A Miniature Husky may sound like two words that don't belong together; it's true! This sweet, small breed has the looks of a Siberian Husky in a much smaller body. Read more below about this tiny Husky breed and how to source your toy pup from a reputable breeder.
The Tiny History of the Teacup Husky
The Teacup Husky puppy is a tiny, pocket-sized version of the proud, wolf-like Siberian Husky.
You may not have seen a load of Mini Huskies around yet, because this breed is relatively new. In the 1990s, a dog breeder named Bree Normandin specially bred this sweet little pup into existence.
Normandin's goal was to create a breed for those potential owners wanting a small companion with some distinct physical and personality features of the Siberian sled-dog.
Miniature Huskies were bred by repeatedly breeding runts to achieve smaller and smaller average sizes. This practice can be harmful to some Minis, as they miss out on valuable nutrients needed if they can't compete with their littermates for enough milk.
The Alaskan Klee Kai and Siberian Huskies
There is debate and speculation about the Miniature Siberian Husky genes, as the breed is far smaller than you'd expect it to be, even with the help of selectively breeding smaller Siberian Huskies.
There are plenty of responsible mini breeders out there, and there are also plenty of shady ones that use unsavory practices to make some extra cash by selling fake Husky Teacup dogs.
These shady breeders often sell a similar breed, the Alaskan Klee Kai, under the guise of a Miniature Husky. These two breeds are hard to distinguish from each other, with subtle coat differences. The most significant difference between the two is invisible - these breeds have very different personalities and behaviors.
While the Miniature Siberian Husky is bold, friendly, high-energy, and adventurous, the Alaskan Klee Kai is shy, reserved, and timid around strange people.
If you're thinking of buying or adopting one of these sweet Mini Huskies, be sure to vet your breeder well and get plenty of personal recommendations from friends and family.
Siberian Husky History
The Siberian-bred Husky is an ancient sled dog, older than most other breeds in existence today. These pups are uber-strong and well-known as the lightest and fastest at sled pulling.
Though these dogs are thousands of years old, they became modernly famous in 1925, when a team of sled dogs pulled a sled over 600 miles to carry medicine to an Alaskan town in the middle of a terrible epidemic.
According to the American Kennel Club, Huskies are the 12th most popular breed, so it's easy to see why there's a demand for their tiny counterparts.
What do Teacup Huskies look like?
Minis look like a standard Husky but much, much smaller. Their wolf-like appearance is striking, as is their fluffy coat.
A standard Husky is 21 to 23.5 inches tall and weighs 35 to 60 pounds once fully grown. A Miniature Husky, on the other hand, stands 12 to 16 inches in height and weighs 15 to 35 pounds.
Owners that love Huskies but live in small homes may be happy to adopt a tinier version of their favorite breed.
Miniature Husky Temperament
Though these doggos are smaller than a Siberian Husky, their sled dog genes remain - Miniature Huskies love to run and are incredibly athletic for one of the smallest dog breeds.
You'll need to take yours on daily walks to tire them out and help them live their best life. Otherwise, you may notice destructive behaviors emerge, like chewing and aggression.
The Teacup Husky is prone to get into mischievous trouble and is very playful among children and adults alike.
Miniature Husky Health
Miniature Husky breeds, much like any breed, are prone to genetic health issues, especially since the breeding practices mate runts of the litter, who tend to be more sickly than other puppies.
Luckily, Siberian Huskies are a reasonably healthy breed, meaning the Miniature Husky breed didn't get passed down too many questionable genes.
#1. Eye Issues
Miniature Huskies have beautiful blue or multicolored eyes that come with a cost - they're more likely to develop eye problems like blindness, corneal dystrophy, progressive retinal atrophy, and cataracts.
#2. Skin Issues
Huskies tend to have a few skin issues, which Miniature Huskies seem to share. First, there's follicular dysplasia, causing infected, scaly skin, hair loss, and abnormal hair growth.
Common zinc deficiencies also cause itching skin and hair loss.
#3. Hip Dysplasia
We see hip dysplasia in a vast number of breeds, and the Miniature Husky is one of them. This painful condition causes abnormal formation of the hip joints, affecting a dog's mobility, often requiring surgery.
#4. Hypothyroidism
Huskies often have abnormal hormone secretions in the thyroid gland, leading to low energy, weight gain, and hair loss.
Mini vs. Teacup Husky: What are Teacup Dogs?
There isn't any officially acknowledged rule about the size of a teacup dog breed; most toy breeds' average weight tends to fall in the range of four to seven pounds.
We use popular small breeds to create teacup pups using Pugs, Silky Terriers, Pomeranians, Maltese, Poodles, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, and Shih Tzus.
Teacup, Toy, & Miniature?
While some call them a Micro Husky Teacup or Toy Husky, a true Toy Husky is almost impossible to achieve at its standard four to seven-pound size and 17-inch height. A Teacup Husky full-grown tends to weigh more than that, though they are still delightfully small and sweet.
You may also see mixed breeds that help keep them small in size, like a Teacup Pomeranian Husky mix.
Common Health Defects in Teacup Dog Breeds
Though the smaller the breed, the longer the lifespan is usually a good rule of thumb, being too small seems to be the exception to the rule.
Small teacup breeds tend to have a shorter lifespan than other small breeds, at just 12 to 15 years on average. They're very specifically and unnaturally bred, leaving them more vulnerable to certain health conditions that affect their life expectancy.
Tiny dog bodies need to work harder to breathe and pump blood, with fewer physical resources available to them.
Mini Husky breeds often suffer from hypoglycemia or chronically low blood sugar levels. This condition may cause seizures or death if not monitored and can be kept at bay with a diet of several small meals a day.
Teacups also tend to experience some issues when urinating, as their bladders are often too small and underdeveloped.
The Shady Teacup Breeding Market
Beyond the issues we already mentioned about breeders that swap out the Alaskan Klee Kai, claiming it to be a teacup dog, Husky markets may be problematic even if a breeder offers you the real deal.
Breeders make these dogs available because they make a load of money off of them. Teacup pups are incredibly fashionable and trendy, so many are willing to pay top dollar.
Unfortunately, that means that breeders are also willing to use harmful practices to breed a tiny teacup pup no matter the consequences - this means dogs may be underdeveloped and plenty of birthing complications might be present that risk both the mama and her puppies.
Some breeders encourage less growth by starving dogs and puppies, a sick and twisted practice.
And even with better breeding practices, since the teacup size isn't clearly defined, breeders often misinform a buyer who doesn't know the right questions to ask. They may lie about a dog's age or pass runts off as teacup pups.
Best Practices for Small Dog Purchases
If you've settled on the idea of getting a teacup Husky, ask any potential breeders for a certificate of good pup health from the vet before you give them any cash - reputable breeders will happily provide you with a contract with a health guarantee included.
Good breeders know that word of mouth can be the kiss of death, and they do not want unhappy customers smearing their reputation.
To find a good breeder, ask at your vet clinic or local dog clubs. Check out the dog's living conditions and the health of its parents, if possible.
Final Notes on the Mini Husky & Other Tiny Dog Breeds
A Mini Husky can make a great, though energetic pet for a family who loves to get outside.
If you want a small dog but aren't sure that the Mini Husky's temperament is for you, there are a few other tiny breeds to consider:
- Border Terrier
- The English Cocker Spaniel
- Bichon Frise
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Pomapoo
It's a good idea to get a bed ramp for dogs, no matter the breed you choose - these small pups have trouble getting around, especially onto hard-to-reach furniture.
If you decide to adopt a Miniature Husky, he might even be full of enough beans to try and pull a sled with the big dogs!
Leave a comment (all fields required)