The Siberian Husky, commonly referred to as Husky, is among the most popular dog breeds in the United States. This may be the reason why the average Husky price has increased in recent years.
Aside from the purchasing price, there are also other costs associated with owning a Husky.
This will be discussed in this guide, along with some helpful information that can help you financially prepare for pet-owning. Let’s begin!
The Average Cost of a Husky Puppy
The price of a purebred Siberian Husky from reputable breeders ranges from $750 to $3,000. If you are eyeing a Husky puppy from a champion bloodline, prices usually start at $1,500.
With a reputation for being a great sled dog, it’s easy to see why the Siberian Husky has gained vast popularity.
As the demand for Huskies increased, so did the price. Fortunately, becoming a much sought-after breed has also made the Husky more accessible to own.
Nevertheless, aspiring dog owners must be aware of the financial commitment of owning a Husky. There is more to the actual Husky cost, and I’ll share all of those essentials in the following sections.
In the meantime, if you want to see some funny Husky antics, watch the video below:
Husky FREAKS OUT While Learning to Swim!<a href="https://youtu.be/h646Vo1wS7U" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fh646Vo1wS7U%2F0.jpg" alt="Husky FREAKS OUT While Learning to Swim!" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Husky Puppy
Several factors come into play when determining the Husky price. These include age, appearance, bloodline, and breeder’s reputation, to name a few.
Knowing these factors will help you determine if they are well-worth purchasing.
Below is the list of factors affecting the cost of a Husky puppy:
Age: Generally, puppies are more expensive than older dogs. This is also true for the Siberian Husky puppy. With puppies, there is a greater likelihood of better health conditions than with senior dogs, who may have ailments associated with old age.
Appearance: The Husky comes in various colors such as white, black, brown, gray, and red. The recognized eye colors by the American Kennel Club (AKC) are brown and blue. There are those who have bi-colored or even parti-colored eyes, known as heterochromia. Rarer color combinations in terms of the coat and eyes may increase the price.
Bloodline: A dog’s bloodline is always a major factor affecting its price. Siberian Huskies coming from champion lineage will naturally be priced much higher than regular Husky breeds.
Breeder’s Reputation: A reputable breeder usually charges a higher price for the Siberian Husky than backyard breeders. With many of these dogs purchased to join sporting competitions, Husky breeders with trusted expertise charge premium prices.
Registration Papers: If your intention of owning a Husky is to enter competitions, then having them registered is a must. This means that Huskies with registration papers are also more expensive. Having the dog meet certification standards require additional costs for breeders.
Location: The farther the location of your chosen breeder, the greater the cost on your part in acquiring your Husky pup. Thankfully, the Husky is a popular breed. You just might find one from a professional breeder in your area!
Knowing the main factors affecting their price gives you an idea of how to plan your budget to purchase your puppy. Bear in mind also that there may still be other factors that could influence the Husky price, such as gender and size.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Husky From a Rescue?
As previously mentioned, you may opt to adopt a Siberian Husky from an animal shelter or rescue and pay somewhere between $125 and $500.
Not only is this a suitable choice if you are looking for a more budget-friendly price, but you also get the joy of knowing that you have given an abandoned dog a new home.
Adoption fees usually already include vaccinations, neutering/spaying, and deworming. This is also why Husky puppies tend to be more expensive than older ones. Older Huskies are most likely vaccinated and neutered/spayed.
When it comes to lifestyle, puppies are considered more active while older dogs are more relaxed — something to consider when choosing between adopting a younger or older Husky.
If you decide to adopt a Husky, there is a good chance that you can easily find one at animal shelters and rescues.
This is because, over the last few years, an increase in the number of abandoned Huskies was seen due to the negative impact of pop culture.
Initial Cost of Husky Ownership
Now that you have an idea of the Siberian Husky price, you may also be wondering what other expenses to expect in owning one.
Here we’ll tackle the initial expenses that are essential in keeping your Husky in excellent condition. These initial costs include necessary items and veterinary procedures for your new pup.
Listed below are the initial expenses needed for a Husky puppy:
Food and Treats: Although Huskies are very active dogs, they do not consume a lot of food. Thus, it is important to ensure that you feed them premium dog food, which costs around $80 to $100. Focus on giving your Husky food with an appropriate proportion of protein and calorie content to support their active lifestyle.
Food and Water Bowls: Purchasing good-quality feeding bowls is a good investment for your Husky. Stainless steel bowls are a highly recommended option because they prevent the build-up of bacteria and are easy to clean. These usually cost $10 to $30.
Bed: A quality dog bed usually costs around $40 to $180. Considering that Siberian Husky sheds a lot, focus on finding a bed that is durable and can easily be washed. Ensure that it also provides adequate ventilation to prevent them from getting too warm as they have thick coats.
