The Husky and Pitbull mix, often called the “Pitsky”, is an extremely loving, loyal and intelligent mixed dog breed. Just like humans, you never know which parent your Pitsky will inherit more traits from. This makes owning this dog all the more exciting!
Understanding the qualities of both the Husky and the Pitbull breed will allow you to prepare for what to expect from your loving little one.
We understand that huskies are unique and require special care, so we’ve created this one-stop shop to help you find the must-have items for your furry friend.
- Grooming Tools
- Dog Food, Treats & Supplements
- Toys & Enrichment
- Training Aids
- Comfort & Safety
Key Questions Answered
What is a Pitbull Husky Mix called?
The Husky Pitbull Mix is called a Pitsky.
How much does a Pitbull Husky Mix cost?
The Pitbull Husky Mix will cost between $500 and $2500 from a breeder.
Where to buy a Pitbull Husky Mix?
There are many places to buy a Pitbull Husky Mix. Try Googling ‘Pitsky for sale’.
Pitbull Husky Mix Traits & Characteristics
Traits Summary Table
| Traits | Pitbull Husky Mix |
|---|---|
| Eye Color | Brown, hazel, green and blue |
| Coat Color | White, black, brown, red, grey, fawn and brindle |
| Shedding | Year round shedding! |
| Height | 16-25 inches |
| Weight | 30-80 pounds |
| Temperament | Poised, kind and playful |
| Lifespan | 12-16 years |
| Intelligence | Very intelligent! |
| Activity Level | Highly active |
| Good With Kids? | Yes |
| Speed | 25-30 miles per hour |
| Endurance | Above average endurance due to the husky side |
| Origin | First bred in 1990 as a designer breed |
| Price | $500-$2500 |
| PROS | Loyal, intelligent, playful, energetic and loving |
| CONS | Requires lots of exercise! |
Appearance
Predicting which breed your puppy will look like is often difficult. The appearance of the Pitsky varies depending on which parent they have inherited their physical traits from. Some Husky and Pitbull mixes will look more like a Husky, while others will look more like a Pitbull.
The Pitsky is a medium sized dog with a muscular body and energetic personality. They can have long or short hair and ears that either stand up or flop downwards. They could also have blue eyes commonly associated with the Husky breed. Other eye colors include brown and green.
Their tails will either be thick, furry and curl over their back or they will sit lower with less fur.
Both the Husky and the Pitbull are two naturally athletic breeds which means it is inevitable that your Pitsky will have a muscular build. Although Huskies and Pitbulls are both strong, they were bred for completely different purposes. This leads to different body types. The Husky is leaner while the Pitbull is more full-bodied and stockier.
Color
The color of each Pitsky will depend on their genetic makeup. Colors can include white, black, brown, red, grey, fawn and brindle as well as a variation of these colors, depending on their parents’ coats. Darker shades are more common for this mixed breed.
The Pitsky eye color ranges from dark brown to hazel, green and blue.
Further reading: Husky Colors & Patterns
Coat & Shedding
Pitskies commonly have a double coat which includes a dense undercoat and a coarse overcoat. If your puppy resembles more of a Husky, it will most likely have long hair with a thick and often rough coat. If he or she looks more like a Pitbull, it will probably have short hair. More commonly, the Pitsky tends to have shorter hair than the pure Husky breed.
This mixed breed sheds all year round no matter which parent they have inherited most characteristics from. However, the short hair trait from the Pitbull means that you’ll get a Husky mix that doesn’t shed as much as a normal Husky. You will notice they shed more during the spring and fall as these are the shedding seasons for both the Husky and the Pitbull.
Further reading: Short haired husky mixes
Size
The Pitsky crossbreed will grow between 16-25 inches tall and 30-80 pounds. The males are usually slightly larger in height and weight than the females.
Temperament & Personality
Pitskies are generally poised, kind and playful. Because they are friendly, they do not make the best watch dogs. However, due to their protective nature, they will come to a family member’s defense if they are in harm’s way!
Lifespan
With proper nutrition and exercise, the Pitsky generally lives between 12 and 16 happy years. Regular veterinary visits are important to maintain your dog’s health. It also helps ensure the absence of common hereditary diseases.
