During a recent trip to the dog park with my two four-legged buddies, I interacted with another dog parent who had a very adorable, high-energy doggie. I’m talking about the Pitsky. So, what exactly is a Pitsky?
The Pitsky is a hybrid dog breed that is a product of crossbreeding the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Alaskan or Siberian Husky. Most Pitskies are bred from Siberian Huskies, so this is the dog breed we will look at in this article and explore its intelligent and energetic nature.
As with most other pets, you should be aware of the traits and behaviors of the Pitbull Husky Mix before bringing them home. In this article, we’ll give you insights into what you should expect with the Pitbull Husky Mix, including the kind of care they require, their behavior and temperament, how to train them, and so on. But first, let’s start by looking at their size.
How Big Will A Husky Pitbull Mix Get?
Being a relatively new breed, you definitely want to know what a Pitbull Husky looks like, and how big they get.
Appearance
Since the Pitsky is a cross between two pedigree breeds, their appearance will range from almost Husky like, to almost Pitbull like, and everything in between.
Your Pitsky pup could have the Pitbull’s broad chest or the light and tall build of the Husky. In most cases, they will inherit the Husky’s striking blue eyes. Their face could be long and thin like that of the Husky, or short and broad like the Pitbull’s.
The same applies to the ears. Your Pitsky will have either the Pitbull’s floppy ears or the Husky’s sharp and upright ears.
Size
Just like they have varying appearances, the size of the Pitsky will also vary from one Pitsky to the next. A full-grown Pitsky could be as short as 16 inches or as tall as 25 inches. Similarly, they could weigh as little as 30 lbs or as much as 80 lbs.
There is no way to accurately predict how big your Pitsky pup will grow. Your only option is to wait until they are fully grown.
Coat
Some Pitsky pups will inherit the Pitbull’s short, flat coat, while others will inherit the Husky’s fluffy double coat. However, most Pitskies tend to have the Pitbull’s coat. The coat color of your Pitsky will depend on that of its parents, so it is possible to have a black Pitsky, a black and white Pitsky, or even a brindle Pitsky.
How Long Does A Pitsky Live?
Life Expectancy
The Pitbull Husky Mix is a generally healthy pooch, and you can expect them to live for about 12 to 15 years.
Some will even live for longer, depending on how healthy they are and how well you take care of them.
Despite the advantage of hybrid vigor, your Pitsky is still susceptible to some of the health conditions that affect the Husky and the Pitbull. Some common health problems you should keep an eye out for include:
Joint Problems
The Pitsky’s big size and love for intense physical activity make this dog breed susceptible to various joint problems, including osteoarthritis and hip and elbow dysplasia.
The best way to minimize the risk of your canine buddy developing these problems is to keep them on a healthy diet, ensure they don’t get overweight and ensure they don’t jump from high places.
Skin Problems
Pitbull Husky Mixes have very sensitive skin, which makes them highly susceptible to allergies and other skin infections.
Fortunately, it is possible to keep many skin infections and allergies at bay through proper grooming and by regularly giving your pooch foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is common to both Huskies and Pitbulls, which means that your Pitsky is at risk of developing this condition. Hyperthyroidism is caused by excess production of thyroid hormone.
The condition leads to anxiety, weight loss, diarrhea, and hair loss. If you notice any of these symptoms, you need to take your canine buddy to the vet immediately.
How Do You Raise A Pitsky?
The next thing you need to know before bringing one of these doggies home is how to take care of a Pitsky. Here’s what you should know:
Diet Requirements
To keep your Pitsky strong and healthy, you need to provide them with the proper diet. Since these dogs grow big in size, you need to provide them with dog food that is formulated for large breeds with a lot of energy requirements. Pitskies also need a diet that is rich in protein because of their strong and muscular bodies.
I recommend feeding your Pitbull Husky Mix with Pet Plate’s Barkin’ Beef. This dog food contains a high protein content and is great for big and active dogs.
Aside from a proper diet, you should also give your four-legged buddy multivitamin supplements to keep them healthy and improve their immunity.
