7 Facts about Pitbull & Husky Mix (A.K.A. Pitsky)

Pitsky is a cross of a purebred American Pitbull Terrier and a purebred Siberian Husky, also known as Pitbull Husky Mix. It's a medium to large dog breed at about 16 to 25 inches tall, weighing between 30 to 80 pounds. Pitskie's average lifespan is around 12 to 15 years.

However, a crossbreed is always full of surprises, so I’ve put together some interesting facts about Pitskies, to help you have a clear idea of what you’ll be dealing with once you bring this dog home.

Pitbull Husky Mix Photos

1. You can’t know how your adult dog will develop

Just like her name tells us, a Husky Pitbull Mix is a crossbreed between a purebred American Pit Bull Terrier and a purebred Siberian Husky, or a hybrid Alaskan Husky. Generally, mixed-breed dogs tend to have moderate temperaments, but they can also inherit any of their parents’ characteristics, sometimes in unpredictable combinations.

When getting a Pitsky, this translates into:

• no one can guarantee the size and appearance of your dog. Dogs from this crossbreed come in various sizes, as we mentioned above its generally between 16 and 25 inches (40.6cm – 63.5) tall and weighing from 30 to 80 pounds (13.5 – 36 kg). When you buy a puppy, you can’t know how large she’s going to grow.
• your dog’s coat can be either short or long. If she looks more like her Pit Bull parent, she’ll have a short coat, which is easy to maintain and requires brushing once or twice a week. If she inherits the Husky’s appearance, you’ll have a dog with a thick and often harsh coat, that needs to be brushed once every two days. Colors also vary, but darker shades are usually more common among these dogs.
• she could have hereditary diseases. Usually they’re healthy dogs. However, depending on her family history, as an adult your dog can develop a series of health conditions. Hyperthyroidism is the most common among both parent breeds, but she can also face allergies, eye problems, hip dysplasia and heart disease.

2. A Husky Pitbull Mix doesn’t like to be alone

These dogs are very attached to their owners, and they love spending time with their human families. It’s what everyone expects from a dog, but it also comes with a price. You should be aware that, once you have a Pitsky, you should organize your schedule to leave your dog home alone as little as possible. Otherwise, they have a tendency to develop depression, separation anxiety, destructive behavior, and eventually she’ll become aggressive.

If you know you’ll have to leave your dog all by herself a few hours every day, start crate training when she’s still young. By offering your dog a den of her own where she feels safe and protected, you can minimize the effects of loneliness and keep her safe when you can’t watch over her.

When you work long hours, make sure one of your family or friends can come over to spend time with your dog, or take her to a dog daycare where she can have some company.

3. A Pitsky is a good family dog

This dog loves to be around children of all ages. She’s playful, affectionate, and very loyal. When playing, she can become too enthusiastic, and even jump on you, but you’ll be able to control this behavior once you start training. If properly trained and socialized, she can also get along well with other pets, even if some of these dogs enjoy chasing a squirrel or a cat every now and then.

In most cases, a Pitsky is friendly with strangers, too. However, she won’t hesitate to react if you or your family are in danger. She’s not number one when it comes to great watchdogs, but I still find her strength and stamina intimidating.

4. Your dog will need obedience training

No matter what temperament she inherits, your Pitsky needs consistent training from an early age. Both her parent breeds can be hard to handle when they’re not properly trained, so besides housebreaking, you’ll have to teach her to obey. Luckily she’s intelligent, and always looking to please her owner, which gives you the possibility to train her by yourself.

Obedience training should start when your puppy is about 6-7 weeks old. Use positive reinforcement only to teach your dog how to follow your commands. She’s a fast learner, and you’ll see progress right from the first weeks. However, be consistent and firm, as these dogs tend to have strong personalities and she might try to become the pack leader in your home.

In some cases, Huskies tend to be stubborn and difficult to train and there’s a possibility your dog inherits this characteristic. If you don’t have any results with training, consider seeking help from a professional trainer.

5. Goodbye, couch! Hello running shoes

This dog will keep you in good shape.

A Pitsky needs to burn off her extra energy, and she has a lot of it, coming from two parents with high energy levels. Buy new and comfortable sports shoes, because you’ll have to give her at least two long walks every day, and some trips to the dog park several times a week. She’s also a good companion if you like running, jogging, or hiking.

These dogs love to play, whatever the weather:

Besides physical activity, your dog will also need mental stimulation. Combine obedience training sessions with entertaining dog games and scatter feeding, to keep your dog’s mind busy, so she doesn’t get bored. 15 minutes during which your dog has to stay focused on something will make her more tired than a long walk.

A Pitbull Husky Mix needs a yard where she can run and move freely. Without enough exercise, she’ll become hyperkinetic and she’ll make your house a mess, because she loves to chew. This makes her unsuitable for small apartments and owners with no free time.

6. Besides exercising, you should make time for grooming and cleaning

A Husky Pitbull Mix sheds all year round, no matter which parent’s traits she inherits. You’ll deal with hair all the time, with higher intensity during spring and fall, when it’s shedding season for both the Pitbull and the Husky. Consistent brushing can reduce the amount of hair, but you’ll still need a pet hair vacuum cleaner to keep your home clean.

Besides brushing, you should also take time to deal with her several other needs:

• cleaning her ears once every two weeks,
• trimming her nails, when needed,
• brushing her teeth several times a week,
• bathing her once every two months or when needed.

7. Pitskies are masters of escape

Most of these dogs inherit the Husky’s ability to find themselves a way out from any enclosure, so check your yard before bringing your Pitsky home. It’s not just about jumping – they can also dig holes under the fence, as both the Pitbull and the Husky are excellent diggers. If you have flowers or other plants in your garden, don’t give your dog free access to them. Otherwise you might lose everything as a result of her passion for digging.

Always use the leash when taking your dog outside, at least until you’re absolutely sure she’s trained well enough to return to your command, no matter what distractions are out there.

Conclusion

A Pitsky is a great choice for active families, thanks to her loyalty, cuteness, and mild temperament. Sometimes she can be stubborn, but I think this small issue can be solved with training, so I wouldn’t give up on such a great dog so easily.