Curious about the Rottweiler Husky mix? Many people are for good reason. Both the Rottweiler and Siberian Husky breeds are very popular in the United States. In 2018, the Rottweiler took the 8th spot on AKC’s list of most popular dog breeds. The Siberian Husky landed a respectable 14th place on that same list.
So if you love the adorable teddy bear-like appearance of the Rottweiler and the playful, pack-oriented nature of the Siberian Husky, read on. You will learn all about these two breeds and how they come together to create the amazing Rottsky designer breed.
Rottweiler Husky Mix Temperament
The Rottweiler Husky has a temperament somewhere between the personality of the parent breeds, the Rottweiler and the Siberian Husky.
Rottskies are an energetic, social breed that is prone to exercise-induced anxiety and separation anxiety. They do well in both rural and urban settings but may not thrive in a kennel setting because of their strong need for close contact with people.
Please keep in mind that dog personalities can stray from the typical expected of their breed. Every dog is an individual so you should get to know the dog you are considering before proceeding with the adoption process.
Here is a quick profile of what you can expect from these two types of dogs.
Rottweiler Personality
Common Personality Traits of the Rottweiler Breed
- Confident
- Courageous
- Obedient
- Good-natured
- Devoted
- Fearless
- Steady
- Trainable
- Intelligent
- Protective
- Aloof
Rottweilers are often described as courageous, aloof, calm, and obedient. They are confident and steady in their ways and prefer the company of family. Within a family, Rottweilers will have a special person that they are most glued to.
If you are your Rottweiler’s special person, you can expect to be followed everywhere. Bathroom breaks will no longer be a private experience as your dog will want to be there with you. Take it as a compliment!
You may have heard by now of the famous guarding instinct of Rottweilers, and it is no joke. These dogs have a natural inclination to protect and they must be properly socialized in order to avoid unwanted aggression.
As far as other dogs go, Rottweilers will want to be the dominant dog, so make sure to get dogs of opposite genders if you decide to own more than one dog.
Siberian Husky Personality
Common Personality Traits of the Siberian Husky Breed
- Extroverted
- Intelligent
- Friendly
- Social
- Alert
- Gentle
- Aloof
- Independent
- Stubborn
- Playful
- Vocal
Siberian Huskies are known to be very intelligent, alert, and extroverted. These are dogs that love to exercise and will want to be outside with you. When taking your outgoing Siberian Husky out, be sure to keep them on a leash as they will head for the hills if allowed to do so!
Siberian Huskies are free-spirited and independent but you can be assured they love their families. Being bred as pack animals, you will notice Huskies are social with humans and dogs, but have an element of aloofness to their personality.
One thing to keep in mind with the Siberian Husky is their love for communication – vocally. A husky’s love for howling should be taken into consideration when adopting. If you are living in a small apartment or any small home without a yard, you may want to pass on this dog breed. They need a home with space where they can express themselves vocally.
Rottweiler Husky Mix Appearance
Expect your Rottweiler Husky mix to have a combination of both Rottweiler and Siberian Husky’s physical traits. Here are the quintessential features of the two breeds.
Rottweiler Physical Characteristics
You will be able to recognize a Rottweiler by its powerful, muscular build. Rottweilers have primarily short, black coats with rust markings on their cheeks, above both eyes, on the sides of their muzzle, and their legs. Their snouts are wide and of medium length, and their head has a boxy sort of shape.
Siberian Husky Physical Characteristics
Huskies a very famous for their beautiful appearance. With striking blue eyes and contrasting fur colors, this breed is easy to notice and recognize. In addition to their eyes, Siberian Huskies are often identified by their perked-up ears.
Love Siberian Huskies? Check out the Corgi Husky mix, Poodle Husky mix, Chihuahua Husky Mix, Pug Husky mix, and German Shepherd Husky mix.
Husky Coat Colors and Combinations
- White
- Black and White
- Red and White
- Black
- Sable and White
- Gray and White
- Black and Tan
- Gray
- Silver and Gray
Husky Eye Colors and Combinations
- Blue
- Brown
- Blue and Brown
Photos of Rottsky Dogs
Yes, we cannot have a post about an adorable dog breed without showing you the proof via pictures. Here are some examples of what the Rottweiler Husky Mix looks like. Spoiler: They are super cute!
