Rottweiler husky mix dogs, otherwise known as ‘Rottsky’s’ or ‘Rottskies’ are becoming increasingly popular.
Simply put, they are a unique and rare cross between Rottweilers and Huskies. They are very cute but there are some things to consider before you bring one home, here’s everything you need to know…
Table of Contents
1. Breed History of the Rottweiler
The Rottweiler can be traced back to ancient Rome, where they were used to herd livestock, pull butchers’ carts, and serve as guard dogs.
They have since been utilized in a number of roles on account of their versatility including search and rescue, messenger dogs, and support roles in the armed forces and police.
The name Rottweiler originates from the town of Rottweil, Germany, which became a famous cattle-herding region in the 1900s. During this time Rottweilers became renowned as exceptional cattle dogs for their herding and protective skills.
2. Breed History of the Siberian Husky
Originating from northeastern Siberia, Russia, the Siberian Husky was bred by semi-nomad, indigenous people called the ‘Chukchi’.
In order to reach further hunting grounds, the Chukchi needed dogs that were capable of pulling their sleds for long distances and were able to cope with temperature fluctuations.
Though Siberian Huskies of today are different from Chukchi sled dogs, they share some DNA which allows their ancestry to be traced back to this time.
3. Appearance
Rottskies are striking in appearance, large and muscular. As a fairly new hybrid that may have only 1 or 2 generational crosses, their appearance can be varied and depends on the more dominant gene.
The rottweiler DNA generally tends to dominate the shape and color of their appearance, while their Husky heritage is reflected in their build. Pups can look quite different from each other while still taking on the appearance of each of the parent breeds
Although the coloration and markings are often like the rottweiler, the Rottsky coat is longer and thicker like the double coat of the Siberian Husky and will shed all year round, more in the spring and early fall.
Rottweiler-Husky mixes usually have brown eyes, but can have blue, or have one blue and one brown eye, known as Heterochromia.
lifespan:
colors:
Black, Sable, Brown, Red, Grey, Cream, White
height:
weight:
exercise requirements:
grooming frequency:
shedding:
trainability:
friendliness:
good with children:
4. The Rottsky Temperament
Rottweiler-Husky mixes are calm yet alert, loving, compassionate, loyal, and devoted to their household and the familiar faces of extended family and friends.
Rottskies are lively and energetic. They’ll be hot on your heels as they just love your company, and can be prone to separation anxiety, so are best not left on their own for long periods of time.
They are fast-learning and intelligent, but as naturally independent thinkers with a rebellious streak, they can be difficult to train and are not suitable for first-time dog owners.
Rottsky’s are naturally suspicious of strangers and are both reliable and protective, they won’t let any harm come to you, which is why they make great guard dogs.
5. Rottsky Owners Say
We asked Rottsky Owners how they would best describe the personality and traits of their Rottskies…
Piper:“Piper is very smart and started learning commands at 8 weeks. She is a loving gentle soul who loves to play but is very independent and she can entertain herself. At 18 mo she weighs about 90 lbs and she is very athletic. While stubborn at times, a strong authority works for her. She is good with all people and other pets and has never shown aggression. She is a high energy dog so we let her roam the farm during the day but she sleeps at my feet at night. These are great all around dogs!”
DeAnna Brewer Caldwell
Blue: “Easily trained, Intelligent (can open doors), Protective without aggression, loyal, superb instincts regarding carefullness with small children, but can catch a bunny with impressive agility. Very clingy… will exhibit separation anxiety if left for too long, but THE best snuggles. 
Crazy soft short hair that is somehow 10 coats deep and sheds NON-STOP 
Sandy Shackelford Kuzniar
Thor:“Rottskys are loyal, athletic, very vocal(likes to talk), opinionated, very impatient, somewhat aloof, stubborn, independent, smart, funny, happy, they’re climbers and escape artists. They love to run, chase each other, evade each other and stalk. They’re wrestlers. Not always friendly to strange dogs or unknown grown ups. They seem to be be good judges of character. They are very in tune socially with people and understand people’s moods. They love children and are very gentle with kids. Thor likes to be close by but is not clingy and does not have separation anxiety. They love to be outdoors playing, swimming and exploring. We have free-range chickens and the Rottskys do not chase or harass, but rather walk among the birds seemingly to protect them. They are genuinely curious. Our male is obviously masculine and 75 lbs while his sister Pepper is very feminine, also weighing less at 45 lbs. She holds her own though, often instigating rough play. The play rarely gets ugly, although the male is slightly toy possessive, but not in the normal way. Rather he uses the toys to lure his friends into a wrestling match. After a hard play, they prefer to cool off in the air conditioning, on the cool tile. The Rottskys do shed thick and fine hairs but typically are self-grooming, as best dogs can be self-grooming. Thor is my best bud, rides in the truck with me and works with me.”
