9 Things to Know Before Buying a Rottweiler Husky Mix (Rottsky)

You’re probably here because you’re fascinated by the looks of the Rottweiler Husky mix and you want to look into whether this breed could be your next pup or not.

The Rottsky is a modern hybrid between the German guard dog Rottweiler and the Russian sled dog Siberian Husky.

As a Rottweiler owner myself, I’ll try to shed some light on this energy-packed hybrid.

Below are 9 things you should definitely know about before bringing a new Rottsky pup home.

The differences between these breeds range from coat type all the way to their temperament and aptitude as family dogs.

To be clear: I do not advocate getting a mixed-breed puppy from breeders.

Combining two breeds exposes the resulting dog to both health risks. There are no benefits in terms of temperament or character.

On the contrary, the dog can end up being quite unpredictable and not at all what the new family intended their canine companion to be.

This post is for those wanting to inform themselves about possible combinations and those rescuing poor souls from shelters because owners before them messed up.

We’ll look into the following points:

1. Trainability
2. Exercise/Strengths
3. Temperament (good with kids?)
4. Leadership (good for beginners?)
5. Grooming/Coat
6. How big will a Rottksy get?
7. Apartment living
8. Cost of Rottweiler Husky pup
9. Diet

After reading this article, you’ll know exactly what the differences and similarities between these two breeds are and if a Rottsky fits your lifestyle.

A Rottweiler Husky mix is expected to live 9-13 years, weigh 40-110 pounds, and grow 20-26 inches tall. All measurements are just estimates and depend greatly on the genetic lineup.

Lifespan	9-13 years
Weight	40-110 lbs (18-50 kg)
Height	20-26 inches (50-66 cm)
Activity Level	High

It’s always hard to say how your pup will turn out because mixed-breed dogs can always display traits of one breed more than traits of the other breed.

Predicting the character development of any pup is difficult, even more so with crossbreeds such as the Rottsky.

But it’ll give you a rough idea of your possible future companion.

1. Trainability

You might have a harder time training your Husky Rottweiler mix considering they’re not as easily trainable and can be quite independent. That being said, a Rottsky can be trained to a certain reliability since they’re quite intelligent dogs.

The AKC lists the Rottweiler as “agreeable“.

I can definitely say that’s true from all the Rotties I have seen working. They definitely do want to please but can occasionally be stubborn.

But that’s only if you’re comparing the Rottweiler to absolute overachievers like the Malinois. For the regular household, the Rottweiler is more than capable of delivering what is demanded of him.

Whether you want to teach your dog new tricks or teach him basic manners, it’s all part of trainability.

My purebred Rottie easily learned dozens of commands and connects the dots very quickly and I’ve seen other breed ambassadors pick up on training quite quickly too.

What about the Husky?

The Husky is generally mentioned as an independent breed.

Maybe not as independent as other dog breeds like the Caucasian Shepherd or the Tibetan Mastiff but they definitely have their own mind.

How could they not? Huskies are bred to make choices independent of humans when they’re pulling the sled over snowy mountains in freezing temperatures.

Pairing dogs with a stronger will to please generally yields more pups of the same type.

2. Exercise and Strengths

Here’s where they are somewhat similar while being completely different at the same time. Both dogs fall under the working dog category but for very different reasons.

The Rottweiler is an all-rounder (well, if you don’t count Agility) which can be found in the following sports:

• Tracking
• Schutzhund
• Police/Military force
• Therapy work
• Guard dog

Yes, that’s the list of where I found the Rottweiler to be used for working purposes.

For police work, guarding property/objectives, and as Schutzhund, they’re among the favorite breeds right after the German Shepherd and Malinois.

A Rottweiler can definitely bring that “off-switch” to the table which means he’s 100% calm when he’s with the family and not working.

Let’s take a look at the Husky.

Huskies are known for the ability to pull sleds at moderate speed with light loads over long distances.

If you’ve seen the recent Disney live-action movie “Togo”, you probably know about the sled dogs raced by Leonhard Seppala whose pups swept all the trophies in Alaska around the 1900s.

Reports surfaced of Huskies that covered more than 400 miles (640 km) of distance. Quite impressive, isn’t it?

