The Pitsky is a cross between an American Pitbull Terrier and either a Siberian Husky or, less commonly, an Alaskan Husky. Because this is a mixed breed, the results can vary greatly and therefore it can be difficult to pinpoint the traits and characteristics of the Pitsky. These dogs can come in a range of sizes and can take after either of their parent breeds.
The Pitsky is known to be a playful and affectionate dog that enjoys spending time exercising and being outside. They can be stubborn which can make them difficult to train, but with the right family they can also make a perfect pet.
If you’re interested in learning more about this interesting breed, read on below to see whether the Pitsky might be the pup for you.
History Of The Pitsky
The Pitsky is the result of breeding an American Pitbull Terrier with either a Siberian Husky or an Alaskan Husky. Because they are not a purebred dog, they do not have any breed standards and each litter of puppies can be vastly different to the next.
The Pitsky is not registered with American Kennel Club (AKC). They have been primarily bred as a companion dog but only really became popular in 2014.
Breed Origin
To understand where this Pitsky came from, we will need to take a look at their parent breeds in more detail.
The Pitbull Terrier was created in early 19th-century England for the popular spectator sports of bull and bear baiting. They were thought of as aggressive fighting dogs but it was also known that they were very gentle with humans and made excellent family dogs. Later, these Pitbull Terriers accompanied immigrants to America and they began new careers as all-around farm dogs. Their jobs included hunting wild game, guarding the property from animal intruders and providing companionship.
In 1898 the UKC, Britain’s equivalent of the AKC, named these bull dogs the American Pitbull Terrier. The AKC recognized these dogs in the early 1930s, but as the American Staffordshire Terrier. They wanted to distinguish this dog from the ones that were known to fight. So, as of today, the American Pitbull Terrier is not registered with the AKC.
The Husky is very much known as a snow dog. They were first bred by the Chukchi people in Siberia who relied on their Huskies to transport supplies. Huskies were brought to Alaska in 1909 for sled racing. The last Siberian Husky was exported from Siberia in 1930 when the borders were closed by the Soviet government, but the breed continued to thrive in North America. They were recognized by the AKC in 1930.
As you can see, both of the parent breeds of the Pitsky have an interesting background and certainly gives the Pitsky a unique heritage. The Pitsky wasn’t bred until much later and only became popular in 2014, but is known to be a great companion dog to many.
Read on below to find out more about the characteristics of the Pitsky.
Characteristics Of The Pitsky
We have mentioned above that is can be difficult to determine the exact characteristics and traits of the Pitsky because they are a cross breed and do not have a breed standard. However, based on their history, we have some indication as to how these pups may turn out.
The Pitsky, like many Husky crosses, are known as a designer dog and can be quite expensive. A Pitsky puppy may cost you anywhere between $500 and $2,000. This wide price range shows that you must do your research before buying, and always make sure you are purchasing from a reputable breeder.
Appearance
Some Pitskies look like Huskies and some Pitskies look like Pitbulls! It can be really difficult to determine what your pup may look like and which parent they are going to take after. Normally, the Pitsky ranges in size between 30-70 lbs in weight and between 19-21” in height. Males are normally larger than females.
Their ears can be short and pointy or long and floppy and it will vary based on their coat type. They normally have blue eyes thanks to their Husky parent.
Coat
A Pitbull Husky mix can inherit their coat type form ether of their parents. They may have a short coat like their Pitbull parent or they may have a thick, double coat like their Husky parent. If they have a short coat, their grooming needs will be a lot less compared to if they have a the thick Husky coat. We will go into more detail about grooming later on.
Color
The Pitsky can come in a range of colors! They can inherit their color from their Husky parent and be white, white and brown, black and white, gray and white or they can inherit their color from their Pitbull parent and be blue, red, brindle, fawn, tan and brown. The color of your Pitsky’s parents will give you the best indication as to what color they may be.
Temperament
To find out the temperament of your Pitsky puppy, you will have to take a look at your puppy’s parents. This is why it is so important for you to go and meet with the breeder and meet the parent breeds of your dogs.
The Pitbull breed is a very friendly dog. They have a bad reputation for being an aggressive dog but this could not be further from the truth. They are very affectionate and loyal, and their intelligence and obedience means that they are easy to train. This makes them excellent service dogs.
The Siberian Husky is another affectionate and friendly dog. They are very active — much more so than the Pitbull — and this is often passed down to the Pitsky. While the Husky is also intelligent just like the Pitbull, they are not as easy to train. This is why they are often not recommended for first time dog owners who don’t have experience with training pups.
Because of their parent breeds, it comes as no surprise that the Pitsky hybrid is also a loving and affectionate dog. Because they are so friendly, they make awful watch dogs and guard dogs and just want to be around people! This can, unfortunately, mean they suffer from separation anxiety, so you must be sure you are able to give your Pitsky the attention they need before you buy.
Pitskies love to be outside exercising and will happily accompany you hiking or running. They are not a very relaxed dog and don’t like to sat at home doing nothing. They can be known to howl sometimes too, which can be the result of separation anxiety. Make sure these pups are in a household with lots of action, and they’ll be your best friend forever!
Lifespan
The Pitsky has a relatively long life expectancy. These pups live, on average, between 12 and 15 years.