Kevin Heckle Sr.
6. Training a Rottsky
Rottsky’s will need frequent, strong, fair, firm, and consistent socialization and training from the word go in order to prevent behavioral issues. With proper training, they can be great with kids, but (as with any breed) must not be left unsupervised with them.
Rottweiler-Husky mixes are very intelligent, and so tend to pick up commands quickly. In terms of house training, they tend to pick a favorite toilet spot and stick to it.
However because they are independent thinkers, behavioral training can sometimes be harder and so perseverance and the help of a good trainer may be required.
The recommended approach is to deliver training in short bursts, 10 minutes or so is usually enough, or your Rottweiler-Husky mix will get bored or defiant and move on, making the training session pointless.
Try to make sessions exciting and fun, and use either tasty food treats or toys for a positive reward.
Many puppies will learn the most between the ages of about 8 – 16 weeks, so this is the perfect time to train. After this their learning speed slows down, but this doesn’t mean it’s impossible. It just means it’s a little more work as they start picking up commands more slowly.
"You can't teach an old dog new tricks!"
TRUE OR FALSE?
FALSE: It is entirely possible. No matter what their age is.
And remember training never stops, you should constantly reinforce what they have learned.
7. How much exercise does a rottsky need?
Rottweiler-husky mixes are energetic and lively dogs, they’ll need 1-2 hours of exercise every day to burn off energy or you might find them causing chaos and channeling their energy into mischief!
They are always up for any activity and love to be with you so they make a great exercise companion if you’re into running, hiking, or anything else outdoors.
Rottskies are best with a large, well-fenced backyard so they can run and play and enjoy plenty of space. Due to their size and energy levels, they are not suited to apartment living.
8. How often should a rottsky be groomed?
Rottweiler-Husky mixes tend to be moderate-heavy shedding, with a thick heavy coat and so grooming can be quite a task.
Regular brushing will be required, and more frequently so during spring and fall. They’ll need a bath every 6 to 8 weeks routinely.
Rottsky’s will also need regular nail clipping, teeth brushing, and ear checks to keep them in good health and looking, feeling, and smelling their best.
Note: The Siberian Husky is known for its almost cat-like tendency to self-groom, depending on the genetic combination you may find yourself with a dog who has inherited this trait during the mix and self-cleans to some degree (you might also not!).
9. Nutrition
Rottweiler-Husky mixes are large, muscular dogs. They require a good quality diet with around 30% protein and a good size biscuit.
Cheaper brands of dog food will often contain fewer proteins and include ‘fillers’ such as corn or wheat – so it is recommended to check the nutritional content. Meals should be split into smaller portions to help easy digestion of the quantity and avoid Gastric Dilation and Volvulus.
You should always be cautious to not overfeed your dog, and serve the appropriate servings in line with the animal’s size and activity levels as per the manufacturer’s guidance to avoid weight and other health problems.
If you plan on changing your dog’s food, then do it slowly; preferably over 2-3 weeks. Starting with a little of the new food and increasing every 3 days while you reduce their old food.
Raw is also a great option and growing in popularity among modern dog owners.
There are a variety of foods you can give in addition to your rottsky’s regular meals including fruits and vegetables like papaya, okra, basil, and carrots. Check out our ‘can dogs eat‘ section for full information and more ideas.
10. Neutering
Neutering can be done from around 6 months of age, but recent studies and the risk of Osteosarcoma, show that waiting longer is beneficial. The current recommendation is to wait until your dog has stopped growing – usually between the age of 1 and 2 years.
Bitches have a season around every 6 months. The usual recommendation for neutering is to wait 3 months after a season and carry out the procedure around halfway through a cycle making it safer for her. Once she has come into season you should speak to your vet.
