Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
The Pitsky is a stunning mixture of two beloved breeds. With the endearing Pitbull nature and the Huskies’ beautiful features, this breed has begun to grow in popularity.
In this article, we’ll discuss the unique qualities of the Pitbull Husky Mix, and the things you should know when you make a Pitsky a part of your family.
History Of The Pitbull Husky Mix
There is not a set time in which the Pitsky was first created, but we can begin to understand the breed by taking a closer look at the history of the Husky and the Pitbull.
Husky
The Husky was first recorded as a working dog for the Chukchi people. The Chukchi were nomadic hunters, so the Huskies were used to help them pull their sleds.
Aside from their impressive work ethic was their ability to be family dogs. They were known to cuddle at night with the Chukchi children and keep them warm, along with participating in daily family life.
Pit Bull
Though the Pitbull has had a rocky past, they are known for their fierce loyalty and love of their family. Originally bred for blood sport, they have spent quite some time trying to make up for their aggressive roots.
Even though they do have a history in dogfighting and bull-baiting, their past has no impact on the type of family dog that they can be. When raised in a loving home, they can be an incredible member of the family.
Appearance Of The Pitbull Husky Mix
The Pitbull Husky Mix is known for their striking appearance to go along with their endearing personality.
Though their standard traits can vary since they are a mixture of two breeds, they typically weigh anywhere from 35-60 pounds and stand 19-24 inches tall.
Aside from their range in size is their range in color varieties as well. Pitbull Husky Mixes can be black, blue, brown, bronze, fawn, liver, sable, red, white, and brindle. Since both the Pitbull and Husky can be an assortment of colors, you never know what you will get in a Pitsky!
Their coat is a combination of the Pitbull and Husky, and is generally thick and possibly even fluffy in some cases. Since this is a mixed breed, puppies in the same litter can even have a range of different coat qualities.
The Pitsky’s general build will also range due to their mixed genetics. Some Pitbull Husky Mixes will have a more muscular build like the Pitbull, while others will have a more slender frame like the Husky. This breed truly varies in every quality, so it’s important to keep in mind just how much their appearance can vary.
Because of this, it’s best to not put a deposit down on an unborn puppy, as this breed’s appearance can vary so greatly.
Personality Of The Pitbull Husky Mix
The Pitbull Husky Mix is incredibly loyal. When you combine the Pitbull’s love of their family and the work ethic of a Husky, you get a breed that loves to stand by their owners and please.
Their loyalty is in fact so devoted that this breed does have the potential to cross into being overprotective. As long as early training is implemented, you can help your Pitsky learn the difference between being loyal and protective.
Aside from their loyal qualities is their love of play. The Pitbull Husky Mix is incredibly energetic and thrives in an environment in which they have a frequent play with their favorite people.
This breed also loves to spend time outdoors, so combining your play with outdoor activities is always a plus.
The Pitsky is known for getting attached to their owners, which can be an incredible quality when they are properly trained.
Training is often easy since they are so eager to please, and they will easily abide by you once that training has been implemented. You are essentially their “pack leader.”
Their loyalty and dependence on their owners do make it more challenging to own this breed if you spend a lot of time away from home. If you are someone who is not home often or takes frequent trips, a Pitsky may not be the breed for you.
They love nothing more than spending quality time with their owners, and they can suffer from separation anxiety when that need is not filled.
Potential For Aggression
Though a Pitbull can make an incredible family dog, their reputation does follow them around. Any Pitbull lover will attest to the breed’s potential to be aggressive when raised in an environment that does not serve them properly.
While the Pitbull Husky Mix has all the qualities to be an incredible member of the family, it’s important to be aware of this small chance of aggression.
Since there are genetic links to aggression in the Pitbull’s past, it’s important to socialize your Husky Pitbull Mix at a young age.
Dog aggression and aggression towards humans can be eliminated when they are exposed to these factors at a young age and are taught how to behave accordingly from the start of their time in your home.
Proper exercise also has a lot to do with eliminating any potential aggression. Pent up energy can result in unfavorable behavior, so it’s important to make sure that you are meeting their daily exercise needs.
These tips are true of any breed but are especially important surrounding the Pitbull’s stigma. Just like any other dog, as long as you meet their needs and provide them with a loving and fulfilling environment, they will thrive!
Overall Health Of The Pitbull Husky Mix
While the Pitsky can lead a generally healthy life of 12-15 years, they are prone to a few medical conditions. Some of these conditions include:
1. Hip Dysplasia In Pitbull Husky Mix
Hip dysplasia is a structural problem of the hip joint, and causes the grinding and wearing down of the joints over time.
Since this can be a genetic condition, the onset of these diseases will vary from dog to dog. Some signs of hip dysplasia include looseness of the joints, stiffness, pain, limited range of motion, limping, and slowing down with time.
It’s important to keep your Pitbull Husky mix at healthy body weight and talk to your vet about starting joint supplements in their adult years.
2. Skin Allergies In Pitbull Husky Mix
Pitbulls are known for their high chance of developing dry skin and skin allergies. It’s important to keep an eye out for dandruff, dry skin, lack-luster coat, skin irritation, or sores or hot spots on the body.
If you see any of these symptoms, it’s best to see your veterinarian for a plan of action.
3. Hypothyroidism In Pitbull Husky Mix
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland production is insufficient. Because of the lack of thyroid production dogs can gain weight, have an irregular heartbeat, have trouble regulating temperature, and experience skin and coat problems.
Diagnosing this condition is easy with a visit to your veterinarian and performing routine blood work.
4. Eye conditions In Pitbull Husky Mix
Since the Siberian Husky is prone to a number of eye conditions, the Pitbull Husky Mix is at risk as well. Some conditions to be aware of include cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and progressive retinal atrophy.
Training Your Pitsky
It’s recommended to start your training process from as early as 8 weeks, or from the moment of adoption. From the time they enter your home, they are building habits that they will take with them throughout their lives.
The sooner you start the training process, the sooner your Pitsky will fit into your family’s life.
Since the Pitbull is so loyal and the Husky loves to work, the Pitsky generally takes to training quite well.
As long as they are receiving structured and positive reinforcement style training from a confident “pack leader” then your training process should be a breeze.
Exercise And Your Pitbull Husky Mix
Huskies and Pitbulls are both incredibly active. When combined into one breed, you have an energetic pup that loves to play. Since this breed is so active it’s important to implement a minimum of 30 minutes of daily exercise.
The Pitsky loves to spend time outdoors, so by participating in fetch, walks, frisbee, or any other outdoor activities, you will have a happy pup!
Daily exercise is important for bonding as well as helping to eliminate potential behavioral problems. Pitsky is most prone to acting out when they have pent up energy, so daily exercise can help to eliminate any potential of unfavorable behavior.
Important Tips For Owning A Pitbull Husky Mix
The Pitbull Husky Mix would make an incredible family member in any active home. If you choose to adopt a Pitsky, here are a few important tips to keep in mind.
- The Pitbull Husky mix is an incredibly active breed, so it’s important to implement at least 30 minutes of daily exercise.
- This breed thrives on time spent with their family, so if you are away from home often, this may not be the breed for you.
- This breed is known for their loyalty to their owners, so socialization at an early age is important to help them know the difference between being loyal and being protective.
- Both the Husky and Pitbull are prone to hip dysplasia, so you should consider talking to your vet about joint supplements at an early age.
Pitsky: Pitbull Husky Mix – Summary
Overall, the Pitbull Husky Mix is an incredibly loyal companion and continues to prove just how amazing of addition they are to any active home.
If you are looking for an outgoing and adventurous dog to bring into your family, the Pitsky may be for you!
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