Find Out More About the Tamaskan Dog

The Tamaskan dog is a very friendly breed that is loyal and good with families with young children. This breed looks very similar to a wolf that people mistake it for one.

While this breed looks like a wolf, it actually doesn’t have any wolf in it. This breed is actually made by combining the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, and a German Shepherd.

This dog is very common for competitive sled racing. You will have a very intelligent and obedient dog from this breed. Below you will find a lot of information about the Tamaskan dog breed that will help you decide if this is the right dog breed for you.

Tamaskan History

The Tamaskan is a relatively new dog breed that was seen around the 1980s. These canines were bred with the Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, and a small number of German Shepherds to create the Tamaskan dog.

The various traits produced made this breed a good working dog that was smart and wolf-like in appearance. Additional Husky type dogs have been worked into the breeding program to refine the bloodline further.

The official Tamaskan Register has slowly integrated dogs into the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. This Tamaskan dog breed started to get more and more popular around the world and can now be seen in many countries.

Appearance

The Tamaskan Dog is a large working canine with a distinct athletic profile. They are easy to recognize because of their wolf-like look appearance. The coat is straight and thick with a bushy tail.

Females usually display a feminine look that makes them easier to discern from males. In addition, males typically present a broader head and more substantial bone structure.

The head of this dog breed is round. The eyes are almond-shaped and usually, appear in any shade between amber and brown. Lighter eyes are possible but very rare to find in this breed. They should never have blue or mismatched eyes.

Tamaskan Dog Coat

The Tamaskan has a very thick coat that will keep itself warm in very cold temperatures. This type of coat is also water-resistant, so if the coat gets wet from snow, it won’t get soaked. This also means that your dog’s coat will repel dirt due to the natural oils on the coat. As a result, your dog will not need to bathe as often, only when visibly dirty.

Your Tamaskans tail is very thick and bushy. The rest of the coat will be thick and straight in appearance. This breed will shed quite a lot so prepare yourself when you are grooming and brushing your dog. Below, you will find the variety of colors your Tamaskan may come in.

What Colors Do They Come In?

Here are some of the common colors you may see when it comes to the Tamaskan dog breed:

• Black
• Grey
• Red
• Brown
• White
• Fawn

This breed will either have brown or hazel-colored eyes.

Temperament

Tamaskan dog breeders will often compliment the breed’s personality. They are great family pets because they are willing to accept other canines and are gentle when interacting with children.

Highly intelligent and obedient, the Tamaskan is capable of training. They are also very agile, which is another trait that makes them appealing for use in sled teams. The Tamaskan dog does not like to be left alone and may suffer from separation anxiety.

This breed doesn’t like to be left alone or put in a crate. So instead, you will find this breed at the owner’s feet, protecting and enjoying the company.

Height & Weight

The average Tamaskan male stands 25 to 28 inches (63 to 71 cm), while females stand 24 to 27 inches (61 to 66 cm).

Males usually weigh between 66 and 99 pounds (30 to 45 kg), while females come to 50 to 84 pounds (23 to 38 kg).

Health Problems of the Tamaskan

To be a responsible dog owner you need to know the potential health conditions that your dog can possibly inherit. Below are some of these health conditions:

Hip Dysplasia – Hip dysplasia is a risk; however, the average has been kept low thanks to carefully selected breeding stock. This traditionally happens in bigger-sized dog breeds, and it is an issue where the hip and socket do not fit properly, so they create a rubbing sensation and cause sore joints.

Epilepsy – In the past, Tamaskan dogs were diagnosed with epilepsy. However, careful selective breeding has prevented those lines from continuing so the condition could be contained. This is considered to be a brain disorder that can cause multiple unexpected seizures.

Degenerative Myelopathy – A few instances of Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) were detected, but DNA tests have been utilized to breed out this genetic condition. This is a condition where your dog can lose function in the back legs. This will happen as your dog gets older, and there is no cure for this condition.

Cryptorchidism – This condition will only affect male dogs as it means your dog’s testicles have not properly descended into their proper place. If this condition is not taken care of, your dog could potentially lose blood flow in the testicles.

Anyone searching for a Tamaskan dog for sale should only go to reputable breeders to ensure that these conditions will not impact the health of their new pet.

Life Expectancy of a Tamaskan

The normal Tamaskan dog life expectancy is 14 to 15 years. This is quite a long time for a large dog breed. So remember, if you are ever worried about your dog’s health or life, make sure you consult with your veterinarian.

Living Conditions

Apartments and small dwellings are not good for the Tamaskan dog. This canine needs more space and should be given a chance to run free each day. A large fenced-in yard and frequent walks are ideal.

Owners should only consider this breed if they can be with the canine most of the day. This dog does not do well when left alone for hours. In addition, it can have separation anxiety tendencies, so you will want to train your dog to curb that behavior if that is a problem.

Exercise

Tamaskan dogs require significant exercise because they have high energy levels. Typically, this dog breed will need up to 70 minutes of exercise a day. This can be broken up throughout the day or done all at once.

Long walks are good, but the ability to run free in a safe place is even better. This means it would be better if you have a yard for your dog to be able to run around in. They are very clever animals and should be given more ways to engage their intelligence through play and training. Agility courses, pulling, and other activities are best for the Tamaskan.

