Rottweilers and Siberian Huskies are two popular breeds that probably would have never met when they originated. But in the 2020s, you might have imagined crossing them often if you thought there was a good chance you would get a blue-eyed black-and-tan dog. Or what about a sled dog who would guard your home and family?
There is also a possibility that you never thought much about the cross but recently decided that you want one.
The Rottweiler Husky mix or Rottsky is a medium-large designer dog with great athleticism and a stunning appearance. A typical Rottsky is black and tan with semi-upright ears, blue eyes, and a curly tail. She makes an excellent family companion for extremely active singles, couples, or families with older children.
Rottskies can engage in several interactive sporting activities. Usually, they do well with dogs their size, but their predatory instincts are too high for smaller pets.
Before you acquire a Rottsky, it is best to get as much information as you can. The designer dog requires a large time commitment to its energetic nature and strong will. The Rottsky can include a cross between a Rottweiler and any Husky type. We limit our discussion to the Siberian Husky.
How did the Rottweiler Husky Mix originate?
Both the Rottie and Husky are ancient breeds, albeit from different ends of the world.
Developed in Germany, the Rottweiler comes from ancient Molosser dogs with probable Greek and Italian bloodlines as well as influences from the British Mastiff.
Rottweiler’s ancestors originally herded cattle as drover dogs (moved livestock from behind, sometimes nipping at the heels) and guarded their owners’ valuables. They arrived in Germany about 74 AD when the Romans established a military base in Rottweil. German butchers selected the best working stock from crosses between these new arrivals and local dogs.
Railways are largely responsible for the breed’s eventual move into the police force and military in the late 1800s and during World War I.
The Leonberger and Rottweiler International Club formulated a breed standard for the Rottweiler in 1901, further helping save the breed from certain extinction. The AKC recognized the Rottweiler thirty years later.
The Siberian Husky’s ancestors resulted from the efforts of the Chukchi people beginning 3,000 to 4,000 years ago in Northeastern Siberia. They originally selected traits in the wolves on the Chukchi Peninsula that could help them hunt reindeer.
When reindeer became more migratory due to harsher winters, the Siberian Husky evolved into a dog that could haul hunting equipment across the snowy terrain. Their sled-pulling aptitude developed even further when they moved to Alaska in 1909 and enthusiasts saw their talent for racing.
The signature style that sets Siberian Huskies apart from the Alaskan Malamute is their speed, even over long distances, and their lightness of foot. They joined the AKC in 1930.
The history of the Rottsky is not quite as concrete as the parent breeds, but some speculate the purpose was to improve the health and longevity of the Rottweiler. Unlike the French Bulldog – Boston Terrier cross, original breeders did not use a dog that would create a close copy of the Rottie.
Probably a product of the year 2000 or later, the Rottsky retains the exceptional athleticism and working abilities of its parent breeds. The result is often a dog with additional sled-pulling abilities from the Husky and an improved likelihood of guarding like the Rott.
The Rottweiler Husky Mix is a robust attractive dog
How big are they?
Rottie Husky mixes are large medium-large dogs about the size of the average German Shepherd. They are 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh about 55 to 95 pounds.
What are some defining characteristics?
Rottweilers are big dogs with a large round head reminiscent of Molosser-types that include Mastiffs, Saint Bernard, and Swiss Mountain Dogs. They have triangular ears that are high set but flop down. Rotties have wide-spaced eyes and broad muzzles that are slightly shortened.
The breed has a powerful neck, deep broad chest, muscular body, and a tail that curls upward but does not touch the back. You can see that most of them have docked tails.
Rotties are athletic with power and great guarding instincts. They are black with tan, rust, or mahogany points and brown eyes. This video at one point portrays a Rottie in its prescribed job performing protection and bite work.
The Siberian Husky is a medium dog from the Spitz family. Spitz-like features evident in all these dogs are a wedge-shaped head, triangular relatively small upright ears, a dense dual coat, a compact frame, and a tail that curls over the back. Note that many Huskies carry their tails in a horizontal plane when working. You cannot help but notice the stamina, strength, and athleticism of the Husky.
Finally, you can see the Siberian Husky can be many base colors from gray to black to red. Most of them have prominent white markings, but Siberian Huskies can be solid colors, almost solid, and even black and tan. You can recognize that blue eye color is prevalent.
Your Rottsky will have semi-drop or rose ears, tilted almond-shaped eyes, and a medium-long strong muzzle. The head will look somewhat square, and your dog will have a hint of a wolfish expression on the face.
