Rottweilers and Huskies can each be handfuls by themselves, so if you have both a Rottweiler and a Husky, they’ll definitely be a handful together- which can be a whole lot of fun!
Rottweilers and Huskies each have a long history of being a good companion dog for man, although they were bred for very different purposes.
But do these dogs actually get along with each other?
Despite the historical differences in their breeds, Huskies and Rottweilers can learn to get along very well as long as they’re introduced carefully. They’re both big, confident, and outgoing dogs that are well matched for each other when it comes to playtime.
We’re going to take a closer look at each of these breeds, why they may get along, and when they might have problems. But first, let’s take a moment to appreciate these two goofballs playing:
Where Did These Dogs Come From?
The first thing to consider when figuring out if two breeds will get along well with each other is whether or not they have a shared history or job. For example, breeds that are both bred to retrieve or herd will likely get along well with each other.
But Rottweilers and Huskies don’t have much of a shared history.
Rottweilers were initially bred by ancient Romans in order to be herding dogs. They were designed to protect their humans and to drive cattle. Sometimes, thanks to their size, Rottweilers were even used to pull small carts for transportation of goods. Now, in addition to being pets, Rottweilers work as search and rescue dogs, guard dogs, and police dogs.
Huskies, on the other hand, were originally bred in the northern regions of Asia. Although there are several different breeds of Huskies, most relate back to the grey wolf. In addition to being much-loved household pets, Huskies still work as sled dogs or adventure companions in more rural cold regions.
Even though you might not think of Rotties as cold weather dogs, they can actually trace part of this history back to some of the colder regions of Germany and can do really well in the snow.
But that’s where the similarities end in terms of history so let’s dive deeper into some other reasons why these dogs might get along.
Why Do Rottweilers and Huskies Get Along Well?
Both Dogs Are Very Energetic
Rottweilers and Huskies have plenty of energy, so they will make good playmates! While some Rotties can have a reputation for being couch potatoes, they’re anything but lazy and both Rottweilers and Huskies need a significant amount of exercise each day. They’ll be able to burn off some of that excess energy by playing with each other. They’ll keep each other entertained and busy while you’re away as well which can help both dogs do better alone.
Both dogs are very athletic and tend to play roughly as well, involving lots of jumping, wrestling, and mouth play. Although not all dogs would handle this type of play well, both Huskies and Rottweilers enjoy rough play like this, and they have enough energy to go at it all day.
They are very well-matched in the world of play.
They’re A Similar Size
Although there is a fairly significant weight difference between these two breeds, the size is close enough to be comparable. Since these are both fairly large dogs, they will be fairly evenly matched when it comes to playing. Huskies especially are prey-driven dogs, so they have the instinct to chase or grab smaller animals, even smaller dogs. They won’t have this instinct with the larger Rottweiler.
They’re also both sturdy enough that they’re not likely to injure the other during routine play.
Both Rottweilers and Huskies Are Pack Dogs
All dogs have the instinct to be pack animals and these breeds are no different. But what really helps these two get along is that Huskies are especially driven to form a pack. This can make them even more eager to form a bond with their big, burly Rottiweiler companions.
They’re Both Incredibly Smart
Both Rottweilers and Huskies are very intelligent dogs. When it comes to ranking canine intelligence, Stanley Coren is the premier expert. He’s ranked just about every dog breed in terms of intelligence and obedience. It should be no surprise that the smart Rottie ranks 9th on the list of 178 breeds.
But the Siberian Husky is way down in position number 77, which is roughly in the middle of the road or average intelligence.
That’s because Coren’s tests are focused on trainability and following commands. So not only is he considering how smart a dog is but also how willing they are to listen. If you’ve ever spent any amount of time with a Husky then you already know that they aren’t always eager to follow commands even if they completely understand what you’re saying.
So don’t be fooled by the Husky rankings in terms of intelligence as these dogs are more than a mental match for the Rottie!
Why Might Rottweilers and Huskies Not Get Along?
