Husky puppies how much do they cost

Siberian Huskies are beautiful dogs, and most pet owners would love to own one. However, the cost of purchasing and maintaining this breed is substantial, and you need to consider it before proceeding with bringing one home. 

The price of a Husky depends on whether you buy it from a rescue shelter or a breeder. Generally, you can find a Husky for between $50 and $2,500 USD. A Husky puppy will most likely cost around $400 (and up) from a reputable breeder. However, rescuing a Husky from a shelter can be as low as $50. Husky prices may also depend on health, location, pedigree, colors and more.

Summary of Husky Prices:

• Pet stores typically charge between $800 and $1,300 for a Husky puppy. 
• Breeders typically charge between $200 and $400, but the price can go as high as $2,500 if the pup is of a champion bloodline from a reputable breeder. 
• Rescue shelters typically charge between $50 and $100 as a shelter upkeep fee.

This article will discuss the cost of purchasing a Siberian Husky, as well as essential hidden longterm costs such as food, medical bills, and other essentials. To learn more, read on. 

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Table of Contents

• 6 Factors That Affect Husky Prices
  • 1. Popularity and Location
  • 2. The Husky’s Lineage
  • 3. Coat & Eye Color
  • 4. The Husky’s Age
  • 5. Gender of the Husky
  • 6. Reputation of Breeder
• Husky Prices From Around the World
  • Husky Prices in the USA
  • Husky Prices in the UK
• The Hidden Cost of Raising Huskies
  • Cost of Feeding a Husky
  • Cost of Keeping a Husky Healthy
  • Miscellaneous Costs
• Are Huskies Worth the Price?

6 Factors That Affect Husky Prices

A few factors will determine the buying trends of Siberian Huskies and, consequently, their cost. While these factors can be anything from color to location, we have narrowed it down to the most influential components:

1. Popularity and Location

Compared to a other dog breeds like the Labrador and the Golden Retriever, the Husky is not among the most popular dog breeds. In the UK, it ranked 18th in popularity in 2018 and 14th in the US the same year.

But considering how many dog breeds there are, Huskies are not unpopular dogs either. According to Wide Open Pets, Siberian Huskies are the most popular dogs in the US states of Connecticut and Washington.

With that said, it’s likely Huskies will cost more in states that have a high demand for these arctic spitz dogs – at least relatively. Another significant factor that influences Husky prices is the standard of living in the state (or even city!).

Depending on the country, state and city, Husky prices will vary accordingly. For example, you can generally expect dog prices to be higher in California than say, Mississippi.

In many parts of the globe, the love for the Husky has for some time been determined by trending TV programs like the Game of Thrones series. As such, fans developed a fleeting love for the Husky and other wolf-like breeds, like the Malamutes.

Not only does this hurt all the deserving homeless dogs waiting for a chance at a good home in shelters, but shelters are reporting that many of these huskies are being abandoned.

– Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister)

This was good because it brought more recognition and popularity to this amazing breed. But also bad, because impulse-owners discovered that they could not keep up with the significant care needs of the Husky.

There are records of massive abandonments of Huskies in countries like the US, the UK, and New Zealand, contributing to the diminished popularity of the breed. For example, a local rescue McQueen saw a 20 percent increase in abandoned Huskies.

2. The Husky’s Lineage

As with all other breeds, pedigree dogs will cost a lot more than mixed breeds. Also, dogs with champion blood lineage will cost you a premium on top of the purebred label. But what does this all mean?

If you’re purchasing from a reputable breeder, you’ll get to see the pedigree of the puppy. The pedigree is essentially the family history of dog, providing crucial health information that can be traced back several generations.

As you may have guessed, dogs showing little to no health issues in the lineage will cost more than those with issues. Plus, spotting these medical conditions is easy.

For instance, “OFA” on the pedigree means the dog suffered from hip dysplasia. However, you’ll find information on eye conditions, elbow dysplasia and more. Examinations will be graded as: E (excellent), G (good) or F (fair).

As an originally working dog bred for sled-pulling in Siberia, Huskies are often purchased for sporting purposes to partake in sled-pulling competitions. 

Buying a Husky with a champion lineage will cost you more than the ordinary pet-Husky. So, if you spot a “CH” on the puppy’s pedigree, it means that dog was an AKC champion. Increase in prices are hard to estimate because will it depend on many other factors.

