The Pitbull Husky mix, otherwise known as the Pitsky, is a medium-sized mixed-breed dog, created by breeding the American Pit Bull Terrier and Siberian Husky. Two breeds that are renowned for their athletic nature, loyalty and affection for their family units. The Pitsky is a high-activity level dog with a need for plenty of space and regular exercise.
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If you’ve been looking for an athletic, active companion that combines the best of both parent breeds, then the Pitbull Husky might be the mix for you! Read on to learn more as we cover the histories, temperaments, suitability and popularity of each parent breed.
Pitbull Husky Mix – At a Glance
| Weight: | 30–80 pounds |
| Height: | 16–25 inches |
| Lifespan: | 12–16 years |
| Coat Colors: | White, black, brown, grey, brindle, or a combination thereof. |
| Temperament: | Active, energetic, loyal, loving, affectionate. |
| Suitable for: | Active families, active single individuals. |
What Does a Pitbull Husky Mix Look Like?
Like most designer breeds, the Husky Pitbull will inherit its looks from each parent breed. It will likely inherit the physical features of the Siberian Husky, as well as possibly inheriting the double coat of the Husky. It may also suffer from heterochromia, an eye condition where each eye is a different color.
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It will likely inherit the muscular, stocky build of the Pitbull, with a broader chest, and it will have a long and lean body and the legs of the Pitbull. When it comes to coat colors, you can expect your Husky Pitbull mix to have a combination of white, grey, black, and brown or brindle colorations. It may also have a broad head, like the Pitbull Terrier.
The History of the Pitbull Husky Mix
Unfortunately, not much is known about the history of the Pitbull Husky mix, though it was likely developed in the 1990s or early 2000s.
However, we have plenty of history from each parent breeds to give us a glimpse into how the Husky Pitbull mix came to be.
The History of the Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky was developed by the Chukchi Peoples of the Chukchi Peninsula in Eastern Siberia. Developed as a working dog to haul sleds and people across the frozen Russian tundra, the Siberian Husky’s thick double coat helped it survive in some of the world’s coldest temperatures.
Renowned for it’s endurance, the Siberian Husky was brought to Nome, Alaska in 1908 to assist gold mining companies with ferrying equipment and supplies between mines. Closely related to the Alaskan Husky, the Samoyed and Mackenzie River Huskies, the Siberian Husky became very popular throughout the United States, following the end of the Gold Rush.
In 1930, the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club, despite Siberia halting exports of the dogs. The Siberian Husky was also used by the United States Army’s SAR unit during the Second World War.
Today, Huskies are still used as a sled dog in Alaska and in Canada, along with being family pets.
How Popular Are Huskies?
The Siberian Husky’s popularity hasn’t waned in over a century since its arrival in the United States. In 2021, the Siberian Husky was the 19th most popular dog in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club.
Who Are Huskies a Good Dog For?
Siberian Huskies aren’t for everyone, given their size, strength, and exercise requirements. They’re best suited for a large property with a house & yard. They love to be outdoors, so keeping them cooped up in an apartment isn’t ideal either.
Huskies are very athletic dogs with a great need for physical activity. Ensure you can provide this to them, if you’re looking to become a Husky parent.
How Did Huskies Come About?
The Siberian Husky was first bred by the Chukchi Peoples of the Chukchi Peninsula in Siberia. Renowned for their strength and endurance, their thick double and smooth coats helped to keep them warm in the freezing temperatures of the frozen tundra.
They were bred as sled dogs for transporting goods and people across the desolate arctic climate.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Husky?
The Siberian Husky was crossbred with other Native Alaskan dogs upon arrival in Nome, Alaska to create the Alaskan Husky. Other popular Siberian Husky crosses happened during the late 1990s and early 2000s, these include:
- Corgi Husky Mix (Corgsky)
- Husky American Bulldog Mix (Husky Bulldog)
- Husky Beagle Mix (Beaski)
- Dachshund Husky Mix (Dachsky)
- Great Pyrenees Husky Mix (Pyrenean Husky)
The History of the Pitbull
The Pitbull Terrier, or the American Pit Bull Terrier, was originally bred in England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries to participate in the blood sports of ‘bull-baiting’ and dog fighting. These were popular public pastimes in England during that time and the Pitbull Terrier was a favorite participant.
