Congratulations! You’ve finally made the decision to include a new member in your family. How can you determine which mixed-breed dog is right for you when there are many options available in the market?
If you’re looking for a pet that’s energetic and loyal, the Pitbull Husky mix might be a perfect choice. The Pitsky is a cross between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Siberian Husky dog breeds.
In this article, we’ve put everything that you need to know about the Pitbull Husky mix. We aim to give you a clear idea of what you’ll be taking care of once you bring this mixed-breed home.
History of the Pitbull Husky Mix
The designer breeders started mixing the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Siberian Husky dogs in the late 1990s. Before you decide if the Pitbull Husky Mix is the perfect fit, you might want to understand its origin.
American Pit Bull Terrier
Even though the American Pit Bull Terrier is a popular dog breed, there’s a public perception that this mixed breed is one of the most dangerous dogs in the world. This is because they were designed to fight and destroy.
However, this viewpoint began to change when these dogs retired from the fighting ring and people started to raise Pitbulls as pets. Thanks also to the responsible breeders who worked absolutely hard to remove violent behaviors in their Pitbull puppies.
As a result, purebred Pitbulls are incredibly affectionate and loyal to their owners.
Siberian Husky
Although most of the Pitbull Husky mix is bred from a Siberian Husky, it’s also possible to cross it with an Alaskan Husky. The main difference between the two is their sizes, but both are highly intelligent and athletic.
The Siberian Husky is one of the oldest dog breeds that still exists today. They were bred to have boundless energy so that they could transport supplies and drag sleds.
These dogs are also known for their high energy levels and friendliness towards people and other dogs.
Pitbull Husky Mix Size and Appearance
The appearance of a Pitbull Husky mix is difficult to predict until they’re born. They could look almost like a pure Pitbull, a pure Siberian Husky, or a combination of the two.
Height and Weight
The Pitbull Husky mix is considered a medium to large dog. They usually grow from 16 to 25 inches (41 to 63 cm) in height. They can also weigh from 30 to 80 lbs (14 to 36 kg).
The size of your dog’s parents has a significant impact on your dog’s weight. If both parents are big, then you can expect your pup to be about the same size.
This mixed breed reaches its full-grown size at around 15 months old, but some continue to grow until their 18th month.
Coat Color, Pattern, and Length
Pitsky dogs often inherit a mix of their parents’ coats and colors. They typically have short coats that come in different combinations of patterns and colors such as:
- White
- Black
- Brown
- Grey
- Brindle
- Yellow
These dogs are perfect for those who have allergies because their coats tend to shed less than average. However, some Pitskies have longer coats too which resembles their Husky parent.
Physical Traits
If the Pitbull Husky mix inherits most of the Pitbull breed, it’ll have floppy ears. On the other hand, if the dog inherits most of the Siberian Husky breed, expect it to have ears that stand up.
They can also acquire blue eyes from the Husky parent which is an absolutely distinctive feature of the mixed breed.
Pitbull Husky Mix Personality and Temperament
The Pitbull Husky mix usually combines the positive personalities of its parents, making them the ideal family member. However, just like any other crossbreed, Pitsky’s temperament greatly depends on how the genes are expressed.
- Highly Energetic
The Pitbull Husky mix dogs are highly energetic pets just like their parents. They don’t like staying indoors and require at least an hour of outdoor activities daily. Owning a Pitsky also requires plenty of space to run and play.
- Friendly and Affectionate
The mixed breed is known for being cordial to everyone, even to kids. They always crave attention and hate being left alone for a long time. The Pitsky dogs aren’t wary of strangers so this removes them from the list of great watchdogs.
- Loyal and Overprotective
The Pitsky dogs are known to be loyal companions. However, they tend to be overprotective of their family. As soon as they sense that one of their family members is being threatened, they won’t hesitate to defend them.
Pitbull Husky Mix Health
The Pitbull Husky mix is relatively healthy until they get old. Nevertheless, they are still susceptible to a few hereditary health issues due to their large genetic pool. This includes:
- Hyperthyroidism
Even though Hyperthyroidism is a rare condition, it can be definitely difficult to deal with when your Pitsky suffers from it. Hyperthyroidism occurs due to an excess of thyroxine produced by the thyroid gland. This disease can have an adverse effect on your canine’s metabolism.
- Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is a common disease in both parent breeds and other larger dog breeds. This disease occurs when the ball and socket joint of the dog’s hip isn’t growing properly. Hip Dysplasia mostly affects dogs with old age. If left unchecked, this can lead to paralysis.
- Eye Problems
Congenital eye diseases such as cataracts, entropion, and corneal wounds can affect the Pitbull Husky mix. If you suspect your dog might have eye problems, it’s recommended to call a veterinarian immediately.
Some of these diseases tend to worsen quickly so it’s essential to discuss any concerns you might have as soon as possible.
- Allergies
Allergies aren’t unusual in dogs and they mostly affect the ears and skin of your pet. There are different types of dog allergies. These include seasonal or environmental allergies, food allergies, and the most common one, flea allergies.
