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

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Rottsky (Rottweiler & Siberian Husky Mix)

Height: 20 – 25 inches
Weight: 55 – 110 pounds
Lifespan: 9 – 13 years
Colors: White, black, cream, brown, gray, red, sable
Suitable for: Very active families
Temperament: High energy, intelligent, loyal

Rottskies can be stubborn and independent or they can be loyal and loving; it depends on the individual dog and the training they go through when they’re young. They’re highly intelligent creatures, taking after their parents.

Rottskies are a crossbreed between the smart, trainable, and active Siberian Husky and the stout, loyal, and massive Rottweiler. Rottskies can exhibit the characteristics of both parents, generally landing between the two in size and sharing temperament traits from each.

These dogs can take on a variety of looks, often having the slimmer build of a Husky but larger, with colorations similar to a Rottweiler. They often have faces that look like a mix between the breeds. You can expect them to be highly intelligent and energetic, and they shed more than most dogs.

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Rottsky Puppy

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

These dogs are big and active, so they need a lot of exercise. You’re going to need to provide at least 90 minutes of physical activity each day for a Rottsky, and a short walk in the morning and evening is not going to cut it!

Likewise, they’re not well-suited for apartment living. An apartment just can’t meet their needs for space. Instead, they’re better off in a home with plenty of yard space for them to run around in and get their energy out. If you don’t let them release all that energy, they may turn to destructive habits and bad behaviors as a way of releasing it.

Though intelligent, these aren’t the easiest dogs to train. They can be very stubborn and might require a patient and experienced hand. The sooner you start training, the better, as stubbornness will start to develop early if you don’t begin to train it out.

Keep in mind that these dogs have a very high prey drive. They may never be able to get along with cats in the same household. Rottskies may not do well with other dogs either, unless they’ve been socialized extensively from a young age.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Rottsky

1. They Can Have Different Colored Eyes

An interesting trait that Huskies have come to be known for has been passed down to some of the Rottskies as well: mixed color eyes. Though their eyes are often brown, some Rottskies can inherit blue eyes from their Husky parents. But one of the most prized and unique appearances for a Rottsky is one blue eye and one brown eye with a dark-colored coat.


2. They Will Become Highly Destructive Without Enough Exercise

Rottskies are big and full of energy that needs to be released. Big dogs can be very destructive by nature, especially when they have all that pent-up energy. If you don’t give your Rottsky an outlet to release all that energy, then you can expect to see some destructive behaviors.

Huskies are known for digging holes when bored and tearing up yards. Rottweilers are known to chew up everything in sight, and with those big teeth, they can really tear things apart.

Rottskies inherit some traits from each parent, so you can expect a range of destructive behaviors when their physical activity needs aren’t met.


3. When Bred With Alaskan Huskies, They Have a Different Look and Temperament

A true Rottsky is a hybrid between a Rottweiler and a Siberian Husky, but some breeders have mixed Rottweilers with Alaskan Huskies and called them by the same name. These dogs have an altogether different appearance and temperament from true Rottskies.

When purchasing from a breeder, be sure to find a reputable source and check the parents as well, if you can. This will tell you a lot about what your dog will be like when it gets older and can give you clues about health concerns and issues.

Parent Breeds of the Rottsky
Image Credit: Jumpstory

Temperament & Intelligence of the Rottsky 🧠

Rottskies are very intelligent dogs, coming from two breeds known for their smarts. But Huskies are known for destructive digging and being stubborn, and Rottweilers are known for intense chewing and destructive behaviors. All of these behaviors can manifest in a Rottsky, making them very difficult to manage if not trained from an early age. With the potential to grow more than 100 pounds, this is a big dog that you don’t want acting out.

Are Rottsky Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Rottweilers are known to be excellent guard dogs, and Rottskies often follow suit. They can be incredibly loyal and protective of their family. If socialized and trained from a young age, Rottskies can be great with kids. They’ll always be a bit apprehensive of guests though, particularly strangers.

Do Rottskies Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Rottskies inherit a high prey drive from both parents, but particularly from the Husky side. Because of this, they’ll never be great with other pets, particularly smaller ones. These dogs will chase other pets when their prey drive kicks in. If socialized early on, a Rottsky may tolerate another dog in the house. They’ll do best with another large dog though, as mall dogs may constantly trigger their predator instinct.

