Last Updated on September 30, 2021 by Marco
When the Siberian Husky hooks up with a Rottweiler, you may be curious as to the result. Sometimes breeders will cross two distinct breeds to see what the outcome will be. Other times, sometimes dogs will be dogs – and accidents happen!
Either way, you may be curious about a dog that is half rottweiler, half husky.
Rottweiler Husky Mix, A.H.A. Rottsky, A.K.A. Siberian Rottweiler
The terms used to describe this mixed breed of dog include ‘rottweiler husky’, ‘rottsky’, and ‘Siberian rottweiler’. For the sake of expediency, throughout this article, the term ‘rottsky’ will be used.
But before we take a look at the rottsky, first we need to know about the rottweiler.
The Rottweiler
The American Kennel Club describes this big dog as a loyal, loving, and confident guardian.
Background
These dogs belong to the Working Class category, and as such, they’re very versatile. Rottweilers are descended from the mastiff breeds of ancient Rome, and they are excellent protectors.
Abandoned in what is today called Germany by the Romans in the second century A.D. Rotties were used by butchers from the Middle Ages up until the 1900s to pull their carts to market and to keep money safe in pouches tied to their necks.
Size
Male rotties measure 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder, with the females measuring 22 to 25 inches. Both are muscular and solidly built and weigh anywhere from 80 to 135 pounds. Rotties live for 9 to 10 years, which is quite a short lifespan compared to smaller breeds, and common in larger breeds.
Temperament
If they have been bred from good stock and raised properly, rotties are confident and calm dogs. Rotties that have not had this good start in life can end up being overly protective of their families, and this may lead to aggressive behavior.
Rotties are known to be playful and quite silly when they are hanging out with their families! Rottweilers are warm with their families yet aloof with outsiders.
Their temperaments are described as being intelligent, eager to please, trainable but sometimes stubborn.
Training
Rottweilers really do need to be socialized with other people and other dogs from a young age, and they need consistent, firm and fair discipline. ‘Rough-housing’ should be avoided because it may encourage aggression.
Exercise
This big, powerful dog likes to swim, walk, and trot. As a working dog, they love having a job to do and can be trained to pull a cart (which is what they have been used for in the past.) Tracking, herding, and obedience are all areas in which this dog excels.
They need to be kept active daily so that they do not become overweight.
Grooming
Rotties have a black and tan flat coat. The medium-length coat needs weekly brushing. They are moderate shedders and should be bathed several times throughout the year.
Health
Rottweilers are prone to hip dysplasia, eye problems, and heart problems.
The Husky Rottweiler Mix
Appearance
Most of this dog mix tends to turn out looking like a smaller version of the rottie, with pointed husky ears and blue husky eyes! Most retain the black and tan coat of the rottie parent. The rottsky is longer and leaner than the rottie, with less muscle on its frame.
Learn more about: What Dog Breeds Are Similar To Huskies?
Temperament and Training
Rotties are aloof whereas huskies love strangers, so the rottsky could go either way. You will just have to watch and wait as the pup grows!
Both rotties and huskies can be stubborn, so expect this to be doubly so in the rottsky. Training will take patience, firmness, and consistency.
Exercise
Both are working-class category dogs, so the offspring of a rottie and a husky needs a job to do. And given that both breeds were bred to pull, then you can bet that the rottsky will excel at pulling sports! But do bear in mind that huskies are more of an endurance dog than a rottie.
Health
Both breeds are prone to hip dysplasia and eye problems, so owners of a rottsky will need to keep an eye on this possibility, as well as looking out for other rottie issues like heart problems, and husky issues such as thyroid issues.
Grooming
The rottsky coat is medium length, straight, and smooth. They will require more brushing than a rottie, potentially once a day if they inherit the double coat of the husky parent.
Getting A Rottweiler Husky Mix Puppy
Mixed breeds, or ‘hybrid dogs’, generally cost anywhere from 500 to 1000 dollars.
NEVER buy a puppy from a pet store. This fuels the puppy mill industry, which is not only cruel to the poor dogs that are used as breeding stock, it also means that the temperament and health of the puppies is not given serious thought by the people who run these places.
In order to make sure your rottsky comes from good stock, insist on meeting the pup’s parents, and if you can, go to the breeder’s place to check it out, and make sure it is humane.
Also insist on seeing the health records of the pup to ensure that they are up-to-date with vaccinations.
And never get a pup that is less than 8 months old. This is too young for them to be taken from their mother.
Any decent breeder will be pleased to give you as much time and information as you need about their dogs. Indeed, good breeders want to know all about you too, to ensure their dogs are going to happy homes.
You could check your local dog shelters to see if there are any rottsky dogs there that need adoption before you buy a dog.
The Take-Away…
Rottweilers and huskies look quite different. But they have both been bred to work, so this means that a rottsky will need to be given adequate exercise and stimulation to keep them happy.
In terms of looks, rottskies (like any mixed breed) can throw to one side or the other more strongly. Many are a lighter, smaller version of the black and tan rottie, with the husky pointed ears and blue eyes.
Both are family dogs, so your rottsky will simply love to be with their family!
