Tamaskan Breed Information, Facts, And Pictures
While this breed may look like a wolf, Tamaskans are very tame and gentle with their owners.
About Tamaskan
Weight: 55-88 lb
Lifespan: 14-15 years
Group: not applicable
Best Suited For: experienced dog owners, active singles, active families, house with a yard
Temperament: Active, intelligent, gentle, social
Comparable Breeds: Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky
Height: 24-28 inches
Origin
The Tamaskan dog is a fairly new breed, having only been developed in the 1980s. The origins of the breed can be traced back to a group of five Husky-type dogs that were imported into the United States during the 1980s. These dogs were crossed with Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and German Shepherds to create new breed that would resemble wolf in its appearance, while displaying the obedience and intelligence that are characteristic of domesticated dogs. The breed was then exported to Finland for additional development. The first result was the Utonagan dog, but some believe that further crossing of this breed with the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is what made the Tamaskan dog as we know it today. Unfortunately, we can’t be certain of this pup’s specific history because like all designer dogs, there simply wasn’t much documented.
The Tamaskan may look like a wolf, but this breed is all dog.
A group of British breeders undertook a project in the 1980s to develop a new dog breed with a wolf-like appearance. The Tamaskan was one of the results of that effort, which combined German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes and Samoyeds to create new breeds.
These dogs are highly trainable and make excellent working dogs due to their intelligence and strength. They have also excelled at agility and other dog sports.
With that in mind, Tamaskans are not a good fit for first-time dog owners or owners that primarily like to relax and snuggle with their dog on the couch over the weekend. These pups have high energy levels and need regular exercise and mentally challenging jobs or activities to truly thrive. Proper training and socialization at an early age is also important for your Tamaskan to be happy, healthy and well-adjusted.
Tamaskans are loyal and sensitive dogs that respond best to positive reinforcement Harshly punishing this dog can have the opposite effect and result in more mischief from your dog. These dogs can suffer from high separation anxiety and may be best for active single people or families that want a daily companion.
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Owning a Tamaskan: 3 Pros and Cons
| Pros! | Cons! |
|---|---|
| Great Companion for Kids: Tamaskans are very loyal and gentle dogs. They are a good choice for active families with kids who want a running or hiking companion. | Daily Exercise Requirements: Tamaskans, like their Husky and German Shepherd ancestors, are working dogs. They generally need 90 minutes of running, playing or other forms of exercise every day. Without this physical activity, your dog may become bored and destructive in your house or yard. |
| Highly Intelligent: This breed is very smart and likes to have a job to do every day. Tamaskan dogs are great workers and have also done well with agility training and other sporting events. | House with a Yard: Some Tamaskans can weigh close to 100 pounds. Due to their large size and exercise needs, these dogs do best in a house with a large, fenced-in yard. They may struggle in an apartment or other confined spaces unless they can spend significant time outside burning off their energy. |
| Minimal Grooming: Other than its daily exercise needs, this dog is relatively low maintenance. It goes through heavy periods of shedding two times each year and may require periodic brushing during those times to remove dead hair. Weekly brushing throughout the rest of the year will keep your pup’s coat shiny. | Wary of Strangers: Tamaskan dogs become extremely attached to their families and can be wary of strangers. While they are friendly and are not an aggressive breed, they will need proper socialization to other dogs and people. Exposing your dog to different people and situations will help them be more accepting of people and animals that they do not know as they grow up. |
Tamaskan Size and Weight
Tamaskans are a large dog breed. Males are larger than females and typically weigh between 66 and 99 pounds and are between 25 and 28 inches tall. Females weight between 50 and 84 pounds and are between 24 and 27 inches tall.
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 25 inches to 28 inches | 24 inches to 27 inches |
| Weight | 66 pounds to 99 pounds | 50 pounds to 84 pounds |
Tamaskan Common Health Issues
Overall, the Tamaskan is a healthy breed. They were created using hearty breeds, so most don’t suffer from serious health concerns. However, because Tamaskans are still a relatively new breed, we don’t know everything about their health concerns. Below are a few conditions that Tamaskan may be more prone to.
Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent brain-related diseases that impact dogs. In fact, nearly 1% of the overall dog population suffers from this neurological condition. Much like humans, canine epilepsy involves seizures. Genetic defects, brain formation issues, and environmental conditions can all contribute to epilepsy in Tamaskan dogs.
The Best Dog Food for Tamaskans
These dogs are generally happy eating most diets if they are balanced properly. Tamaskans are happy eating kibble, wet, or canned food. They will also eat raw food if you prefer a more natural approach.
Some Tamaskans have more dominant wolf genes than others. These dogs may do better with a raw diet.
Adequate nutrition is essential to help prevent hip dysplasia in Tamaskans as a large breed. Dog foods for large breeds often contain glucosamine and chondroitin as joint supplements.
Tamaskan puppies should eat multiple smaller meals each day until they are about 8 weeks old. Puppies between 8 and 5 months, should eat three times each day. After the puppy is 5 months old, you should be able to switch to feeding them twice a day.
Exercise Requirements
The Tamaskan dog is bred to be a working breed, so it has fairly high energy levels and requires plenty of exercise. This breed requires a long daily walk or jog as well as plenty of mental stimulation. Training this breed for obedience, agility, working trials, and other dog sports is a great way to supplement his exercise needs. Training courses for dog sports are a great way for your Tamaskan pet to satisfy their need for exercise because they engage the dog both mentally and physically. These are very agile dogs, and can excel in agility courses – with a lot of dedicated training.
Despite its wild appearance, this dog is actually a gentle breed.
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