All You Need to Know About The Miniature Husky

Miniature Husky Breed Facts

Lifespan: 12-14 years
Size/length: 13-16 inches
Coat type: Double-coat, medium length
Weight: 15 to 35 pounds
Height: 21 to 24 inches
Coat color: The dog breed comes in different colors featuring varying mixes of brown, black, sable, red, and white.
Level of activity and intelligence: High
Do they shed? Yes, especially during the hotter months
Behavior: Active, friendly, curious, outgoing, and mischievous.

Miniature Husky History

Bree Normandin is the first known breeder of Miniature Husky. She did it in the 1990s and her goal was to produce a smaller version of the large Siberian husky. To achieve this, Normandin bred the standard huskies which she considered to be exceptionally small. Since then, breeders have been using this same technique.

A brief history of the Siberian husky

This dog breed is originally from Siberia. A Siberian husky is believed to have been around for thousands of years. Data reports show that they used to be bred by the Chukchi people many centuries ago. Due to their intelligent and hardworking nature, the Siberian husky was the most popular sled dog.

Their lightweight nature, as well as fastness, means that they could effectively travel for long-distance. The popularity of the Siberian husky peaked in 1925. This is when a team of this dog breed successfully pulled a sled for a distance of over 600 miles. This happened during the diphtheria epidemic that affected the Alaskan town, hence the dogs were used to carry medicine.

It is known that mini huskies have the same Siberian Husky pedigree. This is because they are normally bred selectively for their small size. Research studies indicate that this dog breed’s genetics indicate that it comes from the Spitz family. These are renowned sled dogs that were popular in the Northern Hemisphere.

So, can we consider them as the new revamped breed of the amazing good old classic sled dogs? Well, absolutely right! This is just a small version of the otherwise big Siberian Husky. It should be noted that the Siberian Husky is one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the world, especially in the US.

History indicates that Siberian Huskies are smart and intelligent working dogs. Furthermore, they are known to be friendly, lovely, and offer great companionship. It’s for this reason that they are ideal families.

There is no doubt that the miniature husky has some characteristics from its parents. They are also ideal for the family set up as they are friendly and lovely. But how do breeders get the miniature husky dog breed?

How to Get a Mini Husky Dog Breed

Overall, there are three main techniques that breeders can use to develop a miniature husky.

1. By using some of the smallest pups found in the litter and breeding them together in order to create a miniature husky.

2. By crossbreeding. This may involve the breeding of the standard breed dog type with a smaller breed. For instance, a breeder may decide to use a crossbreed of the Dachshund and Golden Retriever. However, this technique doesn’t guarantee the creation of new dog breeds with husky traits. This is because the puppy has a high chance of inheriting the physical traits of either parent.

3. Introducing a gene that causes dwarfism and then developing new dog breeds using that gene information. However, this technique is highly discouraged as the genetic mutation can result in serious health complications. For example, there exists a link between the intervertebral disc disease and the gene that normally causes dwarfism.

Appearance and Color

This dog looks like the Siberian husky, only that its size is smaller. Its prominent physical features are wolf-like and they include:

• Erect ears
• A fluffy coat
• Medium length
• Almond-shaped eyes for better squinting
• A wide range of colors involving different mixes

In terms of size, Mini Huskies are smaller hence you will find that full-grown dogs measure 12 -16 inches long. In terms of weight, it normally ranges between 15-35 pounds while the height tends to range between 21 and 24 inches

Miniature Husky Personality and Temperament

The small body size of mini huskies should not confuse you when it comes to personality and temperament. This isn’t a lap dog breed hence it’s not going to spend most of the time lying down. The companion animal loves attention and exercise.

Naturally, a mini husky is active and athletic. So, you need to engage it in several daily mental and physical workout sessions. Research studies indicate that they are usually happy when they are doing something. In terms of personality, they are known to be obedient and have a good level of agility.

Remember that they are highly active. So if you want to leave them alone, you might have to enclose them in a room or a fenced environment. Their high demand for attention makes them very mischievous. That’s why you must combat this with a lot of training and exercise.

This dog breed is also social, hence you need to often socialize it with other dogs and human beings. Their friendly nature makes it possible for them to interact with children. However, make sure that their interactions with children are supervised.