Further reading: How old is my Husky in humans years?
Intelligence
The Pitsky is very intelligent by nature which allows them to be easily trained. However, they can be quite stubborn at times!
Further reading: How smart is a Siberian Husky?
Activity Level
The Husky and Pitbull mix is very athletic by nature with lots of energy. Aim to give them 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise. Outdoor activities bring them lots of joy, so if you enjoy running or hiking, your Pitsky will gladly join you!
Are Pitbull Husky Mixes Good with Kids?
The Husky and Pitbull mix make very good family dogs due to their affectionate and playful nature. These particularly loyal dogs get along well with children of all ages. The only thing to be cautious of is their strength and muscular physique.
Due to their playful and enthusiastic nature, they may jump when playing which can be overwhelming for smaller kids. We recommend keeping a close watch during playtime!
Speed, Strength & Endurance
The Husky can run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. The Pitbull can run 25 to 30 miles per hour. The main difference is their stamina. Siberian huskies can even run up to 150 miles a day with an average speed of 9 miles per hour. No wonder the Pitsky needs a lot of exercise!
Behavior
The Pitsky is adamant about pleasing their owners. They will generally respond to commands quickly if trained properly. The appropriate exercise and mental activity will help them avoid destructive behavior inside of the home. Depression and anxiety can also result if this breed is left home alone for too long. Their affectionate nature allows them to thrive in a very present and loving environment.
Visit our Husky Behavior hub to learn more.
Origin & History of the Pitbull Husky Mix
The Pitsky is crossbred between an American Pitbull Terrier and a Siberian Husky. Although this mixed breed could have existed at some point and time in history, they only joined the designer dog category in the 1990’s.
The Pitsky breed has grown significantly in popularity over the years. One factor that attributes to this is the optimal temperament found in both the Husky and Pitbull breeds. Naturally, when they come together it creates offspring with kind and affectionate dispositions.
Breeding the Pitbull Husky Mix
A proper breeder will conduct genetic testing of the Husky and Pitbull parents. This ensures no common diseases are being passed down to the Pitsky. Ask your breeder for information regarding your potential dog’s lineage to make sure there are no health issues running in the bloodline.
You can also ask the breeder you will be working with for their policy in cases of severe genetic illnesses. They could ask you to let them know if such major issues occur so that they can make the appropriate decisions for future breeding. Some may even contribute to veterinary costs associated with these diseases, should they arise.
How to Take Care of a Pitbull Husky Mix
Nutrition
It is important that this high-energy pup is fed quality dog food formulated for high-energy medium size dog breeds. Your dog should be eating at least 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight. For more information, check the back of your dog food products for a guide on how much to feed your dog depending on their weight.
Note that the size, weight and health of your Pitsky will affect how much food they eat. Always consult your veterinarian about the frequency and serving amount of your dog’s daily meals.
Visit our Husky Nutrition hub to learn more.
What can a Pitsky eat?
A Pitsky can eat a variety of things, but should mostly stick to dog food. It is important to feed your Pitsky a high-quality diet in order to ensure that he or she stays healthy. Check out this list of the best dog food for huskies. You can also mix in some cooked meat or vegetables for added nutrition.
How much do Pitskies eat?
Pitskies will typically eat 2-3 cups of dry dog food per day. The amount to feed your Pitsky depends on their weight. Check out this weight based feeding guide for more information.
Exercise
Your Pitsky should be getting 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise, depending on their age and health.
Pitskies have a tendency to become bored if they are not mentally stimulated. There are a number of entertaining mind games available for purchase that will intrigue your furry pet. Keep in mind that 15 minutes of mental stimulation will exhaust the Pitsky significantly more than a 15 minute walk. It’s important to keep their minds working!
Further reading: How much exercise does a Husky need?
Grooming
Routine brushing with a de-shedder every two days for a long-haired Pitsky is recommended. This helps reduce loose hair and remove built-up dirt, debris and dander from your dog’s coat. If your Pitsky looks more like a Pitbull with shorter hair, brushing once or twice a week will suffice as this coat is easier to maintain.