So long as they have two testicles, dogs can be neutered. If they have a retained testicle then your vet will discuss the available options with you as it is likely to involve a more in-depth surgery to retrieve the testicle.
In some cases, vets may recommend early neutering when behavioral issues are present.
11. Health
Osteosarcoma
Like many large breed dogs, the Rottweiler is considered ‘at risk’ of osteosarcoma, an aggressive type of bone cancer. Recent studies have shown that early neutering can affect bone development and can lead to an increased risk. A good diet and delayed neutering can help produce stronger, healthier bones and will help to minimize the likelihood of the disease developing.Gastric Dilation and Volvulus (GDV)
The Rottweiler’s deep chest means that they are at risk of Gastric dilation and volvulus. This is when the stomach becomes twisted and gas cannot escape. This is an emergency situation and requires immediate surgery to correct it otherwise it can be life-threatening. Symptoms of Gastric Dilation and Volvulus include; bloating, retching, vomiting, drooling, abdominal pain, pale gums, increased breathing rate, and collapse. These symptoms can start suddenly and worsen quickly. To reduce the chances of GDV, it is recommended that a good quality, large breed-specific diet is given. Raise bowls high so the dog doesn’t need to bend down to eat and use slow feeders and bowls to slow eating down.Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
This is usually due to poor conformation/anatomy. The joints sit out of line and when moving, they’ll grind rather than move smoothly. This leads to inflammation, pain, and lameness. To minimize risk, both prospective parents should be screened before breeding, this is usually done by x-rays at the vets and measurements being done. The parents then get scored on good or poor hips and elbows, this is most commonly done for Kennel Club registered dogs before breeding but is available to anyone, whether they want to breed or not.12. Where can I get a Rottsky from?
If you have made up your mind that the Rottsky is the dog for you, then you’ll want to get to the next level of actually finding one to bring home.
There is always the debate of adoption vs buying a dog, and really that’s down to your personal preference.
There are lots of great reasons to adopt rather than buy, but also many benefits of raising a dog from a pup, particularly in the case of a crossbreed like this, as they can be a challenge to train.
How can I find a Rottsky breeder?
Reputable dog breeders tend to only refer you to other reputable breeders, so this is a good start however it is still important to carry out due diligence and ensure each of the parent dogs are health checked.
You will find breed-specific groups on Facebook (and other social media platforms). These are a great place to conduct research prior to bringing one home and ask actual owners any questions you may have about life with a Rottsky, they are also a great place to find breeders and ask for pointers in the right direction as to where everyone else got theirs from!
Can I adopt a Rottsky?
Siberian Husky-Rottweiler mixes do come up for adoption from time to time.
If you have decided this is the path for you then you should contact local reputable rescue centers regularly to ask about the dogs they have available, and whether they would kindly alert you should anything come in that’s a fit.
Another great way to find a rottsky up for adoption is to search on pet adoption websites, if there is nothing available at the time of your search then you can sign up for email alerts for specific breeds and when they become available.
Keep in mind that with some of the dogs up for adoption, little may be known about their background and what sort of cross they actually are.
They may not be labeled as rottsky’s, rottskies, or as Rottweiler-Husky mixes as the information about their parents is simply not known. So cast your net wide and keep an open mind!
Another option is to locate breed-specific rescue centers for both Siberian Huskies and for Rottweilers, they may very well increase your chances of finding a rescue dog.
How much do Rottskies cost?
Price wise you’re likely to be paying in the region of $700 – $2000 for a rottweiler – Siberian husky mix puppy, they may be a crossbreed, but they are desirable and becoming increasingly so.
Adoption costs are variable depending on the shelter/rescue organization but will be less than buying a pup. You’re likely to pay adoption fees of between $100 and $500.
13. Pros & Cons
In summary here are our final thoughts and a list of the pros and cons of the Rottweiler Husky Mix:
Pros
- Intelligent, compassionate & loyal
- Good family pets
- Striking appearance
- Protective and make great watchdogs
- Love your company and up for any activity or work task
- Fast learning
Cons
- Very energetic and need a lot of exercise
- Can be heavy shedding
- Can be difficult to train and rebellious
- Not suitable for first-time owners
- Not suitable for apartment living
Kelly Francis
Credits: With thanks to the Rottsky Owners Facebook group for their insight and information.