- Heart Disease
A dog’s age, breed, nutrition, and obesity can cause heart disease. It’s important to spot early signs of heart problems and this includes persistent cough, fainting, difficulty breathing, and inability to exercise.
Pitbull Husky Mix Needs and Care
If you’ve ever owned an American Pitbull Terrier or a Siberian Husky, then it might be easier for you to attend to a Pitsky’s needs. This mixed breed is highly energetic and demanding so they’re not recommended for first-time dog owners.
Grooming
Maintain your canine’s oral health by brushing its teeth daily and giving dental chews intermittently. You can also use a dental spray directly into your dog’s mouth or add it to your dog’s water bowl. Ask your vet for a dental plan.
Some Pitskies have short coats while others have long ones. Expect your dog to shed less frequently than the average if it has a short coat. However, if your canine has a long coat, expect moderate to heavy shedding.
Bathe your Pitsky once every two months. Don’t forget to trim its nails once or twice a month too. Moreover, cleaning its ears once every two weeks is important to avoid wax build-up.
Feeding
The Pitbull Husky mix’s diet needs will change from puppyhood to adulthood. It’s vital that you provide them with a diet that’s formulated for medium to large dogs that have high energy. Pitskies have different sizes so you should ask your vet to make a specific diet for your dog.
Avoid overfeeding your canine because this can lead to long-term weight problems.
Exercise
If you’re planning to own a Pitbull Husky mix, you’ll probably need to spend less time watching your favorite Netflix series. This canine has a lot of energy and it requires a great deal of exercise.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, this mixed breed is perfect for you. It’s recommended to give this dog exercise for two hours a day.
Exercises such as these can lower Pitsky’s energy levels:
- Running
- Jogging
- Walking
- Fetching
Don’t forget to use the leash when taking your dog outside, at least until you’re certain that it’s well-trained enough to obey your commands.
If the owner fails to exercise the Pitbull Husky mix, it can cause canine boredom. This is one of the root causes of behavioral problems such as being destructive and aggressive.
Training
Since the canine has a high level of energy, it requires consistent training at an early age. Without proper training, your dog won’t know how to behave properly. You can start the training when the puppy is about six to seven weeks old.
Pitbull Husky mix dogs are also intelligent and they love to please their owners. With that being said, these canines are definitely easy to train and obey commands. Firmness, consistency, and positive reinforcement are the keys to successful Pitsky training.
In addition, socializing the canine with other people and other pets while it’s still young is essential. This way, it’ll know how to properly behave when there are strangers and other pets around.
Life Expectancy
If the Pitbull Husky mix is being taken care of properly, you can expect it to live for 12-15 years. Make sure to give them regular check-ups with the veterinarian to catch early signs of health issues.
Living With a Pitbull Husky Mix
Taking home a Pitbull Husky mix might be a little demanding but definitely worth it. Here are the things you should know when owning one.
Is Pitbull Husky Mix a Good Family Dog?
The Pitbull Husky mix is naturally attached to its owner.
Spending time with their families is one of the things that makes them happy the most. However, they don’t like being left alone for too long. They tend to have separation anxiety, depression, and destructive behavior, which can lead to being aggressive.
Despite that, for the same reason, these dogs make great family dogs. If they’re trained properly, they get along well with anyone — even with kids of all ages.
If you know you’ll need to leave your dog for a few hours every day, start with crate training while it’s still young. This way, your dog will have its own safe place where she’ll feel protected. This will minimize their tendency to develop any negative behavior when left alone.
Home Requirements
When owning a Pitbull Husky mix, you need to take your living space into consideration. Since these dogs are relatively large, they would do best in a medium-to-large-sized house where they’ll be able to run and play around.
Remember also that Pitbulls and Huskies are enthusiastic diggers and agile jumpers, so you might want to make sure that your boundaries are high and deep.
Where to Find a Pitbull Husky Mix
If you’re already convinced to buy a Pitbull Husky mix, the first thing you should do is check your local shelter and animal rescue organizations if they have one. They usually adopt mixed-breed dogs and look for someone to adopt them.
If you can’t find one, you can purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder. However, this option is more expensive since breeders invest a lot of time socializing, training, and caring for their puppies.
Pricing and Expenses
The Pitbull Husky mix can cost anywhere from $500 to $2000 depending on where you’re buying from. Additional expenses can range from $450 to $600 and this includes medical costs such as vaccines, flea prevention, and checkups.
The food, training, treats, and toys may cost you an additional $500 to $600.
To Wrap Up
Living with a Pitbull Husky mix is a commitment. You need to invest time and effort to take care of them properly. These dogs are known for their high energy and loyalty. With proper training, they make great family dogs.
In addition, if you’re looking for the perfect fitness partner, the Pitskies are the best option. However, these dogs are prone to some health issues such as hyperthyroidism and heart attack so you have to be observant when it comes to their health.
Owning a Pitbull Husky mix might be demanding, but their personality makes it absolutely worth it.