Bull baiting involves letting a Pitbull Terrier, or other types of Terrier, loose in an enclosure with an angry bull cow. The ‘game’ was over when the Pitbull was gored to death or the bull collapsed from exhaustion. In 1835, the Cruelty to Animals Act passed the British Parliament, banning bull-baiting and other blood sports.
Unfortunately for the Pit Bull, this meant that they were almost immediately unpopular, as many owners no longer had a use for them. This resulted in the Pit Bull Terrier being transported to the United States sometime between 1845 and 1860.
Whilst in the New World, Pit Bull Terriers gained a newfound popularity, sometimes still for dog fighting, but also as war dogs during the First World War and as police dogs in the first half of the 20th century.
In 1934, the United Kennel Club recognized the Pitbull Terrier as a breed – something the American Kennel Club neglected to do at the time, and still has yet to do – they renamed the breed the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Under it’s new name, the APBT became more popular among the public. Unfortunately, despite attempts to use the dog as a marketing logo for patriotism during and after the Second World War, the Pitbull Terrier grew a negative reputation for aggression and violence.
This has followed the American Pit Bull Terrier over the decades and has led to the dog being outlawed in a variety of American cities and many Western countries, and Canadian provinces.
How Popular Are Pitbulls?
Despite their illegality in many cities across America, Pit Bulls remain deeply popular dogs in areas where their ownership is legal. While the American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize the breed (and therefore doesn’t collect population statistics), other sources indicate that the Pit Bull accounts for around 20% of America’s ‘strong’ dog population.
Who Are Pitbulls a Good Dog For?
Pitbulls certainly aren’t a dog for everyone. Their size and strength prohibit them from being owned by the elderly and their tendency to suffer from separation anxiety which leads to destructive behaviors precludes them from apartment life.
They are far better off in a family home. Despite their aggressive history, they are known to be very loving and loyal family pets. They’re affectionate towards those they know and a healthy suspicion of strangers – although they warm up to them pretty quickly!
How Did Pitbulls Come About?
Pitbulls were first bred in the United Kingdom in the late 18th and early 19th centuries from the Olde English Bulldog and the Old English Terrier. The goal being to create a muscular breed capable of participating in various blood sports, such as dog fighting and ‘bull-baiting.’
When Did First Cross-Breed The Pitbull?
To circumvent the legal status of Pitbull Terriers in many cities in the United States, some breeders in the modern era have turned to develop Pitbull Terrier mixes. Likely beginning in the late 1990s or early 2000s, several popular Pitbull Terrier crosses include:
- Pitbull Beagle Mix (Beaglebull)
- Pitbull Catahoula Mix (Pitahoula)
- Pomeranian Pitbull Mix (Pom Pit)
- Greyhound Pitbull Mix (Grey Pit)
- Pitbull Yorkie Mix (Yorkie Pit)
How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?
One of the most important aspects of dog ownership is to find a compatible pup for your family. Experienced pet owners know this already: temperamental matches between your family and the new pet are critical.
You want to ensure that your new dog will be able to fit as seamlessly as possible into your family unit, without causing too much disruption, or resulting in you having to spend a whole pile of money and time in training your new pup.
Similarly, you want to make sure that the environment in which you’re putting your new dog into it the right one for it. A Siberian Husky does much better outside than inside – so you won’t want to own a Husky if you live in an apartment building. They also have a high need for physical activity. A Husky is a great dog for an outdoorsy, active family.
Likewise, if you’re a more stay-at-home family, a calmer, more relaxed, less-energetic dog would be perfect!
What is the Temperament of the Pitbull Husky Mix?
The Husky Pitbull mix adopts the playful, energetic and, active temperament that’s common among both parent breeds – such is the way with designer dogs. It may be slightly more stubborn, thanks to its Pit Bull genetics. Your Husky Pitbull may suffer from separation anxiety, as is common among Pit Bulls.
Your Husky Pitbull will likely need some socialization training, as Pit Bulls are commonly known for their suspicion and apprehension around other dogs. Both parent breeds will need exercise on a daily basis and will be happiest when off-leash at a dog park!
Is The Pitbull Husky Mix Friendly?
