How Much Does A Husky Cost?

Originating in North-East Asia, Siberian huskies have journeyed worldwide and have become a popular breed in the United States. The appearance of these fur babies is bound to steal anyone’s heart. Their firm, gentle-natured demeanor is what makes them a worthy investment.

So How Much Does A Husky Cost?

The average cost of a pure-bred Siberian Husky can range between $975 to $2500. However, the adoption price would vary from $400 to $1200. When purchasing a husky, it is essential to look beyond the price tag and consider the cost of their upkeep and budget accordingly.

It is important to budget accordingly so that the owner prepares for the overall costs of maintenance. Here’s a summary of some necessary expenses to help guide a potential husky owner on this journey. 

How Much Does A Husky Cost?

The purchase price depends on the size of the dog, the breed, and the place of purchase. There are typically three ways of welcoming a Husky into your home:

• From a Breeder
• By Adoption
• Free of Charge

What Do Siberian Husky Breeders Charge?

Purchasing a pure-bred Siberian husky with certification can be a costly option. The cost can vary on average from $975 to $2500. The pure-breds without paperwork can range from $650 to $1500. 

Most husky owners are happy to sacrifice the certification cost to avoid putting a hole in their pocket. However, if you want peace of mind to confirm that it is pure-bred, you can opt for purchase with certification.

The purchase price of a puppy is more than the cost of an adult husky. Husky puppies can cost between $650 and $1500, while adults can cost as low as $500. The pure white huskies are often more expensive, on average, $800-$1500.

The exorbitant cost to purchase a husky from a breeder goes far beyond just a certification; their price is usually determined by their investment in proper health care, pedigree food, and sometimes even training to get these puppies prepared for their day of departure.

Purchasing a puppy from a breeder is assurance that the husky is in good health. Most breeders are even happy to guide you on their upkeep. To protect your investment, you might want to check references before exchanging any money. 

The easiest way to find the closest Siberian husky breeder is by using the American Kennel Club (AKC) search tool.

What Does Siberian Husky Adoption Cost?

The adoption of a Siberian husky is much more cost-effective. There are typically three ways to adopt:

• Adoption from a shelter
• Adoption from a rescue home
• Adoption from a private owner

Adoption From A Shelter

The adoption process from a shelter can cost between $25 and $200. These shelters include city and country animal shelters, animal control, police and health departments, and even the pound. There are also private shelters, namely the SPCA. They are each independently run; hence their process of adoption might differ.

The standard process is:

• To make an appointment.
• View the husky; if you are happy, visit the front desk with your original ID.
• Pay the adoption fee and take the husky home. 
• Their process is quite simple.

The downside to adopting a pet from a shelter is that there is not much history of the husky; most are abandoned or runaways. The chances of adopting them as a puppy from a shelter are very slim. Waiting for a husky to become available at a shelter is often challenging.

Adoption From A Rescue Home

Adopting a husky from a rescue home can cost between $100 – and $300. These huskies are kept at a foster home or private boarding facilities run by volunteers. You can visit online adoption agencies or look for open days at adoption events.

The process involves:

• Making an online application, 
• Screening by a volunteer; once they find a match, they schedule an appointment with pet visitation.
• If the viewer is happy, the volunteer arranges a home visit. 
• If approved, they email the huskies’ vaccination and sterilization records. 
• Upon delivery, the adoption fee is paid.

Adoption From A Private Owner

Adopt a pet.com runs a rehoming program where the application takes online directly from the owner. The cost of the adoption process depends on the owner’s request. The price is higher than adopting from a shelter. It can vary from $400-$600.

The process of adoption involves:

• The owner then proceeds by contacting the interested party to set up an appointment to meet the pet.
• After the owner’s approval, he is paid, and the husky becomes part of his family.

The advantage of doing a private adoption is that the pet will have a history of vaccinations. Often these pets are well maintained and already trained, so the transition is more straightforward.