3. Coat & Eye Color

This breed has a variety of coat colors ranging from black to grey to brown and silver. The silver coat is widely preferred to other colors, so you’ll likely have to pay more for a silver Husky pup. 

Siberian Huskies are among the breeds with Heterochromia, or having different colored eyes as a result of the uneven distribution of melanin. It’s hard to deny the mysterious and unique look of a Husky with two different eye colors.

A study in 2018 discovered a 98.6-kb duplication of the gene responsible for this unusual eye development that is majorly restricted to Siberian Huskies and is responsible for the breeds blue eyes.

I don’t know why people pay a premium for this coloring difference. It does not rank the dogs higher in shows nor offer the animal any visual advantage. It’s unusual that people are willing to pay for it.

– Michele C. (Husky owner)

Unfortunately, some breeders will charge more for Huskies with Heterochromia. While this isn’t a rare phenomenon, these unethical breeders often attempt to sell novice owners on the “rarity” of the eye condition.

A quick google search suggests that the white Husky with blue eyes has special attention from buyers. As such, it’s likely that naive owners will pay extra for the unique look.

4. The Husky’s Age

A universal trend in prices is that puppies will sell for more as compared to older dogs. The reasons revolve around the ease of training a puppy and the possibility of buying a dog that is healthier as compared to mature dogs.

Also, mature dogs are more often found in shelter homes compared to puppies. And as we mentioned, it’s much cheaper to adopt from the shelter. This was especially true during the Game of Thrones hype, when shelters were flooded with older Huskies.

5. Gender of the Husky

Male Huskies tend to cost a little more than their female counterparts. A common reason for this price difference is that most Husky owners buy them with a professional intention of registering in sled-pulling rings and other types of sports.

While male Huskies can be consistent in such activities, a female Husky may not be able to attend if the competition falls in the days when the dog is going through her physiological changes (such as bleeding). 

The bleeding problem won’t be an issue if the dog has been sprayed. However, the female Husky is not as useful in sled-pulling, given the substantial difference in weight between the two genders (male: 45-60 pounds; female: 35-50 pounds).

6. Reputation of Breeder

Last but not least, the reputation of the breeder is one of the most significant factors for the different Husky prices. Husky breeders with high reputations likely also have puppies with top pedigrees – which can easily command over a thousand dollars.

The reason you should go with a reputable breeder is because they put more care into the breeding process. They’re responsible, ethical, knowledgeable and most likely, care a lot about their dogs. But of course, they’ll cost more.

While reputable breeders may be more expensive up front, they may actually be cheaper in the long run. You get what you paid for, and an inexpensive Husky pup can develop a bunch of health issues, which will require plenty of future visits to the vet.

So, how do you find a reputable Husky breeder? If you live in the USA, the best place to look is AKC’s Breeder of Merit Program. The organization vets the breeders and their operation, only allowing those who go “above and beyond” into the program.

I recommend visiting the AKC marketplace for Huskies, then going through the list to see if you can find a nearby Husky breeder with the Breeder of Merit badge.

Similarly, If you live in the UK, the Kennel Club has a similar program called the Assured Breeder Program. We don’t have much experience or knowledge of it, but given the Kennel Club’s reputation, we expect it to be just as great.

Husky Prices From Around the World

The exact price you pay will vary depending on the factors discussed above. So, let’s see how much Huskies will cost in different parts of the globe.

Husky Prices in the USA

The cost of Siberian Huskies in the US will depend a lot on whether you buy it from a pet store, a breeder, or a rescue shelter. And if you’re buying from a breeder, it depends on the reputation of that breeder.

That said, the price of Huskies purchased from pet stores will range from $800 and $1,300 for a pure breed. This cost is inclusive of the legalization paperwork and the registration, among other requirements.

Buying a Husky from a registered professional breeder will imply obtaining a Husky with some form of training. This will cost around $400 but can go up way more.

Beware of Huskies bought from backyard breeders. They may have health and behavioral issues, and their prices may range between $150 and $450. On the low scale, it seems cheap but the extra healthcare costs may not be worth it.

Adopting a Husky from a rescue center may cost you between $50 and $100. Taking this path is safe because most rescue homes are expert organizations and give professional care to the dogs. You are, therefore, assured of a healthy dog with basic training and early vaccinations.