This type of dog breed can’t make an excellent guard dog. Huskies don’t bark so much and they are not highly aggressive. With its wolf ancestors, they also often howl. If you are going out for long, don’t leave them alone because they might easily get destructive or anxious.

Can Miniature Huskies Make Great Family Dogs?

Their cool nature makes them suitable family dogs. Although they howl, they don’t bark a lot. This means that they don’t make a lot of noise and can’t interfere so much with your sleep patterns. They are also remarkably adaptable. So, they can survive in different environmental conditions. General, this is a loving companion that might be good for your family.

Miniature Husky Care Guide

Caring for a miniature husky is not quite hard. However, it’s not also as easy as you might be tempted to think. The most important thing is to know the basics. While the size of this breed might be smaller compared to others, it is still a powerhouse.

Generally, the dog is suitable for those owners who keep on providing their pets with attention. This includes regular grooming, training, and exercise. So, here we go:

Training

This dog breed is quite intelligent hence it’s very easy to train it now. But as soon as you get your little furry friend, you need to train it in order to raise a well-mannered dog. This breed can test your patience so, be prepared to get frustrated.

Start them young

Training a puppy is quite easy. This means that they will easily get accustomed to training as they grow up. This also helps to minimize their chances of picking up bad habits. When training a young dog, remember that they have shorter attention spans. So, make sure that the training sessions are short.

Be consistent

While ensuring that the sessions are short, be consistent. If you are training the dog for 5-7 minutes make sure that you consistently keep the sessions regularly. Repetition is a good way of training a dog, giving them multiple chances to understand the process.

Give them small and intermittent treats

Giving your pup sweet treats after successfully mastering a training session is important. However, you need to keep them small in size. Don’t feed them large treats as they might easily get carried away. Besides that, they might end up gaining unnecessary weight.

Don’t forget to treat them intermittently. Giving your pet treats often during training sessions may seem like a bribe and as they get older, you might be forced to continuously coerce them into learning new habits.

Be patient

Dogs are just like humans. Sometimes they might successfully master training and then forget it after a few days. Don’t be annoyed. Be kind and consistently praise them when they respond positively to your training. Don’t be tired of starting all over again.

Exercising a Mini-Husky

For its small size, a miniature husky has high energy levels. This, in addition to its intelligence, means that it needs constant mental and physical health stimulation. The most effective way to do this is through exercising and playing.

To exhaust its high energy levels, this dog breed might need around 100 hours of exercise every day. The activity level also needs to be high. If you have a busy schedule, you can develop a morning and evening routine. Running is the most ideal way of burning high energy levels. However, a few minutes of walking is also good. Don’t forget to get them toys that will trigger and enhance the development of their intelligence.

Food and Diet for Husky Dogs

As a new pet owner, the learning curve may be steep at first. This is because you are still learning what your pet loves and dislikes. First, you need to prepare a meal schedule. You should definitely include this in your training routine.

Secondly, you need to monitor how your pet eats, including the quantity of food. This will give you the best overview when it comes to adjusting the portion size. Generally, small dogs eat less but you need to adjust this amount as the puppy grows. The meal times might also change with time.

Kibble is the most appropriate food variety. It’s not only of high-quality but also convenient and nutritious. You can easily find it in any pet store and there is also a wide range of options to choose from, depending on the dog’s needs and your budget.

Go for formulas that are designed for energetic and active dogs. These are small dogs that have big dog needs, so, their dietary needs are quite different. Avoid highly processed food products. This is because mini huskies have a low tolerance for processed foods. Ingredients such as soy, corn, gluten, dairy, and wheat might trigger digestive discomfort.

For healthy weight and development, feed your pet a moderate amount of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Make sure that you buy food items with whole-food ingredients. According to most breeders, it’s good to feed your pup as much as they can consume within 5-10 minutes. After that, take away the uneaten food. You need to repeat 2-3 times daily.

Note: Always feed your dog earlier enough in the evening. This should be at least 2 hours before the dog’s bedtime.

Health and Medical Conditions

Mini huskies are prone to genetic health complications, just like other dog breeds. The best breeders normally use large and healthy dogs in order to minimize the chances of genetic disorders. So, if you are buying a new dog breed, it’s only right that you choose a reputable breeder. Don’t forget to be shown the parents of the mini husk.

