Last Updated on October 19, 2021 by Marco
Initially bred by Siberian Husky enthusiast Bree Normandin, the Miniature Husky is not to be confused with the similarly-sized Alaskan Klee Klai.
Rather, the Mini Husky is actually the same dog breed as a standard-sized Husky – just smaller!
Ms. Normandin simply took smaller Huskies and bred them over several generations, which resulted in a dog that was smaller overall.
Mini Huskies are gaining huge popularity due to their Husky good looks paired with their more manageable size.
But it is important to remember that, like the standard-sized Husky, the Mini Husky is still a working dog, therefore its requirements and needs are still the same.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about what to expect with a full-grown Miniature Husky.
What Is A Miniature Husky?
Mini Husky Development
A Mini Husky is basically a regular Husky, just smaller! These dogs have the same looks (other than size), temperament, exercise and training needs, health issues, and dietary requirements as their larger counterparts.
Breed enthusiasts are trying to get the Mini Husky recognized as an official breed with the American Kennel Club (A.K.C.), but this has not happened yet. They have been around for about 30 years.
The Mini Husky breeding program was piloted by the aforementioned Bree Normandin, but she ended up retiring. She handed over the reins of the breeding and development program for her Mini Husky venture to a young couple who live in Western North Carolina, Ashley Robinson, and Isac Ramirez.
The Miniature Siberian Husky Club of America (MSHCA) states that their recognition with two majors registries is currently pending.
Mini Husky Looks
Mini Huskies have a lean, athletic build, a thick double coat that comes in a variety of colors (with black, white, and gray markings being the most common), pointed ears, a long and pointed muzzle, brown or blue eyes, and a plume-like tail.
Learn more about: Huskies That Stay Small Forever
Mini Husky Temperament
Mini Huskies are intelligent, friendly (to family and strangers alike), independent, and headstrong. They thrive when they have a job to do, and do not cope well with being left alone or with a lack of physical and mental stimulation.
They need obedience training and socialization from a young age and benefit from having a strong leader who is firm yet kind, consistent, and who will not let them get away with being dominant.
Mini Husky Size
These pocket-rockets of the dog world grow to 13 to 17 inches at the shoulder when they are fully grown, and they will weigh anywhere from 20 to 35 pounds.
How To Care For A Miniature Siberian Husky
Here is an overview of how to care for a Mini Husky:
Mini Husky Grooming
The care requirements for a Mini Husky are the same as for the standard-sized Husky since they are the same breed.
They have a double coat which sheds twice a year, and more often in a hotter climate. During shedding phases, the Mini Husky needs daily brushing with a rake comb to remove the dead undercoat hairs, then brushing with a slicker brush to make the outer guard coat glossy and shiny.
When Mini Huskies are not shedding, they still need grooming once a week and bathing around four times per year.
Mini Husky Exercise
The Mini Husky needs vigorous exercise every single day. A brisk walk around the block is simply not enough. This dog needs to burn off energy by running, and ideally, pulling weight (which is what it was originally bred for.)
If you are considering owning a Mini Husky, you need to find somewhere safe to let the dog run off-leash. When we say safe, we mean somewhere it cannot chase and harm other animals (they have a strong prey drive), or run away from their owner (their recall is not great!)
Mini Husky Diet
Mini Huskies should be fed twice daily with good-quality commercial dog food that is rich in nutrients and is age-specific (i.e. puppy, adult, or senior.)
Many dogs enjoy the variety of having dry kibble in the morning and then wet (canned food) in the evening.
They should be fed according to their weight, and by following the feeding/weight ratio guidelines on the packaging.
Mini Huskies are prone to all of the usual Siberian Husky health issues, so they may do well on dog food that has been specifically formulated for dogs with sensitive skin.
This leads us to a list of Mini Husky health issues.
Mini Husky Health Issues
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Skin Conditions
Mini Huskies are prone to skin problems such as zinc deficiency. Some Mini Huskies lack the correct enzymes to properly absorb a mineral called zinc. Zinc is needed to aid a dog’s immunity, and to help them grow. They are genetically predisposed to this.
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Eye Problems
There are certain eye conditions that Mini Huskies are prone to. They can develop cataracts, which makes the eye look cloudy, and it hampers their vision. Cataracts can be fixed with surgery. Other eye conditions that affect the Mini Husky are problems with the retina and cornea.
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Thyroid Problems
Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects Mini Huskies. The thyroid regulates metabolism. When the thyroid does not produce enough hormone, Mini Huskies can become lethargic. This condition, which is lifelong, affects the metabolism, so once again, weight gain can occur.
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Hip Dysplasia
When a dog has this condition, it means that the ball and socket of the hip joint do not fit. It can lead to arthritis in later life. This can impact a Mini Husky’s ability to run, which in turn can lead to weight gain, which in turn can reduce their life expectancy. Surgery is an option to fix it.
How Long Does It Take The Mini Husky To Become Fully Grown?
Mini huskies experience most of their physical growth in the first year or two of their lives.
They generally attain their full adult height by 12 months of age and take a further 12 months to ‘fill out’ to their final adult weight.
Mini Husky Life Expectancy
Mini Huskies generally live for 12 to 14 years, which is on par for the life expectancy of a standard-sized Husky.
A Summary Of The Mini Husky
Mini Huskies are not some magical breed of Siberian Husky, they are simply smaller versions of the standard Siberian Husky. This has been done via generations of selective breeding to favor smaller individuals. Full-grown Mini Huskies weigh 20 to 35 pounds and stand 13 to 17 inches at the shoulder.
Mini Huskies are a working dog with all of the same needs that a regular Husky has.
They are quite rare, so if you are considering owning a Mini Husky, do your homework and make sure you buy from a reputable breeder.
