Rottsky (Rottweiler & Husky Mix) Breed: Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Also referred to as the Rottsky, the Rottweiler Husky mix is a designer hybrid breed that combines the protective Rottweiler with the outdoor-loving and vocal Husky. Although individual traits can vary by individual, you should expect your Rottsky puppy to adopt some traits from both parents. The resulting breed is very active, loves the outdoors, and can be very vocal, which means that they are better suited to life in a good-sized house with plenty of outdoor space. The Rottsky dog might struggle being confined to a small apartment, and if yours is especially vocal, neighbors nearby certainly won’t appreciate the new addition to the building.

Breed Overview

It is believed that the Rottweiler, which is considered an ancient breed, originates from the giant Roman Molossus dogs. They were bred to pull heavy carts and to protect the contents of the cart. They would also carry a purse around their neck to protect its contents. The breed has been utilized by the police armed forces, and has been used as a guard dog, therapy dog, and for canine sports.

The Husky is also an ancient breed, having lived alongside the Chuckchi people, who live in Siberia, Russia. They are still used to pull sleds. The dogs would spend time with the women and children of the Chuckchi and aggressive or bad-mannered dogs would not be tolerated.

Rottweiler Husky Mix Characteristics

Rottweiler Husky Mix Puppies

If you are going the route of getting your puppy through a breeder, ask plenty of questions! You want to be sure to find out about the puppies themselves to determine whether they will have had their jabs and whether they will have been neutered or spayed before they come to you. This is unlikely because most breeders will let owners have their puppies at eight weeks of age, which is too young to be altered.

Find out about the parents and any siblings. Specifically, you want to determine the general health of the parents and whether they have been screened for problems like hip and elbow dysplasia.

It’s also suggestible to arrange a visit. This will allow you to check out the facilities, and it should allow you to meet the puppy and its mother. Ensure that they both look well and that they are active. You should expect this breed to instantly recognize your presence, and while the Rottweiler might be somewhat aloof with strangers, the Husky in the mix will want to greet you and get lots of attention.

Because this is a hybrid mix that combines two very energetic dogs in one potentially stout frame, you could find one in a local shelter. This option will be cheaper than buying from a breeder, but you will not be able to get a background of the dog or determine the health condition of its parents, so it does represent more of a risk.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Rottweiler Husky Mix 🧠

The Rottweiler Husky Mix is a combination of two breeds, which means that it can be difficult to predict their exact temperament. What is known is that both breeds enjoy the company of their own humans and can make very good companion animals.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?🏡

The Rottsky is considered a good family dog. It will have the loyalty and protective nature of the Rottweiler, coupled with the playfulness and attitude of the Husky. The Rottweiler can be shy and stand-offish around strangers, taking time to make friends with new people while it determines whether that person poses any kind of threat. While this won’t be a problem with family members, it’s worth considering if you have children and they have friends around.

On the other hand, the Husky tends to warm to people straight away and will want to be stroked and fussed as soon as it meets somebody new.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Again, how friendly a Rottsky is with other pets will be determined by which breed is dominant in this respect.

Male Rotties are known to be same-sex aggressive, so if your mix takes after the German pulling dog, it may not get on with any other male dogs in the house or at the dog park. The Husky gets along with other dogs better and can benefit from having another dog in the house.

If you want to introduce a Rottsky to cats, it should ideally be done when they are puppy and kitten, ensuring that they have a good chance of gelling and forming a positive relationship.

Things to Know When Owning a Rottsky:

The Rottsky is a loving family dog that will enjoy time with its owners. It does require a lot of exercise, however, and it can take time to gel with strangers if it takes after the Rottweiler parent. Although it has plenty of positive points, the Rottsky is not necessarily the best choice of breed for all families or individuals. Read on to see whether it’s the right breed for you and your family.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Rottsky dog will eat about three cups of dry kibble a day. This can be slightly less or more depending on factors such as age, physical condition, the existence of any illnesses or health complaints, and how active the dog is.

If you feed wet food, you will need to weigh your Rottsky and feed according to manufacturers’ guidelines and if you feed a combination of dry kibble for grazing and wet food at mealtimes, you will need to adjust the measurements of each food accordingly.

Similarly, if you give regular treats or you use food-based treats to aid in training, you need to take this into account when calculating daily food allowance.

The Rottweiler, in particular, is prone to weight problems. Overfeeding can cause him to put on too much weight which leads to a host of associated illnesses like diabetes and an increased risk of respiratory and heart complaints.

Exercise 🐕

Both parent breeds are active, strong, and require plenty of exercise: the Husky even more so than the still energetic Rottie. Huskies love to be outdoors and are known for finding innovative and unusual ways of escaping a house to get outside. Daily exercise can take the form of walking on a leash, but the Rottsky will especially enjoy time running around in an enclosed and well-fenced area. Expect to spend 90 minutes a day walking your Rottweiler Husky mix and appreciate that the Husky especially will not tire easily. If you enjoy hiking or even running, consider finding a way to involve the dog.