Common health complications that mini husks may suffer from include:

Hypothyroidism

This medical condition mostly affects the Siberian husky. Hypothyroidism involves abnormal secretion by the thyroid gland. Common symptoms normally include:

• Bald spots on the dog’s coat
• Weight gain and
• Lethargy

This condition can affect your pet at any time. So, make sure that you take it for tests every 2 years.

Eye Diseases

While these dogs usually have beautiful sets of ice blue eyes, they are prone to eye diseases. You might find that your furry friend is suffering from blindness. This often comes from an eye syndrome that also affects the pigmentation of the dog’s coat. Research studies indicate that male huskies are more prone to this medical condition. Some of the eye conditions that may be diagnosed by a vet include:

Progressive retinal atrophy which can lead to blindness. However, the gene that causes this condition can be easily identified by an Optigen test.

Corneal dystrophy: this is a condition where the cornea gets clouded. In case it becomes severe, then the dog may end up becoming blind.

Hip Dysplasia

This is a common condition in small dog breeds. Hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation that occurs in the hip socket. It’s a painful condition that eventually results in arthritis and lameness. The genetic condition is normally affected or triggered by environmental factors.

Treating hip dysplasia is quite expensive and treatment options may also involve surgery. Unlike some breeds, the Siberian husky is less likely to be affected by this condition.

Skin Issues

Follicular dysplasia is one of the most common conditions that tend to affect huskies. This genetic problem usually results in symptoms such as scaly skin, abnormal hair growth, as well as hair loss. Apart from the follicular dysplasia, the dog may also suffer from zinc deficiency. This is a common skin problem that may result in symptoms such as hair loss and skin itching.

Grooming Mini Huskies

To ensure that you promote better overall health and minimize the chances of infections, bathe your pet once a month or less. It should be noted that you should only bath your pup when you start to see a mat-like appearance on its hair. Don’t forget a conditioner and shampoo to rinse the coat.

To maintain its coat, make sure that you brush it regularly. Do this at least once per weak. If you notice symptoms of hair loss or a slight change in skin color or skin irritation, then make sure that you visit a vet. Additionally, make sure that you schedule vet visits at different times of the year for a better analysis of your dog’s health.

The overall grooming tips for healthy and well-nourished husky include:

• Start the coat brushing process while the dog is still young. This way, they will be able to learn and enjoy it.
• Starting them while they are older can easily irritate them and make it aggressive.
• Pay more attention to how the dog sheds. Additionally, focus on areas that tend to mat often. These include parts such as under the stomach area, around the legs, and around the tail region.
• Make sure that your dog is calm and comfortable before you clip its nails. Use nail clippers designed with safety guards to ensure that the grooming process is safe and easier.
• Do not clip your pet’s whiskers because they are vital for sensing objects and motions
  Scheduled vet visits are mandatory

What’s the Cost of a Miniature Husky?

Well, these are affordable dogs and you can find them at cost-effective prices. A good mini husky can cost between $600 and $3000. However, the price may vary depending on the breeder, the size of the dog, as well as the location.

Don’t by a mini husk that’s promoted by a breeder. Why should a healthy and high-quality dog be advertised? Before you make any purchases, do your calculation first. Additionally:

• Compare the dog price by consulting different breeders.
• Make sure that you analyze some of the features that the breeders highlight
• Do not buy a pup that’s less than 7 weeks old. Understand that reputable breeders don’t sell puppies that are less than 7-8 weeks old.
• Make sure that you personally analyze the temperament and personality of the dog yourself. Just don’t go with what the breeder is telling you.
• Ask for the pup’s breeding information. This should include parents, vet-checks, health status, age, and gender, etc.
• Spend quite some time with the dog while in the breeder’s care before you can fully take it home with you.
• The breeder should furnish you with the right information, including feeding habits and care guide.

Pros of Getting a Mini Husky & Cons of Having Mini Huskies

The Final Verdict

There is no doubt that the Miniature Husky is a great family and companion dog. Its high level of curiosity, intelligence, and adaptability have made it one of the most sought-after dog breeds. This is coupled with their beautiful wolf-like appearance and lightweight nature.

You can easily make it your lifelong friend due to their active and friendly characteristics. Whether you want to go out, workout, or travel, having one can improve the quality of your life significantly. The dog breed is easy to manage. Just make sure that you learn its feeding habits, potential health problems, grooming techniques, and schedule vet visits at the appropriate time.