A Rottsky is slightly longer than it is tall with a stream-lined appearance, deep and somewhat wide chest, and strong shoulders, neck, and hindquarters. The tail can be thick, muscular, and tapered, or bushy. In either case, it will likely curl to lie over or against the back.
Rottskies have a fluid, ground-reaching stride. Some dogs will be more efficient at the trot and others at the run. The breed has tremendous stamina unless you allow it to be sedentary.
Rottskies can be in several colors
The most common coat color for a Rottweiler Husky mix is overwhelmingly black with brown markings. The brown can be tan, brown, mahogany, rust, cream, or almost white.
Brown markings on the Rottsky do not necessarily adhere to the strict pattern characteristic of the Rottie. Often the markings are broader as they would be for a GSD or Siberian Husky, but you will always see the points above the eyes.
Rottskies can also commonly be wolf gray or sable, looking much like a reddish German Shepherd. Other less common colors are solid black, tricolor, or red and white. White patches, if they exist, are most commonly on the face, chest, and feet.
Sable dogs often have amber or brown eyes of a wide range of shades. Dogs with a black base frequently have blue eyes or exhibit heterochromia.
In heterochromia, each eye is a different color, or one eye can be multiple colors. Siberian Huskies are one of the few breeds where blue is the dominant eye color, and hence, it is not rare to see dark-colored dogs with striking blue eyes.
What are the traits of Rottweiler Husky Mix personality?
What will be your first impression of the Rottweiler Husky Mix?
A Rottsky should be a striking dog that is confident in demeanor, loyal and affectionate with the family, smart, and slightly aloof with strangers.
Rottweiler Husky mixes can be intimidating with their steady gaze, wild looks, and muscular frames. Rottskies enjoy having a job but do not necessarily have the intensity of other working breeds.
Rottweiler Husky mixes are good watchdogs.
Because of the natures of her parent breeds, your Rottsky will be a great watchdog. She will have protective instincts that may translate into a good guard dog as well. Guarding abilities will depend on how much she inherits from Rottie.
How is the Rottweiler Husky Mix with strangers?
Rottskies are wary of strangers but should warm up to anyone towards whom you are friendly. Some crosses will be more suspicious than others, but your dog should not be skittish, shy, or aggressive towards your guests. Socialization will ensure your dog can accurately perceive threats and react accordingly if she does inherit a guarding instinct. Biting should be a last resort for this particular mix.
How is Rottweiler Husky Mix around children and other pets?
Kids
Early and intense socialization is key, but your Rottsky should get along with older children. The wild vigor of the Husky with the size of the Rottweiler makes them a hazard around toddlers and small kids as they can easily knock young ones to the ground.
Some individuals may be calm enough to be around smaller kids with supervision. Others may pick up physical body bumping from the Rottie or chasing tendencies from the Husky.
You should exercise caution around unfamiliar children and make introductions slowly. Watch your dog’s body language carefully, have her on a leash initially, and be ready to separate pet and child instantly.
Other Pets
Each dog will be different, and the disposition of a hybrid is difficult to predict with certainty.
Your Rottsky will most likely get along with other dogs if he has good social skills. Siberian Huskies historically cooperate and work in packs and naturally affiliate with other dogs. If your pet has more influence from Rottie, he may show dog aggression and dominance. Many times, you will be able to see certain tendencies crop up when your dog is a puppy.
The mix is not one that you should trust lightly around cats and small dogs because its prey drive will be high, thanks to the Husky.
How is a Rottweiler Husky Mix to train?
Rottweiler Husky mixes are intelligent, but their independent thinking and stubborn tendencies make them challenging to train.
If you link working intelligence with obedience, a Rottie’s ranking at No.9 would suggest your dog will learn commands quickly and be willing to follow them. However, it does not consider Rottie’s strong will and desire to take charge. At No. 77, the Siberian Husky reveals its independent spirit and willfulness.
Your mix will likely exhibit a stubborn streak and independence that may require an experienced owner or collaboration with a professional trainer. Training should be positive and persistent. It is easy to lose patience with this type of dog, but rough or hurried training techniques can set your progress back by weeks.
Taking care of a Rottweiler Husky Mix takes time
Rottweiler Siberian Husky mixes require plenty of exercise
You should plan on exercising your Rottsky for 90 to 120 minutes every day. In that time, your dog will need not only challenging activities to spend his energy. He also requires mentally engaging exercises to keep his mind active.
Preventing boredom and running your dog is important to make training easier and help prevent some bad behaviors. Team activities with your dog combine physical and mental exercises simultaneously. A few that your dog may be good at are as follows.
