The Miniature Husky will grow to 16 inches and weigh up to 35 pounds as an adult. Their size is different from the standard breed. But, the Miniature Siberian Husky personality should be the same as a regular Siberian Husky.
They are active, playful, and outgoing.
But there are some health issues to be aware of. Especially if your Mini Husky comes from a less reputable breeder.
This miniature dog is attractive to many. The variation shares the dignified appearance and loyal, outgoing temperament of the Siberian.
Miniature Husky FAQs
This article will answer questions like:
- How big is a Mini Husky full grown?
- Where does a Miniature Husky come from?
- Does the Mini Husky size present any health issues for the breed?
We’ll also look into breeding practices. And what to look for when choosing a breeder.
What is a Miniature Husky?
As the Miniature Husky name suggests, this is a smaller version of the Siberian Husky.
The adult Mini Husky is a much smaller dog than his standard-size counterpart.
A breeder in the 1990s, Bree Normandin, developed the Miniature Husky.
Normandin’s aim was to create a smaller, companion-sized version of the renowned sled dog with distinctive almond-shaped eyes.
Selective breeding among small Husky breed members created the Mini Husky dog.
History of the Siberian Husky
Not surprisingly, the Siberian Husky originates in Siberia.
They’re believed to have been bred for thousands of years by the Chukchi people. They can travel long distances and are recognized as the lightest and fastest sled dogs.
The Siberian Husky became famous in 1925 when team of dogs pulled a sled for over 600 miles. They were carrying medicine to an Alaskan town suffering from a diphtheria epidemic.
Their popularity continues to this day.
The Husky ranks 12th on the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) most popular breeds list.
Distinguishing features include a wolf-like appearance, erect ears, and a medium-length, fluffy coat that comes in a wide range of colors.
An adult Siberian ranges in height from 21 to 23.5 inches and weighs between 35 to 60 pounds.
Miniature Husky size
A Miniature Husky full grown will stand from 12 to 16 inches.
Miniature Husky weight will vary between 15 and 35 pounds.
What’s the appeal of a Miniature Husky?
Maybe you’ve always dreamed of owning a Siberian Husky, but don’t have a lot of room in your home.
Perhaps the extra work and expense associated with a big dog is a deterrent.
There’s a definite allure in a pint-sized version with all the charm of a standard Siberian.
How do you get a miniature dog breed?
There are basically three ways to miniaturize any dog breed.
The first is to mix a standard breed with a smaller breed.
For example, the Mini Labradoodle is a Labrador Retriever crossed with a Poodle.
The second way is to introduce the gene for dwarfism. Also known as achondroplasia.
The final way is to repeatedly breed from the runts, or the smallest of litters. This was how the Mini Husky was created.
The relatively new practice of creating miniature versions of large dog breeds is not without controversy.
What are the drawbacks of miniaturization?
It’s trendy and popular to own smaller versions of popular breeds.
But the quest to satisfy the trend has created health issues for many of these tiny dogs.
People may be unaware that this practice can be harmful. Particularly in the extreme miniaturization of breeds like the Teacup Chihuahua and the Teacup Yorkie.
Studies show that breeding for extreme conformational traits has caused an increased risk of certain diseases. This includes breathing problems, ocular diseases, and dystocia.
There is a link between the gene that causes dwarfism and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
This condition affects the nerves in the spinal cord, causing pain, nerve damage, and even paralysis.
Miniature Husky Temperament
Don’t let the Mini Husky name fool you. Just like the standard version, this is a very active and athletic dog. It needs lots of daily exercise.
A daily 20 minute walk around the block won’t satisfy this dog.
The Miniature Husky loves to run. Without an outlet, they can become destructive by digging, chewing, and trying to escape.
Although it isn’t clingy, the Miniature Husky is a friendly, loyal dog who likes attention.
Destructive Behaviors
If you leave your pet alone for long periods, your home may suffer some damage.
Mischievous streaks are common. Mini Husky puppies in particular will be very playful.
Miniature Huskies are non-aggressive and good with children.
They are rambunctious, however. So always supervise time spent with little ones.
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Miniature Husky Health
Like any breed, the Miniature Husky dog is prone to some genetic health problems.
If small, unhealthy dogs are used for breeding, more health concerns could result.
Your best defence against this is choosing a reputable breeder. They should allow you to see the parents of the baby Mini Husky.
The Siberian Husky is known to be a generally healthy breed. It has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. But, there are some health concerns to be aware of.
Eye diseases and the Miniature Husky
The Mini Husky dog breed is known for their striking ice blue eyes. Sometimes, however, they may have one blue and one brown eye.
Unfortunately, a number of different eye problems are not uncommon for the Miniature Husky.
A Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada-like syndrome often results in blindness and also affects the skin and coat pigmentation. Male dogs are more likely to have this disease.
Cataracts affect around 10% of all Siberian Huskies. Juvenile cataracts can affect a dog as young as three months old.
The prevalence of cataracts in this breed is the subject of ongoing genetic research.
A DNA test should soon be available to detect dogs who carry the recessive gene for cataracts.
Corneal dystrophy is a clouding of the cornea that always affects both eyes. Depending upon the severity, it can lead to blindness.
