Pitsky Dog Breed: Everything You Need To Know

The Pitsky is a Pitbull and Husky cross that is full of love, energy and affection.

Since 2014 the Pitsky has been winning the hearts of American families. They are loved for their one-of-a-kind looks and perfect family-friendly personalities.

They are the perfect pet for families that need a dog that is gentle with the kids but willing to play with them all day. These fur-balls are ready to be a part of your family and never leave your side.

Think you are the right person for this unique-looking dog full of energy and love?

Keep reading to find out all about it before you consider adopting one.

Pitsky Dog Breed

A Pitsky is a mix between an American Pit Bull Terrier and a Husky.

Most commonly Siberian Huskies are used when breeding the Pitsky, not the Alaskan Husky. For the Pitbull parent, it is usually the American Pit Bull Terrier, but it can be any type of Pitbull.

The exact time the first mix occurred is unknown, but breeders began deliberately breeding this dog over the last 20 years.

In general, mixes are meant to be an improved version of their parent breeds. The goal is for breeders to selectively breed for the best qualities of each parent. For the Pitsky, this means that it will have all the qualities that people love about the Pitbull and Husky.

These include the gentle, sweet nature of the Pitbull and the beautiful wolf-like appearance of the Husky.

With the combination of the Husky and Pitbull, you also get a dog that is powerful, free-spirited and intelligent. They are high energy dogs, but maybe not as much as the Husky who was bred to run miles and miles for hours.

The Pitsky loves being around its people. They get their affectionate and friendly nature from both of their parents. It is these attributes that make it a terrible guard dog.

However, be warned. Both parent breeds have some bloodlines that can have aggressive tendencies. Pitbulls have a negative reputation because of their origins in blood sports. Huskies have very high prey drives and can go out chasing and biting small animals.

Reputable breeders tend to breed well-natured dogs from good bloodlines. This means aggression is unusual in the Pitsky dog breed.

As long as you take care of a Pitsky the right way, they should not be aggressive.

What Was A Pitsky Bred For?

It is hard to know exactly when the first Pitbull Husky cross occurred. They have likely been around for decades, but it is not known when the first Pitsky puppy was born.

Deliberate crossbreeding of Pitbulls and Huskies started within the last 20 to 25 years. Since then, they have started gaining more and more attention. In 2014 their popularity skyrocketed as people fell in love with this unique crossbreed for its one of a kind looks and sweet heart.

The Pitsky is a designer dog breed. It is meant to have all the best qualities of the Pitbull and Husky while trying to eliminate some of the unwanted ones. Their purpose is to solely be companion animals. They are just pure cuddle bugs!

They are the perfect combination of Pitbull and Husky for fanatics of both breeds.

While they are very popular, just like all crossbreeds, they are not registered with the American Kennel Club.

Kennel clubs only accept dogs that are purebred.

The Pitsky is born from two dogs of different breeds, so they do not qualify to be registered.

Because of this, there is no breed standard for them. So you will never see one of these dogs in dog shows or competitions. But, they are more than happy making their way right into your heart and home.

Personality and Temperament

The Pitsky is one of the sweetest and most lovable crossbreeds you will find. They just love people, being around their family and will always want to stick by you. They get these qualities from both of their parents.

They are so loving and friendly that they make terrible watchdogs.

With such an attachment and loyalty to their family, this does mean that they are prone to developing separation anxiety. This is why they should never be left alone for too long.

The Pitsky is really only meant for active families who can spend lots of time with it.

Their caring and playful nature also mean that they are excellent for kids.

If you are looking for a fun and affectionate dog to play with the kids all day, then you have found the right kind of dog. Just make sure you are supervising playtime as this dog does not know its own strength. It could accidentally knock over the children.

Energy Levels

With a parent like the Husky, they are a very rambunctious and excitable dog.

Pitbull dogs also tend to be hyperactive, so the Pitsky is sure to be overflowing with energy that it needs to empty.

If you are bringing one home, you should have a large yard or a dog park close by where you can take your dog to run and play. You can expect to have to exercise them for at least 90 minutes every day. Apartment living is not a great idea for this breed.

The Pitsky has a bit more energy than most Pitbulls because it has a Husky parent.

Huskies are known for their endurance and ability to run long distances. They were bred to help the Chukchi people in Russia transport goods from one place to another in the early 20th century.

In addition to being transporters, they became sled racers. It is because of what they were bred to do that Huskies are one of the most energetic dog breeds that you will find on the planet.