They’re Both Stubborn.
Although not all Huskies and Rottweilers are stubborn, this is definitely a common trait of both breeds- especially Huskies which are almost legendary for stubbornness.
This doesn’t mean they won’t necessarily get along but this characteristic could definitely make your life as an owner more difficult, especially when it comes to obedience training. If one dog is particularly stubborn or frequently misbehaves, the other dog could feed off of this behavior, leading to more behavior problems from both dogs.
It could also cause problems during playtime if one dog just isn’t willing to read the cues of another. If your Rottie is saying that playtime is over but your stubborn Husky isn’t having it then trouble could start.
Both Dogs Have Strong Personalities.
Both Rottweilers and Huskies have strong personalities, and they need structure in order to thrive in their environment. Because both dogs have a tendency to want to be a “top dog” of the house, these personalities could clash, especially if they feel like they have to compete for food, toys, territory, or attention.
How Do I Introduce My Rottweiler to a Husky?
A good introduction is the key to promoting a healthy relationship between a Rottweiler and a Husky. Here are a few tips about how to do that:
Keep Them On a Leash
The first rule of any new dog introduction is to keep both dogs on a leash. Each dog will need to be held by a separate person. The leash rule allows both humans to keep control over their dogs as they greet the other dog for the first time.
Choose a short leash for this introduction, which will allow for more control by the owners. Allow the dogs to see each other from a distance and then to approach each other slowly. Instead of allowing the dogs to greet each other immediately, walk the dogs calmly past each other several times so they understand that the other dog is not a threat. Then you can allow them to approach each other.
Allow for Smelling
Dogs communicate best through their sense of smell. After the dogs have become comfortable walking past each other, let the pups take turns smelling each other. Allowing your Rottweiler and Husky to smell each other to their hearts’ content helps them to understand each other and to become accustomed to each other slowly.
Progress Slowly in a Neutral Setting
Make sure the introduction doesn’t happen in either pup’s home or other territories that could be considered home turf. Instead, make sure that the dogs meet in a neutral area like a new park or on a new walking route.
Allow Them to Play
Even after the dogs have been carefully introduced to each other, there’s still a chance for aggressive behavior even days later as the dogs continue to get used to each other through free play. As owners, be on the lookout for any signs of aggression, such as growling, nipping, or holding the tail or ears erect.
Play will most likely go more smoothly if you as the owner are involved as well. Make sure you take turns playing with first the Rottweiler and then the Husky, so neither get jealous. If you play with them, you also will be more likely to wear them out. Tired puppies are much less likely to be aggressive!
Why Don’t My Rottweiler and Husky Get Along?
They Weren’t Properly Introduced.
Just like with humans, first impressions matter. As we discussed earlier, the first few introductions between Rottweilers and Huskies are incredibly important when it comes to building a positive relationship.
If your Rottweiler and Husky weren’t introduced properly and aren’t getting along now because of it, the best thing you can do is give them some space from each other. They could probably use the break, and after that, you can let them get reacquainted properly.
One or Both Dogs Need More Training
If one or both dogs don’t know manners around other dogs, you may need to work on additional socialization. Both Huskies and Rottie are high-energy, and they can both be territorial if they feel like the other dog is being overbearing.
The easiest fix for this is to get your dogs trained. If you’re confident and willing to do the research, you can always try training the dogs yourself. When in doubt, hire a trainer to help with this process.
If your Rottweiler and Husky don’t get along, you’ll be guaranteed to have problems down the road. Both dogs are strong, powerful, and highly motivated, so if the relationship starts off poorly, it most likely won’t be fixed without some help. Figure out what the cause of the relationship strain is, and then tackle it before it gets out of hand.
Conclusion
Rottweilers and Huskies can make great companion dogs for each other. Both are energetic, smart, and well-matched in size. However, before you choose to get both a Rottweiler and a Husky, make sure you prepare to introduce them well in order to get their relationship off on the best foot.
