If you like dogs that look like wolves, you'll love the Tamaskan. Although often confused with other dogs such as the Northern Inuit or the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, the Tamaskan is a completely different breed that has a unique temperament that makes it a natural athlete, a working dog par excellence and a wonderful adventure companion for active and experienced tutors who have enough time to devote to it.
If you live with a puppy or an adult Tamaskan or if you think you are the ideal candidate to adopt one of these amazing dogs, do not miss this article from PlanèteAnimal, we tell you everything you need to know on the behavior, care, education, he alth and of course the characteristics of the Tamaskan, read on!
Origin
- Europe
- Finland
Physical Characteristics
- Rustic
- Muscular
- Proportional
Size
- Large
Height
- 55-70
Adult Weight
- 25-45
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Balanced
- Strong
- Society
- Very loyal
- Smart
- Active
Ideal for
- House
- Walking
- The guard
- Sports
Recommendations
- Harness
Recommended climate
- Cold
Hair type
- Medium
- Smooth
Origin of Tamaskan
The Tamaskan is a Finnish dog that emerged in the 1980s through crossbreeding with other dog breeds, including the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, and German Shepherd. However, there is some debate over whether it is also genetically related to the Czech Wolfdog, Saarloos Wolfdog, and Utonagan, which is why it is also known as the Finnish Wolfdog.
The goal of the Tamaskan developers was to create a dog whose physical appearance would be very close to that of the wolf, a characteristic much appreciated in the early 1990s. The result is a very versatile, incredibly strong dog , rustic and agile, very suitable for pulling sleds and endowed with great qualities that make it an excellent companion for experienced tutors.
In 2006, the first registration of the breed was created and its popularity began to increase, especially since many dogs were used in series and films to play the role of wolves. Today, compared to other more well-known breeds, there are very few Tamaskan dogs and they are mainly found in Nordic countries, United States of America and Canada.
Characteristics of Tamaskan
The Tamaskan is a large, slender dog with an athletic build. Adult males can reach a height of 80 centimeters at the withers and weigh between 30 and 40 kilos, while females tend to be slightly smaller.
The Tamaskan's muscular body is slightly longer than it is tall and ends in a fairly long, fully haired tail that is usually carried low except when the dog is alert or excited. The Tamaskan's ears are triangular, medium in size and permanently erect. Its nose, which gives it an extraordinary sense of smell, is black and its expressive eyes are usually yellow, brown or amber and, in most individuals, are outlined in black.
The colors of Tamaskan
The Tamaskan's coat is double coated, with the undercoat protecting it from both cold and heat. The outer coat, on the other hand, is soft, smooth and of medium length, although it is shortened in certain areas such as the face, the ears and part of the limbs. The predominant coat color is gray which, depending on the dog, can be lighter or darker and is usually combined with white and/or black areas.For this reason, black Tamaskan is not accepted. In fact, it is most commonly confused with the calupoh or Mexican wolfhound, which is entirely black.
Tamaskan character
" Now that we know the characteristics of the Tamaskan, what is its character and temperament? Despite his appearance as a wild wolf, the Tamaskan is a gentle and affectionate dog, protective and very devoted to the members of his family, to whom he is very attached. Provided well socialized from infancy, this breed tends to avoid conflict and is very sociable and playful with people and other animals, including those that might be considered potential prey (cats, rabbits, etc). Indeed, its noble character, combined with a correct education, makes the Tamaskan a wonderful therapy dog with which one can work with children, adults and the elderly."
His intelligence is also a remarkable aspect, as well as his vitality and enormous motivation to perform the different types of work he is usually trained for, such as sled pulling and other canine sports.When he is at home with his guardians, he is a calm dog, a little less independent than other Nordic breeds and very expressive, and you are more than likely to hear him howl from time to time.
Tamaskan Care
The Tamaskan, provided it is in good he alth, does not require very complex care. However, it is recommended to brush it at least once a week to remove dead hair and keep the coat clean and shiny, especially during the moulting period. It should be washed only when it is really needed.
On the other hand, it is important to take care of your oral he alth to prevent the appearance of tartar and bad breath. To do this, offer him natural snacks to chew from time to time or brush his teeth once or twice a week with a special toothpaste for dogs.
As he is an athletic and active dog, he enjoys long walks in the countryside or in the mountains.This helps keep him physically fit and allows his claws to file on contact with the ground, but at the same time exposes him to dangerous pests like fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. This is why it is essential to protect the Tamaskan all year round with pipettes or collars, to deworm it frequently and to respect the vaccination schedule.
Finally, special attention must be paid to his diet which, whether based on animal food, wet food, BARF or another homemade diet, must be of very good quality. quality, in order to provide the dog with all the nutrients and calories necessary for good he alth.
Tamaskan Dressage
It is important to start training the Tamaskan at a young age and we recommend that you pay special attention to socialization during the sensitive period (three weeks to three months approximately).If this dog is not properly socialized with other animals, objects and people, it can easily develop phobias or reactive behaviors to certain stimuli, which can be complex to deal with once the dog is an adult. This is why it is therefore recommended that the guardian of a Tamaskan be someone with prior experience in dog training and who works with positive methodologies.
On the other hand, the Tamaskan is a very intelligent and shrewd dog with enormous decision-making and problem-solving abilities, which means he needs a lot of mental stimulation not to bored or frustrated. Likewise, it is a strong, agile and resistant breed, so physical stimulation is also essential. This makes the Tamaskan an ideal candidate for canine activities and sports, although he can get a bit stubborn at times during training.
It is also important to teach the dog to manage loneliness well, because the Tamaskan is a very sociable animal that seeks company and hates spending a lot of time alone.If the time is not taken to work on this aspect, the dog can become frustrated and develop a problem of separation anxiety, a behavioral disorder that results in destructive behavior or excessive barking.
Tamaskan He alth
As a rule, the Tamaskan is a very robust and he althy dog and, as it is the result of crosses with other breeds of dogs, it does not present major congenital pathologies. As there are very few recorded specimens of this breed, there are no conclusive studies on the likelihood of the Tamaskan suffering from various he alth issues. However, the ones that have been observed so far are:
- Hip dysplasia: this is a degenerative and hereditary osteoarticular problem caused by a malformation of the coxo-femoral joint which causes pain and difficulty in walking, running or jumping. It is particularly common in large breeds and giant breeds and, if diagnosed in time, can be controlled or even operated on.
- Canine degenerative myelopathy: this neurodegenerative disease affects the spinal cord and causes weakness in the hind limbs, which can end up being totally paralyzed. The disease was first described in the German Shepherd, one of the breeds from which the Tamaskan originated. However, there are few known cases of myelopathy in Tamaskans, so it is not a condition to be overly concerned about.
- Cryptorchidism: this condition is only found in males, where one or both testicles do not descend completely into the scrotum and become encysted in the inguinal canal. Although not a major problem when the animal is young, over time the undescended testicle can lead to cancer. It is therefore recommended to sterilize dogs with this condition.
How to adopt a Tamaskan?
The Tamaskan is currently a little known breed, so it is difficult to find dogs to adopt, especially in countries like France where they are barely introduced.However, this does not mean that it is impossible to adopt a Tamaskan, because, unfortunately, many people acquire them exclusively for their physical appearance and, once adults, they realize that they do not have the time. or the ability to care for a dog of these characteristics. The same goes for other breeds with a similar appearance, such as the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog or the Northern Inuit.
If you really think this dog might be the perfect companion for you, you can contact different humane societies to see if they have any specimens or if they know of a Tamaskan to adopt and if not, you can always choose to adopt a mixed breed dog that needs a home.
Photos of Tamaskan