Husky Prices in the UK

A quick check of prices for the first 10 Huskies listed on pets4homes.co.uk indicates that you will pay between £650 and £1,200 for a Husky in the UK. This was a relatively simple check, but again, the prices will range depending on various factors.

These prices vary depending on the city. For example, the highest selling Husky is from Llandysul, Ceredigion, while the lowest selling Huskies are from Boston, Lincolnshire, and Liverpool, Merseyside.

Other factors that seem important because listed in the dog’s description include the age of the Husky and the coat color of the puppy and its parents’ among others.

Note that the Huskies listed on this marketplace are updated according to newest posted. So the details may have changed by the time you read this but we expect similar trends in pricing in the UK.

The Hidden Cost of Raising Huskies

Will owning a Siberian Husky leave you bankrupted? Maybe not that extreme, but there are “hidden costs” to maintaining dogs. Every dog comes with extra costs in feeding, health services, insurance, and other maintenance or miscellaneous costs.

Cost of Feeding a Husky

Let’s state the obvious: a dog will need to be fed daily, ideally with a balanced diet. This means you can expect your Husky to consume between 2 and 3 cups of dog food a day.

This may vary depending on the Huskies’ exercise level, age, and size. If you are unsure, make sure to consult with your dog’s local veterinarian. But more important than the amount of food is the quality of it.

People go to discount stores, buy a 40-pound bag of cheap food. Even though the food meets the minimum quality requirements, it may not have enough protein or nutrients for your pet.

– Roy Cruzen DVM

According to Roy Cruzen DVM, quality dog food will go for around $4 a pound. As such, a 30-pound bag of dog food gives 120 cups. If your Husky eats the maximum 3 cups a day, that will total to 21 cups a week, implying that your 30-pound bag will go for ten weeks. 

Huskies are known for being a bit fussy with what they eat. This may make you consider occasionally supplementing dog food with human foods that are safe for dogs. 

Possible options may include vegetables such as carrots, fruits like apples, and general dog treats that include white rice, chicken, fish, and other products. This may bring in another $20 in food cost per month.

Overall, it does not look like the Husky will drain your pocket with heavy eating. However, food isn’t the only cost to consider. 

Cost of Keeping a Husky Healthy

Preventive vet expenses come in basic and recommended vaccines. These could set you back between $90 and $120 depending on where you take them. Taking the vaccines at a shelter house may cost you as little as $20, or you may even get them free.

If your Husky should need specialized vet attention, here are the costs involved in some of the illnesses that could affect your pet.

• Neuter/Spray (approx. $150 – $200/ $200 – $300)
• Hip Dysplasia (approx. $1500 – $6000)
• Corneal Dystrophy (approx. $300 – $3000)
• Follicular Dysplasia (approx. $200 – $500)
• Deafness (approx. $100 – $300)
• Age-related Entropion: (approx. $300 – $1500)
• Autoimmune Uveodermatologic Syndrome (approx. $1000 – $3000)

Of course, the cost of the healthcare will vary drastically depending on so many different factors. The above list is primarily used to show you how costly your dog can potentially end up being.

Miscellaneous Costs

There are several other additional costs of owning a Husky that you should consider. Not all of these are “required” but in some cases, can drastically improve the life of both you and the Husky.

• Training costs: approx. $150 for six to eight weeks of professional training.
• Grooming, for example, a nail trimming session: approx. $10
• Registration and microchipping: approx. $10 – $40
• General care supplies and equipment: approx. $100 – $150

Are Huskies Worth the Price?

Huskies are an excellent choice of pet. However, they aren’t cheap. But before you invest in a Husky, make sure you fully understand the additional lifetime costs involved with buying and caring for one. 

Many times, the less money you pay upfront, the more you may have to pay for the Husky’s health in the future. Make sure to always go with a reputable breeder and if possible, check the health of the pup’s lineage.

One thing to consider, outside of price, is the amount of care and attention these dogs will need. If you’re a busy person or don’t want to spend time grooming and exercising your pup, look elsewhere. These dogs are not for you.

Otherwise, Huskies are definitely worth the price. There are few dogs as loving, silly and loyal as the Siberian Husky. Bring one home and you’ll never have another dull moment in your life.

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