Whilst nobody can put a true price on love, purebred puppies can attract a pretty penny. How much does a Siberian Husky cost, and why the large variance? Read on…
If you are purchasing a Siberian Husky from a reputable breeder you can expect to pay between $500 and $800 for a puppy. If the parents of the puppy are winning shows or sled dogs then this will be closer to $1500-$2500, even as high as $10000!
Why Siberian Huskies are so expensive and what determines the price?
Siberian Husky combines natural beauty, devotion, affection. With their smart, understanding gaze, they win the hearts of many pet lovers. But not everyone is ready to buy a puppy because of the high cost. So what determines the price and what should I look for when buying husky puppies?
First, you need to decide for what purpose you want to have a husky. Do you want to get a pet companion or build a dog career? The price of a husky will depend on the pedigree and breed standards.
In order to understand why a purebred husky puppy is worth the money they ask for, you need to familiarize yourself with the costs for the breeder. Before selling husky puppies, responsible breeder invests a lot of labor and money in quality food, vitamins, vaccinations, vet visits, which accumulate and create a real price for Siberian Husky puppy.
The AKC Breed Standard for Siberian Husky is quite specific about the size, weight, and physical appearance of what a Husky should look like. If the parents of a puppy both meet the standard and have been winning shows, there is a good chance the puppy will also be of such a high standard.
There is similar reasoning for sled/racing dogs. If the parents are successful at winning races, built for endurance and power, then the puppies are also likely to be suitable for sledding competitions. There is no guarantee that the offspring of champion parents will themselves be champions, but will have a better chance than mating two domestic Huskies.
What if I don’t need a show dog?
Great! No problem at all with that. Most dogs ever owned will be loving members of the family and never be put on stage or put in a race. For this reason, you can look at breeders who are still keen and capable of matching animals to better the breed but might not be attracting the show’s parents. Some breeders might lower their prices to $300 to help find their puppies home. Keep in mind that the breeder still has to pay for housing, food, vaccinations, and other vet bills, not to mention their time in training and socializing the pups. $300 is pretty cheap for the service offered.
Are there any alternatives?
Believe it or not, pet shops are likely to charge more for puppies because they have rents and retail margins to make. We would generally not recommend buying from a pet shop as many are fronts for puppy mills and dogs are not necessarily bred for the betterment of the breed. That is, to improve the physical qualities, health, and temperament of the animals.
We have put together a guide on alternatives to buying from a breeder which should give you some ideas about where to look. These include classifieds, agencies, and local breeders who might not advertise.
Just remember that over the course of Husky’s twelve to fourteen-year life, the purchase price is going to be relatively insignificant compared to food, health checkups, and other costs associated with keeping animals. So while you might be tempted at the start to save a couple of hundred dollars, perhaps you are better off purchasing from a reputable breeder with a track record of producing healthy, happy, and ideal puppies.
