If you haven’t already guessed, this mixed-breed dog is a cross between a Siberian Husky or Alaskan Husky and an American Pitbull Terrier.
People who love either of these strong breeds will be getting the best of both worlds when adopting a Pitsky.
Proving that they inherited only the best qualities from both their parent breeds, these friendly pups are full of energy and loyal to the core.
Finding a Pitsky puppy may prove to be a difficult task, because of them being a mixed breed they are not as common and therefore harder to come by than a purebred dog. Keep in mind prices will vary depending on where you purchase your puppy, prices range from $200 to $2000.
You will need to be equipped with all the right supplies when getting your new pup. A bed, dog food, bowls, toys, and grooming tools are some of the basic items you will need to purchase to ensure your new Pitsky puppy enjoys their new home. Let’s not forget to also consider the costs of pet insurance and training for your Pitbull, Husky mix.
Another thing to consider is that puppies need to receive various injections against distemper, parvovirus, canine hepatitis, parainfluenza virus, and rabies as well as a deworming within their first year. With all these costs combined and including the cost of sterilization, you can expect to spend around $4000 on your new pup in the initial year.
Costs of raising your pup will begin to decline after the first year as your Pitsky will have all the supplies (except for toys that may have to be replaced) they need and have had their initial vaccinations, thereafter they will only need general medical checkups and annual vaccination updates.
Annual costs after the first year will generally be for food, replacing some toys, grooming, medical procedures (excluding any emergency procedures), and pet insurance, costing you around $2500.
The Pitbull, Husky mixes have an average lifespan of 12 -16 years. Therefore the lifetime cost of owning a Pitsky can range from $39000 and up.
All about Pitskys
Pitskys are good family dogs and do well as the only pet in the household as they don’t usually get along with other pets though if socialized from an early age and properly trained this shouldn’t be a problem.
Pitskys are active dogs that are full of energy and will keep you quite busy, so be prepared to go for walks and play ball for hours on end! Having a large garden is a must, as is a high fence, they can put Houdini to shame with their escape skills.
Breed and genetics
As mentioned above these gorgeous dogs are a mix of an American Pitbull Terrier and a Siberian Husky meaning that they have a variety of traits and genetics in them.
You can be guaranteed you will have a one-of-a-kind dog appearance-wise as no two Pitskys are the same.
Breeders intentionally began mixing these two dog breeds in the 1990s as they wanted to minimize the inherent health issues found in both parent breeds and therewith creating this designer dog breed.
Appearance
This Pitbull, Husky mix has quite a unique and nonetheless stunning appearance. Though each Pitsky puppy will have their unique look, some Pitskys will inherit beautiful ocean blue eyes from their Siberian Husky genetics and others may be blessed with hazel eyes.
It is very hard to predict what Pitsky puppies will look like as adult dogs due to the parent breeds being so vastly different in appearance.
They vary in color and though they typically come in black, brown, white, grey, brindle and can be in every combination and variation of these colors.
Pitskys can have either the long Husky coat or short Pitbull coat, which are considered a good choice for those with allergies as they shed less than other dogs. Their ears also vary and can be soft floppy ears or erect ears. One thing is certain, this mixed breed is bound to capture your heart.
Size wise a Pitsky will generally reach the same size as a full-grown dog, between 19 and 21 inches (from the foot to the shoulder) though some can be slightly bigger. Weight wise they can vary greatly ranging anywhere from 35 pounds to 70 pounds.
Health problems
Being a mixed breed Pitsky puppies have health advantages that purebreds don’t have, unfortunately, they are still predisposed to some of the health conditions that affect the Siberian Husky and the American Pitbull Terrier.
Regular Veterinary checkups are a good idea when owning a Pitsky as well as a good diet and lots of exercise to keep your pup in good health.
As most of the problems affecting Pitskys are genetic, it’s a good idea to get a history of the parent’s health before adopting Pitbull, Husky mix puppies, therefore if there is a chance of your puppy inheriting a health issue you can take some preventative measures.
Some of the health issues affecting Piskys are:
Hyperthyroidism
This is when the thyroid gland produces an excess amount of thyroxine which adversely affects a dog’s metabolism. Symptoms are much the same as humans with hyperthyroidism, namely; increased weight loss despite an increased appetite, and irregular breathing such as wheezing or shortness of breath.
If you notice any of these symptoms take your dog to a vet as soon as possible they will most likely treat your Pitsky with thyroid hormone supplements
Hip dysplasia
Huskies are more prone to suffer from hip dysplasia though, Pitbulls have also been known to suffer from this problem. Hip dysplasia is when an abnormal development occurs in the hips, leading to chronic pain and even loss of mobility.
