Rottweiler Siberian Husky Mix: Rottsky Facts & Breed Information

The Rottweiler and the Siberian Husky mix is not necessarily a mix that would seem compatible with their differing personalities, but it is a mix that works very well indeed! This relatively new designer dog is strikingly beautiful, and he has a personality to match.

He is a seriously sociable pup with his immediate family, who has the potential to either extend this sociability to strangers or be molded into a guard dog with his Rottweiler’s innate protection traits.

The biggest factor to consider regarding the Rottsky is the sheer amount of exercise that he needs, so if you can provide this then you are onto a winner! Whoever the Rottsky takes after, as long as you prepare yourself for any of the following traits and needs, you will not be disappointed.  

Designer Dogs

The current trend in the canine world is the designer dog, not only are they new and exciting, but it gives dog owners many other options when it comes to finding the perfect dog breed. The term ‘designer dog’ refers to the purposeful mixing of two purebred dogs in the hope of creating a perfect pup, which is slightly different from the concept of a ‘mutt’ or ‘mongrel’. The pup that will be outlined in this article is the Rottweiler crossed with the Siberian Husky, who is more commonly known as the Rottsky.

Whilst there are a handful of purebred crusaders that fundamentally disagree with the idea of crossbreeding designer dogs, it is scientifically proven to have health benefits, and so as long as the puppy is healthy it can only be a good thing. It also allows families who are torn between two breeds to combine their appearances and traits in order to achieve the best of both worlds in one pooch.

In order to understand the Rottsky, it is important to get an insight into both of his parents.

Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is one of the oldest dog breeds, and he is believed to have descended from Mastiff type dogs in the Roman era. He was originally engineered to herd and protect the army’s cattle from wild animals and robbers. The butchers of Rottweil in Germany were so impressed with his guarding abilities, that they used him to protect their hard-earned money. He was officially named after the town of Rottweil.

Overtime he found other forms of employment on farms for his sheer power in shifting large heavy objects, and in many protection services such as a German Police dog for a time. Since his decline in popularity as a working dog, thanks to other breeds, his sweeter side has been discovered and he is now considered to be a great family pet. In 2019, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has ranked him as the 8th most popular dog in America out of a whopping 193 recognized breeds.

The AKC describe him as a loyal, loving and a confident guardian. He of course makes a good guard dog, thanks to natural protection instincts, and as such he needs early training and a firm master who is not going to let him rule the roost. When he is not on guard duty he is affectionate with his immediate family.

The Rottie is often mixed with other breeds, creating designer dogs like the labrador rottweiler mix, the Shepweiler, or the Pitweiler.

Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky is also an ancient dog breed, and he was developed to haul light deliveries over large areas of icy land with great speed. His energy, speed and stamina were superior, but it was not until 1925 until he became well known. 

Not only is the Husky still used as a working dog, but he is also famously known as a main tourist attraction in Lapland. He is still equally loved for his companionship and ability to be a beloved family pet. In 2019 he was ranked as the  14th most popular breed by the AKC.

The AKC describes the Husky as a loyal, outgoing and mischievous pup. He is an intensely energetic dog who will become destructive and unhappy if he is not exercised adequately. He is a silly pup who loves to chat to his family, and there is always fun to be had with a Husky about.

Because the huskies are so popular as family pets, they are also often crossed with other breeds to create breeds like the border husky, the husky/golden retriever mix or even the pug/husky crossbreed.

Rottsky

The Rottsky will inherit a mixture of his parent’s appearance and personality traits, and they are quite different in both their looks and temperament from one another, and so it really is a lottery when it comes to what genes the Rottsky will inherit. His parents are both medium to large dogs who are extremely gentle and loving with their immediate family. They are fun loving pups who will love to get involved in all the family fun.  

There are also some differences between them, and as such you should be prepared that no personality trait can be guaranteed. The Rottweiler, with his natural guarding instincts, makes a much better guard dog than the Husky, who wants to be everyone’s best friend. Whilst this is suited to some families, it is not suited to all, and as such you should expect the Rottsky to inherit either one of these two different extremes. For this reason, it is always important to meet the Rottsky pup before any money is given to breeders, so that you know he is what you want and expect.

So, let’s take a look at the finer details to see if the Rottsky is a pooch that will suit both you and your lifestyle.

