t require as much exercise as standard-size Siberian huskies, they still need at least 60 minutes of exercise per day to thrive. They particularly love activities that allow them to stretch out their legs, such as hiking, running, and fetch.
Are Mini Huskies Good Apartment Dogs?
While the mini husky’s vocalness is one of the characteristics that makes him so endearing, it also means he isn’t suitable for thin-walled apartments. As an active dog, the mini husky also thrives in a household with a yard, where he can roam freely and easily burn off excess energy.
Are Mini Huskies Good Watchdogs?
Unfortunately, the mini husky does not make a good watchdog. He’s incredibly sociable and is more likely to greet strangers with kisses than barks. His small, lap-dog size also isn’t going to ward off any strangers.
Are Mini Huskies Good Service Dogs?
While the mini husky is affectionate and gentle, he generally isn’t an ideal service dog. He’s fairly difficult to train and would much prefer to explore and get up to mischievous antics than perform service tasks.
However, he does excel as an emotional support animal (ESA) because he can detect even the slightest of changes in his owner’s mood.
How to Care for Mini Huskies
The mini husky is relatively difficult to care for and is best suited to experienced owners. Training can be a challenge, he has high exercise needs, and he also require a diet that supports his energy level. With that said, the mini husky’s coat is easy to groom and he isn’t prone to many health issues.
Do You Need to Groom a Mini Husky?
Despite common misconception, the mini husky is relatively easy to groom and only needs to be brushed once or twice a week to keep his fur in good condition.
He also doesn’t need to be washed frequently because his coat naturally repels dirt and doesn’t retain strong odors. Generally, you’ll want to bathe the mini husky once every few months unless he’s rolled around in mud.
Do Mini Huskies Shed?
Mini huskies shed moderately throughout the year, with heavier shedding when they’re blowing their coats in spring and fall. During these heavy shedding periods, they will need to be brushed daily with a rake brush to remove excess undercoat fur.
What Should a Mini Husky Eat?
Most mini huskies require 1 to 1.5 cups of food per day split into two separate meals, though every pup is different. Factors that can affect daily food intake include metabolism, size, activity level, and age.
The mini husky needs a diet that provides enough energy for him to maintain his active lifestyle. The kibble should be high in protein, nutritious, and easy to digest.
What Health Problems Do Mini Huskies Have?
While mini huskies are generally healthy, they are prone to certain health conditions such as hypothyroidism, cataracts, and epilepsy.
- Hypothyroidism: This is when a dog doesn’t naturally produce enough thyroid hormones. Treatable with thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
- Cataracts: This is when the lens of the eye becomes clouded, resulting in vision loss. Treatable with surgery.
- Epilepsy: This is a neurological disorder that causes seizures. Managed with antiepileptic medication and lifestyle changes.
How Long Do Mini Huskies Live?
The mini husky lives for 12 to 14 years on average, though many factors can impact a dog’s lifespan, like diet and activity level. Nutritious kibble, regular exercise, and frequent vet checkups give the mini husky the best chance at living a long, healthy life.
Are Mini Huskies Expensive?
Due to their rarity, mini husky puppies are expensive to buy. Prices start from $800, though some mini husky puppies can cost up to $3,000. The exact price can vary on factors like coat color and how important the pup is for the breeding program.
You will typically need to pay between $80 and $150 per month in care costs, depending on your lifestyle and your mini husky’s needs. Some expenses include food, vet checkups, and grooming supplies.
How to Find a Mini Husky Breeder
The original breeder of the mini husky is Bree Normandin. While she has since retired, her children have continued to develop the mini husky breed and still produce litters today. You can purchase a mini husky puppy by getting in contact with them through their website, though keep in mind that there is a long waiting list.
Unfortunately, we are not aware of any other mini husky breeders. If you know of any reputable, local breeders that are developing their own version of the mini husky, do let us know in the comments! Keep in mind that you won’t find mini husky breeders at dog shows; they are not recognized by the AKC.
There are a few questions you can ask a breeder to help you determine whether they’re trustworthy and have treated the pups (and mother) with care:
- Will I be able to meet the mother with her puppies?
- Have the parents been screened for any health conditions?
- How are you socializing the pups and preparing them for home life?
- What is your experience as a breeder?
- Will you provide a health guarantee and contract?
- Can I keep in contact with you throughout the pup’s life?
- Have the puppies been treated for worms?
- What is the vaccination schedule?
Can You Adopt a Mini Husky?
Mini huskies are extremely rare. You’re unlikely to ever find a mini husky in a rescue shelter. While there are plenty of rescue clubs and organizations dedicated to the standard-sized Siberian husky, there aren’t any that recognize the mini husky.
Your best bet is to reach out to Bree Normandin’s family. Inform them that you are interested in adopting if any prior owners need to rehome their mini huskies. Make sure to mention your dog care experience, preferred age (whether pup or adult), and budget.
Are Mini Huskies Purebred?
Mini huskies are a selectively-bred size variation of the Siberian husky and aren’t considered a separate mix breed. Breed organizations such as the AKC and Siberian Husky Club of America (SHCA) do not currently recognize them.
Are Mini Huskies Good for New Dog Owners?
While mini huskies are affectionate and great with people, they aren’t ideal for first-time dog owners. They’re independent-minded, high energy, and require a lot of mental stimulation, all factors that can make them difficult to care for without prior dog ownership experience.
With the right owner though, mini huskies make loyal companions who will brighten up your home with their goofy, hilarious antics.
Is a Mini Husky the Right Dog for Me?
The mini husky is sure to win over the hearts of many with his affectionate temperament, boundless energy, and mischievous antics. However, he isn’t suitable for all households and owners.
Mini huskies are a great fit for:
- People who lead active lifestyles
- Families who live in detached housing (ideally, a rural area)
- People with previous dog ownership experience
- People that can dedicate plenty of time to a dog’s training and care
Mini huskies aren’t suitable for:
- Individuals with mobility issues
- People that live in apartments or busy community areas
- First-time dog owners
- People who don’t want a noisy canine companion
These lists, plus the information in our guide, will help you know if a mini husky is the right addition for your family.