- Hauling
- Tracking
- Sledding
- Shutzhund
Will grooming be a chore for Rottweiler Husky Mix?
Rottskies have a medium-length double coat that may be thick like a Husky’s or relatively thin. You should brush your dog three or more times a week. Although the mix does not tend to get matted fur, regular brushing keeps the skin healthy and removes loose hair and debris.
Rottskies are moderate to heavy year-round shedders, and coat maintenance helps reduce the amount of fur everywhere.
Your dog will probably shed even more at the start of spring and fall as she changes out her undercoat. Such seasonal changes warrant brushing every day and regular shampoo-less baths may also help. Otherwise, grooming is a cinch.
No shaving is required nor do most professionals recommend it. Your dog’s dual coat will keep her warm and dry in the winter and cool in the summer.
Guard hairs of the outer fur protect your pet against UV rays and the undercoat circulates cool air in the heat and provides a wooly layer against ice, wind, and snow during cold months. However, keep in mind that some Rotties have a thin undercoat and your dog may inherit this trait.
How do you feed your Rottweiler Husky Mix?
Your Rottsky has a moderate chance of becoming overweight, especially if you are unable to keep up with her exercise needs and if you feed a lot of treats. Quality and amounts of dog food are important parts of your feeding schedule.
What to feed
Whether you choose to feed commercial dry, wet, freeze-dried, or fresh dog food, meat should be among the first few ingredients. Wet and semi-moist foods will have a high moisture content, but chicken or another protein should follow immediately after the water.
The more you know about reading dog food labels, the easier it will be for you to make a healthy choice out of the plethora of options. You also can turn to your veterinarian for advice.
Healthy dogs do not absolutely require carbohydrates. Some thin canids maintain their weight better if they get some complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, sweet potatoes, or ancient grains.
Corn is controversial as some nutritionists see it as a filler and others as a solid protein alternative. Many progressive diets add carbohydrates like berries to mimic what your dog might encounter in his prey in the wild.
Healthy oils or animal fats are also crucial to your pet’s diet. You can also choose a homemade cooked or raw meal whereby you know everything you are feeding your Rottsky.
Your veterinarian or a nutritionist are your best bet for creating a well-balanced canine recipe. Puppies need a diet that will encourage a slow growth rate to prevent large-breed problems linked to overnutrition.
- Exacerbates hip and elbow dysplasia
- Panosteitis
- OCD
How Much Food for Rottweiler Husky Mix?
Assuming the average Rottweiler Husky mix is 60 to 75 pounds, you use some general guidelines.
- Normal activity house pet – 1,000 to 1,200 calories per day
- Moderately active – Allotted 1.5 hrs.+ exercise every day – 1,250 to 1,500 calories daily
- Very active – Organized or team activities, intense training – 2,000 to 2,800 calories per day
Working dogs, nursing mothers, and patients recovering from illness or surgery may need even more calories than an active adult. Growing puppies usually require the same number of calories as an adult twice their size.
What health challenges can you expect for Rottweiler Husky Mix?
Rottskies can live about 10 to 14 years. They can inherit health problems from either parent but seem to acquire the more common issues at a lower rate than purebred dogs. Such a statement requires more focused studies and some professionals disagree.
Some believe risks are as high for crossbreed as purebred dogs, but more difficult to assess. Others cite small samplings or experiences in practice that show a lower occurrence of heart problems and hip dysplasia.
- Hip dysplasia – According to OFA records, less than 2.5% occurrence in Siberian Husky compared to over 21% for Rottweiler
- Progressive retinal atrophy – The retina is at the back of the eye and contains rods and comes that dictate color and night vision respectively; As it degenerates, affected dogs become blind
- GDV or bloat _ Stomach swells with gas or fluid (gastric distension) and then twits (volvulus)
- Cataracts
- Von Willebrand’s disease – Clotting disorder
- Bone cancer
- OCD – Growth abnormality of the cartilage associated with the joints
A Few Examples of a Rottweiler Husky Mix
In this first example, you can see why Rottskies are more suitable for older children. This dog is not even very rambunctious, and he easily topples a child who is presumedly nine years or older. His semi-drop ears and longer muzzle indicate a hint of mixed parentage. The dog’s docked tail makes him look even more like a Rottie.
This is another Rottsky that looks much like a purebred Rottweiler with black and tan coloring. The ears and body are also like a Rottweiler’s. However, note the slight narrowing of the face and the single blue eye.
Finally, this is a tricolor Rottie Huskie mix. Another dog that is largely Rottweiler in structure, note the blue eyes and slight wedge shape to the head.
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