Since the Tamaskan loves to be stimulated mentally, it will be easier to train this dog breed, and you can incorporate the training with exercises as well. However, if you aren’t giving your dog enough exercise, it may start to exhibit bad, destructive behavior. If you notice your dog doing this, then you may need to up the amount of time and frequency of the exercise with your dog.

Diet

The Tamaskan dog breed is grouped with the large working group dogs; this means they are going to need more food than a dog in the toy group category. Typically, this breed will need around three and a half cups of a high-quality large dog, dog food.

Break the three and a half cups of food throughout the day in either two separate meals or three if you can. This can cost you anywhere between $1.50 and $2.00 a day on food. The cost of the food is always something to consider when getting a big dog.

Make sure that a good source of protein is one of the first few ingredients listed. This is because your dog will need a lot of protein to sustain them throughout the day. If you cannot afford a high-quality dog food at this price, then I suggest getting a different dog.

Some owners switch over to making their own dog food or a completely raw diet. This can be very beneficial for your dog and give it a more complete natural nutrition that your dog would have got in the wild. If you want more information about raw diets, then you can read my entire article about this.

Grooming

Tamaskan dogs do not require much grooming. However, weekly brushing is recommended when the dog is shedding. You can use either a pin brush or a fine bristle brush to brush this type of dog. Your dog will likely shed more during the spring and summer months to help release all of that extra hair.

Baths don’t need to be done two frequently because of the Tamaskan’s natural oils on their hair. This prevents the build-up of dirt unless they roll or get into the mud. When bathing your dog, make sure you check that the skin is not getting irritated from the shampoo you are using. You can always get a shampoo for sensitive skin.

Remember to check your dog’s nails frequently; this breed should wear the nails naturally down through the exercise they are getting outside, but if they do not remember to clip them.

Tamaskan Training

While they can make wonderful family pets, the Tamaskan dog has a rather demanding exercise schedule and requires a solid training regimen. Therefore, owners should be prepared to act as the alpha leader to guide their pet in the right direction.

They can be easily trained as long as you are consistent. Tamaskans can learn commands quickly and will make an excellent working dog for whatever you may need it for. If you get your dog as a puppy, it is important to start early socialization. This can be one of the first things you help train your dog to do. Socialization helps make your dog friendlier to other people and other dogs.

Keep in mind if your dog has not got its proper exercise amounts, it may not want to listen during its training session because your dog will want to play instead of listening to commands. Always use positive reinforcement when you are training, as this will create a positive experience for your dog, and your dog will remember this for the next training session.

Tamaskan Puppies

A normal Tamaskan litter can range from six to ten puppies. Breeders of high quality usually ask for $1,000 to $1,700 per puppy. This price can be even more if the litter comes from champion parents. Most Tamaskan dog breeders will advise most new owners not to adopt this breed until they have acquired more experience with this canine.

The Tamaskan is not part of the American Kennel Club, but they have their own club, which helps support breeders and people with this dog breed. Even though this is a mixed dog breed, some breeders can still charge high prices due to the popularity and rarity of the breed.

Make sure that you start early socialization with your new puppy; that way, they keep that friendly demeanor. This will also be a good time to work on training with your new dog.

You can always look for a Tamaskan through a rescue, but it may be difficult to find one. So my suggestion to you is to find a breeder and get on their waitlist if this is your dream dog.

Tamaskan Litter Size

The Tamaskan is a big dog meaning a female can hold a lot of puppies. Typically your female could have between six to ten puppies. This is just an estimate, but for you to get a more accurate representation, you will need to take your dog in for an ultrasound.

Key Takeaways

This is one of my favorite sections in all of my articles. This is where I like to give you the key points of my article. If you are in a hurry or just need a recap, then this section is for you.

• The Tamaskan is a mixed breed dog that has a very strong resemblance to a wolf. However, it does not have any wolf in it.
• It is a mixed breed that comes three very common dog breeds the Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, and some German Shepherd.
• This mix is very loyal and will make a great family companion. However, it isn’t necessarily good for the first-time dog owner as it needs a lot of attention and exercise.
• Training should be started when you get your dog, whether that is when it is a puppy or older. Preferably it is best to start training when your dog is still little.
• This dog breed needs a lot of exercise each day. Over one hour each day needs to be devoted to exercising your dog. This is a big time commitment for any dog owner.
• Tamaskans also need a high-quality dog food full of protein. This will ensure your dog is getting enough nutrition.
• Grooming needs are minimal as this breed only needs to be bathed when absolutely filthy. However, you can brush your Tamaskan as much as you want. This is a shedding dog breed which means you will have a lot of dog hair around your home.
• Training should be easy as long as you are consistent. This breed can easily pick on commands and ques as long as you are the alpha calling the shots.
• Also, purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder that can give you a lot of information about the parent dogs and the puppy’s health.

FAQ

Here are some common questions that dog owners and potential ones have about the Tamaskan dog breed.

Close Relatives of the Tamaskan Dog

• German Shepherd
• Siberian Husky
• Alaskan Malamute
• Sled dog breeds
• Northern Inuit