However, this goes to show that their working purposes are entirely different.

While the Rottie has explosive power and incredible jaw force paired with obedience, the Husky is an enduring runner used to a hostile climate.

Conclusion: In a family household, the Rottweiler can strive when he’s regularly walked and mentally exercised with puzzle games, snuffle mats, tug-of-war games, and so on. A Husky, on the other hand, might not get along so well with the family if he has no outlet for his excess energy (running, biking, etc.).

How Much Exercise Does a Rottweiler Husky Mix Need?

Although the working purposes of both breeds vary greatly, it’s true that both need plenty of exercise.

Depending on age, health, and various other factors, the least you should walk your Rottsky is 30-60 minutes at a brisk pace twice a day.

Working lines may require much more exercise while there are also very calm and lazy Rotties, the optimum is somewhere in the middle in my opinion.

No matter how much you decide to walk and play with them, don’t forget to provide mental stimulation too as both breeds are very intelligent.

3. Temperament

The Rottweiler has a very deep bond with his family and will protect them at all costs while also having that mentioned off-switch which comes in handy in everyday life.

Although potential owners should be aware of the guarding instinct of a Rottweiler, it’s definitely manageable with proper socialization.

My Rottie girl is extremely friendly towards strangers, quite authoritative with other dogs but very gentle with children.

You have to accept the watchdog nature that can occur with these breeds (same applies to the Doberman and Cane Corso) though.

Always be aware that every dog is different, even among the same breed.

Whereas the Rottie is described as “aloof/wary” that only applies to my dog if there’s a real reason to be concerned. If not, she will welcome every stranger that wants to pet her.

The Husky?

Characterized as very friendly towards strangers, there are certain things you should look out for with the Husky.

These dogs are used to living in a pack and although they can be quite affectionate, they have a much easier time living independently of their human family compared to the Rottie (they should always be included in the family, of course).

Their history as pack animals also means they’re sociable with other dogs.

However, this also means that the city environment may not always be the best choice for the Husky.

Besides their generally friendly and sociable nature, they can be quite reserved or reactive towards certain triggers, although to a far lesser degree if socialized properly.

You can definitely manage to own a Husky in a loud and noisy environment but should always consider the temperament of your prospective puppy’s parents.

Check my article on reactive dogs for more. Also, make sure you’ll be able to deal with barking or howling.

Are Rottskys Good With Kids?

Rottskys can be very good with kids but this depends on the temperament of the canine’s parents.

If a very “spirited” Rottweiler is bred with a very reserved Husky, you might find that your dog has a short fuse and will not know when to stop himself. Make sure to teach your dog bite inhibition early on.

However, if you’re breeding a friendly Husky with a calm Rottweiler, you might find yourself with a very tolerant and well-adjusted family companion.

This Rottsky mix might just have that instinct for protection for your kids, but it’s generally not wise to count on it.

Breedings between a friendly Husky and a calm Rottie may also result in a wildcard if the Rottie is also overly suspicious and the Husky very outgoing.

4. Leadership

The Rottweiler requires a firm but very fair hand. You have to stay consistent and patient with your Rottie as they can definitely challenge your leadership. Once your Rottie knows his place, he’s a loving and gentle companion.

The Husky needs boundaries too but might be a bit more forgiving with mistakes.

Is the Rottweiler Husky Mix Good For Beginners?

The Rottweiler Husky mix is definitely not for first-time owners.

The combination of traits might need a good deal of effort and empathy to mold the dog into a well-adjusted canine companion.

5. How to Groom a Rottsky?

The Rottweiler’s coat is of medium length, straight, and dense.

Undercoat is present on neck and thighs but the amount is determined by the climatic conditions.

Huskies have a thick double coat, meaning an undercoat plus guard hair. While the undercoat is soft and dense, the guard hairs are straight and somewhat smooth.

Weekly brushings should suffice if you have a Rottsky. Huskies are pretty self-cleaning and only shed seasonally. The Rottweiler has a coat that is quite easy to maintain.

If a Rottsky inherited more of the thick coat from the Husky, you may need an occasional session at your local groomer (or learn DIY grooming) to maintain that fluffy coat.

