Rat Terrier And Husky Mix (RatSky) – Hybrid Dog Breed Info

One of my friends recently bought a Ratsky puppy, not a breed that I was familiar with, but it grasped my interest with its adorable look and outgoing personality. Rat-Sky AKA Husky-Rat is the hybrid result of a Rat Terrier and Husky mix.

You might have heard of hybrid dogs. Simply put, hybrid or mixed-breed dogs are the combinations of two distinct purebred dogs.

Mixed-breed dogs were developed with the purpose of creating dogs with unique looks and exceptional personalities. Today we will be talking about one such hybrid dog breed: Ratsky.

Ratsky is the hybrid version of Rat Terriers and Huskies mixed. Rat Terriers and Huskies are two popular purebred dogs with fascinating histories. If you are familiar with these two breeds, you might know that they have significant differences in their appearances as well as personalities. So you might wonder what their hybrid version would be like. In a nutshell, Ratskies are small to medium-sized dogs with lovable looks and friendly, fearless, and alert personalities. 

When we decide to raise a dog, we pay attention to plenty of things. Size of the dog, their maintenance, and behavioral traits, every little thing matters.

Considering all such factors, one might think it is more challenging to raise a hybrid dog than a purebred one.

Well, if we are to be realistic, it all scales down to how much you know about the dog and how you will take care of them.

This article will help you to get to know all the essentials regarding the Rat Terrier and Husky mix. Keep reading because this could be the perfect dog you have been looking for.

Fast Facts : Rat Terrier Husky Mix (Husky-Rat)

Origin of Rat Terrier and Husky mix

Tracing the roots of hybrid dogs is not an easy task to do because, in many cases, there is limited information regarding their origin.

However, by observing the roots of the parent breeds, we can understand the origin of this hybrid breed. 

Both Rat Terriers and Huskies have long and fascinating histories. Rat Terrier is a breed that was first developed in the United States.

In the early 1900s, Rat Terriers were bred as hunting dogs to help the farmers to hunt rats on their farms, and this is where they got the name Rat Terrier in the first place.

Husky is a breed with a history that draws back nearly 4000 years. The oldest roots of Huskies come from North Eastern Siberia in Russia. Huskies are popular as tribe dogs, and it is believed that Eskimo tribes used Huskies to pull sleds.

In the early 1900s, Huskies were brought to Alaska, eventually becoming a demanding breed in several countries.

When it comes to Ratsky, the mixed version of these two dogs, unlike parent breeds, there isn’t a lot of information regarding their origin. Still, this crossbreed has become popular in recent years.

The appearance of Husky-Rat mix

As a combination of two separate dog breeds, hybrid dogs always get interesting and unique looks.

Rat Terriers and Huskies have clear differences in their appearances. Therefore the hybrid breed of these two dogs could get looks from both parents. 

If we first look into the appearance of Rat Terriers, Standard Rat Terriers are small-made dogs, but they could also come in miniature versions.

Despite their small size, Rat Terriers have strong and muscular body postures. The short, lengthened coat, big ears, and sharp eyes all give them an adorable, still fierce look.

Huskies, on the other hand, are usually medium-sized dogs. Huskies have attractive physical features, including their thick, plush coat and grayish eyes. This breed sort of resembles wolves.

The mix of these two breeds creates small to medium-sized dogs. The size of a Ratsky depends on its parent’s size; hence it is hard to pinpoint their exact size.

Husky-Rat get a short yet dense coat of white, black, and brownish colors. They get flopped ears and sharp eyes, just like parents. 

How big do Rat Terrier and Husky mixes get?

Due to the significant size difference between parent breeds, it is hard to give precise numbers for the size of a Ratsky. Nevertheless, typically this is a medium-sized hybrid breed.

They could have an approximate weight of 20-50 pounds and a height of 15-20 inches. Still, there is plenty of room for these measures to change.

It is essential to be aware that genes and gender are the key components that affect the dog’s size.