Known Health Issues
Unfortunately, as with any dog, the Pitsky is prone to some health issues. These are mostly the same issues that their parent breeds are predisposed to. The most common health problems in Pitskies are:
- Hyperthyroidism — this can be caused by a deficiency of the thyroid hormone and may produce signs that include infertility, obesity, mental dullness and lack of energy. It can be treated with medication. This is common in both parent breeds.
- Allergies — this is also common in both parent breeds. Signs of allergies in your Pitsky are scratching, chewing paws and licking various parts of the body. This can often result in loss of hair, wounds and scabbing.
- Hip Dysplasia — this is when the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. Huskies are more likely to suffer with this problem.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Daily Life
While the different traits and characteristics that your Pitsky may inherit from their parent breeds can be somewhat of a mystery, fortunately taking care of these dogs is pretty straight forward. Below we discuss their food and diet, their exercise needs and their grooming needs.
Food And Diet
Due to the large range of size that your Pitsky may grow to based on their parent breeds, it will be up to you to double check how much food you should be feeding your pup based on their weight. The back of the dog food packet will always show you how much you should be feeding them in comparison to their weight.
The food you feed your Pitsky should be high quality and nutritious, meeting all the requirements for a dog with this energy level. Ideally, their food should contain 1.20 grams of protein per pound of body weight and 0.72 grams of fat per pound of body weight. Carbohydrates are less important but still should be present.
If you are worried your Pitsky is overweight then you can check them. At the correct weight you shouldn’t be able to see a waist and you should be able to feel but not see their ribs without pressing too hard.
Best Dog Food For The Pitsky
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We recommend the Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium dry dog food for the Pitsky breed. This formula contains U.S. farm-raised beef is the number one ingredient, supporting healthy and lean muscle development and growth. Brown rice is also present as a carbohydrate that gives essential vitamins and fiber.
There is chicken fat in this recipe that provides your Pitsky with natural omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These help to support a healthy skin and coat. Even better, there are natural minerals and prebiotics that ensure healthy digestion and there are no artificial flavors or artificial preservatives.
Exercise
Much like their Husky parent, the Pitsky dog has high exercise needs due to their high energy levels. You should expect to spend upwards of 60 minutes walking them every day. It is advised that you keep your Husky Pitbull mix on the leash when walking them in public. This is especially true if they have not be socialized properly and you are not sure how they will react with other dogs. They can also sometimes be difficult to call back, so a leash is recommended until you have trained them.
Your Pitsky will also love to play with you at home, which is why they do well in an active family. A Pitsky will get bored if they are not mentally and physically stimulated, so remember to spend time with them when you’re not out walking, too.
Family Compatibility
The Pitbull Husky mix makes an excellent dog to have in the home, especially thriving in an active family household. With high exercise needs, the Pitsky will do best when able to accompany their family while out walking and hiking, and doesn’t like to be left alone! They can also get bored easily, so making sure you keep your Pitsky entertained is essential, otherwise they may exhibit unwanted behaviors.
Pitskies are very intelligent dogs and training them is not difficult. However, you must be able to set aside some time for training. They also love to play and are known for being a high-spirited pup with lots of energy. All your Pitsky will want is to be around you and to spend time with you and your family!
One thing to note is that the Pitsky can be known to howl, so if you have neighbors who live close by this might not be the dog for you. With socialization and training you may be able to train this trait our of your Pitsky, but they will revert to it when bored or frustrated.
Training
You should begin training your Pitsky from a young age. They will respond best to positive reinforcement training. This includes verbal praise and treat based rewards to show them they are exhibiting positive behavior. You should never get angry at your Pitsky, because this will be counter productive. They may become scared and not want to learn at all.
Fortunately, because they Pitsky is an intelligent dog, training them will not be difficult although you will have to stick with it. They will also excel at brain games, which will help keep them out of trouble.
Socializing
Socializing your Pitsky should also start at a young age. Research reports that a puppy between the ages of 3-12 weeks is much more likely to react positively to new situations than an older dog. Therefore, you should begin socializing them as soon as you bring them home. This includes introducing them to new sights, sounds, smells, places, people and other pets.
Grooming
Your Pitsky’s grooming needs will really depend on the type of coat they inherit from their parents. If they inherit the coat from their Pitty parent, it will be short and they will not need a lot of grooming. You will be able to get away with brushing it once or twice a week.
However, if your Pitbull Husky mix inherits their Husky parent’s coat, you will need to be brushing it a lot more often — almost every day. These pups will most likely shed all year round, although will have two blow outs a year where they will shed excessively.
You will need to keep an eye on your Pitsky’s ears and check for any signs of infection. This is especially true if your Pitsky has longer ears. You should also be trimming their nails as needed and brushing their teeth often to keep dental disease and decay at bay.
Summary
The Pitsky is a friendly and playful breed of dog that is the result of breeding a Pitbull with a Husky. Inheriting their Husky parent’s energy, these dogs love to be outside and exercising, thriving in an active family where they have lots of people to play with. Good-hearted, the Pitsky loves people and wants to be around them all the time and so does not like to be left alone. As long as you have enough time (and energy!) to spend with this pup, they’ll be your best friend and companion for life!