How Much Does a Siberian Husky Cost?

The bright blue eyes and distinctive fur are probably the most remarkable features of a Siberian Husky, which also brings to mind the winter scenery and dog sledding. Today it happens more and more often to see these beautiful animals of the northern land in the southern regions or even on the crowded streets of cities.

Considered one of the most beautiful dogs in the world, the Husky is a medium-sized dog and, although it is not part of large and agile dog breeds, it is very fast and alert. Siberian Huskies date back to at least 4,000 years ago. The breed was developed by the Chukchi people of Northeast Asia, an ancient hunting people who in the past used these dogs for hunting, but also to pull weights on long distances in Arctic Siberia.

How much does a Siberian Husky cost?

The Siberian Husky prices vary from as low as $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) up to $6000 (≈2.3 months locked to your job at $15/hour), for rare colors or those with champion bloodlines. The average cost for purchasing a purebred Husky puppy, from a reputable breeder, ranges between $600 and $1,500 (≈2.5 weeks of non-stop employment at $15/hour). However, for a puppy with top breed lines and a superior pedigree, the cost may range between $2,500 and $5,000 (≈1.9 months of your working life at $15/hour).

The cost of a Siberian Husky in the USA, in 2023, depends on many factors such as the bloodline and the breeder’s reputation, breed popularity in the buyer’s location, age, and coat color, whether it is purebred or mixed, pedigree/registration papers, health condition, and if it is trained or not.

During the first year of Husky ownership, you will spend around $3,580 (≈1.4 months dedicated to affording this at $15/hour), and after that almost $1,510 (≈2.5 weeks dedicated to affording this at $15/hour) per year for the Siberian Husky care. In these estimates, the costs of dog food and treats, training, vet bills, supplies, and grooming should be included.

Siberian Husky - breed details

A graceful and elegant pet, with a compact and well-structured body, the Husky is covered in fur, has raised ears, and a thick, bushy tail. It has a weight directly proportional to its size. Males can reach a height of 23 inches and a weight of 44 pounds, while females can grow up to 22 inches in height and weigh between 33 and 50 pounds.

The purebred dog always has a warm appearance and a friendly and gentle look. The eyes are either blue or brown, the triangular ears are medium in size, the muzzle is of medium length, and the double coat is of medium length as well. The inner fur is soft and dense, with a medium length, to be able to maintain the outer fur.

According to the American Kennel Club, a Husky's fur can be one of six colors - black, brown, gray, red, silver, and white - but there are many variations in this area as well.

Heterochromia - or eyes of two different colors - is quite common among them and often results in a blue, gold, brown, or orange eye.

The average lifespan of a Siberian Husky is between 12 and 15 years.

Costs of owning a Siberian Husky

Once you decide to own a Siberian Husky you should take into consideration the expenses with some necessary supplies such as food, shelter, leashes, collars, and many more. In the table below you will find the average prices of some of these supplies.

To spay/neuter your Siberian Husky you will spend anywhere between $55 and $455.

Vet visits are very important to maintain your dog's health in good condition. Plan on spending $70 to $180 per appointment when owning a husky.

You might also like our articles about the cost of the American Eskimo dog, Alaskan Klee Kai, or the Samoyed.

Siberian Huskies are one of the bred to pull sleds so they have a predisposition to hip dysplasia, as well as eye conditions, the most common of which are juvenile cataracts and corneal dystrophy. In the table below you will find the cost estimates to treat some of the most common health problems a Siberian Husky may have.

Huskies are known for their temperament as being very intelligent and easy to train, but they like to be independent and will only listen to a command if they understand its purpose. The training of these dogs requires a lot of patience, consistency, and a good understanding of the canine Arctic character. You should plan on spending anywhere between $920 and $1,250 for 7 to 9 private dog training lessons and another $160 to $220 for five group sessions.

Caring for a Husky's fur is relatively straightforward: it's easy to comb, but it should be brushed frequently, especially during shedding periods. These Nordic beauties lose a large amount of hair when the season changes and it is best to use the services of a professional groomer in this period. There is no need to wash it, especially since most of the dirt is removed by combing or with a dry towel. If the bath is still needed, use only water and gentle dog shampoo. The annual grooming costs can be anywhere between $115 and $350. Grooming your husky will cost less if you do it yourself.

Because Huskies are very physically active dogs, they need more calories than sedentary dogs. In addition to the level of activity, other factors influence the diet of dogs. Age, health, and size are factors that cannot be ignored. In general, the food of a Siberian Husky should contain about 70% meat, 20-30% fruits and vegetables, and a small proportion of cereals.

In addition to high-quality dry and/or moist food, BARF (biologically suitable raw food) is another nutritional option for Husky. Dogs are fed mainly raw meat. However, find out about BARF before choosing this regimen for your dog. Also, seek medical advice if you are unsure. You should also remember to give your dog enough fresh water.

So, the food for a Siberian Husky will cost around $150 to $420 per year.

As a husky owner, expect to pay for pet insurance around $200 for a plan that covers only the accidents and around $570 for a plan that covers both illness and accident.

Some other costs to consider, when bringing a husky into your family, are licensing which would be around $20, microchipping which is around $40, hiring a dog walker which would be around $20 per day and dog boarding, which is around $60 per day.

Important things to consider

This is a perfect pet for the family because it longs for attention and is always happy and ready to please others. He can also live in an apartment, but also in a yard where he has space to play. Unlike other dog breeds, the Husky loves to play frisbee.

This breed needs a lot of movement, but it must be done in a safe, closed area, or on a leash because they have a strong desire to run if they are free, and you can't be sure that they will return to command. A yard with a solid fence is a must to keep your husky safe, and because they can jump over anything on the spot, the height of the fence is also important.

An adult Siberian Husky needs more than two hours of exercise a day and a good chance to run.

Like an Alaskan husky, these dogs don't like the heat. If you live in an area where the temperature is over 79 degrees Fahrenheit, don't take a husky. Such a dog cannot even move at more than 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Buying tips

When buying a Husky, make sure that the seller is a breeder affiliated with a reputable association. Don't buy a dog without a pedigree certificate! The breeder who sells without documents is usually more interested in immediate financial gains than in the welfare of the dog. Buying a dog at a lower price can quickly turn into a cost trap.

Often, a cheap husky breeder does not take care of vaccination and does not take the necessary hygiene measures to prevent the puppies from getting sick. Usually, they have a puppy mill or a backyard where they keep them, and the little ones do not socialize properly, and the parents are not taken care of according to their needs. They do not even bother to select only healthy animals following breed standards for breeding.

You can contact dog breeder organizations to buy a Husky puppy from a reputable breeder. If you want an adult Husky or if you also accept a mixed Husky, you can try your luck at the shelters for abandoned dogs. Whether you take the dog directly from a breeder, or pet store, or adopt it from a shelter, the quadruped must have a vaccination certificate.

Cost of adopting a Siberian Husky

Adopting a husky from shelters or rescues can be a rewarding way to add this energetic, loyal breed to your home at a more affordable initial cost. Adoption fees facilitating needed veterinary care, supplies, and administration average a reasonable $300 to $500.

Municipal shelter adoptions of around $50 meet immediate housing needs yet rarely provide full health or temperament background details.