A Rottweiler Husky mix, most often called a Rottsky, will be sure to keep you busy and entertained if you are lucky enough to welcome one into your home.
We all know how silly and fun-loving Huskies can be but did you know that behind their “tough guy” persona, the Rottweiler is just as goofy and happy-go-lucky? You’ll be in for a treat with a Rottsky!
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.
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Key Questions Answered
What is a Rottweiler Husky Mix called?
A Rottweiler Husky Mix is called a Rottsky.
How much is a Rottweiler Husky Mix?
The price for a Rottsky puppy from a breeder usually lands somewhere between $500 to $1200. You might also get luck finding a Rottsky from a shelter for $200 to $600.
Where can I buy a Rottweiler Husky Mix?
Rotskies can be hard to find for sale. Your best bet is to Google ‘Rottsky for sale’.
Rottweiler Husky Mix Traits & Characteristics
- Athletic
- Loyal
- Protective
- Independent
- Fun-loving
Traits Summary Table
| Traits | Rottweiler Husky Mix |
|---|---|
| Eye Color | Blue, brown or a mixture |
| Coat Color | Black, white, tan, rust or mahogany |
| Shedding | Lots of shedding |
| Height | 20-26 inches |
| Weight | 50-100 pounds |
| Temperament | Loyal, loving, intelligent, friendly, authoritative with other dogs, goofy, and, of course, a little bit headstrong or stubborn. |
| Lifespan | 8-12 years |
| Intelligence | Highly intelligent |
| Activity Level | Highly active |
| Good With Kids? | Average |
| Origin | Rotskies were first bred in 90's as a designer breed |
| Price | $500-$1200 |
| PROS | Eager to please, loyal and fun loving |
| CONS | Destructive if bored, shedding and can be aloof with strangers |
Appearance
The Rottsky is often a perfect mix between the two breeds with the long body of the Husky and with the muscular build of the Rottweiler.
In some cases, the pup will inherit the folded triangular ears of the Rottie along with its square face, and in others, the pup will inherit the straight triangular ears of the Husky with its longer face.
These pups may also inherit the different color dots above both eyebrows which gives the Rottie their strong eyebrow arch.
Color
A Rottsky can inherit blue eyes, brown eyes, or both. A Rottsky may inherit the standard black and white coloring and patterning of the Siberian Husky or it may get the black and mahogany coloring of the Rottweiler. It can also be more of a black and tan, or black and rust color.
Rotskies can have either brown or blue eyes but they sometimes can have one of each!
Coat & Shedding
This mixed breed’s coat is straight and short to medium length. A Rottsky will undoubtedly be double-coated. The coat may be short and smooth like the Rottie or a bit longer and thicker like the Husky.
Regardless of the hair length, both breeds shed so you can be sure that the Rottsky will, too! However, I would consider the Rottsky a Husky mix that doesn’t shed as much. This is because their hairs are shorter and usually less noticeable than standard Husky hairs.
Depending on the kind of fur the pup will inherit, the Rottsky will need to be brushed out with either a comb, pin/slicker brush, or deshedder brush combo, or if it has shorter hair, with a rubber curry brush.
Further reading: Short haired husky mixes
Size
This hybrid breed is considered to be a large dog. While on average, most Rotskies weigh somewhere around 50 to 80 pounds, some can weigh as much as 100 pounds! They stand at about 20 to 26 inches at the shoulder. The Rottsky often has a broad muscular structure from the Rottie but some take more after the Husky parent and are more lean.
Temperament & Personality
To strangers and outsiders, the Rottweiler can have a tendency to put up an aloof front but most who truly know the breed know that they are equal parts loyal and fun-loving. Many describe the Rottie as being goofy and silly!
When combined with the Siberian Husky, these pups will often be loyal, loving, intelligent, friendly, authoritative with other dogs, goofy, and, of course, a little bit headstrong or stubborn.
Lifespan
The average Husky lives anywhere from 12 to 14 years of age. The average Rottweiler has a shorter life expectancy of between 8 and 11 years, primarily because of its large size. Large dog breeds tend to develop faster as well as age faster, making them more susceptible to fatal diseases at a younger age.