Both parent breeds are known for their pulling capability, so it is no surprise that the mix is a highly capable cart and sled puller. If you really want to challenge your Rottsky and provide him with adequate exercise, sign up for these or other canine sports classes. It will give you a chance to socialize with other dogs and people, and it will form a stronger bond between the two of you, as well.

Training 🎾

The Rottweiler is an intelligent dog that is considered quite easy to train. It wants to please you, although this is somewhat tempered by its desire to test you for pack leadership responsibilities. As such, you need to be firm and in control but should never be physical in your training techniques.

The Husky, although intelligent, is less concerned with pleasing you, and you might find that it simply ignores your requests and commands.

As such, depending on whether you get the obedient Rottweiler or the playful Husky, you can expect a dog that is either easy to train or opts to do its own thing.

Grooming ✂️

The hybrid is a powerfully built animal, and it will usually have a muscular frame. It is designed for pulling carts and sleds, after all. They can be stocky like the Rottweiler or sleek like the Husky. They will usually have the coloring of the Rottweiler, however, but may have the striking eyes of the Siberian sled dog.

If your Rottsky has the long and dense coat of the Husky, you will need to ensure that it remains dry. If your dog goes out in the rain or snow, you will need to dry them thoroughly, to prevent mold and mildew from forming on the undercoat.

Both parent breeds shed, and whichever parent breed is dominant, you should expect to brush the dog at least two or three times a week. This will help remove dead hairs, keep the dog comfortable, and can control shedding to some degree, although you should expect to find hairs regardless of how often you do brush,

You will have to brush your dog’s teeth at least three times a week and expect to trim nails approximately every two months. Both activities are best started when your dog is a young puppy, because adult dogs may not let you play with their mouth and their feet if they aren’t used to it. If you are really struggling, have your vet check their teeth and a professional groomer trim the nails.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Proponents of hybrid breeds claim that one of the benefits of having a dog that combines two different purebred dogs is that they will be less likely to suffer from the hereditary diseases of the parents. This is referred to as hybrid vigor. Whether hybrid vigor exists, and the benefits of mixes is debatable, but there are certain conditions that this particular cross is more prone to. Look for signs of the following diseases and consult your veterinarian if any signs do show.

Male vs Female

Male Rottskies will usually grow taller and a little heavier than the females, and especially with Rottweilers, the male is known to be same-sex aggressive with other dogs. The female is also said to be more affectionate and cuddlier with its humans. The male is still a loving dog but is more inclined to sit near you, rather than demand attention.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Rottweiler Husky Mix

1. The Rottsky Can Be a Very Talkative Watchdog

The Rottsky will likely inherit the protective nature of the Rottweiler and the trait of being highly vocal from the Husky. While they are highly loyal and make excellent watchdogs, you may also be surprised by how many different sounds they make. Rottskies will howl, whine, bark, and cry to get your attention or express themselves. This combo makes them great protectors as well as entertaining companions!

2. A Rottsky’s Looks Can Vary Greatly

One of the most fun aspects of owning a Rottsky is the surprise factor in their appearance. As the Rottweiler and Husky have such strikingly different features, no two Rottskies will look the same. Some might inherit the classic black-and-tan coloring of a Rottweiler, while others get the Husky’s piercing blue eyes or even heterochromia. Coat textures, colors, and markings are wonderfully diverse, making each Rottsky one-of-a-kind and uniquely beautiful.

3. The Rottsky Will Be Very Strong

Both parent breeds were bred to pull. The Rottweiler pulled massive carts loaded with meat, while the Husky pulled sleds with people and packs. Both breeds are still used for similar purposes today, and both excel in their own fields.

As such, if you do get a Rottsky puppy, you should be prepared for a dog that can pull some serious weight. You can enroll your dog in cart-pulling competitions, or dry sledding. This will help burn off some energy and ensure that your Rottsky leads a fulfilled and enjoyable life. It will also give you both the opportunity to bond over a fun activity.

Final Thoughts

Although little is known about the hybrid Rottweiler Husky mix, we do know lots about both parent breeds. Both were bred to pull, which means that they are strong and physical dogs that need a lot of exercise. Both are known to be loving family dogs, too, but while the Rottweiler is considered easy to train, the Husky can be something of a law unto himself.

The resulting hybrid could take after either dominant parent, but you should expect an alert dog that is always up for exercise and keen to spend time outdoors. You should socialize him early to avoid any aggression or other unwanted behaviors and be prepared to put some time into brushing your dog to remove loose hairs.

We have lots more Siberian Husky Mixes for you to explore!

Featured Image Credit: Geartooth Productions, Shutterstock