Rottsky Overview
- Parent Breeds:
- Rottweiler & Siberian Husky
- Breed Nickname:
- Rottsky
- Size:
- Large
- Height:
- 20 to 26 inches
- Weight:
- 55 to 95 pounds
- Life Span:
- 10 to 15 years
- Coat Colors:
- Black, brown, white, cream, sable, and gray
Rottsky Characteristics
About The Rottsky
What Is A Rottweiler Husky Mix Called?
The name given to a cross between the Rottweiler and Siberian Husky is a Rottsky.
They were bred to combine these two working dog powerhouses to create an unstoppable dog.
Despite this, the Rottsky is still a very loving and affectionate breed, suitable for many families.
Many people love the idea of having a lovable companion as good as guarding them as the Rottsky, but there are some things you should consider before jumping to choose this breed.
Our ultimate guide will tell you whether the Rottsky suits your lifestyle.
Rottsky Breed History
First bred in the 90s in the US.
Bred to minimize health concerns in parent breeds.
Both parent breeds are excellent working dogs.
The Rottsky is a designer dog, bred deliberately to combine the best traits of the Rottweiler and Husky.
They would have been first bred around the 1990s in the US, as this is where the majority of designer breeds got their start.
Rottweilers are known for their guarding abilities, but they were first used for herding cattle in Germany.
They were first documented in the middle ages, but most believe that they are descendants of the Drover dogs who accompanied the Roman cattlemen in 700 AD.
Siberian Huskies are believed to have been developed by the Chukchi people, an indigenous tribe from Russia. Huskies were used to pull sleds through snow.
Both the Rottweiler and the Husky have rich histories as working dogs, so it stands to reason that the Rottsky will be a good worker, too.
They will have been bred to minimize health concerns in the purebred parent breeds.
Rottsky Personality & Temperament
Playful and energetic.
Can exhibit bad behaviors when bored.
Tend to be reserved around others.
Can be aggressive without proper training.
The Rottsky is a playful and active dog that requires mental and physical stimulation daily.
They require plenty of attention, and the lack of this can lead to behavioral problems such as destructive behaviors.
Both parent breeds are known for bad behaviors, which gives them (and their offspring) a bad reputation.
Huskies howl loudly and can physically act out, while Rottweilers are known to chew everything in sight.
Don’t let this deter you – Rottskys don’t always engage in destructive behavior. As long as they get plenty of attention, they should be fine.
Rottskys are generally reserved dogs, although they tend to be more animated around their family.
They are good with children and other pets as long as they’ve been socialized early.
Rottweilers are known to be occasionally aggressive with other dogs, and this can be seen in Rottskys, too.
This is particularly adamant in dogs of the same sex, and they enjoy chasing cats and other small animals.
Rottsky Health
Can inherit health issues from both parent breeds.
Vet checkups are vital.
Life expectancy of 10 to 15 years.
Rottskys are considered to be healthy dogs overall, but there are a few health concerns that owners should be aware of before owning one.
You should keep an eye out for symptoms relating to any of these issues and get them seen by a vet as soon as possible.
Major concerns for Rottskys:
- Joint Dysplasia
- Gastric Dilation Volvulus (otherwise known as bloating)
- Osteosarcoma
- Subaortic Stenosis
Minor issues include:
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Pancreatitis
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Entropion
- Histiocytosis
- Demodectic Mange
- Corneal Dystrophy
- Zinc Responsive Dermatosis
- Neuroaxonal Dystrophy
It is important to keep up to date with your regular vet checkups.
These are in place to ensure that the vet can diagnose and treat concerns as quickly as possible, preventing the situation from getting too dire.
Rottsky Training
Setting boundaries is vital around Rottskys.
Positive reinforcement should be used.
They can be stubborn, making them harder to train.
You might think that training such an intelligent dog as the Rottsky would be easy – especially when they have two working breeds as parents!
However, Rottskys are actually not that easy to train.
Why? Rottweilers tend to have a stubborn streak that can make them unwilling to listen to their owner.
You’ll need to find the perfect time to train them to prevent their stubbornness from ruining your training session.
Similarly, Huskies tend to exhibit situational behavior when they train. This means that they show off around other people, but ignore their owner’s commands at home.
Positive reinforcement is vital with Rottskys as they won’t take kindly to negativity.
Rottsky Exercise Requirements
Setting boundaries is vital around Rottskys.
Positive reinforcement should be used.
They can be stubborn, making them harder to train.
Rottskys are incredibly athletic and need an owner who can keep up with their exercise demands.
Long walks and running with their owners are enjoyable activities, as well as swimming and even sledding.
Rottskys also need plenty of mental stimulation, so taking them to agility and obedience courses is also excellent exercise.
Ideally, you should be offering your Rottsky 90 minutes of exercise every day.
They also need a yard to run around in and burn off some energy, and they’re not good for apartment living.
Rottskys are good dogs for active owners who have plenty of time throughout the day to challenge their dogs mentally and physically to keep boredom away.
Rottsky Diet & Feeding
Choose kibble formulated for high-energy large dogs.
Offer two or three meals a day.
Rottskys need to be given a premium kibble that has been formulated for large dogs with high energy needs.
This will have plenty of protein in it as the main ingredient, followed by healthy fats and carbohydrates. It should also include lots of vegetables for added nutrients.
Rottskys eat plenty of food to ensure they have enough energy to burn throughout the day.
You should offer this in two or three meals so that they can replenish their energy throughout the day.
Only feed them enough for their weight. No matter what food you choose, you can bet that your Rottsky will eat a lot of it!
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Rottsky Cost
Costs from $600 to $2,000.
Reputable breeders should be chosen.
Rottskys cost between $600 and $2,000. Always opt for a higher-priced dog, as this should prevent you from falling victim to a backyard breeder.
Some breeders will breed a Rottweiler with an Alaskan Husky and call it a Rottsky, but this will create a completely different breed with varied temperaments.
You need to know what to expect from your dog, which is why it is so important to use a reputable breeder who can tell you all about the parents of your puppy.
Ongoing costs include lots of food, sturdy toys, crates and bedding, and more.