Progressive retinal atrophy is also common and can lead to blindness. Fortunately, the Optigen test will identify dogs who carry the gene.
Skin problems and the Miniature Husky
Skin problems are another concern for this breed.
Huskies are at a high risk for follicular dysplasia. This is a genetic problem that causes patchy hair loss, abnormal hair growth, and scaly, infected skin.
Zinc deficiency is another skin problem that usually presents as itching and hair loss, among other symptoms.
Zinc deficiency is prevalent in the breed. But is treatable with a zinc additive from your vet.
Hip dysplasia and the Miniature Husky
Hip dysplasia is not uncommon in large dog breeds.
This condition is quite painful for the dog and treatment can involve costly surgery.
The Siberian Husky is not as affected by hip dysplasia as some breeds. But, it can still be an issue.
Hypothyroidism and the Miniature Husky
Hypothyroidism is another common ailment for the Siberian Husky. It is related to abnormal secretion of the thyroid gland.
Signs of thyroid problems include weight gain, lethargy, and patchy bald spots on their coat.
The recommendation is that all breeding Siberians be tested for thyroid disease.
Hypothyroidism can develop at any time. So Mini Husky adults should be tested every two years.
The Perfect Companion For Life With A New Puppy
Miniature Husky General Care
The Miniature Husky will need a level of general care each day. You should make sure to keep on top of the grooming needs of your mini pup.
Generally Huskies need grooming at least twice a week, but for more information make sure you read our Husky grooming guide.
You’ll need to feed your mini Husky a high quality food. Choosing the exact amount will depend entirely on the size of your mini Husky. If in doubt, your vet will give the best advice!
However, be sure to avoid overfeeding your dog, as this can lead to obesity.
Avoiding bad breeders
When searching for the Mini Husky breed, you’re likely to come across some breeders who are less than respectable.
Deliberate breeding to create dogs that are smaller and smaller is a relatively recent development. And an extremely distressing one.
Dogs of any breed who are far under the normal weight range are in danger of serious health problems.
You may see Teacup Husky puppies or Micro Miniature Husky puppies advertised. But, avoid working with those breeders.
Choosing a responsible breeder
A responsible breeder will be happy to show you where the dogs live and let you meet the puppy’s parents.
You should feel free to ask questions about breeding practices and the puppy’s background.
A reputable breeder will know the health and welfare issues surrounding miniature breeds and not shy away from a discussion.
Health tests for genetic problems are most important. The breeder should prove this.
Miniature Husky info
As far as the Siberian Husky Club of America Inc. and the AKC are concerned, the Miniature Husky breed is a name and nothing more. They do not recognize the Miniature Husky as a breed. Nor as a variety of Siberian Husky.
The Mini Husky size is viewed as a deviation. Due to their small size, they cannot be a working sled dog as described in the standard.
Do you have experience with small versions of this breed? Leave a comment!
References and further reading
- O’Neill, D., “Report on a discussion about ‘Animal Health and Welfare: Breeding for extreme conformations in dogs and cats’ at the European Parliament in Brussels,” The Royal Veterinary College UK, 2018.
- Stanley RG, et al., “Eye diseases in Siberian husky dogs,” Australian Veterinary Journal, 1991.
- Brown, EA, et al., “FGF4 retrogene on CFA12 is responsible for chondrodystrophy and intervertebral disc disease in dogs,” PNAS, 2017.
- Vercelli, A., “Canine Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada‐like Syndrome in Two Siberian Husky Dogs,” Veterinary Dermatology, 1990.
- Degryse, AD, et al., “Recurrent zinc‐responsive dermatosis in a Siberian Husky,” Journal of Small Animal Practice, 1987.
- Willis MB, “A review of the progress in canine hip dysplasia control in Britain,” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1997.
Yeewen says
How much would exercise do they need exactly?
Donald Miller says
I’m interested in the mini Husky…
Nancy says
Hello I am looking for a good breeder for the miniature husky. I live in Ct. any ideas for me.
Dru says
I have two mini huskies, both with totally different demeanor. One is very shy and untrusting to visitors coming into our home. She is very laid back and calm, but NOT a snuggler, or lap dog. She simply enjoys laying next to us, but on her terms. : ) (Female) On the other hand, our other mini is extremely high energy, can be VERY mouthy both physically and Verbally. Lol He’s only 8 months old though, still a puppy so this is normal in my opinion. The female is just over 3 yrs. old and so far she’s had NO health issues, and only weighs 23 lbs. Our male is a bit larger, weighing in at about 30 lbs. Both are fantastic fur babies, exactly like the full size huskies, just a smaller version. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND A THOUROUGH INVESTIGATION OF ANY BREEDER YOUR CONSIDEREDING PURCHASING FROM. THERE’S A LOT OF BACK YARD BREEDERS JUST OUT TO MAKE A BUCK. ALSO REACH OUT TO MINI HUSKY OWNERS AND ASK QUESTIONS.
HAPPY MINI HUSKY OWNER
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Scott says
Could you recommend a
breeder?
you says
Mr Munnos
Joshua Wilson says
Thanks for that great info…Can you recommend a breeder?