Allergies
Normally allergies Pitskys faces aren’t serious though if left untreated can lead your dog to become stressed and uncomfortable. Both the parent breeds of the Pitsky are susceptible to allergies so keep a close eye out for excessive licking or scratching.
Factors affecting Pitsky Puppy Price
Many factors can affect the price of your Pitsky puppy, the first of which is the puppy’s pedigree. Some more reputable breeders may charge more for their puppies than others which we will discuss below. The area you live in can also be another contributing factor to the cost.
Breeder
Some reputable breeders will charge more for their puppies because of the pedigree of the dog. They normally also go to great lengths to care for their puppies by having them medically screened by a vet for any health issues as well as having their first vaccinations done.
If you are looking at purchasing a puppy it is advisable to get one from a reputable breeder to ensure you are getting a well-bred and cared-for, healthy pup.
Age
As one knows purchasing a puppy is more expensive than if you were to adopt an adult dog from a shelter, a few reasons for this is that if you purchase a puppy you can train it to adapt to your rules and ways of living, which is normally more difficult to do with an adult dog though it can be done.
Another reason is that when you purchase a puppy you know the bloodline and can get medical records of the parents of your puppy whereas, if you are adopting a dog it is much harder to know if they are purebred and what health issues they may be at risk of. As nice as it is to get a cute little puppy, one should always consider adoption to help a dog find its forever home!
Coat colors
Due to the great difference in the appearance of the Siberian/ Alaskan Husky and American Pitbull Terrier parent breeds, Pitskys have endless combinations and variations of colors they can inherit. The main coat colors found in Pitskys are black, brown, white, grey, and brindle.
Associated medical costs
Some breeders will have their puppies receive their first round of vaccinations before they are sold. As said above some breeders will also have the puppies go for medical screening to see if they have any medical conditions they may also be chipped, and all of this, in turn, adds to the cost of the puppy.
Lifetime costs of a Pitsky
Feeding costs
Pitskys are medium to large dogs that will need a diet formulated for their size and energy levels.
Each dog is different and should be treated as an individual when deciding what their dietary needs are, the best thing to do would be to ask your veterinarian for guidance as they will be able to give you a clear idea of how much and what food your Pitsky will need to be fed from a puppy right through Adulthood and into being a senior dog.
Each Pitsky will differ as its size varies quite a bit. Huskies don’t require as much food as Pitbulls and therefore Pitskys feeding requirements will depend on their size, activity level, and their genetic predisposition.
On average they will eat 2,5 – 4 cups of medium size dog kibble a day divided into two meals (this is based on an average-sized 50lb Pitsky) costing you on average around $45 per month or $540 annually this is also dependent on the brand of kibble you purchase,( excluding, vitamins, supplements, and treats) wet feeding your Pitsky will also cost more than kibble.
Purina Pro Plan All Ages Sports Performance 30/20 is a high-quality dog food that is recommended to give your Pitsky a balanced diet.
Medical costs
Medical costs that you can incur after the first year of your puppy’s life will be for general checkups and procedures such as dental procedures and annual vaccinations.
A routine visit for a general check-up can cost between $50 – $250 the range being quite large as prices will differ depending on where you live and what treatment your pup receives during the checkup.
Pet insurance is always a good idea as it helps alleviate the risk of having a large unexpected vet bill that you can’t afford to pay for and therefore your fur baby wont be able to receive the treatment they need.
Pet insurance costs are normally a small monthly payment that is made to ensure your pets are covered, costing between $500 and $1000 per annum depending on the insurance company chosen.
Training costs
When it comes to trainability, the Husky breed is far more difficult to train than Pitbulls. Therefore depending on which parent’s genes are more present, will be the deciding factor as to how much training your Pitbull, Husky mix puppies will need.
Sending your Pitsky for obedience training will help them to develop good social skills, house manners, and control. If your dog doesn’t receive proper training it can have problems interacting with other pets and humans.
You can expect to pay between $30 – $80 per session. Private training will cost you more, due to them being one on one sessions and will cost between $45 – $120, usually, private sessions aren’t necessary, and group training sessions are preferred as your dog will have a chance at socializing with other dogs. If you choose to have your dog stay for boarding while they are in dog training can be $500 – $2000 per week.
Conclusion
To conclude, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200 – $2000 for a Pitsky puppy, around $4000 in the first year, and around $2500 per year thereafter. Leading to a lifetime average cost of $39000.
