Rottsky – 14 key facts to consider before bringing home one
The Rottsky is a relatively new breed of designer dog, intentionally bred by crossing a Rottweiler with a Siberian-Husky.
Though the large and muscular Rottweiler and the sled pulling Siberian-Husky are different in their physical features and personality, the Rottsky with qualities of both parents has turned out to be a good-looking dog with a fascinating character.
The Rottsky can make a great pet but before you bring one home here are 14 facts that you should know:
1. They make excellent family dogs
Rottskies are excellent guard dogs, loving, protective, and loyal to their owners.
They get along well with children if socialized and trained early. However, they tend to get anxious around unfamiliar people.
2. Puppies are expensive
Though people like and admire Rottskies, they have recognition only from a few clubs and registries.
As a relatively new designer breed, the Rottsky tends to be expensive, with the price for a puppy ranging between $500 to $1000.
When buying a puppy, insist on seeing the parents so that you can be sure that there are no hereditary health issues.
If the parents are healthy, the chances of the offspring being in good health are also high.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, you can explore the adoption route, but be careful when adopting an adult dog as it may come with behavioral issues, as explained earlier.
3. Not for first-time dog owners
According to dog behavior experts, there are no bad dogs, but the fault lies with wrong or inadequate training.
Early training and socialization can help any dog to develop into a well-mannered pet.
A Rottsky is a breed that needs a lot of early and consistent training to become well-adjusted and well mannered.
It will do well with an owner who already has experience with dogs, the knowledge and patience to give the Rottsky the required care and attention.
The Rottsky is not the right fit for a first-time dog owner, who may find the independence and stubbornness of the breed too much to handle.
Siberian Huskies and Rottweilers are both difficult breeds to own, and a puppy of these two breeds is going to be challenging.
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4. Cannot be left alone
The Rottsky does not like to be left alone for long hours, which may be the case if members of the family must go out during the day.
They need attention and can develop separation anxiety if left alone at home.
5. Not suitable for apartment living
The Rottsky is not suitable for life in an apartment; they are an active breed that requires space to run around and release pent up energy.
They will do well in a house with a backyard.
If the Rottsky does not have space to stay active and release stored-up energy, they may start exhibiting destructive behavior such as chewing things and digging.
6. Needs training
The Rottsky is one breed that needs training early, or they can end up with behavioral problems.
You will need to spend time training the puppy and introducing it to new sounds, experiences, people, and other pets to ensure that it grows up to be well mannered.
If you neglect the area of socialization and training, you will end up with a powerful and dangerous dog that is hard to control.
Though an intelligent breed, it is not easy to train the Rottsky as it tends to be independent and stubborn.
It will require patient and consistent training to develop the right behavior traits in the dog.
Check out this article on strategies for training a stubborn dog.
7. Mixed color eyes
Rottskies have heterochromia, a genetic condition, where the color of one eye is different from the other. It is a unique and endearing trait;
A Rottsky with blue and brown eyes, and a dark coat is striking in appearance and stands out.
8. High need for exercise
As large and active dogs, Rottskies have a high need for exercise to work off excess energy.
They are also intelligent and need mental stimulation in the form of interactive games and toys to be happy and healthy.
The Rottsky’s need for physical activity cannot be satisfied with a casual walk around the block.
Nearly two hours of exercise (long walks and runs) is required every day, split up into two slots of one hour each in the morning and evening.
As this breed is more susceptible to heat exhaustion, you need to keep an eye on the Rottsky if exercising outdoors in hot weather.
9. High prey drive
The Rottsky has a high prey drive, just like its parents – the Rottweiler and Siberian Husky.
This high prey drive of the Rottsky can be a challenge in a home with other pets such as cats, hamsters, etc. or even in a neighborhood with small pets.
The Rottsky may get along with other dogs with early socialization but not with cats.
Also, be careful when picking a puppy as you may end up with one that is very stubborn and hard to handle.
Look for a puppy that is friendly and shows interest in you or the people around but be wary of those that seem withdrawn or timid.
A rescued adult Rottsky might come with behavioral problems, especially if it was not trained as a puppy or subjected to abuse and neglect.
You may not be able to handle the behavioral issues, and the dog will require professional help.
10.Shedding
The Rottweiler and the Siberian Husky are known to be heavy shedders and their offspring the Rottsky also sheds.
Regular grooming, including thrice a week brushing, is required to manage shedding and during spring and autumn, daily brushing is necessary to handle the heavy shedding.
If you are the kind who does not like a lot of dog hair everywhere, then the Rottsky is not the right pet for you.
There is no need for frequent bathing as it can dry up the skin of natural oils necessary for a healthy coat.
The undercoat of the Rottsky should be dry as otherwise, it can lead to mildew and mold.
11. Needs more calories per day
As a large and active dog, the Rottsky requires more calories per day, which translates into a large amount of food.
Be prepared to spend more on dog food than you would for a smaller dog breed.
High protein dry dog food from whole food clusters is ideal for keeping the Rottsky healthy and happy.
12. Health problems
If you buy a puppy from a reputed breeder after making sure that the parents are healthy, your dog will most likely be healthy as well.
Rottskies, like their parents, are generally healthy dogs.
However, common health problems can include osteochondritis dissecans (a disease of the cartilage affecting the joints), cataracts, bloat, hip and elbow dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy.
People consider hybrid dogs to be healthier than purebred dogs because of the larger gene pool though there are different opinions on this among experts.
The likelihood of Rottskies developing health issues is almost the same as any other dog, and it should not hold you back from getting this dog if you are okay with everything else that comes with the ownership of this amazing dog breed.
Like with any other dog breed, you need to ensure that the Rottsky gets adequate exercise, a healthy diet, and regular visits to the veterinarian.
13. Size
The average height of the Rottsky, depending on sex, varies between 22-27 inches, and it weighs between 85-135 lbs.
14. Lifespan
The Rottsky has a lifespan ranging between 9 to 14 years.
Conclusion
Now that you know the critical facts about the Rottsky, you are in an excellent position to decide whether you want to make this unique breed your companion.
Remember that owning a pet is a long-term responsibility that you should not take lightly.
You must research and study everything about the breed so that there are no surprises or regrets along the way.
Once you have done your homework and decided, then you should go ahead and get yourself a Rottsky, which is at the end of the day, a fantastic dog with a fascinating personality.
