Have you heard of the Rottweiler Husky Mix? I haven’t either before today. I’ve heard of and seen several designer dogs but Rottweiler Husky Mixes were new to me. But then again, there’s been so many hybrid breeds that have been cropping up in recent years that it’s really hard to catch up.
If you’re thinking of getting a Rottweiler Husky Mix or simply interested to know more about the breed, read on to find out what I’ve found out about these dogs.
In this article, I hope to cover all you need to know about them, from these pups’ appearance and temperament to their exercise needs and grooming requirements.
What is a Rottweiler Husky Mix?
Yes, it’s just as the name suggests. A Rottweiler Husky Mix is a designer dog that resulted from crossbreeding a Rottweiler with a Siberian Husky. Like with many mixed breed dogs that were purposefully created from purebred dogs, breeders set about to combine the best traits of both parent breeds into one.
Rottweiler Husky mixes are also known as Rottsky, Rottweiler Husky, Husky Rottweiler Mix, and Rottweiler Siberian Husky Mix.
Fast Facts About The Rottweiler Siberian Husky Mix
- Pedigree: Mixed breed
- Parent Breeds: Rottweiler and Siberian Husky
- Breed Group: Companion
- Breed size: Medium to large size
- Height: Around 20-26 inches tall
- Weight: 50-100 lbs
- Energy level: High energy
- Lifespan: 9-14 years
What Do Rottweiler Husky Mixes Look Like?
Rottweiler Husky Mixes have a unique appearance that combines the characteristics of both parent breeds. Like other dogs that are mixed breed, their appearance depends on which parent they take more after — the Siberian Husky or the Rottweiler parent.
One example is the ears. Both Rottweiler and the Siberian Husky have triangle-shaped ears, but these drop down or stand erect depending on the breed. So the Rottsky pup will either have one of those.
The shape of the body and head also differ. Although more often than not,, the Husky Rottweiler Mix will take on the body of Rottweiler and the head of the Siberian Husky.
Remember those famous icy blue eyes which make Siberian Huskies so unique? They’re typical of Husky Rottweiler Mixes. But you also get the atypical eyes that are brown or bi-eyes, which mean two-different colored eyes.
Size
Husky Rottweiler Mixes are medium to large-sized dogs that can weigh anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds and stand 20 to 26 inches tall when fully grown. They are muscular dogs, with a broad chest and a powerful neck.
Markings and Coat Color/Texture
Coat color of the Husky Rottweiler Mixes can vary. Typically, the coat come in shades of black and tan like its Rottweiler parent, but it can also show up as gray, cream, red, white, and sable.
Both the Rottweiler and the Siberian Husky have double coats so the Rottweiler Husky Mix will assuredly have one too. But the Rottweiler has a coat that lays flat against the body, while the Siberian Husky has one that’s longer because it’s designed to protect against the harsh cold of winter in Russia.
So in other words, a Rottweiler Husky Mix’s double coat texture will differ between each individual dog and from which genes it takes after more. It really looks like a lottery sometimes with designer dog breeds.
Personality and Temperament
Siberian Huskies and Rottweilers are both classified under working dogs by the American Kennel Club so it’s no wonder that their offspring, the Rottweiler Husky Mix, is highly robust and active. Aside from being a highly energetic dog, the Rottweiler Husky Mix is also attentive, intelligent, and loyal.
If your pup has inherited its personality from its Rottie parent, those traits above combined with the Rottie’s aloofness to strangers will make your pup perfect as a guard dog because the Rottweiler has a natural guarding instinct. However, if it takes after the Siberian Husky side, it will want to be everyone’s best friend instead.
So whether you want a guard dog or just a family pet, it’s best to meet up with your pup before purchase so that you’ll know what to expect.
Rottweiler Husky Mix dogs are also known to be affectionate and loving towards their owners and are often good with children. However, they have a high prey drive like their parent breeds so if you live in a home with a small animal, such as a cat, it’s highly recommended that you train and socialize them first before letting them loose.
Also note that these pups have a slightly stubborn streak. And their high prey drive makes recall difficult. Make sure to train them at an early an age as possible.
Intelligence
It’s not a wonder that Rottweiler Husky mixes are highly intelligent dogs because both of their parent dogs are. They are eager to please their owners and enjoy learning new things, so they easily get the hang of new things that you try to teach.
They do get bored if you understimulate them, so prepare to tire them out with lots of mental and physical stimulation.
Barking
The Husky Rottweiler Mix is not known to be huge on barking. The Rottsky usually barks only when concerned about something. This is not really a surprise as Siberian Husky dogs aren’t very territorial (barking is usually considered a territorial act). They do howl and are very vocal, but rarely bark. And Rotties are generally calm and only bark when they’re bored or alarmed.
Drooling
Huskies aren’t known droolers (although they are known to slobber on occasion), but Rotties are. It’s likely that your Rottweiler Husky pup will be a medium drooler.