Apart from that, external factors like the quality of food and exercise can also matter to a reasonable extent. 

The temperament of Rat Terrier Husky mix

Ratskies are charismatic dogs. Thanks to their parents, they have bold and outgoing personalities.

Both Rat Terriers and Huskies are known as energetic and athletic dogs, so there is no doubt where Husky-Rats get all their energy and playfulness from.

Furthermore, Ratskies are intelligent dogs; they are loyal and easy to train. There are instances where they can be somewhat mischievous, which is not bizarre. However, these free-spirited dogs will never fail to make great family pets. 

How long do Rat Terrier and Husky mix dogs live?

Any dog owner would love their beloved pet to live as long as possible. Still, as we know, dogs age differently from humans, so even the healthiest dog in the world would not live as long as a human being.

Generally, a dog’s average life span is 8-12 years. However, some dogs live beyond this lifespan. Rat Terriers, for example, are one of the world’s longest-living dog breeds; they live up to 15-18 years.

Huskies have a lifespan of 12-15 years which is also a considerably longer life span compared to many breeds.

Given that both parent breeds enjoy long life spans, we can expect a Husky Rat Mixed to live around 12-16 years. 

How much do Husky Rat Terrier mix puppies cost?

When you select a dog, it is essential to know whether they are affordable to you. The average cost of purchasing a purebred Rat Terrier or a Husky would be around 700-1500 US Dollars.

However, these breeds can be more costly than the average price range for reasons including the bloodlines of parents and the breeder’s reputation.

So the price of their hybrid version also will considerably vary due to the given explanations. Most of the time, you will likely have to spend around 1000 US Dollars for a Husky-Rat puppy. 

Tips for raising a Rat Terrier Husky mix

If you need to have a happy and healthy Ratsky, maintenance is the key. How hard is it to maintain a Rat Terrier and Husky mix dog? You might have heard that Huskies are high-maintenance dogs, so does that require you to put a lot of effort into maintaining a Husky-Rat?

Before jumping to conclusions, it is better to know the facts. Once you know the facts, it will not be a complex task to fulfill.

• Follow a grooming schedule 

A consistent grooming schedule is a mandatory part of maintaining a Ratsky. As discussed earlier, Husky-Rat could get thick, velvety coats, mostly from Huskies, and to maintain it, you must follow a proper grooming routine.

You can give them weekly baths and brush them regularly to maintain a healthy and smooth coat. This will also help to minimize the shedding frequency.

Coat density could change from one Ratsky to the other depending on that; you can decide the brushing frequency and type of brush that matches its coat.

Moreover, you can trim their nails and brush their teeth to maintain overall hygiene. 

• Providing a healthy diet and sufficient exercises 

A well-balanced diet plays a fundamental role in any dog’s health, so there is no exception with Husky-Rats. You can give them dog food, but it alone will not help them grow better.

Due to the high energy levels of this hybrid breed, they require adequate amounts of proteins and moderately high fat in their meals.

These can be provided through selected vegetables and meats. You can give them additional supplements under the guidance of a veterinarian.

Just like healthy food, regular exercise is also essential for this breed. You can take them for regular jogs for 30-45 minutes to meet the exercise needs.

• Be aware of the general health 

We say that prevention is better than cure. So it is always better to have an idea of the general health of the breed and the common health issues they face so it will be very easy for you to spot the differences quickly and take action before things get intense.

Ratsky is a healthy mix breed; nonetheless, just like any other dog breed, they are also prone to some health issues such as joint dysplasia, patellar luxation, and eye problems. 

Final thoughts about Rat-Husky Mix

This article provides you with information regarding the Rat Terrier and Husky mix. Ratsky isn’t the most common hybrid breed that you may find, but it is an exceptional hybrid dog breed.

So for anyone looking forward to having a lively, active, intelligent, and loyal dog, Husky-Rat will be a good fit.  

Stay tuned with Jack Russell Owner for more interesting posts about our four-legged furry friends.