Frequently asked questions

A Half Pint Husky is a genetically diverse canine companion bred to resemble that of a natural dog such as a Husky or even that of a fox or a wolf, but in a smaller and easier to manage package. Rugged and durable while not taking up a lot of space, most of our puppies will fall between the weights of 15-30 lbs. fully grown. Coats will come in a variety of colors, lengths, and densities. We like diversity, so don't expect a cookie cutter puppy from us. 

A mix of many breeds, the Half Pint Husky isn't a breed per se and each of our puppies will be unique both in appearance and personality. They have been bred to maintain the spirit and beauty of a primitive Spitz breed, such as the Shiba Inu, while softening the harsh edges that often come with them and adding some sociability. We do this by utilizing a variety of breeds that can allow for more trainability and handler focus such as the Australian Shepherd and the companion bred Keeshond. Our mini huskies are adaptable companions that can fit into most lifestyles and are for those that want all of what a dog can offer in a half pint size. 

Alaskan Klee Kai - Basically, Alaskan Huskies bred down to a miniature size. Bred to be companion dogs, they sound like they'd be exactly what we are looking for in a dog. However, we find them to be a bit too nervy and unsettled for our liking, even though we do like their athleticism and bond they share with their owners. 

Shiba Inu - A confident, independent, and primitive Japanese breed. Usually a fairly adaptable dog, but they can be difficult to train, have a high prey drive, and are very aloof. Training this dog to be off-leash tends to be much more challenging compared to that of a Labrador or Shepherd. They are the perfect size, however, and a great breed to add to our program. 

Pomeranian - A German Spitz breed that brings a lot of sass and fun to any party. Outgoing little dogs with only two downsides, for us anyways: They can be very vocal and too small/fragile. The breed will bring sociability along with helping to keep the size down in our dogs. 

Australian Shepherd - A versatile herding breed, the 'Aussie' is an intelligent dog with an active mind and body. Typically agreeable, they are a great breed to incorporate into our program as they help to add trainability and willingness to stay close when off leash. Plus, their coat is a great length that comes in all sorts of colors including merle. They are a working breed and too much for most families as well as a little too large for us, but awesome dogs. 

Keeshond - A German companion dog, these medium sized dogs make great family pets. They are obedient, playful, and just the sweetest dogs. We're excited to use this breed in our program as these are fantastic dogs in a great size. If not for their excessive coat and vocalness, they could have been the perfect match for what we were looking for in a family pet.  

It is our belief and experience that these breeds will compliment each other nicely to give us what we envision to be the perfect family companion in a half pint size. We hope to grow this list over the years because we value diversity and believe that there are limitless breeds that can aid us in reaching our goals for our program. 

Our puppies will never be inbred. 

We chose to breed purpose bred mixes for many reasons. It started with us not being able to find a purebred that we felt really matched what we wanted in a dog. Most purebred dogs were bred to be a tool for a specific purpose such as retrieving fowl, herding sheep, or pulling a sled or a cart. Sure, they were often still trusted family companions and many of them were bred to work closely with humans, but the vast majority were still bred to do a job first; companionship was secondary. As avid dog trainers, we love and value these purebred dogs, but this also means that they are genetically geared towards certain behaviors that can sometimes take away from the family pet experience. We are not filling the niche of breeding working dogs or preserving a purebred breed, although we admire those that do this work and believe we need more of them. Instead, our puppies will be for those wanting a healthy companion that can join them on all of life's adventures. 

Health is another big reason why we have decided to breed mixes. Because of hybrid vigor and the inbreeding that inherently must take place to create a purebred dog, mixed breeds are typically much healthier than their purebred counterparts. In fact, many purebreds today are sadly loosing their genetic diversity and suffering from inbreeding depression, which can lead to fertility issues, shorter lifespans and even the extinction of entire breeds if we're not careful. We feel we can help the current state of the canine species as a whole by breeding genetically diverse dogs, which is why you will always find a wide array of breeds used in our program. 

That depends on a lot of factors. Are you willing to deal with moderate/seasonal shedding, provide consistent training and socializing for the first two years of your puppy's life, and want a companion in the truest sense of the word to join you in your life's adventures? If so, then a Half Pint Husky could be right for you!

 Within a litter, we can have a wide range of personalities and we strive to breed and raise highly adaptable puppies that can fit into most moderately active lifestyles. If you're still not sure whether one of our Half Pint Huskies would be a good fit, please contact us at halfpinthuskiesoregon@gmail.com. As former professional dog trainers, we love to help people with anything dog related. 

Our Half Pint Husky puppies will range from $1,200-2,000. Your new family member will also come home with chews, toys, food, supplement, collars, leashes, 30 days of free pet insurance, and more. 

Our price reflects a well-loved and cared for puppy that was raised in the home, by two dog trainers, and as part of the family. All of our puppies will come to you with a proper start on training including being socialized to other dogs, children, new environments, car rides, crate time, and more.  You will also receive an in-depth puppy packet to help get you started on the right track with your new puppy.

Once we've had a chance to talk to you about what you are looking for in a puppy and it is determined that one of our Half Pint Huskies would be a good fit, you will then be able to place a deposit. The deposit is $400, $200 is refundable up until the puppy is 6 weeks old, the remaining $200 is non-refundable. You will then be able to choose your puppy in the order in which you were put on our waitlist, which is typically decided around 4-6 weeks. 

It won't cost you anything to be placed on our waitlist and I will not collect any deposits until puppies are born. 

No, we do not ship our puppies. We do, however, offer drop off services in Portland and surrounding areas. Other arrangements can be made on a case by case basis.