When it comes to the husky vs rottweiler, there are a lot more differences than similarities between the two. Huskies are very wolf-like and require a whole lot of exercise; they can also be very stubborn at times, but they are amazingly loyal and fun to be around.
Rottweilers are much larger in size and have a strong guarding instinct. They are gentle giants with their families and make great companions when properly socialized.
In this article, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between the husky and rottweiler to understand better how these two popular breeds compare.
Let’s get straight into it.
Contents
Appearance
Before we look at all the less obvious differences between the husky vs rottweiler, let’s get the main one out of the way.
Huskies and rottweilers clearly look very different.
Huskies have a wolf-life appearance, with pointed ears, fluffy thick coats in various colors, and curly, bushy tails.
They have slender builds that help them pull sleds for miles at a time and have friendly expressions.
Rottweilers have much more square-shaped heads, with muscular physiques, broad shoulders, and a short single coat that is usually black and rust, black and mahogany, or black and tan.
Other Differences
Now that the main difference is out of the way let’s dive into all the other differences between these two popular breeds.
Size
Rottweilers have a pretty big size advantage over huskies, both weighing considerably more and also being taller in height:
- Huskies reach 20 to 23.5 inches in height and between 35 and 60 lbs in weight as per the breed standard.
- Rottweilers are much larger, reaching 22 to 27 inches in height and 80 to 135 lbs in weight.
As well as the clear advantages in height and weight, rottweilers are also built with much more muscle, broader shoulders, and a larger head and jaw, which adds to their intimidation factor.
Guarding Instinct
Rottweilers have a strong guarding instinct and can be very protective of their families and children. Rottweilers have been used as guard dogs for many years and are still used for this purpose in many places today.
Huskies are the complete opposite and have little to no guarding instinct. They are not afraid or curious of strangers and are likelier to make friends with them than anything else.
Life Expectancy
Rottweilers have a shorter life expectancy than huskies, living 9 to 10 years on average, while huskies live 12 to 15 years.
This is pretty common to see, as larger dogs typically have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds.
Exercise Requirements
Huskies and rottweilers are both demanding in terms of exercise, but huskies come out on top in this category.
This should come as no surprise, given the background of the husky as a sled dog capable of pulling light loads for hundreds of miles.
In terms of daily life, huskies need at least 2 hours of intense exercise daily, while rottweilers need 1 hour to 90 minutes each day.
Trainability
Rottweilers are significantly easier to train than huskies.
This is mainly because rottweilers are eager to please their owners, whereas huskies have the stubborn trait seen amongst many Spitz-type dogs where they have little drive to please their owners.
If you enjoy obedience training and want a dog that can pick up tricks easily and repeat them with good success, rottweilers are the better option.
Coat Color & Type
Rottweilers have short coats, usually black and rust, black and mahogany, or black and tan, as per the AKC standard. There are other variations, like all red and blue, but that is as much variation as you will see.
On the other hand, huskies have medium to long thick double coats that come in a wide range of color combinations from classic black and white to red and white, all white, and even agouti coloring.
Grooming Schedule
The longer double coat of the husky requires much more maintenance.
Daily grooming sessions and more intense grooming sessions are necessary a few times per week to keep their coat in good condition.
You may even need to groom their coat more than once daily when they are blowing coat, which is when they transition from their winter coat to their summer coat and ‘blow’ out their undercoat in the process.
Aside from that, huskies shed pretty much year-round, and this will need to be cleaned up at regular intervals (see our vacuum recommendations here).
Similarities
There’s no denying that huskies and rottweilers share many more differences than similarities, but there are still a few similarities worth mentioning.
Let’s take a look at them.
Intelligence
Although huskies don’t learn new tricks quickly, they are still very intelligent dogs. This can often confuse people, and many assume that since huskies don’t perform great on standard dog intelligence tests, they are not a smart breed.
The truth is that huskies are intelligent but independent. They are not interested in pleasing their owners, so they don’t like to listen during obedience training, which can make them appear aloof and silly when this is not the case.
Rottweilers are also very intelligent and have a strong drive to please, so they can use their intelligence through training to pick up new tricks and commands quickly.
History Of Work
Although huskies and rottweilers have different working backgrounds – one as a sled dog and the other as a herder and protector – they are still both working breeds and classed under the working category.
This explains why they are both quite intelligent breeds with a higher-than-average demand for exercise and mental stimulation. Both breeds’ working lines will be considerably more work than ‘normal’ lines.
Great Family Dogs
Huskies and rottweilers are both great options for families.
Huskies have a strong pack mentality and are great with children and other members of the family.
Rottweilers are also great with families and are gentle giants with younger children. They will develop a natural protective instinct for the family very quickly as well and love to be around people.
Early Socialization
Due to their high energy level, intelligence, and physical size (more so the rottweiler for this one specifically), it’s essential for both huskies and rottweilers to be appropriately socialized from a young age.
From a young age, they should spend plenty of time around other people and dogs (outside of the family). This has several benefits, mainly teaching them how to behave around other people and dogs and avoid conflicts.
It also reduces their fear or anxiety, which can sometimes manifest in aggression, which we want to avoid at all costs.
Separation Anxiety
One of the more negative similarities between huskies and rottweilers is that they can be prone to separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety is a condition that can result in destructive behaviors like excessive chewing, howling, or scratching when a dog is left alone for periods of time.
Huskies and rottweilers can often show this type of behavior, so it’s important to start from a young age, getting them used to spending time alone.
You can also use puzzle toys and other things to keep them distracted while you are away, and the good news is that if you put some effort towards the problem, it can be dealt with relatively quickly.
Which Breed Is Right For You?
When choosing between the husky and rottweiler, it’s important to think about what traits you value personally and how each dog would fit into your lifestyle.
Huskies are much more work in exercise and grooming, and they can be more challenging to get along with in terms of training and their stubborn personality. Their quirky behavior is definitely something that makes people either love or hate them!
Rottweilers are less work overall but are much larger and have a strong protective instinct, making them great guard dogs. Rottweilers still require a lot of exercise, but they are easier to train.
Each breed has its own pros and cons, and at the end of the day, it depends entirely on your situation.
Want to read more husky breed comparisons? Check out some of our other recent husky comparisons below:
