The Pitbull Husky Mix (An Energetic Beauty)

The Husky is a working dog known for being an envelope pusher with an occasional bad attitude. The Pitbull, meanwhile, is a powerful, courageous dog with a bad reputation. By that rationale, you may think that mixing the two breeds may create a powder keg of a pooch. Do they?

The Basics Behind the Pitbull Husky Mix

The Pitbull Husky Mix, also known as a Pitsky, is a hybrid whose bloodline consists of one constant and one variable. This “designer dog” is always going to have American Pit Bull Terrier coded in their DNA. The other part of their genetics is going to come from either the Siberian Husky or the Alaskan Husky.

Like most designer dogs, the Pitsky doesn't have a clear-cut time frame as to when they cropped up on the scene. However, it's estimated that they've been around for about two to three decades. During this time, they have become popular hybrids, in part because they look rather fetching.

These dogs will reach medium to large size when fully grown, so you can expect them to stand about 20 to 24 inches tall. They carry a wide range of weight, as they can be as light as 35 pounds or as heavy as 80 pounds and still be considered healthy.

While Pitskies can take on the appearance of either parental breed, they do have a few distinguishing features that transcend the rest of their appearance. The most notable of these features is their tendency to have pale blue eyes like a Husky, and these peepers particularly pop when set against the darker coats these pooches tend to have.

You can also expect a Pitsky to have a compact body that's built for power – not too surprising, considering their DNA. The dog's ears are commonly erect, and their head is usually broad. They will also more than likely have a Pitbull's very short, shiny coat.

What is a Pitsky Like?

The overall personality of a Pitsky is something that could be considered a bit shocking considering their parental breeds. While the Pitbull’s reputation is being a bloodthirsty attack dog is a wildly ignorant one, that particular breed still has a tendency to confident and powerful. Huskies, on the other hand, have a lot more truth to their reputation.

Both the Alaskan and the Siberian Huskies are athletic, intelligent dogs with a strong pack mentality. They also have a strong sense of independence and adventure; when combined with the rest of their traits, it could make them a bit aloof when it comes to training and rules. This is especially true of the Siberian Husky.

But rather than being a swagger-filled pooch with a penchant for envelope-pushing, the Pitsky cuts away the stuff that may drive you crazy about either parental breed. What you’re left with is an extremely loyal, happy dog that is playful and very affectionate almost to a fault. In fact, you’ll probably have to train them to dial their enthusiasm down a bit.

The Pitsky is a powerful dog, and their frame alone may be enough to keep the bad guys at bay. And make no mistake: Even though these pooches are remarkably loveable, they have no problem becoming protective of their loved ones if they sense a potential threat.

Even with this penchant for protectiveness, the Pitsky is considered a mild, even-tempered dog that doesn’t have aggressive tendencies. This not only serves to further kick the notion of Pitbulls being four-legged monsters to the curb, but it also means that they are excellent dogs if you have kids in your home.

The one drawback to the hybrid is a bit surprising – they suffer from a pretty bad case of separation anxiety. If you leave them alone for strong stretches of time, they may become nervous or bored, which could lead them to mischievous or destructive behaviors. They also may howl a bunch if you’re gone – something that may bug your neighbors.

Just How Cute Are Pitskies? Look No Further

To give you an idea of just how adorable a mix between a Pitbull and a Husky can be, take a look at this video of Pitsky pups doing Pitsky pup things. By the end, you’ll probably see why people so readily fall in love with this hybrid, even though their even-keeled nature tends to be a bonus. Be sure to watch for the appearance of the proud parents.

How Much Exercise Should a Pitsky Have?

Pitskies are extremely active dogs whose high-energy is nearly combustible. As loving as the breed is, if you’re a couch potato, the hybrid will inadvertently make your life utterly miserable. Getting off your duff and providing this pooch exercise is an absolute must.

We're not talking a couple of brisk walks up the street, either. It's recommended you commit to giving the Pitsky at least two hours of physical activity on a daily basis. Because the hybrids are loyal dogs, they’ll be eager companions on hikes, jogs, or any other similar activity that may be part of your own workout regimen.

The Pitsky also loves to chase things around, so playtime involving fetch will stimulate them physically and mentally. This passion for chasing combined with their high energy makes them a lousy apartment dog. You need to have access to a decent-sized yard for the designer dog to be content.

Having the yard isn’t enough, either. It has to be fenced in as securely as you can. Pitskies can be escape artists – a trait that directly stems from the Huskies’ penchant for adventure and independence. Having a flimsy fence surrounding your yard will most likely give you a renegade that likes to cruise the neighborhood.

Are Pitskies Easy to Train?

Just like their parental breeds, Pitskies are very bright dogs. Because of this, they can pick up on things rather quickly. Considering their loyalty streak makes them eager to please their owner, they can be trained to do the basics pretty easily, provided you go about things the right way.

If you don’t train them properly – that is, you don’t use positive training methods or do so with a firm, confident hand – your Pitsky will run roughshod over you. If they don’t trust you, they’ll essentially tap into the Husky’s pack dog mentality and appoint themselves as pack leader. This may allow some aloofness to infiltrate the dog’s personality.

The Pitsky’s potential pack leanings makes it vital to make sure they’re socialized early. That way, they’ll be a much more suitable dog around other pets as opposed to instantly trying to claim alpha dog status at every turn.

Is There a Whole Lot of Grooming to Worry About?

You might think that since a Pitsky’s extremely short hair translates into a dog that has minimal grooming requirements, but you’d be sorely mistaken. This hybrid’s an average to heavy shedder that will require you to bust out the vacuum every day. Sadly, this massive shedding makes the Pitsky a poor choice for allergy sufferers.

Because of the dog’s penchant for shedding, it’s a good idea to brush their coat daily to keep it looking healthy. You should also give the pooch a weekly ear wipe, and you should brush their teeth at least twice a week. The interval of time you bathe your Pitsky will depend on how active – and how dirty – the pooch gets.

You’ll also need to keep track of the Pitsky’s nails, making sure they don’t get too long. If your Pitsky runs on hard surfaces during exercise or playtime, their nails may wear down to a proper length, and manual trimming may not be necessary. If this isn't the case, be sure whatever to trim the nails carefully, so you avoid cutting into the dog's quick.

Are there Any Health Concerns to Owning a Pitsky?

The Pitsky is considered to be a healthy dog with no pinpointed health concerns, although this could be because they haven't been around long enough to establish such things. With that being said, you still may see your Pitsky develop a few ailments consistent with its parental breeds.

The most prominent of these conditions is hyperthyroidism, which is a condition that both Pitbulls and Huskies tend to suffer from. This condition tends to be marked by the manifestation of breathing problems such as wheezing. Hip dysplasia, allergies, heart disease, and eye problems are issues that may also manifest.

The Cost of Pitsky Ownership

The Pitsky has a wide price range – it can go as little as $150 or as much as $2,000, depending on breeder quality, dog appearance, and whether or not the seller’s just in it for the money. Of course, you’ll also have to budget for the day-to-day cost of dog ownership, like paying for vet visits, food, vaccinations, and more.

A Happy Bundle of Energy and Love

Pitsky dogs may take a good amount of effort to fit into your lifestyle, but the payoff to this work is immeasurable. A properly trained Pitsky that has their needs met are wonderful hybrid dogs that are loyal, affectionate, patient, and protective. In other words, they are the embodiment of what makes the dog man’s best friend.