Size & Appearance

A full grown male and female Rottsky will measure between 21 and 26 inches from paw to shoulder, and will weigh between 55 and 95 pounds. The Rottsky, similar to most other hybrid breeds, will tend to look more like one parent, with only a few traits of the other’ it is generally uncommon for most hybrid dogs to be an equally split mixture of their parent’s features.

Commonly, they will have the head of the Rottweiler with the eyes of the Husky, be that bright blue colors or heterochromic eyes. Both of his parents have large triangle ears that either drop down or stand erect, so the Rottsky can have either of those. Overall, the Rottsky will retain his wild look inherited from his Husky parent.

Coat & Colors

Whilst both of his parents have a double coat, they have very different outer coats. The Rottsky typically has a fluffy outer coat similar to his Husky parent, but a little shorter and smoother like his Rottweiler parent. He also commonly takes the Rottweiler’s black and tan colors, with his distinctive eyebrow markings. However, his coat can also take gray, red, brown, cream, white and sable colors.

Exercise Requirements and Living Conditions

The Rottweiler is a medium energy dog who will need around 60 minutes of exercise a day, compared the Husky who is an intensely energetic dog who will require at least 90 minutes a day. Whilst there is a chance that the Rottsky will inherit the Rottweiler’s energy levels, he is more likely to take after the energy levels of the Husky. The Husky’s intense energy levels are so strong that most Husky mixes will take after their Husky parent. For this reason, you should expect the Rottsky to require up an hour and a half of exercise every day to be on the safe side.

Whilst the Rottweiler needs much less exercise than the Husky, they are both equally as destructive as one another if they are not given the exercise that they need. For this reason, you can expect the Rottsky to be exactly the same, if not twice as bad! Not only will he have a lot of pent up energy, but he will be a powerful dog just like his parents, and he will destroy a room in minutes. So, unless redecorating on a monthly basis is a pastime of yours, you should not get a Rottsky unless you can guarantee that he will get the adequate amount of exercise every day.

As both his parents are very energetic and intelligent dogs the Rottsky will also need mental stimulation throughout the day. Not only will this keep his mind occupied, but it will also prevent any pesky behavioral problems that might occur out of boredom. Interactive games such as playing tug of war in the garden, or playing fetch, will not only keep him busy, but it will also act as a bonding session for you and your pup.

Additionally, as he is a medium to large dog, he will need plenty of space to live, and as such he will not do well living in an apartment. The Rottsky will need access to a backyard, both for fresh air so not to get cabin fever, and to stretch his legs in between his intense exercise sessions.

Training

The Rottsky is an intelligent pup who will learn tricks very quickly, however if he is having a stubborn day then he will also be very quick to forget them if he doesn’t feel up to it. Because of the Rottsky’s independence and stubbornness, it is important to start obedience training from a very early age to establish the ground rules, and so that he knows who the pack leader is. This is particularly important if the Rottsky inherits his Rottweiler parent’s temperament.

Additionally, and for this very reason, it is also imperative to socialize the Rottsky at a very early age, simply because of his potentially heightened guarding tendencies. Socialization is the process of teaching the pup to be comfortable in many different environments, both inside and outside of the home. They should also be exposed to other humans outside of the family unit, and other animals of all shapes and sizes. Whilst the Husky is quite friendly with other dogs, the Rottweiler is said not to be, and as such the best way to eliminate this undesirable trait is to socialize him as early as possible.

Any type of training should be positive and not negative, otherwise there is a chance that he will react negatively or aggressively, and with the Rottsky’s size and power this is something to be avoided at all costs. 

Health

The Rottsky is a generally healthy dog whose lifespan will be around 8 to 14 years. This wide age gap is due to the fact that the Rottsky is a relatively new hybrid dog with only a small gene pool and only a few generations to take generalized information from, and as such it covers the lifespan of both the Rottweiler and the Siberian Husky. The Husky is the healthier parent compared to the Rottweiler, however, it would be wise for any prospective Rottsky owner to make themselves aware of both parents’ health concerns in order to prepare for any eventuality.

The Rottweiler is known to suffer with Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, which is the abnormal formation of the stated joints. Rottweilers are also frequently known to suffer from  Dilate Cardiomyopathy, which is where the puppy is born with thinner heart walls which means that the heart does not function as it should, and can result in heart failure. They are also known to suffer with Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis, which is where the area underneath the stated heart valve is blocked, which can stop the flow of blood.