Crate: A dog’s crate is considered his safe place. This also helps in a Husky puppy’s early training. Look into getting a durable dog crate, which usually comes within the $50 to $370 price range.
Leashes and Collars: Huskies are known for being escape artists. All the more reason to prioritize purchasing superior quality collars and leashes to prevent your Husky from accidentally escaping and running away. Leash and collar sets usually cost between $15 and $50.
Toys: Toys keep dogs happily busy. Choose good quality toys that will not only withstand the strong jaws and sharp teeth of your Husky puppy but also keep them from engaging in undesirable behaviors as well. Quality-made dog toys such as chew toys, tennis balls, and plush toys cost around $30 to $40.
Grooming Essentials: Huskies are known to be naturally clean and do not need coat trimming. Basic grooming once a week is enough to keep them looking great. However, you do need some good-quality grooming tools like brushes, metal comb, nail clippers, and conditioning spray. Your grooming costs would amount to around $40 to $160 for these items.
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: To ensure that your Husky is free from parasites, regular deworming treatment is needed. They are also prone to having ticks and fleas due to their thick coats. Thus, tick and flea medications are also important. These treatments often cost around $50 to $200.
Initial Vet Visits: Initial veterinary care is necessary to make sure that your Husky puppy is healthy. The cost for initial vet visits is usually within the $100 and $300 price range.
Initial Vaccine Shots: Usually, the initial shots of vaccines have already been administered when you purchase or adopt a Husky. If you have acquired an unvaccinated Husky pup, the initial set of vaccines would cost around $75 to $200.
Neutering or Spaying: The amount for neutering or spaying surgery for your Husky would cost around $50 to $500. Living healthier and longer lives are among the said benefits of this procedure.
Dog License: The registration fee for a dog license is usually priced from $10 to $20. This license is crucial in helping you locate your Siberian Husky in case they get lost. A unique license number will be given as proof of identity, together with the dog tag.
Microchip: Microchipping your Husky would cost you somewhere between $40 and $60. This procedure involves injecting a tiny electronic device bearing the ID number of your dog into his skin. This microchip can be read by scanners to obtain the ID number of the dog.
Miscellaneous Supplies: There may be other items that you need to purchase for your new Siberian Husky. Expect to pay around $15 to $30 for miscellaneous items such as supplements, potty training pads, potty inducers, poop bags, sanitizers, and odor removers.
Below you can find the list of your initial expenses for your Husky puppy:
Based on the table above, you would be spending an estimated amount of $505 to $2,610 in preparing for the needs of your new Husky.
It would be wise to spend on quality dog supplies as they are built to last longer.
That way, you won’t go through the hassle of making frequent trips to the pet store to repurchase items, thus allowing you to save money in the long run.
Annual Cost of Owning a Siberian Husky
Knowing if you can manage the yearly expenses of having a Husky is an important aspect of your budget planning.
We are now looking into the vital recurring expenses entailed with providing proper care for your Husky. These expenses are now more substantial and require careful analysis for aspiring dog owners.
Below is the list of yearly expenses of owning a Husky:
Based on the data above, you would notice that the bulk of your expenses goes to food and treats, pet insurance, and routine vet care.
You can save a considerable amount on grooming as no coat trimming is needed for your Husky. You can choose not to avail yourself of professional groomer services as you can groom your pooch right at home.
What you must pay attention to is your routine check-ups with the vet. Due to their active nature, it is recommended that your Siberian Husky get a routine hip evaluation as they are prone to having hip dysplasia.
Huskies are also prone to developing cataracts due to a recessive gene that they may carry so regular ophthalmologist evaluation is also important. These check-ups would annually cost you anywhere from $200 to $400.
Pet insurance may also seem like a huge expense, and you might consider not getting one for your Husky. However, this is not advisable as good insurance coverage provides a buffer against emergency medical fees for your pooch.
Please remember that the figures presented are simply calculated estimates, and your actual spending may differ depending on your situation.
Other Potential Expenses
So far, we have covered the essential expenses associated with taking care of your Siberian Husky. You may now be wondering if there are still other expenses that you may contemplate setting aside a special budget for.
The following are the potential expenses for a Husky:
Dog Walking: Dog walkers’ main duty is to take your dog out for scheduled walks ensuring that your Husky gets regular exercise. They look after and clean up after your pooch during the said walks. Professional dog walkers usually charge $14 to $18 per hour.
Pet Sitting: Pet sitters take care of your Husky while you are not home. Apart from taking your dog out for walks, they also make sure your pooch is properly fed and gets enough attention all throughout the day. Compared to dog walker fees, pet sitter fees are more expensive. Expect to pay around $20 to $30 per day.