Bathing should be done once a month. Of course, if your furry friend plays in the mud it’s okay to give them a good scrub more often.
Brushing their teeth should be done several times a week, especially if they have had human food treats. Trimming their nails is done as needed, but if you are doing it yourself be sure not to cut close to the nerve inside of their nail. That will cause pain and potential bleeding and we definitely don’t want that!
At what age can I bathe my Pitsky?
You can start bathing your Pitsky puppy from 8 weeks old. As a general rule of thumb, and as recommended by the AKC, all puppies should be bathed from 8 weeks old.
Training
Obedience training for your Pitsky puppy is always a good idea. Pitskies are quite difficult to handle if they are not properly potty and obedience trained.
There are a few personality factors that come into play when training this mixed breed. Luckily, they are extremely intelligent and are always looking to please their owners which can make them easy to train on your own. On the other hand, they can be quite stubborn which may make training more difficult at times!
For puppies, the ideal time to begin training is around 8 weeks of age. The most effective form of training is through positive reinforcement. You will see progress within the first few weeks. Seek professional help with training if you do not find yourself successful when teaching your Pitsky.
How to train a Pitbull Husky Mix
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to train a pitsky will vary depending on the dog’s individual personality and temperament. However, some tips on how to train a pitsky include:
- Establishing rules and boundaries early on
- Rewarding good behavior with treats or positive reinforcement
- Being consistent in your commands and discipline.
Above all, be patient and never lose your temper with your pup – Pitskies are smart dogs and they’ll learn quickly when you’re not happy with their behavior.
Visit our Husky Training hub to learn more.
Pitsky Puppies
If this breed is playful and energetic as an adult, can you imagine how much fun they are as puppies? They will require a lot of affection while getting to know their new owners and their new home. You don’t want them chewing your furniture because they are bored, so plenty of exercise and daily playtime is key!
General Health
Pitskies generally lead healthy lives. However, there are some hereditary diseases that could lead to potential health conditions. Both the Husky and the Pitbull breed are commonly known to both develop hyperthyroidism.
Pitbulls, specifically, commonly face challenges with hip dysplasia, knee complications and skin allergies. The Husky’s common health conditions include hypothyroidism and zinc deficiency. They are known for eye conditions as well, such as cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (a degenerative eye disorder).
Proper nutrition, exercise, and grooming will help prevent health issues. Regular veterinary visits will help detect health issues before they worsen.
Visit our Husky Health hub to learn more.
When should Pitskies get their first shots?
Most Vets recommend getting your Pitsky’s first shots between 6 and 8 weeks old. The 6-week-old visit should include a check-up, deworming, and the first round of puppy shots. The 8-week-old visit should include a check-up and the second round of puppy shots. Visit Vets4Pets for more info.
Pitbull Husky Mix Price
Breeders of the Pitbull Husky Mix may charge anywhere from $500 to $2500. Some may conduct extra testing such as health screening to determine whether the dog carries genetic diseases. In this case, the breeders may ask for a larger payment.
Be sure to research breeders in advance when looking for this new family member! And always check local shelters!!
Visit our Husky Price hub to learn about maintenance costs.
Pitsky Pros & Cons
Pitskies have many desirable qualities like loyalty, intelligence, playfulness, energetic and loving natures. They make wonderful family dogs as they are affectionate and get along well with children of all ages.
Pitskies are not suitable for time-poor and physically inactive families. This breed tends to get depressed if given very little attention. Another con is their stubbornness, which may cause them to be difficult during training sessions.
- PROS: Loyal, intelligent, playful, energetic and loving.
- CONS: Requires lots of physical activity.
Pitbull Husky Mix Alternatives
Looking for smaller or similar sized Husky mixed breed?
Here are some Pitbull Husky Mix alternatives:
- Miniature Husky
- Pomeranian Husky Mix
- Chihuahua Husky Mix
- Pug Husky Mix
- Corgi Husky Mix
- Beagle Husky Mix
- Boston Terrier Husky Mix
Recommendation
This breed would be extremely happy with a family who is active and has time for long walks and tons of cuddling on a daily basis!
Have you got a Pitbull Husky Mix?
Share your experience in the comments below.
