Dogs come in many shapes and sizes. From the tiny Chihuahua to the giant Great Dane, different breeds have diverse features – but there’s no breed more distinctive than the husky. Here we will focus on the Miniature Husky breed. The Miniature Husky breed is known for its extremely thick coat, blue eyes, distinctive markings, and yodel. They are known to be extremely energetic and intelligent, but also very playful. Like their larger counterparts, they are incredibly loving and loyal. They prefer cold weather and enjoy playing outdoors in the snow. The Miniature Husky breed is a mix between the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Klee Kai. Although they look and act like their larger cousins, Miniature Huskies only grow to be about 16in tall and weigh an average of 10 pounds.
Are Small and Miniature Huskies the Same?
No, they are not the same breed. Miniature Huskies are a mix of two separate breeds. However, they look similar to Siberian Huskies and share many of the same traits. The biggest difference is their size: They weigh about 16lbs and stand about 16in tall, much smaller than the average male Siberian Husky’s weight at 35lbs and height at 21in.
Other than their size, the two breeds also differ in temperament and life expectancy. Although still energetic, Miniature Huskies tend to be less hyperactive than Siberian Huskies. They are good-natured and easygoing, especially around children, but can be aloof around strangers. They live for an average of 12-14 years compared to the Siberian Husky’s 12-15 years.
Also, the Miniature Husky breed comes in a wide array of colors, while Siberian Huskies are restricted to certain colors. Although it is rare, some varieties of Miniature Huskies may experience health issues due to their breeding. Make sure you research any breeder you buy from to make sure they have healthy lines and won’t pass down genetic disorders.
Another difference is the Miniature Husky breed exists only as a crossbreed and does not have its own recognized registry like purebred Siberian Huskies.
What Types of Small Husky Breeds Are There?
There are three different types of small husky breeds: The Miniature Husky, Klee Kai, and Alaskan Klee Kai.
The Miniature Husky
As the name suggests, the Miniature Husky is a mix between the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Klee Kai. Known for their thick coats and blue eyes, they weigh about 16lbs when grown and stand at an average of 16in tall. They are energetic but easygoing and are great family dogs.
The Klee Kai
The Klee Kai is a crossbreed of the Alaskan Husky and Schipperke. They weigh about 20lbs when grown and stand at an average of 14in tall. Their appearance is similar to their cousin, the Siberian husky, except they have a more pointed muzzle. They are intelligent, full of energy, playful, and sociable.
The Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai is the same as the Miniature Husky but they are not mixed breeds. Also known for their blue eyes and thick coats, they weigh about 16lbs when grown and stand at an average of 16in tall. They are energetic but easygoing and are great family dogs.
Are Miniature Huskies Difficult to Train?
Miniature Huskies are intelligent and eager to please, which is why they can be trained relatively easily. They pick up on new behaviors quickly but they do have a stubborn streak in them. If a Miniature Husky is bored or tired, he/she will not want to obey commands given by their owner. To keep them entertained, try playing fetch or give them a chew toy to release energy.
Training a Miniature Husky can be done as early as eight weeks old. However, it is not advisable to start training them at such an early age as their bones and muscles are still developing. It is best to wait until they reach two months before beginning the first steps of training; this way they will be less likely to break a bone or injure themselves.
For them to learn new commands, they need to be shown what they are supposed to do and then praised when they do it. Clicker training is also a good way of training Miniature Huskies as the sound of the clicker means they have done what was asked and will receive a reward for their obedience. By training them in a positive environment, they will learn faster and retain the information longer.
See also: Spotlight on the Miniature American Shepherd Dog
And: Small Guard Dog Breeds to Protect You and Your Property
Do Miniature Huskies Good Family Pets?
Yes, just like their larger counterparts, Miniature Huskies make good family pets. As the mix between their parents, Siberian Husky and Alaskan Klee Kai, they inherit some of their parent breeds’ traits. Siberians are known to be very affectionate, loyal, and loving towards their families, which Miniature Huskies inherit. However, they can also be aloof around strangers until they become comfortable with them. They are playful and energetic around children but should not play roughly as mini huskies have fine bones that may break. They can live up to 14 years and typically weigh about 16lbs and stand at an average of 16in tall.
Children and other pets should be supervised when interacting with Miniature Huskies as they can become possessive or protective. The Siberian Husky and Alaskan Klee Kai often display these behaviors and pass them down to their offspring. The best environment for a Miniature Husky is in a home with an active family that has time to dedicate to the dog. Because of their size, they adapt well to apartment living and can get most of their exercise indoors.
Miniature Huskies are a mix between the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Klee Kais. They have a thick coat, blue eyes, and playfulness but need to be trained properly. With an active family that has time to spend training them, they can make great pets for children and other animals who can get along. They are a good size to live indoors and adapt well to apartment living. Their heritage means they have a strong prey drive and should not be left alone with small animals.
Featured image: Miniature Husky Dog