The Siberian Husky is known to suffer with Hip Dysplasia as described above, and several eye conditions. They are both similarly disposed to bloat, which is a serious life-threatening condition that is characterized by their stomach twisting after a period of intense exercise.

Ultimately, as there are no breed standards of the Rottsky at this current time, it would be wise to research each parent’s health, and make yourself aware of all the symptoms to look out for. Most reputable breeders should provide a health certificate regarding the Rottsky’s hip score, and an ophthalmologist and cardiac evaluation at the very minimum.

Nutrition

The Rottsky will consume between 2 ½ and 3 cups of food a day, and this will be entirely dependent on their size and energy levels. The best, and often easiest way of keeping your pup healthy is to feed him the best nutrients possible by feeding him a high-quality kibble.

Grooming

As both of his parents have a double coat to keep them protected from the harsh cold climates of Siberia and Germany, the Rottsky will be a moderate shedder all year round, and will need a thorough brushing once a week, with a quick brushing session in between. He will also shed considerably during shedding season, and during this time he should be brushed everyday to keep his coat manageable.

He will need bathing once every 2 months to keep him clean and smelling fresh. Other grooming habits, such as nail clipping and ear cleaning are the same as any other pup, and they should be completed every week or two, to ensure that infections are kept at bay.

Puppies

The Rottsky is a relatively new breed, and as such there are very few breeders around, and this is a big factor when it comes to the pricing of pups. The price of a Rottsky will start from, on average, $600 and can reach into the thousands of dollars. If anyone is selling a pup for any less than this price then be wary, as they are likely to be an unscrupulous puppy mill breeder who will only be interested in making a quick buck, rather than being concerned with the puppy’s health.

Other factors such as their appearance will affect the price, with the most desired look of the Rottsky being the traditional wild look of the Siberian Husky, with the Rottweiler colorings. If the Rottsky has the Husky’s bright blue eyes, or even different colored eyes, then he will be more expensive than his litter mates who do not take on this overall appearance.

As Family Pets

• The Rottsky is a very cheerful pup who brings joy to everyone in the immediate family.
• He will shower everyone with love, affection and cuddles.
• Whilst being sociable with his immediate family, he may or may not extend this to outsiders.
• If you are not seeking a guard dog, then the Rottsky will need very early socialization.
• He needs training from a firm master who can teach him to accept and be friendly to everyone.
• The Rottsky is suited to a family with older children due to his sheer size, high energy and strength.
• He may or may not get on with other dogs.
• This is dependent on which parent he takes after. 
• This can normally be overcome with early socialization training.
• The Rottsky should be placed with an active family in a larger home.
• He needs at least 90 minutes of intense exercise a day, to ensure that he is happy and healthy.
•  He is a moderate shedder, and as such he is not considered to be a hypoallergenic dog.

If you have ticked off the above points and you are still sure that the Rottsky is the puppy for you, then the next step is to research reputable breeders.

Finding A Rottsky Breeder

The best way to start your search into a Rottsky breeder is to speak to Rottweiler and Siberian Husky breeders, who may know a hybrid breeder themselves, or they will most likely know someone who does. The great thing about this is that reputable breeders are likely to only refer other reputable breeders. Nonetheless, it is still important to conduct your own research about them and aim to find reviews about them and their breeding practices.

Rescue & Shelters

As the Rottsky is a new pup it is very unlikely to find one of these guys in the rescue shelters just yet, and if they do they are very likely to be snapped up quickly. However, speaking to breed specific rescue shelters of both parents will increase your chances of finding a Rottsky.

The  Rottweiler Rescue Foundation list dedicated rescue centers state by state, as does the Siberian Husky Club of America.

Final Thoughts

The Rottsky is a stunning dog who combines the wild looks of the Siberian Husky, and the formidable appearance of the Rottweiler. He needs a lot of exercise and interaction, so unless this is something that you commit to from the start then you should consider getting another breed altogether. However, if this is something that you can provide him with then your relationship with him will be a very rewarding one indeed.

As with any hybrid dog, the genes that he will inherit cannot be guaranteed, and in the Rottsky’s case this means that he will either be super sociable with everyone like his Husky parent, or aloof and suspicious of outsiders. Whilst obedience training and early socialization can alleviate his guarding tendencies, you should be prepared for the Rottsky to inherit either one of these traits.

Overall, the Rottsky is a beautiful hybrid dog breed, both inside and out, and whilst he is a very new designer dog, he is definitely one who is here to stay!