How much is a Husky? How much do they cost? Puppy prices & expenses

So you have decided on adding a Husky to your family – congratulations! You will have a lot of fun with these happy-go-lucky, energetic and beautiful dogs.

But one question remains: How much will a Husky puppy cost? What should you budget for acquiring him?

The price could be as low as $200 if you get your puppy of off Craigslist – or around $1,200 if you get him from a registered breeder. Rescues charge about $350 for Husky puppies.

Today we want to look at the price breakdown, as well as future costs that are associated with owning a Husky!

How much does a Husky cost?

How much you end up paying for your Husky will depend on where you acquire him as well as special characteristics. Colors such as the Agouti Husky or unusually small Miniature Huskies are highly sought-after and could cost a bit more. Huskies with mismatched eyes or blue eyes and brown fur could also have a high price, based on the high demand.

In this article we refer to the Siberian Husky. If you consider purchasing a different type of Husky, costs may differ.

The first decision you need to make is whether you want to get your puppy from classifieds (most commonly Craigslist), a rescue or a breeder.

Husky puppies in classifieds

The fastest and cheapest way to acquire a puppy is through your local classifieds. You can find them for $200 there – perhaps even lower if somebody really needs the pups sold quickly.

But before you jump on the deal, watch out: These puppies have the highest likelihood of health issues.

While Huskies are generally healthy dogs, parents of any future litter need to be checked for some breed-specific conditions, such as cataracts. Young puppies also absolutely need veterinary care so they can be dewormed and vaccinated.

While you may be able to get your puppy for a steal on Craigslist, you need to add the future vet costs on top of the sale price. Taking your new puppy for an exam, shots, deworming and a possible spay or neuter surgery can easily run $100-$400.

If you are looking for a way to get a Husky puppy for a lower price and have him in good health, you should consider a rescue.

Rescue Husky puppy prices

Rescues will do a better job in giving you a healthy puppy. Nearly all rescues only adopt puppies out once they have had shots, have been microchipped and dewormed. Many include a spay or neuter surgery as well, or they may give you a voucher with which you can have that surgery done for free at a later date.

Rescues will charge you around $350 for purebred Husky puppies. Mix-breed Huskies will run a little less than that. While this cost is higher than what you may be able to find on the classifieds, keep in mind that it already includes a lot of vet care that you would have to pay for in any way,

Cost of a Husky from a breeder

If you decide to go with a breeder you can expect to pay the highest price – about $1,200 an average.

While this seems steep, it comes with additional upsides. Breeders invest decades into building good lines of breeding dogs. They will know the parents’ temperament and disposition and of course have made sure that they do not have any health issues. Many puppies that come from breeders have parents who are AKC champions or have titles in other venues.

Are you planning on taking your Husky to AKC dog shows or participating in events with him? The purchasing a Husky from a breeder at a higher cost is the way to go.

Breeders have detailed knowledge of the parents’ character. If you are planning on adding a Husky to a family with children and/or other dogs, you may want to pick that option. The same applies for Huskies that should become ESAs (Emotional Support Animals).

Breeders usually let puppies go to their homes after being dewormed and vaccinated, but without a spay or neuter surgery.

A special kind of Husky breeders are racing sled dog kennels. They produce dogs for sled dog races and sell puppies on the side. You should only get a puppy from such a breeder if you are ready to offer him a lot of exercise and activities – running is in their blood!

Yearly costs of owning a Husky

Once you have acquired your puppy, caring for him won’t be free either of course. Your Husky will need to eat, be trained and receive veterinary care. Many owners are overwhelmed by their dog’s intense shedding and choose to have their Husky brushed and bathed monthly by a groomer.

Huskies are smart, but not easily trained. If you want your Husky to learn well, you will need to invest time and money into training classes.

You should plan for the following yearly expenses throughout your Husky’s life:

The Bottom Line

Adding a dog to your family is always a substantial financial commitment. Even though it may seem cheapest to pick a Husky puppy from classifieds for as low as $200, this is not the best idea. Those puppies usually do not receive required veterinary care and may be sick as soon as they arrive at your house!

Purchasing a puppy from a breeder or rescue is always a better option. Both will make sure that your Husky pup’s cost includes initial deworming, vaccinations and microchips.

In the long term, you should not forget that your dog will incur annual expenses as well. Feeding, grooming, exercising and playing with your Husky will all come with a price tag. Before adding any animal to your family, always consider if you can afford the purchase price as well as the long-term costs.