A Rottsky’s expected lifespan will fall somewhere in between the two breeds and will probably be between 8 and 12 years. With proper nutrition, exercise, and preventative health care, a Rottsky, will be able to live a long, happy, and healthy life.
Intelligence
Experts and fans of the Rottweiler breed describe the dog as highly intelligent and trainable and even eager to please. But sometimes it can show a bit of a stubborn tendency. This sure sounds a lot like our friend, the Husky!
Further reading: How old is my Husky in humans years?
Activity Level
These dogs are incredibly athletic and have lots of energy. They’ll need plenty of runs and walks, as well as mental stimulation like games of chase, and playing ball. Many say that these dogs do well with training classes, obedience, agility training, and even dock diving.
Though not all are big fans of the water! You’ll want to ensure this dog gets at least thirty to sixty minutes of activity every day. Chances are they’ll be more than happy to snuggle up after they’ve gotten some of that energy out!
Are Rottweiler Husky Mixes Good with Kids?
While Rotskies are usually sociable and friendly with proper introductions, they can have a tendency to be a bit too energetic at times, or overly protective of their family. This may be a reason to consider them to be a less than ideal dog for young children.
Early socialization will be a must as well as training. This breed also isn’t the most patient breed, so they may not appreciate a child who doesn’t have manners or who doesn’t know not to pull or grab on a dog. Supervision and teaching young children how to behave around dogs will be extremely important.
Speed, Strength & Endurance
Huskies are well-known for their speed, as well as the strength needed to pull sleds and, of course, the stamina to travel long distances. In fact, Huskies have been known to run as many as 100 to 150 miles per day.
While Rottweilers are not necessarily known for their speed, they are known for being quite strong. They often used to be used as an all-purpose working dog, where they would help their person with chores around the farm by pulling heavy loads. A Rottsky will get a combination of the two breeds and have both speed and stamina as well as strength!
Behavior
The Rottsky is a fun-loving dog who is full of energy and is always ready for a good time. To ensure good behaviors, you’ll want to provide plenty of opportunities and outlets for the dog to let out all of that pent-up energy!
When this breed becomes bored or restless, it has been known to display destructive behaviors like chewing up baseboards, ripping out the carpeting, chewing up the couch, and just about any other kind of trouble a dog can get itself into.
Visit our Husky Behavior hub to learn more.
History & Origin of the Rottweiler Husky Mix
History of the Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is an ancient breed whose lineage goes back as far as 4,000 years ago. The dogs we recognize today as Siberian Huskies are believed to have originated with the Chukchi people in northern Siberia.
Huskies were more than just companions for the Chukchi people. They would pull sleds full of food and equipment and even snuggle up and keep the families warm at night! In the early 1900s, the Siberian Husky made its way to Alaska, where it continued to grow in popularity.
History of the Rottweiler
The Rottweiler’s ancestry goes as far back as Ancient Rome! The soldiers of the Roman Empire developed the ancestors of the Rottweiler with mastiff type dogs. These dogs would travel to all the corners of the world with the Roman army to help move and guard the soldier’s herds of animals needed to feed the army.
After the Roman Empire collapsed, these dogs found their way to a German town called Rottweil where they continued their herding and guarding duties. There they earned the name of Rottweiler Metzgerhund, or the Butcher’s Dog of Rottweil.
As the years went on, the Rottweiler picked up other jobs including working as police dogs and farm dogs. Eventually, they became some of the first guide dogs for the blind, as well as search-and-rescue dogs in areas affected by disaster.
The Rottsky’s history isn’t as well known and doesn’t go anywhere near as far back as its parent breeds. In the 1990s and 2000s, there was an increasing interest in creating crossbreeds, especially in the United States. This is likely when the Rottsky first came into being, as designer breeds and hybrids were becoming more popular.
Further reading: Can a husky be a police dog?
Breeding the Rottweiler Husky Mix
It has only been in the recent past that the Rottweiler and Siberian Husky have been bred together purposefully. Today, the Rottsky can sometimes be found through a breeder who is passionate about both breeds, but more often than not, it will be from an oopsie litter that occurred because of unspayed and unneutered dogs.