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Things to Know When Owning a Rottsky:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Though your Rottsky may not tip the scales, they’re still sizable dogs that are going to require a large amount of food. These dogs will typically eat around 3 cups of food each day, so you can expect to spend quite a bit more on food for a Rottsky than for a teacup pup.

Though they don’t have any specialized food requirements, it’s best to feed your Rottsky the highest-quality food you can. An adult blend of dry dog food that’s high in protein and made from whole food sources is a great start and will help keep your Rottsky healthy and happy for a long life.

Rottsky in the snow
Image Credit: Geartooth Productions, Shutterstock

Exercise 🐕

Ninety minutes each day is a lot of exercise, so these dogs are not advised for sedentary individuals! Rottskies have tons of energy they need to expend, so you’ll need to provide them with outlets. Short walks aren’t going to be enough. They’ll need room to run around during the day, plus structured exercise as well.

Taking them for daily runs is a great idea. Just be careful about high levels of heat. Because they have longer, thicker coats, Rottskies are susceptible to overheating. Try to keep them out of the heat, opting to run in the mornings or evenings when it’s cooler.

Training 🦮

Despite being highly intelligent canines, Rottskies can often be quite difficult to train. They can be very stubborn and independent, especially if these traits were allowed to foster during youth. If properly trained and socialized from a very early age, Rottskies can make well-behaved and well-trained pets, provided they continue to get adequate exercise.

Because they are so smart, once you have basic training principles instilled in your Rottsky, they tend to excel at advanced training. They need a lot of mental and physical stimulation and advanced training is a great way to provide it.

Grooming ✂️

Both parents of the Rottsky are known to be heavy shedders, and the Rottsky is no different. You’ll want to brush your Rottsky’s coat several times each week all year. During the spring and fall when shedding is more intense, you may need to groom your Rottsky every day.

Be careful when it comes to bathing your Rottsky. If you bathe them too often, you could strip the skin of the natural oils they produce for a healthy coat. Also, be sure that you get the undercoat completely dry any time your Rottsky gets wet. If left moist, mold and mildew could grow.

Health and Conditions ❤️

If possible, check the parents before purchasing a Rottsky. They can give you clues as to what health concerns you might expect as your puppy gets older. Rottweilers and Huskies have several health conditions that commonly affect them and some of these are often seen in Rottskies as well.

Hip dysplasia is a serious condition that causes the hip joint to become loose instead of stable as it should be. Eventually, this can lead to degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis. This ailment occurs in most large dog breeds but is overly represented in Huskies and Rottweilers. Overweight dogs are at higher risk for developing hip dysplasia, so monitor your dog’s intake to help reduce the risk of this condition.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is an inherited condition that results in the degeneration of the eye, eventually leading to blindness. It can take two main forms. Early-onset PRA is also called retinal dysplasia and it’s usually diagnosed in young dogs that are 2-3 months old. Late-onset PRA is generally detected in adult dogs that are 3-9 years of age.

PRA is not a painful condition, so it often goes unnoticed for quite a while. Night blindness may be the first sign, presenting as a dog that might bump into things in dim light or that’s afraid to go into dark rooms. You’ll also notice your dog’s eyes becoming very reflective in direct light with pupils that are more dilated than usual.

On a less serious note, cataracts in dogs are generally inherited, and Siberian Huskies are predisposed to this condition, which is why it’s prevalent in Rottskies. A cataract is essentially cloudiness in the eye lens that stops light from passing into the retina. This results in partial to total vision loss in the affected eye.

Minor Conditions
  • Cataracts
Serious Conditions
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Progressive retinal atrophy

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Male vs. Female

Like many dog breeds, males may get a little larger in size and weight than females. Males may also be a bit more aggressive, particularly if they haven’t been fixed. Females will often be a bit more agreeable and relaxed without the aggressive tendencies that males sometimes display.

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Final Thoughts: Rottsky

Smart and full of energy with the potential to be very stubborn, Rottskies would make a great companion for a patient person who has the time and experience to deal with a dog that might be quite difficult to train. You’ll need to start training early, but with the right care, a Rottsky can be a loyal and loving dog that’s highly intelligent, affectionate, and a great protector.

With the possibility of weighing as much as 110 pounds, these dogs can get pretty sizable. They need a lot of exercise and a lot of space to run around. They’re best for highly active people who want to take their dog on long runs, ideally in a cooler climate because these long-haired canines aren’t the best in the heat.

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Featured Image Credit: Geartooth-Productions, Shutterstock

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