If you would like to see more photos of each of these gorgeous Rottsky dogs, click the link below its respective photo. This will lead you to that dog’s Instagram page. Enjoy. 🙂
Rottweiler Husky Mix Health Overview
Grooming requirements, dietary needs, exercise expectations, health concerns, and life expectancy are things you should consider before getting a Rottsky. Here is what you need to know.
Grooming Needs
When it comes to your Rottsky’s coat, the grooming requirements will depend on which parent breed’s coat they inherited. Most of the time, with the Rottweiler Husky mix, they inherit their fur type from the Siberian Husky parent.
This means they will have a dense double coat. The undercoat will be softer yet thick, while the topcoat will be smooth and not as soft.
Fun fact: the fur part of the topcoat in a dog is referred to as the guard hairs.
Siberian Huskies experience shedding twice a year, known as ‘blowing their coat.’ You can expect heavy shedding during this time, which is usually right before seasonal changes.
If your Rottsky has inherited the Rottweiler coat, it will have a short double coat that is straight and coarse. As far shedding goes, Rottweilers experience moderate to high shedding throughout the year.
Since the Rottweiler has a double coat, you can expect it to shed heavily during season changes.
It is for certain that your Rottsky will have a double coat, which means plenty of brushing. You will want to brush your Rottsky at least a few times a week to prevent buildup. A neglected dog coat is detrimental to their health and must be avoided at all costs.
Not brushing your dog’s coat will lead to skin issues like dandruff and dermatitis. At worst, your dog can get skin parasites.
For a list of the best brushes for double-coated dogs, check out our recommended brushes for German Shepherd dogs.
Diet and Nutrition
What you feed your Rottsky will have a huge impact on their quality of life and lifespan. Just like with humans, the higher quality of food you feed your dog, the better off your dog will be overall.
If you are curious about the nutritional requirements for dogs, you will find this dog nutrient breakdown guide from the Merc Veterinary Manual useful.
Please remember that the age of your dog will impact what type of food you should feed them. A puppy will have a much different diet than an adult dog. An adult dog will also have a much different diet from a senior dog.
In general, you will have the choice between a raw diet, wet canned food diet, freeze-dried diet, and kibble diet for your dog. There are huge quality differences between each category and within those categories themselves.
Feel free to educate yourself on choosing your dog’s diet by using this dog feeding article from AKC.
Exercise Requirements
Both the Siberian Husky and Rottweiler are very active dogs that need at least two hours of exercise every day. Regardless of whether your dog inherits more from the Rottweiler or the Husky side, expect to get outdoors often.
While each dog is an individual and will favor different durations and types of exercise, two hours a day is a safe amount to start with for an adult Rottsky. If your Rottsky is a puppy, however, this amount will be much less. Please seek out the advice of your veterinarian for exercising your Rottsky puppy.
Types of Exercise to Try Out
There are many fun ways to exercise with your Rottsky that will help strengthen your bond. Here are some common ways dog owners get their exercise in for the day with their furry friends.
Hiking
Outdoor Games
Walks
Runs
Agility Training
Health Concerns
Both the Rottweiler and Siberian Husky have health concerns that potential owners should consider. Most of this is due to the nature of pure breed dogs having less genetic variation. As far as health concerns go for the Rottsky, the fact that it is a cross-breed has a chance of helping when it comes to risk.
Still, there is a chance that your Rottsky may develop issues related to one of their parent breeds. Here are some common health issues of the Rottweiler and Siberian Husky breeds.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive retinal atrophy is a condition know to occur in the Siberian Husky dog breed. It is a disease that eventually causes blindness in dogs.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a health issue that Rottweilers are known to have, and they are one of the breeds most affected by it. This condition occurs when there is a genetic deformity of the ball and socket of the hip, causing deterioration of the joint.
It is a very painful condition for your dog to experience and requires lifestyle modifications and possible surgery. You can find out more about hip dysplasia from the American Kennel Club.
Life Expectancy
There isn’t a lot of information on the life expectancy of a Rottsky, but you can estimate it based on the lifespan of the Rottweiler and Husky.