Exercise Requirements
Both the Siberian Husky and the Pitbull were bred for strength and stamina, and therefore, they have lots of energy, something that they pass onto the Pitbull Husky Mix. Due to their high energy levels, Pitbull Husky Mixes need lots of exercise.
Ideally, your Pitsky should get two hours of physical activity every day. Engage your Pitsky in high-intensity exercises, such as running, hiking, swimming, and obstacle courses.
You can also keep your Pitsky active through a game of fetch. Just get the iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers for Dogs, teach your Pitsky how to initiate ball launch on their own, and leave them to enjoy a game of fetch on their own till they’re spent.
Are Pitskys Smart? Temperaments Of Pitbull Husky Mixes
Temperament
Pitskies are very smart and affectionate dogs. Contrary to popular belief, Pitskys are not dangerous. Instead, they are very friendly, and will make good companion dogs even if you have children.
However, like with all dogs, don’t leave your Pitbull Husky Mix unsupervised when around very small kids.
While Pitskies enjoy taking part in family activities, they don’t form very strong bonds as you might expect with breeds like Labs. In addition, their Pitbull instincts can make them apprehensive towards other dogs.
However, the likelihood of this happening can be minimized through early training and socialization.
Energy Levels
Pitbull Husky Mixes have lots of energy, and therefore, they are not suitable for families who live a sedentary or inactive lifestyle. They are also not the best breed for first-time dog owners.
Pitbull Husky Mixes do best in homes with large, enclosed yards where they are free to run around as they please.
Like I mentioned, Pitbull Husky Mixes can get aggressive towards other dogs. This means that you should always keep your Pitsky on a leash when exercising them in public areas.
Training
While they are very intelligent, Pitskies can also have a stubborn streak. This can make training them difficult. So, how do you train a Pitbull Husky Mix?
The key is to be very patient with them, consistently show them that you are the leader of the pack, and opt for positive reinforcement rather than punishment. You will find it easier to potty train a Pitsky puppy than it is to obedience train them.
Are Pitsky Hypoallergenic? Grooming Tips For Pitbull Husky Mixes
Shedding
Both the Siberian Husky and the American Pitbull Terrier are heavy shedders, so your Pitsky will be a heavy shedder as well. If you are allergic, this is not a good breed for you.
Due to their high level of shedding, Pitbull Husky Mixes require regular brushing. I recommend brushing your four-legged buddy using the FURminator Undercoat Tool.
It has a curved edge that is suited for your pooch’s natural shape, and it ensures that no loose hairs are left behind, especially if your pooch has the Husky’s double coat.
The heavy shedding means you’ll always have dog hairs in your home, which is why you must get a good vacuum like the iRobot Roomba i3+. Its smart navigation feature means that no part of your home will be left uncleaned.
Bathing
To keep your Pitbull Husky Mix from developing bad odors, you should give them a bath regularly, say once after every month or two. More frequent baths are not good for your doggie’s coat health.
The Pitsky has very sensitive skin, and therefore, you should avoid using human shampoo on them. I recommend using the Pro Pet Works All Natural 5 In 1 Oatmeal Shampoo, which is specially designed for use on dogs with allergies and sensitive skin.
Other Grooming Requirements
You should also clip your pooch’s nails once every month (or if they start clicking against the floor), clean and check their ears for infections, and maintain their oral health.
Related Questions
How Much Does A Husky Pitbull Mix Cost? Pitbull Husky Mixes are a designer dog breed in high demand and will thus fetch a high price between $500 and $2,000 for each Pitsky puppy. The actual price you will pay will depend on the pedigree of the pup’s parents, your location, and the quality and reputation of the breeder you are buying from.
Can A Husky Kill A Pitbull? A lot of people wonder whether Huskies are more dangerous than Pit Bulls. While a husky could be stronger than a Pitbull, they are unlikely to attack the Pitbull unless attacked first. This means that you don’t have to worry about your Pitbull getting killed by a Husky.
Can A Husky And Pitbull Get Along? Yes. A Husky and a Pitbull can get along well, provided that both of them have been properly trained and properly socialized. Without proper training and socialization, the two dogs can get aggressive towards each other, especially when you consider the Pit Bulls fighting dog instincts. However, it ultimately depends on the personalities of the two dogs.