Health
Rottweiler Huskies are generally healthy dogs with a life expectancy of 9 to 14 years. Since the Rottweiler Husky Mix is a relatively new breed with a small gene pool, this lifespan covers that of the Siberian Husky and the Rottweiler.
The Rottweiler Siberian Husky Mix is prone to the same health problems its parent breeds are. These can include:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia – common among purebred dogs and designer breeds, elbow and hip dysplasia are problems concerning the joints making mobility difficult
- Dilate Cardiomyopathy – or DCM. Some dogs are born with thinner heart walls.
- Bloat – Rottweiler Husky Mix pups are prone to bloat just like Siberian Huskies and Rottweilers. It happens when the stomach fills up with food, gas, or fluid and twists. It can be deadly when not treated immediately.
- Arthritis – some Rottweilers get arthritis at an early age, so the Husky Rottweiler Mix may be prone to this too.
- Bone Cancer – Rottweilers and some large dog breeds are especially predisposed to osteosarcoma so it’s best to look for reputable breeders who will be able to give you the full genetic background of the parent pups.
- Eye Issues – Rottweilers are prone to vision problems like cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and others. A yearly eye examination may be helpful for your Rottweiler Husky Mix.
While it looks like the Rottweiler Husky Mix has some serious health risks, these are not a given. Your puppy may not even experience any of them. What is important is to take your pup in for regular checkups and veterinary guidance to ensure that any health concerns are addressed as early as possible.
Parent Breeds: History of the Siberian Huskies and Rottweilers
Breeders have been crossing and breeding dogs for centuries, trying to come up with a canine companion or working dog that will take on all of the characteristics that they hope for. The purebreeds of today came from the efforts of breeders many, many years ago.
In recent years, however, we’ve seen an upsurge in designer dogs. Breeders crossing purebred pups with other purebred dogs. Because there has been so many of these happening across different breeds but within small circles only, very little is known of the exact origin of many of the resulting offspring.
Since we can’t trace exactly when and where the Husky Rottweiler Mix came to be, let’s take a look at the rich history of its parent breeds instead for a deeper understanding of this new breed.
A Perfect Guard Dog: The Rottweiler
Rottweiler is a breed that has existed since Roman times. They’re one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, actually! The Romans used them as herders, but the dogs also sometimes accompanied the army on the march as guard dogs for their livestock against bandits and other animals.
The dogs got their name from Rottweil, a region in Germany that the Romans abandoned during the second century CE. As the Romans left the region, they also left these dogs that used to work for them.
The Germans back then often used Rottweilers as protection detail for local butchers who went on buying expeditions. They also carried their master’s money in a pouch on their neck and were often roped into pulling meat carts as they were quite strong.
When trains became popular in the mid-1800s, this dog breed almost became instinct. It became a lot cheaper and faster to just load meat onto the trains rather than having a dog pull a meat cart so the breed dwindled down to almost nothing. Fortunately, several people came together to save the the Rottweiler from completely dying out, and now we have Rottweilers aplenty.
Friendly and Sociable: The Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky came from one of the coldest and harshest places in the world — Siberia, Russia. This dog breed was raised by the Chukchi peoples as companion and sled animals for hundreds of years. Because of their double coats and thick fur, they were well-suited to live in severe winter temps.
In 1909, Huskies were brought in to the US — Alaska to be more specific —to compete in sled dog races where they soon became undisputed winners. They gained further fame when a diphtheria epidemic ravaged through Alaska, and these dogs were utilized to battle through blizzard conditions to bring life-saving serum to those affected by the outbreak.
These dogs’ bravery mixed with their friendliness and gentle temperament quickly won over people, and by 1930 were acknowledged by the AKC as a purebred working dog.
Caring For The Rottweiler Husky Mix
Caring for the Rottweiler Husky Mix is just like caring for other dogs — mental and physical exercises are a must. Grooming, food, and most important of all, lots of love are also essentials when adopting any pup.
Exercise Requirements
Physical
Rottweiler Husky Mixes are quite active dogs that need lots of physical exercise. You need to tire these dogs out, and short walks around your neighborhood are not enough.
They will need about an hour to two of daily exercise that may consist of brisk runs, play fetching, and other interesting activities. You can split their exercise into two sessions if that will be more convenient for you.
It goes without saying that these dogs need an equally physically active family as their owners. If you don’t provide them without enough play to burn excess energy, they can turn unruly. Also, since these are no lap dogs (although some of them will probably insist on sitting on your lap if they feel like it), they won’t do well in small spaces, like apartments.
They will need a big house or a backyard to roam in freely. Just make sure that your yard is fully fenced in to keep your dog safe.
Mental
Because the Husky rottweiler Mix is an intelligent dog, its mind needs to be stimulated as well as its body. Treat dispensing toys are invaluable.. You can also play hide-and-seek games with your pup. Better yet, you can combine both physical and mental games into one, such as an obstacle course.