Siberian Huskies have an expected lifespan of around 12-15 years.
Rottweilers have an expected lifespan of around 8-10 years.
Keep in mind the lifespan of your dog will vary based on a multitude of factors. How much exercise your dog gets, what you feed them, their environment, and genetics all play a role in how long they will live.
Love Rottweilers? Check out the Rottweiler Pitbull mix and the Rottweiler German Shepherd mix.
Rottweiler Husky Mix Lifestyle
The lifestyle that fits best with the Rottsky is an active one. If you are the type of person/family to go outside regularly, especially with long hikes on the weekends, the Rottsky could be your perfect dog.
Trainability and Owner Experience
It is important to note that Rottskies are not for first-time dog owners. These dogs can be difficult to train, and they need a firm alpha owner who knows how to establish themselves as the pack leader.
If you live in an apartment or condo where there isn’t much space for your new pup (or if you don’t plan on giving your Rottsky access to the whole home), you will need to be very diligent about properly exercising your Rottsky.
A sufficiently exercised Rottsky will be much more receptive to your positive training efforts. This is especially important with the Rottsky breed due to their Siberian Husky genetics. Huskies are very independent-minded and not as eager to please their owners.
Family Friendliness
Rottweiler Huskies are great dogs if trained properly and socialized. They need a lot of exercise and attention, so they’re not the best choice for people who don’t have time to spend with their new pet.
Children: Rottskies are not always the best match for families with children. They may be too large and strong to handle a child, even though they have an affectionate personality.
Other Pets: Rottweiler Huskies are sociable dogs that get along well with other animals if properly socialized. However, they can be territorial, which means it is important to teach them how to share space to have a safe and peaceful environment.
House Size
Your house must be large enough for your Rottsky to roam around comfortably. The smaller the home, the more time you will need to invest in exercising your pup.
As far as apartments go, unless you can go out with your dog for hours at least twice a day, you might want to find another breed.
It isn’t easy to give an exact house size, but you will generally want a place at least 1,500 square feet for a Rottsky.
Is the Rottsky Hypoallergenic?
Neither the Siberian Husky nor the Rottweiler breed is hypoallergenic. Naturally, the Rottsky breed is not hypoallergenic either.
How Much is a Rottsky?
Rottsky puppy cost: $1,200 to $3,000
Rottsky puppy average cost: $2,100
Average Rottsky adoption fee: Depends on the Rescue. The price can be anywhere from $30-$300.
Get a Rottsky for Adoption
Purchasing a Rottsky will cost you anywhere from $1200 to $3000, leaving you with less money to spend on your dog supplies. While there are passionate and quality breeders, the reality is it is cheaper and more ethical to adopt.
Be Very Skeptical of Low-Cost Breeders
Dog breeding comes with many costs, and a low Rottsky price can indicate poor breeding conditions. Be aware that if your potential Rottsky is being given away for free or almost free, it may have serious health complications that the breeder isn’t disclosing.
Always Check With a Veterinarian
Regardless of the Rottskys price, it is important to know its health history before you buy. When picking out a new Rottsky puppy or adult dog, make sure to have them checked by their veterinarian first! This way, any potential medical conditions can be identified and addressed early on in your Rottsky’s life.
Pros and Cons of Mixed Dog Breeds
Sometimes you can get really healthy dogs from mixed breeds due to the genetic variability. However, there are times that certain mixed breeds are still very vulnerable to their parent breed’s health issues.
For example, the Rottsky is a Rottweiler cross with Husky. The Rottsky may be more genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia and cataracts than other dog breeds because of its high odds of inheriting these from its parent breeds.
At the end of the day, it is truly a gamble. That is why it is important to get in touch with a responsible breeder with detailed health records.
Are Rottskys Good Dogs?
The Rottweiler Husky mix is a fantastic dog for any active home that wants a loving and intelligent breed. If you are willing to put the effort in to train a Rottsky, your hard work will pay off exponentially.
Did you enjoy this post on the Rottweiler Husky mix? Be sure to check out my Gerberian Shepsky post if you know you want to own a Siberian Husky mix.
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