You can expect your Husky Pitbull to be a friendly animal with almost everyone! Husky Pitbulls are well-known and well-liked for their affectionate nature.
Is The Pitbull Husky Mix Easy to Train?
Yes! You can generally expect your Husky Pit Bull to be easy to train. Huskies – whether the Alaskan Husky or the Siberian Husky – are used to following commands, and this will override sometimes stubborn Pit Bulls.
When training your Pitbull Husky, be sure to use positive reinforcement, rather than admonishment. Reward-based training is also a very successful training method for hyperactive dogs – like positive reinforcement – it encourages focus and concentration.
How Much Can A Pitbull Husky Mix Weigh?
The average weight of a Husky Pit is 30 and 80 pounds.
How Tall Can A Pitbull Husky Mix Get?
The average height of a Pitsky is 16 to 25 inches tall.
Similar-Sized Breeds
There are a few similar-sized breeds to the Husky Pitbull mix. These include:
- Afghan Hound
- Basset Hound
- Belgian Malinois
- German Shepherd
- Boxer
Does the Pitbull Husky Mix Shed?
This depends on whether your Husky Pitbull inherits the double coat of the Siberian Husky, or the single coat of the American Pit Bull Terrier. If they inherit the double coat, expect a moderate amount of shedding. If they only inherit the single coat, you can expect your Husky Pitbull to shed lightly.
In both cases, your Husky Pitbull will shed year-round. Shedding can be mitigated with weekly brushing and regular grooming. Grooming also helps mitigate hair loss thanks to conditions such as Follicular Dysplasia.
How Much Exercise Does A Pitbull Husky Mix Require?
As both Huskies and Pit Bulls are known for their high energy levels, you can expect your Husky Pitbull mix to need lots of exercise. We recommend about 45 minutes to an hour of physical activity per day. As well as encourage a healthy lifestyle, getting plenty of exercise can help alleviate any symptoms of aggressive behavior that you note in your Husky Pitbull mix.
Alongside physical activity, mental stimulation is equally as important! Encourage your Husky Pit to think with games like fetch. If you’re going to leave your Husky Pitbull alone for a period of time, buy a KONG or something similar to allow them to keep themselves occupied.
Proper training should include both physical and mental stimulation. Your Husky Pitbull is an intelligent breed – engage their brains during consistent training with these mix puppies.
How Long Can a Pitbull Husky Mix Live?
The average lifespan of a Pitbull Husky mix is between 12 and 16 years.
What Health Conditions Could the Pitbull Husky Mix Have?
- Hip Dysplasia (Hip joint inflammation)
- Elbow Dysplasia (Elbow joint inflammation)
- Follicular Dysplasia (Abnormal development or abnormal loss of hair)
- Ear Infections
- Hypothyroidism (Metabolic hyperactivity)
How Can You Find a Pitbull Husky Mix Puppy For Sale?
Before you start searching for a Pitbull Husky mix puppy for sale, consider searching for one to adopt first! Many dogs, including mixed-breed pups, find themselves stuck in animal shelters or vet clinics waiting to be adopted. Check with your local vet or animal shelter to see if anyone has dropped off a Pitbull Husky mix!
If you strike out in person, try searching online at AdoptAPet.com, to find a mixed-breed pup near you.
How Much Does a Pitbull Husky Mix Puppy Cost?
The average cost of a Pitbull Husky mix puppy is between $500 and $2000! Making them a very expensive cross breed to buy. If you’re choosing to go down the route of purchasing a Pitsky, though, we highly recommend that you read our guide to finding and working with a reputable breeder.
Is the Pitbull Husky Mix the Right Breed For You?
Are you an active owner looking for an active hound? The Pitbull Husky might be the active hound you’ve been searching for! Combining the Pitbull’s energy with the Siberian Husky’s endurance, you likely won’t know which way is up with the activity levels of this mixed breed.
Alongside boundless energy, the Pitbull Husky will also exhibit protective behavior, making it a perfect fit for a growing family unit. In need of daily activity and encouraged mental development, the Pitbull Husky may find it’s new home with you!
However, if you’re certain that the Pitbull Husky isn’t the right mix for your family, that’s OK! We’ve created dozens of other breed guides, to help you figure out which mixed breed pup is right for you.