Shelter vs Rescue vs Private

Below are the estimates of what each adoption method may cost. 

Factors	Shelter	Rescue	Private
Cost	$25 -$200	$100 -$300	$400 -$600
Adoption Process	Simple process. View and collect the same day	It can often be a process. Screening takes place	An appointment with the owner sometimes takes time
Waiting Period	It depends on the availability of the husky	It depends on the availability of the husky	It depends on the availability of the husky and the owner’s availability
Additional Costs	The cost of health care, as most huskies do not have records or history	Often their prices include vet care before adoption	It includes all costs
Benefits	Process Is simple	Vet cost before the adoption is included	The history of the pet is known. Often the owner, if immigrating, will include the pet’s food and toys
Disadvantages	Often no known pet history. Husky could be sic	The process is quite long	It can be more expensive

Obtaining A Siberian Husky Free Of Charge

On the rare occasion, an opportunity might be presented where a husky has had an unexpected litter, and the owner is looking to give them away for free. These are often advertised on the free classified adverts or bulletin boards at veterinary clinics.

These puppies are often not pure-bred, and because they are given away for free, not much money has been invested in them.

Siberian Husky Expenses

The husky will need a dog bed, dog crate, toys, collar, and a dog tag. Supplies for a large dog will be more costly than for small ones. Puppies are exceptionally playful, so one might need to initially invest in a fair number of toys to keep them stimulated.

List And Cost Of Siberian Husky Supplies

While some of the supplies listed below will last a while, it is important to budget for replacements every three to five years. 

List Of Supplies	Cost
Dog Bed (3 – 5 years)	$50-$85
Dog Crate (10+ years)	$55 -$120
Dog Collar (3 – 5 years)	$10
ID Tag (3 – 5 years)	$5 -$15
Dog Leash (3 – 5 years)	$40
Food & Water Bowls	$15
Toys (1 year)	$60-$100
2 Brushes (1 – 2 years)	$15-$45
Shampoo (4 – 6 months)	$10-$20
Toothbrush & Toothpaste (4 – 6 months)	$10-$15
Toenail Clippers (1 – 2 years)	$15-$30

Cost Per Month To Maintain A Siberian Husky

After a husky has been purchased, the next investment is the setup costs.

The owner will then need to prepare for the monthly expenses. Most of these costs cannot be avoided, like the food, medical bills, grooming, training, and even the unforeseen bill that creeps up now and again.

Siberian Husky Food Costs

Huskies will eat more than small dogs on average, about 2 cups per day. Although food is a monthly expense, it won’t be significant. An owner can expect to pay about $17 for a bag of premium food. As the puppy gets older, the price will increase. 

A 30LB bag of adult dog food will cost, on average, about $50; since there are about 120 cups per bag, with a feed of 2 cups per day, the bag will last about 60 days on average, about $25 per month per feed. The owner can enjoy savings when buying in bulk, making purchases online, and stocking up on specials.

The husky also needs to be given a treat as a reward for good behavior.

Budget about $10-$15 per month on some doggie biscuits.

Health Care Costs Of A Siberian Husky

Health care is one of the most expensive monthly costs ($71- $183 per month) and is necessary for the total well-being of the husky. The costs typically include, on average, the cost of vet bills, pet insurance, and medication. A good health care plan is the best investment that any owner can make in their pets’ life. 

A famous saying is, “A healthy husky is a happy husky.” This statement could not be more factual!

Vet Bills And Medication Costs For A Siberian Husky

A puppy will also need to be taken to the vet more regularly, at least three times in the first year, for vaccinations and check-ups. An adult will only need one visit per year, which will reduce the cost significantly as the puppy grows. A visit to the vet for a husky can be about $55 per visit.

Huskies are big dogs which means the cost of medication is sometimes higher, especially in the case of a tick and flea tablet that is dispensed based on the dog’s weight. There is also the cost of deworming. These expenses can vary from $30-$70 per month.

