Good looking and even-tempered, the Pit Bull Husky mix is a designer breed, developed by crossing a Siberian Husky and an American Pit Bull Terrier. Highly energetic, affectionate, and loyal, this mix has inherited some of the best traits from their parent breeds.
What is Pitsky? The Pit Bull Husky mix, also known as Pitsky is a crossbreed between an American Pit Bull Terrier and a Siberian Husky. Highly energetic and smart, this mix has a stubborn streak and is best suited for experienced owners. Properly trained and socialized Pitskies make wonderful family companions.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about this mix and help you decide if the Pitsky is the right dog for your family.
What Is a Pit Bull Husky Mix?
The Pit Bull Husky mix, also known as the Pitsky is a designer dog breed. This mixed breed is developed by crossing a purebred American Pit Bull Terrier with a purebred Siberian Husky.
Being a designer hybrid, the Pitsky isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club as an official breed and can’t compete in dog shows. However, the Dog Registry of America recognizes the Pitsky as an official dog breed.
Brief History
There is a big chance that Huskies and Pit Bulls mixed naturally in the past. However, in the late 1990s designer breeders started intentionally crossing these two breeds.
At first, the breeders wanted to create a mixed breed that will have fewer health problems than its purebred parents. But, as demand for designer breeds raised, they started to create Pitskies as companion pets.
American Pit Bull Terrier
Originally bred to bait bulls, the American Pit Bull Terrier is often misunderstood and deemed as dangerous. However, when properly raised and socialized from a young age, Pit Bulls are amazing companions and family dogs (source).
American Pit Bull Terriers are friendly and affectionate dogs who are nicknamed “nanny dogs” because they are extremely gentle around children. In the right hands, the American Pit Bull is an obedient and highly trainable dog and an affectionate companion.
Siberian Husky
Originally bred to pull sleds in extreme weather conditions over long distances, the Siberian Husky is one of the most popular dog breeds. Easily recognizable for their fluffy coats and wolf-like facial markings, the Husky is a highly energetic working dog breed.
Friendly and mischievous, Siberian Huskies have a stubborn streak which makes training a challenge, especially for novice owners. Furthermore, Huskies are skilled escape artists so having an Alcatraz-style fenced yard is a must if you want to bring a Husky home.
Pit Bull Husky Mix
When you mix the two you get a Pitsky – a medium to large-sized dog with a ton of energy and a stubborn streak. Pitskies need a lot of exercise and training, so they are best suited for active people and experienced owners who know how to train and socialize a dog.
Smart and athletic, Pitskies are also fiercely loyal to their families and won’t hesitate to defend their owners at a great personal cost.
Characteristics of Pitbull Husky Mix
Although it’s hard to predict the temperament and appearance of any mixed-breed dog, there are certain traits that you can expect to see in your Pit Bull Husky mix puppy.
They usually have a broad head, long muzzle, almond-shaped eyes, and erect ears. And while their size can vary, Pitskies generally have short, compact, and sturdy bodies.
Pitsky Highlights:
| Size | Medium to large-sized dog |
| Weight | 30-80 pounds |
| Height | 16-25 inches |
| Coat Type | Short single coat or long double coat |
| Shedding | Moderate to heavy shedding |
| Energy Level | Highly energetic |
| Overall Health | Very good |
| Lifespan | 12-16 years |
Size
Since the Pitsky is a relatively new mixed breed, there are no set standards when it comes to size. As a mix between the Pit Bull and the Husky, you can expect your dog to be medium to large in size.
Height
When it comes to height, most Pitskies are between 16 and 25 inches tall. However, some can be shorter or taller depending on the size of both parent breeds.
Weight
A fully grown Pit Bull Husky mix can weigh from 30 to 80 pounds. But again, your dog might weigh more or less depending on the size and weight of both of their parents.
Coat Color
Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Siberian Husky come in a variety of coat colors. Thus, the Pitsky can come in many different colors or have a mix of their parents’ coats and colors.
The most commonly seen coat colors are:
- White
- Black
- Brown
- Grey
- Brindle
- Tan
Shedding
Most Pitskies have a single short coat, but some can inherit a long double coat from their Husky parent. Depending on the coat type, your Pit Bull Husky mix can be a moderate or a heavy shedder.
Temperament
It’s impossible to predict the personality and temperament of any crossbreed dog, and the Pit Bull Husky mix isn’t an exception. In most cases, mixed breeds will inherit and display traits from both parent breeds.
With that being said, Pitskies are usually friendly, affectionate, and have even temperaments. This mix also has a lot of energy and loves to play and can be a wonderful companion to people of all ages.