How to Take Care of A Rottweiler Husky Mix
Food & Nutrition
The Rottsky is a fairly large breed and as such, they will need a bit more food than their smaller counterparts. A good starting point is three cups a day for an adult but this can vary depending on the dog’s age, size, and activity level.
Since this breed tends to be very active, you’ll want to look for a high-quality food that has a focus on high protein content. This breed especially should be fed two to three times throughout the day to reduce the chance of getting bloat. Always avoid foods with unnecessary fillers like corn, soy, or wheat.
Visit our Husky Nutrition hub to learn more.
Exercise
The degree of energy that a Rottsky may have can vary depending on the dog, but generally speaking, they like to be very active.
A good starting point is for the pup to get at least thirty to sixty minutes per day of intense exercise like running or hiking.
And of course, lots of play sessions will be necessary throughout the day. Rottskys love to play catch, Frisbee, and chase.
Further reading: How much exercise does a Husky need?
Grooming
Both parent breeds have double coats. But where the Husky’s coat is medium length and thick, the Rottie’s coat is short and smooth. The Rottsky can take after either one but without a doubt, the dog will shed! In all likelihood, A Rottsky will have short but thick, dense fur. Invest in some good brushes!
Training
Rottskys are eager to please most of the time, but they can act quite stubborn thanks to their Husky background. Rottskys can be used for tracking, police and military work, therapy work, and of course, as guard dogs. It is best to start training early on.
But do remember to keep it fun, no matter the age, and train in short increments. Puppies undoubtedly will lose interest and start getting distracted if training is longer than ten minutes at a time but bigger dogs can focus for longer.
If your dog isn’t focusing or paying attention, end the training session on a positive and fun note, and try again after a little while.
Visit our Husky Training hub to learn more.
Rottsky Puppies
The puppy stage is one of the many great parts of being a new dog parent. As puppies, these dogs are fun and energetic but they can also be little troublemakers. This is what makes the puppy stage one of the most frustrating stages!
Remember to stick to a routine for potty training and sleep time and incorporate lots of play sessions in between nap times!
Though a Rottsky puppy won’t be ready to run fast or run for long distances, they will need lots of play sessions throughout the day in between naps to keep them happy and nutritious food so they have energy for all that play!
Further reading: When do Huskies calm down?
General Health
The Rottsky is generally seen as a healthy breed but there are some health problems that they may be more prone to developing.
These include:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Bloat
- Retinal atrophy
- Hypothyroidism
- Cataracts
- Osteochondritis dissecans
- Osteosarcoma
Because the Rottweiler is such a big dog, this breed is more prone to developing issues with its bones and joints, so a complete and balanced diet will be important to ensure these pups are getting all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients they need.
Visit our Husky Health hub to learn more.
Rottweiler Husky Mix Price
The price for a Rottsky puppy from a breeder usually lands somewhere between 500 to 1200 dollars.
Always look for a reputable breeder that ensures the dog’s health with testing. Since these mixes are sometimes the result of an accidental litter, they can sometimes be found in shelters, or rescues.
Depending on the shelter or rescue, the price could be as low as 200 dollars for a senior dog to as high as 600 dollars for a puppy. The higher price for puppies is to discourage people from impulsively adopting a puppy they aren’t prepared for.
Visit our Husky Price hub to learn about the maintenance cost of Huskies.
Rottsky Pros & Cons
CONS: destructive if bored, shedding and can be aloof with strangers
PROS: eager to please, loyal and fun loving
Rottweiler Husky Mix Alternatives
Here are some alternatives you might like:
- Belgian Malinois Husky Mix
- Cocker Spaniel Husky Mix
- Great Dane Husky Mix
- Greyhound Husky Mix
- Cane Corso Husky Mix
Recommendation
The Rottsky is a great husky mix breed for those who have an active lifestyle and love to keep busy. Whether you and the dog go to work together outside every day or if you go for runs and adventures, the Rottsky just wants to be by your side and keep busy.
It’s an even better breed if you want an eighty-five-pound dog snuggled on your lap every evening! They have a tendency to forget their own size!
