The Rottsky is a designer dog, the deliberate cross between the
Rottweiler, a large German dog known for its guarding ability, and the Siberian
Husky, an ancient sled dog developed by Russian nomads at some point in prehistory.
Rottweillers have been in use as cattle driving
dogs in Germany since the middle ages, and although their complete origins are
obscured by history, most believe that they are the descendants of the large Drover dogs that were employed by Roman cattlemen
and butchers as early as 700 A.D. to protect cattle and drive them to market,
mixed with some local German breeds such as the Appenzeller Sennenhund and the Bernese,
Entlebucher, and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breeds. The development of the
locomotive in the mid-1800s meant that
fewer cattle driving dogs were needed and
the popularity of these determined and dignified dogs dropped dramatically. It
wasn’t until they were rebranded in the
1900s as high-quality canines suitable for police, military, and security work
that they regained their popularity and today are also typically regarded as dependable
and protective family companions. The Siberian Husky is an even older breed,
developed by the Chukchi people, an indigenous native tribe from Russia. The Siberian
Huskies were highly valued by the Chukchi people as they were used to pull sleds
carrying food, possessions, and sometimes even people, which allowed the tribe
to travel farther and faster. When these dogs were not being used for work, they
spent their time with the women and children of the tribe, and only
non-aggressive and well-tempered animals were tolerated. The combination of
these two breeds often result in a strong, loyal, and enduring animal that is
typically leaner and less prone to heart conditions than the Rottweiler with more
enhanced guarding instincts than the Siberian Husky. Some breeders may mix Rottweiler
with the Alaskan Husky instead of the Siberian Husky and call it a Rottsky, but
the Alaskan Husky may contribute a different temperament and different
structural features than the Siberian Husky, so it is always important to do
your research when choosing a breeder.