Dog Daycare: You may also consider leaving your dog at a dog daycare where they can socialize with other dogs and enjoy other services offered by the daycare, such as grooming, spa, and training. These usually cost around $20 to $30 per day.
Kennel Club Registration: You may consider having your Siberian Husky puppy registered in clubs such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Siberian Husky Club of America, Inc. (SHCA). In this way, your pooch can join various shows and competitions held by the clubs. These usually cost from $80 to $200.
Emergency Medical Treatments: While the Siberian Husky is a relatively healthy breed, unforeseen medical emergencies and vet bills in the future may cost you around $1,000 to $5,000. This is a huge amount to note and prepare for, as you would never know when your Siberian Husky may need immediate medical care for hip dysplasia and other ailments.
The above-mentioned potential expenses can be deemed optional, and you may opt not to spend on them except for emergency medical treatments.
You can choose to allocate savings from other potential expenses to your emergency medical treatment fund to be able to build sufficient available cash should unexpected vet expenses arise.
You may also look into getting pet insurance that offers medical emergency coverage. This way, you can protect yourself from unexpected medical expenses.
Places to Find Husky Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Now that you are aware of the costs of owning a Siberian Husky, we will now move on to finding places where you can find one and provide a loving home to.
Below is a list of some of the reputable breeders for a Husky puppy:
Karnovanda Kennels – This Minnesota-based breeder has been in the business since 1959. They are AKC-registered and have produced more than 400 champions. Its owner, Judith M. Russell, has been awarded Breeder of the Year by the Siberian Husky Club of America three times in the past.
Kingdom Kennel Siberian Huskies – Based in Louisiana, Mississippi, this breeder has a distinct style of breeding wherein they focus on socializing the puppies to help them transition smoothly into their new homes.
Loyal Siberian Huskies – This breeder is based in Hamer, South Carolina, and has been breeding Huskies since 1992. Their puppies for sale are AKC-registered and have been USDA-approved, meaning the puppies have met the regulatory requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture.
You may also want to check out our picks for the 10 best Siberian Husky breeders for more options.
If you prefer adopting a Siberian Husky, here are some of the rescues you can check out:
Forever Husky – Forever Husky is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 2009. Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, they work with the community in accomplishing their rescue efforts. Rescued Huskies are placed in the care of foster families until they are adopted.
Husky Education and Rescue Team, Inc. (HEART) – HEART focuses on rescuing abandoned Huskies in kill shelters. They have adoption centers located in New Jersey and Maryland. Their team of volunteers saves, rehabilitates, and rehomes Siberian Huskies in high-kill shelters.
Free Spirit Siberian Rescue – Free Spirit Siberian Rescue is another non-profit charitable organization focusing on rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming abandoned Siberian Huskies in Illinois and its surrounding areas.
You can find more in our 10 best Siberian Husky rescues for adoption guide. You can also check out our ultimate guide to dog adoption to find useful tips and information about the process of adopting a new dog.
Money-Saving Tips for Siberian Husky Owners
While it is inevitable that you would have to spend a considerable amount on owning a Husky, this does not mean that you cannot find cost-efficient ways to save.
The following are some tips you can use to save money as a Husky owner:
Invest in high-quality essentials. Items made of high-quality materials are usually more expensive but are heavy-duty and built to last. In the end, you spared yourself from having additional repeated purchase costs.
Buy dog food in bulk. Since food and treats comprise a sizable portion of your annual expenses, you can consider buying your Husky’s food in bulk to save money. Remember to properly store the food to keep them from getting spoiled and take note of the expiration date.
Make homemade snacks and treats for your Husky. As high-quality dog food may cost a lot, you can save money by preparing healthy homemade snacks and treats to keep your Husky from easily going hungry and as reward tokens during your training sessions.
Make DIY dog toys. As dog toys can be pretty expensive, you can tap into your creative side and find safe alternative items at home that can be made as dog toys to keep your Husky happily preoccupied.
Take regular visits to your vet. Make it a priority to visit your veterinarian regularly to keep your Husky in good health and to have early detection of any potential health issue/s.
Keep your Husky safe. Prevent unfortunate accidents by ensuring that hazardous items are out of your Husky’s reach and potential fire, electric shock, and suffocation dangers are eliminated.
Knowing and applying these tips can help you save some money. Just remember that the most important thing is your dog’s welfare and that you should never compromise the quality level of care your Husky deserves.
Final Thoughts
Owning a dog requires a serious financial commitment, and there is definitely no exception with owning a Husky.
Knowing where to splurge and save on will help you make responsible financial choices and keep your Siberian Husky happy and healthy.
Just remember never to buy from a puppy mill or backyard breeder if you plan on getting one.
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