The cost of a purebred Siberian husky varies considering what you want that dog for. If you want a pet, then adopting a husky from a shelter or rescue organization costs about $50 to $400.
If you want a dog for showing, breeding, or participating in dog sledding, then the costs can skyrocket.
Expect to pay anywhere from $700 to $2500 on average, depending on how much the husky conforms to the breed ideal.
How Much Are Huskies?
Purebred Siberian huskies range in price from $700 to $2500 on average. Puppies from champion bloodlines or from proven winners in dog sledding competitions can cost up to $6000. Adult champion huskies can top $10,500. Adopting a pet husky costs only the adoptions fees and sometimes vet costs. This ranges from $50 to $400.
Popular Dog Breeds Cost a Lot
According to the American Kennel Club, Siberian huskies were the 16th most popular dog breed in America in 2020.
When there is more demand for a dog breed, the costs of puppies and dogs can rise considerably.
The cost of a Siberian husky puppy often doesn’t just cover the cost of the puppy. It usually also includes the cost of vaccinations and routine check-ups.
It may include fees for registering with the American Kennel Club or other purebred dog registries. There may also be other fees.
Another reason why husky puppies and dogs cost so much is the way reputable dog breeders have of finding people who are really committed to keeping the huskies and treating them right.
It avoids people who buy on a whim because they like the way the husky looks, and then abandon the dog at a shelter when caring for the husky becomes too much.
A Note About Internet Puppy Scams
Although all breeders advertise online, not all are genuine breeders. About 80 percent of all pet sites are fakes according to the Better Business Bureau.
Usually, the scam works like this — you pay for a puppy and it never arrives. Even worse, the puppy you pay for arrives sick and soon dies.
Here are some tips for avoiding puppy scams:
- Never buy a husky that you have not met in person.
- Never pay by money order or wire transfer, because there is no way to get your money back, unlike with a credit card purchase.
- Never buy from a place that sells puppies from multiple breeds. Genuine breeders stick with one or two breeds because the care is so time-consuming and expensive. Any website selling many breeds is most likely a front for a puppy mill.
- Never buy from a place that won’t offer a video chat.
- Never buy from a place that does not ask you questions about your past husky owning experience to see if you are the right kind of person for their puppies. If the only question to you is how you are going to pay, move on.
- Reputable breeders will give out referrals.
- Check out PetScams.com to see if the breeder is on their pet scammer list.
- Check the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged against a puppy or dog selling website.
The Adoption Option
There are many advantages to adopting an adult husky as opposed to buying a puppy. Most of the time, the husky has been surrendered to shelters through no fault of the canines.
The husky often has basic training. Shelters also make sure dogs are healthy enough for adoption.
Adoption fees are also much less than for buying a purebred. Depending on the shelter, they can range from $50 to $400.
If you’re looking for a pet, adopting is an ideal solution. You not only save the life of the husky, but open space up at the shelter to save another dog.
You can put a request to look at any husky that comes into your local shelter. There are rescue organizations that specifically work with huskies.
Check out the Siberian Husky Club of America to find a list of approved shelters to find one near you. You may have to travel to find the right husky for you.
Is the Siberian Husky Right for You
Before you plonk down hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a husky, take time to do research on the breed to see if a husky fits with your lifestyle.
Sadly, many huskies are surrendered to shelters or abandoned because their owners bought them on a whim.
Huskies are active dogs. They need a lot of attention and exercise; they’re not couch potatoes.
Ideally, they need a yard with a very high fence since they are great jumpers. They also love to dig, so they might not be ideal for avid gardeners.
Huskies do not do well on their own. They require people or other canines’ company.
This is not the dog breed for anyone who spends long hours away from home or who has to travel a lot for business and has no one to look after the dog.
Frequently Asked Questions About How Much Huskies Are
Can Siberian Huskies Cost $10,000?
There have been individual Siberian huskies that sold for $10,000 or $10,500. These are usually proven adult champions in the show ring or in sled pulling competitions. They are not the cost of the average pet husky.
Why Do Siberian Huskies Cost So Much?
Siberian huskies are one of the most popular dog breeds in America. Costs are set to fit demand. If no one wanted huskies, then they would not cost so much.
Why Aren’t Pet Stores Selling Huskies?
Most pet stores and major pet store chains have stopped selling puppies because those puppies came from inhumane puppy mills. Puppies spent weeks or months inside small cages waiting for a buyer. This confinement leads to health and behavior issues. Stores that still sell puppies prefer to sell small breeds rather than large ones like Siberian huskies.
The Least You Need to Know
Purebred Siberian huskies vary widely in price depending on gender, bloodlines, and age.
Puppies from winning dog sledding parents or winners in the show ring cost a lot more than pet quality huskies.
Expect to pay anywhere from $700 to $2500 for show or sledding huskies. Adult champion dogs are the most expensive at $10,000.
Adopting a husky costs anywhere from $50 to $400 because each shelter has its own fee.