Maintenance and Grooming
Brushing
Prepare to welcome hair into your life. Lots of it. Siberian Huskies and Rottweilers shed a lot so expect more of the same from your Husky Rottweiler Mix. Vacuuming for dog hair will probably be an everyday occurrence in your home.
Rottweiler Huskies have a thick, double-layered coat that requires regular grooming. About 2-3 times a week of brushing with a medium slicker brush during regular season should be enough, but around 5-6 times a week is a must during shedding season.
Bathing
Bathe your Husky Rottweiler dog only when necessary. Once in two to three months should be enough unless your dog happens to get very filthy. Washing them too often can strip the oils from their skin, leaving it dry and prone to itching.
If your pup has inherited its grooming traits from its Husky parent, congratulations! Huskies are almost cat-like in their tendency to self-groom, so you may find yourself with a very fastidious doggy. If not, well, that’s what you (and the groomers) are there for.
In-between your bathing sessions, you can use a doggie wipe for quick clean ups if your dog gets a little dusty or dirty from exercise outside.
Ear Care, Oral Care, and More
It's also important to check their ears regularly for signs of infection. Clean as needed. It’s the same thing with the nails. Trim the nails regularly to prevent overgrowth and discomfort. If you hear the click click of nails on your floors, it might be time for a little trim.
As for oral care, brushing about 4 times a week should be enough. You can give your pup dental chews or treats to prevent tartar buildup.
Training
Let me warn you right now. A Husky Rottweiler dog is notoriously independent and stubborn. Proper training at a young age will head off the attitude and make your dog more amenable to being submissive and following commands. As such, this breed is recommended only for seasoned dog owners.
At 8 weeks of age, you can start dog training your new puppy. Start with basic obedience lessons and once your dog has mastered the basics, advance on to behavioral lessons.
As I’ve mentioned before, these energetic canines have a high prey drive. They have a tendency to run after smaller animals should they encounter them, and that includes cats, so be sure to properly socialize your dog early if you happen to be a feline owner too.
The Rottweiler Husky Mix breed can be good with kids. Again, socialization is a must as well as training. Be consistent and firm and you might just have the best family pet ever.
Food
The Rottweiler Husky mix needs a balanced diet that consists of protein, fat, and fiber. When selecting a dog food, choose one that is high in protein. (One indication that a dog food contains lots of protein is if it starts with animal mea.)
Athletic canines and working dogs need loads of animal protein to get them through the day, and since your pup is highly active, its requirements will be the same.
Be warned. Cheap brands of dog food usually come with lots of fillers. High-quality kibble will cost more, but these will pay off in terms of your pup’s overall health.
Because this breed is prone to hip dysplasia, among several health problems, look for a dog food that also contains joint support supplements. These will help your pup maintain mobility and reduce pain in case he does get the disease.
Try to keep your dog on a healthy diet by keeping the calories low. (But ask for veterinary advice first.) Chunky dogs put more pressure on their joints, and you don’t want that to happen to a dog who’s already prone to joint issues.
Pros and Cons of Owning the Breed
Just like with any other breed, there are advantages and disadvantages ot owning them. Let me cover them for you.
Pros:
- The Rottweiler Husky Mix is a great companion for physically active owners. You can take them with you on your own daily exercise and they won’t have any problem keeping up.
- They’re highly intelligent. Whatever parent breed your pup takes after more, you know you will end up with one smart Rottsky puppy.
- They’re happy dogs who are loyal to their owners. These dogs love to give and receive affection. And depending on who they take after, will either be super friendly with or super protective of you.
- They’re adaptable to any climate. Unlike popular misconception, the Husky has the great ability to adapt to any weather, even tropical ones. Rotties are the same and can thrive in hotter weather conditions. Their offspring also carries this trait.
Cons:
- Rottskies need lots of training and patience. The Husky Rottweiler dog’s stubborn nature and prey drive means that you will need to spend a lot of time socializing them and training them. They will probably try to dominate other dogs who are smaller as well so introduce them to plenty of canines of different breeds during their puppy years.
- Regular grooming is a must with these pups. These dogs shed loads, so be prepared to brush them and sweep/vacuum your home on a regular basis.
- They need space and lots of it. Not for small homes or apartments, these dogs need lots of space to roam around in. They will thrive in homes with large yards that they can freely move around in.
- They need a seasoned hand. These dogs are not for first-time owners. They need experienced ones with a firm hand who will be able to handle strong-willed and independent pups.
Final Say
The Rottweiler Husky mix is a unique and highly energetic breed that requires an active and engaged owner. They are loyal, protective, and highly trainable, making them great companions for owners who are willing to provide them with the activity and attention they need. While they do require regular grooming and training, their unique personality and intelligence make them a great choice for the right owner.
They don’t come cheap and this breed can be hard to find, but I do assure you that the price is well worth the pup when it comes to the Rottweiler Husky Mix because they will pay for it tenfold with love and affection (and sometimes, plenty of laughs too.)