A Pitsky may not have the energy to run for 100 miles each day, but it does need lots of exercise to stay happy.

Huskies are also known for their extremely high prey drive. It is likely that the Pitsky will inherit some of that drive too.

It will no doubt try to chase the cat or any animal that moves in the yard. For this reason it may be better that they are the only pet in the household.

Are Pitsky Dogs Dangerous?

The Pitsky is much more likely to cuddle with you than bite you, they are not dangerous dogs. They are pure cuddle bugs and were bred to be family pets.

You might be wary of getting this mix because of its Pitbull parent.

However, there is not much to worry about.

The Pitsky does not share the long and dark history people associate with Pitbulls. Pitbulls are also one of the sweetest dogs in the world. The thought that they would hurt people is a misconception.

Pitbulls are descendants of Old English and Victorian Bulldogs. This is where the “Bull” in their name comes from. They were used for the gruesome blood sport of bull baiting in the United Kingdom in the late 19th century.

For such a sport they had to show strength and aggression, but the nature of the Pitbull is anything but aggressive towards people. A dog that bit its master was not one that people wanted.

In 1835 these competitions became banned by the British Parliament.

These Bulldogs were then crossed with Terriers and used for a sport called ratting. Ratting was a spectator sport where a dog had to kill the most rats in a pit. This is where the “Pit” comes in their name.

After the Civil War, these crossed Bulldogs came to America and became known as the American Pit Bull Terrier. They became farm dogs and long gone were their days of fighting in blood sports.

To this day there are some people who believe that the Pitbull is an aggressive dog.

That is a very common misconception with this breed. They are one of the most affectionate and loyal dogs, and they have always been.

This is true for the Pitsky too. They are practically inseparable from their humans.

Suitability For Families

Pitsky dogs inherit from the Pitbull the same love and affection they have for their people.

Gaining its need to have fun, be goofy and going out to explore the world from both of its parents, they are sure to make each day interesting. Life will be an adventure all of the time.

Like the Pitbull, they are great with kids, but because they are so energy-driven, they can be a bit overwhelming for toddlers.

They are great for family homes but make sure to always supervise them when playing.

These dogs really do need an active family because their Husky side is just begging them to go out and run.

Pitsky Appearance

There is no telling how a Pitsky will turn out, but it is guaranteed to be beautiful and unique.

Each puppy will be its own special version of a Pitbull and Husky.

Part of what makes crossbreed dogs so special is that no dog will look exactly the same. That is because the puppy’s appearance will depend on the genes it inherits from each of its parents and how strongly these genes express themselves.

There are general trends that are recognizable in each Pitsky dog.

If they lean more towards their Husky parent, then they will be a wolf-like dog with a thin muzzle and pointed ears. They may also have a thick, fluffy double coat.

On the other hand, if they look more like a Pitbull, they will have a large blocky head, a wide muzzle, floppy ears, and a bulkier body. They would also have short hair too.

As the offspring of the Pitbull, the Pitsky will have all of the same colors that are found within the Pitbull. According to the United Kennel Club, any color, pattern or combinations are acceptable for the American Pit Bull Terrier, except for merle or all white.

However, the Pitsky also has the Husky for a parent, so their coat color palette can also include white and black patterns. This means they can be any of the colors below:

• Blue
• Various Types Of Brindle
• Fawn
• Tan
• Buckskin
• Brown
• Liver
• Red
• Red Sable
• Fawn Sable
• Seal Brown
• White And Brown
• Black And White
• Gray And White
• White

It is not uncommon to see a white Pitsky with blue eyes that they can inherit from a white Husky.

What Age Does A Pitsky Stop Growing?

It is hard to predict how much a Pitsky will grow since its true size will depend on whether they are more like a Pitbull or more like a Husky.

Both Pitbull and Husky dogs are considered medium to large-sized breeds, but their weight ranges are different. How much this mix grows will depend on how much contribution it gets from its Pitbull or Husky parent.

A Pitsky can weigh anywhere between 30 to 80 pounds.

The average height is around 16 to 22 inches. Females tend to be smaller than males. They will likely reach full size around 15-18 months, by 12 months they should have done most of their growth.

How Much Is A Pitsky?

The Pitsky is a designer dog so they will have a wide price range.

This range tends to be between $500 and $2,500.

Remember, this is a special breed made specifically for the people that want them. They are very unique looking and desirable dogs, so it is not a surprise that breeders charge more for them.