Brace yourselves for shedding season.

Pro tip: Both breeds are probably better off in cooler climates.

Once the sun’s out and temperatures hit 70°F (21°C), my Rottie will start to pant which will also be expressed in her dropping energy level. She can certainly pull through, but an all-year-round warm climate is not ideal.

6. How Big are Rottweiler Huskies?

Expect your Rottsky male to be anywhere from 22-26 in (56-66 cm) with a weight of 50-110 lbs (23-50 kg).

Female Rottweiler Husky mixes range from 20-25 in (50-63 cm), weighing in at 40-90 lbs (18-40 kg).

The breed standard for the Rottweiler mentions the following:

Male – Height: 24-27 inches (61-69 cm) | Weight: 110-132 lbs (50-60 kg)

Female – Height: 22-25 in (56-63 cm) | Weight: 77-105 lbs (35-48kg)

Here’s the standard for the Husky:

Male – Height: 21–23 1/2 in (53-60 cm) | Weight: 45-60 lbs (20-27 kg)

Female – Height: 20–22 in (50-56 cm) | Weight: 35-50 lbs (16-23 kg)

As you can see, there’s quite a difference, especially when it comes to weight.

However, the Rottweiler is prone to being overweight if not fed properly which makes the Rottsky potentially a great mix of muscle and endurance inside an athletic frame.

7. Rottweiler Husky Mix Suitable for Apartment?

While many people would argue that this medium-large breed dog shouldn’t be owned if you live in an apartment, I’d say that it’s definitely possible.

The Rottsky is not huge and doesn’t need a lot of space (my Rottweiler is a five o’clock shadow – always in the same room as the family).

That being said, you do need to provide an outlet for their physical and mental needs!

It’s not enough to regularly walk them, they want to work.

It also varies greatly on what line you’re buying from. Don’t expect a Husky that was used as an old-school sled dog to suddenly adjust well to the city life if bred with a Rottie. That won’t be the case.

All in all, a fenced-in yard is always a good start but not the only factor.

8. Cost of a Rottweiler Husky pup?

The regular price mentioned for a Rottsky pup is $500-$1,000. Always make sure you buy from health-checked parents or alternatively, rescue a Rottweiler Husky mix for $100-$300.

Don’t skimp on your pup’s price.

It’s questionable how responsible a breeder is if he mixes breeds in the first place but as long as he can prove that the parents are purebred and health-tested for their respective diseases then you should be fine.

The only reason this price is relatively low is that purebreds are generally much more expensive. A healthy Rottweiler can run up to 4x more than a crossbreed.

Also, I’d stay away from breeders that charge more for puppies with blue eyes or two different eye colors.

Some breeds like Pitbulls aren’t born with blue eyes at all (if purebred) but might have them as long as they’re puppies. Some breeders will try to scam their buyers into thinking the color will stay and charge more.

A breeder charging a couple of hundred bucks more for that is a sign of somebody who breeds for the short-term monetary value, not the improvement of any of the two breeds or the desire to create a breed suitable for certain work.

Ask your breeder these questions before buying and think twice if the Rottweiler Husky mix is perfect for you or if another breed might be a better fit for you and your family.

9. Diet for Rottweiler Husky Mix

Both breeds are relatively healthy but do suffer from issues such as hip dysplasia, cancer, epilepsy, and allergies. Feeding your Rottsky a balanced and healthy diet is an important factor.

They’ll thrive on a high-quality diet and it might improve your dog’s energy level plus prevent behavioral issues.

I always recommend feeding raw and created a comprehensive guide for that too.

If you’re interested in how much that diet costs exactly or how much a large breed like this costs in general, check out this article on the lifetime cost of large breeds.

Let me know in the comments why you’re interested in the Rottsky!

Disclaimer: I’m opposed to deliberate cross-breeding. The resulting dog is a genetic gamble in terms of health and temperament and offers no advantage to a health-tested dog or rescuing.

Check out my article discussing the most relevant scientific study on this topic.

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Disclaimer: This blog post does not substitute veterinary attention and does not intend to do so. I am not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any sign of illness, call your vet.