They are also very loyal and highly protective of their owners and won’t hesitate to protect the people they love with their lives, if necessary.
Keep in mind that Pitsky puppies can be extremely stubborn and difficult to train. Due to this trait and their high levels of energy, they require a strong pack leader and an experienced owner who already knows how to train and socialize a dog.
Pet Friendly
Because of their American Pit Bull Terrier heritage, Pitskies may be apprehensive of other dogs. However, with early socialization and training, most learn to get along with other dogs and can even live with cats.
Child Friendly
A properly trained and socialized Pit Bull Husky Mix can be a great addition to families with younger children. They are very gentle and tolerant of kids and will enjoy having playmates that can match their high energy levels.
Pit Bull Husky Mix Care
Like all other dogs, the Pit Bull Husky mix needs care and attention to stay happy and thrive. Please note, Pitskies are high maintenance dogs and you’ll have to pay attention to:
Health Risks
The good news is that Pitskies are generally healthy. But some can be predisposed to certain conditions that affect Siberian Huskies and American Pit Bull Terriers.
The most common health problems Pitskies face are:
- Hip dysplasia
- Hyperthyroidism
- Heart disease
- Allergies
- Cataracts
The average lifespan of a Pit Bull Husky mix is 12 to 16 years, but they can live longer when properly cared for.
Grooming
The Pit Bull Husky mix isn’t a good choice if you suffer from allergies or hate vacuuming. Depending on their coat type Pitskies are moderate to heavy shedders, which means that they will leave hair all over the place.
To stay on top of your dog’s shedding, you will have to brush them every day and maybe twice a day during the shedding season. Bathe your Pitsky every two months, or when they get dirty, with a hypoallergenic dog shampoo.
Food and Diet
An ideal diet for the Pit Bull Husky mix should be formulated for a medium to large size dog with high energy. Your Pitsky should eat food that contains proteins, fats, carbs, and essential vitamins and minerals that support overall health.
As with all other dogs, your Pitsky’s dietary needs will change as he grows and gets older, so you should adjust their diet according to the life stage (source). And don’t forget, all dogs are individuals, so if you have any doubts, talk with your vet and have them make a meal plan according to your dog’s needs.
Training and Exercise
The Pitsky is a highly energetic dog that needs 60 to 90 minutes of exercise per day. They like to run and chase things and can spend hours playing fetch or tug-of-war.
Activities such as running, jogging, hiking, and swimming will physically challenge your dog and help keep them in good shape. Besides regular exercise this mix also needs mental stimulation, otherwise, they can become destructive and very vocal.
Pitskies are smart dogs that can learn things quickly, but they can also be stubborn which can make training rather challenging. And since they are pack dogs, you will have to assert yourself as a pack leader as soon as you bring your dog home (source).
With positive reinforcement techniques, early training, and consistency your Pitsky will learn obedience and commands and grow up into a well-behaved dog.
Housing
As a highly energetic larger dog, the Pit Bull Husky mix would be happier living in a large house with a fenced backyard than in a small apartment. And although they are large, Pitskies should live indoors where they can interact and spend time with their human families.
Where to Get a Pit Bull Husky Mix?
As you would any other dog, you can purchase a Pit Bull Husky mix from a breeder, or adopt from a rescue or a shelter.
Pit Bull Husky Mix Breeders
The Pit Bull Husky mix is still a fairly new designer breed, so there are not many breeders that make puppies available. Therefore, be prepared to do some research and even travel to a different state before you bring a Pitsky home.
Pit Bull Husky Mix Price
You can expect to pay from $500 to $2000 for a Pit Bull Husky mix puppy. The exact price of a Pitsky depends on a breeder and other factors such as coat color, lineage, and gender.
Adoption
Although they are designer dogs, a lot of Pitskies end up in shelters and rescue organizations all over the country. If you are serious about bringing a Pitsky into your family, contact your local shelter and rescue organizations to see if they have any dogs for adoption.
Also, check out Siberian Husky and American Pit Bull Terrier breed-specific rescue organizations since they often take care of mixed-breed dogs and might have a Pitsky for adoption.
Conclusion
Affectionate, protective, and smart, the Pit Bull Husky mix can be an amazing companion to experienced owners with an active lifestyle. These friendly and even-tempered dogs are gentle with children and can even get along with other pets when trained and socialized from a young age.
Due to their high energy levels and stubborn nature, this mix isn’t recommended for novice owners and can prove a real challenge. However, if you owned a Siberian Husky or an American Pit Bull Terrier before you would appreciate everything this mix has to offer.
Related Articles:
0 Comments