What you end up paying for your Pitsky will really depend on the breeder you purchase it from and its heritage. Dogs that come from reputable breeders and are born from parents that come from sporting or show bloodlines tend to cost more. However, if they come from a shelter they are usually on the cheaper side.

Pitskies are usually cheaper than Huskies, but cost more than Pitbulls. Since Pitbulls have a controversial past, breeders do not tend to charge excessively for them.

Fun Facts

1. No Pitsky is alike. They can greatly vary in size and appearance depending on the genes they inherit from their parents. Even puppies from the same litter will all not look exactly alike. There is no telling how a puppy will turn out before it is born. It could have long or short fur, or brown or blue eyes. It might look more like a wolf or have a broad face and wide muzzle.
2. They know how to escape. These dogs are masters of escaping from places they do not want to be in. If you have a fence that is not too high, they can jump over it. If it is too high for them to jump over, they will try digging under it. Be ready to find yourself with a puppy in the kitchen when you left him in the pen five minutes ago!
3. Pitsky dogs do not bark, they howl. When Huskies are bored or feel alone, they “call out to their pack” by howling. This is a trait they get from their wolf ancestors. Wolves are natural pack animals, and they feel safest when they are with others of their kind. A Pitsky will howl the exact same way.
4. They are healthy dogs, so you can expect to have your beautiful loyal companion for between 12 to 15 years. However, some do inherit health and hip problems from their parents. Hyperthyroidism and allergies are common in both parents. Hip Dysplasia is a hereditary diseases common in Huskies.
5. Depending on whether your Pitsky inherits its coat from the Pitbull or Husky, you might find yourself grooming your puppy from once a week to almost every day. Short hair dogs do not need a lot of grooming. Long hair dogs will need brushing frequently to remove the dead hairs and keep it healthy and neat.
6. The Pitsky and other pets do not always get along. Pitbulls in general do not get along with other animals and Huskies have a very high-prey drive. You should expect your dog to not be too tolerant of other pets. Early and consistent socialization can help, but it will be better if they are the only pet in the household.
7. A high energy dog needs a high energy diet. Since a Pitsky’s weight ranges between 30 and 80 pounds, how much you will have to feed will depend on how much it grows. When fully grown, they should eat between 2.5 and 3 cups each day. This will ensure that they get all the calories and nutrients they need for proper growth.

Training

Training will help to give your dog its daily dose of mental stimulation and make them perfectly obedient in the home. You do not want a dog howling and annoying the neighbors while you are away, or to find the house a mess when you return.

Both the Husky and Pitbull are intelligent breeds so there is no doubt that the Pitsky are a smarty pants.

But, there is something you should know before training this breed.

They can be a challenge to train!

This breed is very smart and can learn commands easily, but, they are also very stubborn. Sometimes they might just not listen to you. For this reason they are not the best dogs for first time owners.

If you want to train a Pitsky then you must be patient, consistent and firm. Having prior training experience will help you succeed.

They need short but engaging training sessions.

Their energy levels mean that repetition will easily become boring to them. Each session should be like a game to them.

These dogs respond extremely well to positive reinforcement. When they do something right, give them a treat. When they make a mistake, teach them how to do it right. Only reward them and show emotions of happiness.

Socialization should also be an important part of training a Pitsky.

Start introducing them to other puppies, new environments, and possibly scary situations (think a loud vacuum) from a young age.

For a Pitsky it is especially important to desensitize it from other animals like cats or squirrels. You do not want it chasing small animals all the time when it grows up. The Husky is infamous for its bad recall, so you will have trouble getting your dog coming back to you. They can frustrate some people with their terrible recall skills.

Summary

The Pitsky was first bred by mating the American Pit Bull Terrier and Siberian Husky.

While the Pitsky is not for everyone, it will bring joy to any family who is the right match for it. It is a friendly and energetic dog that is great for active families and people who love spending time with their dog.

They are people-oriented dogs and get along with anyone no matter their age. They love people so much that your constant company is a must for them.

They make excellent family pets because of this.

Some families might find their energy and neediness a bit overwhelming. First time owners may find their stubbornness makes training a problem.

But, for the right person, they can be just the kind of loyal, goofy, loving and playful dog they need. If you do bring a Pitsky home, it will surely be catching people’s eye on its daily walks.

Is this breed the perfect dog to mix into your family? Let us know in the comments below!