Sheep and cattle breeding is the main occupation of the Rutul. Techniques for raising sheep have improved over the years, with better care administered during the long winter months. Traditional crafts include making pottery, leather footwear, and wool-based items such as cloth, felt, carpets, and ornamented socks. Their beautiful wool carpets and ornamented socks are produced commercially. The Rutul traditionally eat meat, dairy products, and flour-based dishes.
Meat is eaten fresh, dried, and as sausages.
Milk is often preserved as butter and cottage cheese. Their diet is enriched with fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Formerly, marriages were arranged by the parents, primarily the fathers. A matchmaker often mediated between the families. Today, nuclear families are the norm, though some tukhums still existed in the early 1900's.