Rottweiler husky mix is a crossbreed of the popular German guard dog breed Rottweiler and the working dog Siberian Husky. This crossbreed is also known as Rottsky. They are medium-sized loyal and intelligent dogs.
In recent times, there has been a surge in the popularity of designer dogs and the Rottweiler husky mix is one of the popular ones.
Rottweiler Husky mix is an extremely energetic and athletic dog and you would need ample space for his walk or playtime. They are not suitable dogs for the apartment.
Rottsky at a glance
| Size | 21 to 24 inches |
| Weight | 60 to 90 pounds |
| Temperament | loyal, energetic, and protective |
| Lifespan | 10 to 14 years |
| Price | $500 – $1000 |
| Purpose | Guard dogs |
| Popularity | Low |
| Grooming | High |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Check out a Rottsky video
Physical Characteristics of Rottsky
Rottweiler Husky mixes are large muscular dogs though the appearance may vary based on the genes of the parent which dominates.
To get a better understanding of the new crossbreed, let us quickly look at the two parent breeds.
Rottweilers are large powerful dogs with large heads and wide jaws. They have long floppy dropped ears. A full-grown Rottweiler can reach a height of up to 27 inches and weigh approximately 120 to 135 pounds.
They have a short dense double coat which is mostly solid black with some time markings of rust or mahogany color.
Siberian Huskies are also large but leaner dogs who look similar to a wolf. They have erect ears. A full-grown Husky can reach a height of 24 inches and weigh approx 60 pounds.
They also have a double coat which is medium in size and comes in varied colors like black or white with different color markings.
Rottsky Appearance:
Most of the time Rottweiler has stronger genes for the body shape but the Husky genes dominate on the face. Rottsky would have a little longer muzzle and may have partially dropping ears.
They have a diamond-shaped eye which is mostly brown. Though it is not uncommon to see blue eyes of husky or even heterochromatic eyes as well in which the color of two eyes is different or there are multiple colors in the same eye.
Rottsky has a double coat which is slightly longer and thicker than the Rottweiler’s coat. The coat color is usually the same as Rottweiler’s color and markings.
The average height of a full-grown Rottsky is around 21 to 24 inches and weight is around 60 to 90 pounds. They have a lifespan of approx 10 to 14 years.
Rottweiler Husky mix Temperament
Rottskies are very energetic and active dogs having the genes of two very active dogs. They require a lot of exercise for the physical and mental simulation else may become destructive.
So this is not the dog of choice for those who are laid back or live in apartments with no open area for them to play.
They are intelligent dogs but can be obstinate as well as both Rottweiler and Husky are independent dogs. Thus they need to be trained (firm and consistent) from the beginning and you have to be patient with them.
Both Rottweiler and Husky have high prey drives so Rottsky can also chase small pets like a cat. They should be avoided if you have small children or pets at home.
They are very loyal dogs and would love to play with you and your family. Early socialization is required for them from the beginning.
Rottweiler Husky mix as a Family dog
Rottsky is a very athletic and energetic dog suitable for households that have a large play yard. They are not recommended for apartment living or for folks who are laid back or cannot spend time with him.
Rottweiler Husky mix has a high prey drive and hence are not good for family with small pets or children.
They also shed a lot and are not hypoallergenic dogs. You would need to do regular brushing to keep the dog fur and dander in check. This would also help to build the bonding between you and Rottsky.
Given the right training and socialization with other humans from the puppy age, they can become good companion dogs. They are very loyal, intelligent, and protective of the family they live with.
Care required
Nutrition:
They are high-energy dogs who are recommended to have high-quality dog food. They are recommended to have 2 to 3.5 cups of dry dog food. Take the advice of the vet who can advise based on the age, size, activity level, and build of the dog.
We would recommend Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula for a Rottsky that would fulfill the right protein and other requirements.
Grooming:
They have a double coat and hence they shed a lot when their inner coat blows out. Frequent brushing and vacuuming are required else you will find their fur everywhere.
Exercise:
Being a very active dog, it would require a lot of playtimes and an hour-long daily walk. If they are not given enough mental and physical stimulation, they can turn to be destructive.
A tired Rottsky would behave nice. A word of caution, they can get overheated in a hot climate, and hence you should be careful.
Training:
They are intelligent dogs but can be difficult to train as with the husky traits it can be obstinate at times and may think whether the command is beneficial to him or not. Firm, consistent training from an early age is required.
They should also be socialized with other dogs, pets, and humans from puppy age to make them well-adjusted dogs.
Health for Rottsky
Rottweiler Husky mixes are generally healthy dogs but prone to a few genetic health issues as mentioned below.
Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
Abnormal tissue growth is called a tumor. This can be benign meaning not harmful to the body or cancerous which can be fatal.
Osteosarcoma is by far the most common bone tumor of dogs, usually happening on the leg bones of large breeds. It usually occurs in middle to old-age dogs.
Hip dysplasia
This is an inheritable disease prone to large dogs like the Rottweiler Husky mix. In this disease, the thigh bone doesn’t fit properly into the hip joint.
Elbow dysplasia
This is an abnormal bone condition in the elbow of the dog. Dogs having hip or elbow dysplasia should be neutered and not bred.
Bloat
Bloat is a condition in which the stomach fills with gas and then twists on itself. This causes the dog to shock and he should be treated immediately by a vet. Large dogs like the Rottweiler Husky mix can be prone to this condition.
To avoid the same, you should give small meals instead of large ones and do not exercise the dog just after the food.
Cowboy corgi aka Corgi cattle dog – appearance & temperament
History
Rottweiler Husky mix is a relatively new crossbreed of two dogs having a long history. As this is not a purebred breed, it is not recognized by AKC. Still, with the parent dogs being so popular, this is quite a popular designer breed.
Let us explore the history of the two parent breeds.
Rottweiler is one of the direct descendants of Roman drover dogs. They were bred for guarding and herding the cattle. After the collapse of the empire, they were used for guarding & herding the cattle to market in the cattle town of Rottweil from where they got their name.
As railroad cattle cars came into existence, Rottweiler was started to be used in other works like Police dogs.
Siberian Huskies were bred by the nomadic Chukchi as sled dogs. DNA tests suggest Huskies be one of the oldest dog breeds. In the early twentieth century, Huskies were introduced in Alaska to be used as sled dogs.
They became very popular across the world when in 1925, a relay of Huskies brought a lifesaving serum for the epidemic of diphtheria to a small town Nome in Alaska from 670 miles in five and a half days.
Pros and Cons of Rottweiler Husky mix
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| They are very intelligent dogs | They can be stubborn at times and require firm training |
| Loyal companion dog for families with a play yard and old children | They shed a lot |
FAQs
The average height of the full-grown Rottweiler husky mix is around 21 to 24 inches and its weight is around 60 to 90 pounds.
No, Rottweiler husky mix or Rottsky shed a lot. They are not considered hypoallergenic.
They are not recommended for families having small pets as they have a high prey drive.
Final Thoughts
Rottsky is for families who have a house with a yard and have an active lifestyle. They have a high prey drive and can be aggressive so they need an active experienced owner who can train to show them their place in the pack.
Families having young children and other small pets should avoid him.
If you think, you fit into this, the Rottweiler Husky mix can be a very loyal, intelligent, and protective dog.
If you have a story to share about them, please do write it in the comments below.