Miniature Siberian Husky
All about the Miniature Siberian Husky
Many people think that there is no such thing as a miniature Siberian Husky. If you browse the internet, you can even find rude comments on websites like Yahoo, directed at people who were bold enough to ask where they could get a Miniature Siberian Husky. Well, if you bought into that line of thought, you had better rethink the whole situation.
There really is a dog who is a Miniature Siberian Husky. And, we are not confusing it with the Alaskan Klee Kai, a similar looking dog, but an entirely different breed. A Miniature Siberian Husky is not a cross between any breed of dog nor is it a breed on its own. It is a true Siberian Husky, bred to be small. The Miniature Siberian Husky is very rare.
The Alaskan Klee Kai is also very rare but an entirely different breed of dog. The Klee Kai was bred by combining the genetics of the Alaskan Husky, American Eskimo, and Schipperke dog breeds. Miniature Siberian Huskies, on the other hand, are simply tiny Siberian Huskies, and they share the same temperament and qualities of their larger counterparts. They are a naturally occurring mutation in the breed. Their development is encouraged so that people who want a Siberian Husky but do not have the room to raise a large dog, can still be engaged in the breed.
So, if the Miniature Siberian Husky is simply a smaller version of a Siberian Husky, what kind of temperament and behavior might we expect in the dog? The Siberian Husky is a purebred dog, not a dog that is half this and half that. It was originally bred in northeastern Asia by the Chukchi people to be a sled dog with incredible stamina. The dogs were first introduced to the world when they started taking part in the yearly All-Alaska Sweepstakes Races, which most likely can be considered as a precursor to the modern Alaskan Iditarod race.
In 1925, this relative of the Miniature Siberian Husky got national attention when, Leonhard Seppala, a driver whose dogs were descendents of the original Siberian Huskies, braved the cold and snow to deliver a diphtheria serum for an outbreak in Nome, Alaska. He then traveled around the United States and competed in sled dog races. New England sled dog racers were so impressed they imported Siberian Huskies of their own, and went on to acquire AKC status for the breed. The Siberian Husky Club of America was formed in 1938.
All puppies are cute but Siberian Husky pups are cuter than most, and the Miniature Siberian Husky is so adorable everyone who sees one wants to bring it home. This is where discretion is needed in the case of the Miniature Siberian Husky. While the dog has wonderful qualities and is a true Siberian Husky in very way, not everyone is well-suited to be an owner of a Siberian Husky.
First of all, the Siberian Husky is a very loving dog and very friendly. They develop a bond with their owners but are very social dogs, and like to be around other people and other dogs. Siberian Huskies are very intelligent as seen in how fast they can be trained to be sled dogs. They don’t usually pick fights but will defend themselves aggressively if attacked.
Now comes the part that will really determine if you should be an owner of a Siberian Husky or a Miniature Siberian Husky. They are cold weather dogs and do the best in a climate where there are winters. Even a Miniature Siberian Husky is going to get an incredibly thick coat that will shed out once or twice a year. We are not talking a little bit of dog hair but massive amounts of dog hair.
Siberian Huskies are very smart but can also have a mind of their own. They can be deliberate in trying to outwit their owners. Their biggest desire is to run and this is what they were bred to do. A husky confined throughout the day and not given a proper amount of exercise is going to have so much pent up energy as to be uncontrollable. While they shouldn’t run loose unless you are with them, they do need to get a large amount of exercise every day.
Don’t think that because you have a Miniature Siberian Husky, the need to run is going to be smaller too. This dog was bred for the outdoors and to specialize in endurance running and that is what you get in a Siberian Husky, no matter what the size. Also, Siberian Huskies cannot be counted on not to chase cats, hamsters, squirrels, or any other kind of small animal that runs (inside or outside).
The Miniature Siberian Husky does indeed exist. But before you acquire one, do a little research and see if the dog is a good match for your living situation and lifestyle.