Pet Insurance Costs For A Siberian Husky

Although A Siberian husky is generally a healthy breed of dog, they can be susceptible to genetic problems. One of the most common is the development of cataracts. Cataract surgery costs can be $4000 per eye, and hip dysplasia averages about $6000 per hip.

The playfulness of the puppy may also lead to some unforeseen medical expenses. It might be advisable to budget accordingly and invest in pet insurance which can cost as little as $15 per month for a basic accident-only plan. The cost will increase depending on the insurance plan; $15-$50 per month

It is crucial to ensure that the husky owner invests in a cover that includes hip dysplasia.

Dysplasia is one of the most expensive medical procedures for huskies, and most insurance companies fail to cover this.

Grooming Costs For A Siberian Husky

One positive aspect about Siberian husky is that they are low maintenance on grooming. Their thick mane does not need much care other than a weekly brush. An owner can minimize grooming costs by personally grooming the husky.

During the shedding period, which is about twice a year, it is advisable to consider a visit to the groomer, on average, about four trips per year. Each visit will cost about $50 to $90.

Since they tend to run a lot, it might be wise to keep their nails trimmed to avoid joint pain. A professional dog parlor can charge $15 to cut their toenails.

Dog Walking Costs For A Siberian Husky

It is an excellent way for the owner to bond with their husky by taking him for a regular walk. Due to time constraints, some owners prefer to invest in the services of a dog walker. On average, it costs about $20 -$40 per walk. 

The owner can save on costs if he can find a neighbor willing to walk the dog.

Replacement Toys For A Siberian Husky

A Siberian husky needs toys, especially as they are heavy on their toys and can break easily. Their intelligence is the reason for their need for continuous stimulation as they bore easily.

It is advisable to invest in durable toys. It may cost more, $40 – $100, but it will save the owner more in replacement costs in the long run.

Training Costs For A Siberian Husky

Although Siberian huskies are very intelligent breeds, training is always advisable for new dogs. A dog trainer can cost in the region of $50 per session, and it is then up to the owner to decide on the number of sessions he would like. A group obedience class might be cheaper as opposed to private lessons.

Other Unforeseen Siberian Husky Costs

Planning an accurate monthly budget is not always possible. It can be daunting, especially when unforeseen expenses creep up, sometimes leaving the owner with sleepless nights. It is always a great idea to have an emergency savings fund set up for these expenses.

These expenses can take the form of accidents, hospital bills, and even medication, all of which pet insurance can cover. If the owner must move home, there might also be that cost of transportation.

Monthly Cost-Saving Tips

Owning a husky can be costly. These expenses can often steal the joy of owning a husky. Here are some monthly cost-saving tips to avoid it becoming a burden on the owner’s finances. 

Buy In Bulk

Bulk buying goes a long way and can save the owner hundreds of dollars to invest in his emergency fund. Owners should rather opt for a larger bag of dog food instead of a smaller one. This bulk buying can save about $10 per month. It is important to remember that savings add up in the long run. 

Dog Walking

Dog walking can be expensive. The owner can combine his exercise routine with that of the husky. This way, the owner can walk their fur baby and still get some exercise, which will save about $40 per month.

Training

With some treats in hand, the owner will soon be able to command the attention of his husky and have him eating out of his hand. He can look up some training routines on Youtube and put those skills to the test, which can save him about $50.

DIY Toys

Instead of buying toys, the owner can set up a little play area with DIY toys made with old tires and repurposed materials like ropes. These can be painted in bright colors to stimulate interest. The owner will save, on average, about $30. 

The Price of Husky Love

Any husky lover can attain a furry friend without breaking the bank. Although the initial setup can be costly, the owner can reduce the monthly costs significantly if he can budget smartly. He will never be able to put a price tag on the warm fuzzy feeling that he experiences each time the husky grace him with his presence.