If you like wolf-like dogs, you'll find the Tamaskan a fascinating breed. Although it is often confused with other dogs such as the Northern Inuit or the Czechoslovakian wolfdog, the Tamaskan is a completely different breed with a unique temperament that makes it a born athlete, a working dog par excellence and a wonderful companion for adventures. active, experienced tutors who have enough time to devote to it.
If you live with a puppy or adult Tamaskan or you consider that you are the ideal candidate to adopt one of these incredible dogs, do not miss this article, because from our site we tell you everything you need to know about behavior, care, education, he alth and, of course, the characteristics of Tamaskan, keep reading!
Origin of Tamaskan
The Tamaskan is a dog originally from Finland that emerged in the 1980sas a result of crossing other dog breeds, including the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd. However, there is some debate about the possibility that it is also genetically related to the Czech wolfdog, the Saarloos wolfdog and the utonagan, and that is why it is also known as finnish wolfdog name
The goal of the promoters of the Tamaskan was to create a dog with a physical appearance very similar to that of a wolf, a characteristic highly valued at the beginning of the 90s, and which, in turn, stand out as a work animal. As a result, they obtained a very versatile dog, incredibly strong, resistant and agile, very apt to pull sleds and with great qualities that made it an excellent companion for experienced tutors.
In 2006 the first registry of the breed was created and its popularity began to increase, especially due to the fact that many specimens were used in series and movies to play the role of wolves. Currently, and compared to other better known breeds, there are very few Tamaskan specimens and these are found mainly in the Nordic countries, the United States and Canada.
Characteristics of Tamaskan
Tamaskan specimens are dogs large, slender and athletically built, undoubtedly similar to wolves in physical appearance. refers. Adult males can reach a height of 80 centimeters at the withers and weigh between 30 and 40 kilos, while females are usually slightly smaller.
The tamaskan's muscular body is slightly longer than it is tall and ends in a fairly long tail, completely covered in fur and usually always carry in the low position, except when the dog is alert or excited. The ears of the Tamaskan are triangular, of medium size and are permanently erect. Its nose, which gives it an extraordinary sense of smell, is black and its expressive eyes are usually in shades of yellow, brown or amber and, in the most individuals are outlined in black.
Tamaskan Colors
The Tamaskan's coat is double-layered, with the inner layer protecting it from both cold and heat. For its part, the outermost layer is soft, smooth and of medium length, although it is shortened in some areas such as the face, ears and part of its extremities. The predominant color of its coat is grey which, depending on the dog, can be lighter or darker and usually appears in combination with white and/or black areasFor this reason, the black tamaskan is not accepted. In fact, on most occasions it is often confused with the calupoh or Mexican wolfdog, which is completely black.
Tamaskan character
Once the characteristics of the Tamaskan are known, what is their character and temperament like? Despite its appearance of a wild wolf, the Tamaskan is an affable and affectionate dog, protective and very devoted to the members of its family, with whom it generates a strong attachment. Provided it is properly socialized from puppyhood, this breed tends to avoid conflict and is very sociable and playful with both people and other animals, including those that could be considered as their potential "prey" (cats, rabbits, etc.). In fact, its noble character, together with a correct education, makes the Tamaskan a wonderful therapy dog, both for working with children and with adults and the elderly.
His intelligence is also a very remarkable aspect of this dog, as well as his vitality and enormous motivation to carry out the different types of work for which he is usually trained, such as sledding and other dog sports. When he is at home with his guardians he is a calmdog, somewhat less independent than other Nordic breeds and very expressivewhich, without a doubt, you will hear howling from time to time.
Tamaskan Care
The Tamaskan, as long as it is in good he alth, does not require overly complex care, although it is recommended brushing its dense coat at least once a weekto remove dead hair and keep the coat clean and shiny, especially during the moulting season. Regarding the bath, it can be done occasionally, only when necessary and always using special shampoo for dogs.
On the other hand, it is important to maintain good oral he alth to prevent the appearance of tartar and bad breath, offering the dog from time to time natural snacks to chew or brushing his teeth once or twice a week with a special toothpaste for dogs.
Continuing with the care of the tamaskan dog, being athletic and active, he enjoys making long walks through the countryside or the mountains This will It helps keep you in good physical shape and allows your nails to file down on their own by contact with the ground, but, in turn, exposes you to the presence of dangerous parasites, such as fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Therefore, it is essential to keep the Tamaskan protected throughout the year with pipettes or collars, deworm it frequently and comply with the vaccination schedule.
Finally, special attention must be paid to their feeding which, whether based on feed, wet food, BARF or another diet homemade, it must be of very good quality, providing the dog with all the nutrients and calories necessary to keep it in perfect he alth and avoid becoming overweight.
Tamaskan Education
It is important to start training the Tamaskan from when it is a puppy, paying special attention to its socialization during the sensitive period (of the three weeks to three months of age, approximately). If this dog does not socialize properly with other animals, objects and people, it can easily develop phobias or reactive behaviors to certain stimuli, which can be complex to treat once the dog is an adult, so it is recommended that the guardian of this race is a person with previous experience in canine education and who works with positive methodologies
On the other hand, the Tamaskan is a very intelligent and cunning dog, with an enormous ability to make decisions and solve problems, which means that it needs a lot of stimulation mental so you don't get bored or frustrated. Likewise, it is a strong, agile and resistant breed, so physical stimulation is also essential. This makes the Tamaskan the ideal candidate for dog sports and activities, although it can sometimes be a bit stubborn during training.
It is also important to teach your dog to manage loneliness well since it is a puppy, because the Tamaskan dog is a very sociable animal who seeks to always be accompanied and hates spending a lot of time alone. If time is not spent working on this aspect, it is possible for the dog to become frustrated or develop a problem of separation anxiety and, as a consequence, show destructive behaviors or excessive vocalizations when left alone at home.
Tamaskan He alth
As a general rule, the Tamaskan is a very robust and he althy dog and, having emerged from the crossbreeding of other dog breeds, does not present important congenital pathologies. Since there are very few registered copies of this breed, we do not have conclusive studies about the probability that the Tamaskan has different he alth problems. However, those that have been observed as more frequent so far are the following:
- Hip dysplasia: it is a degenerative and hereditary osteoarticular problem caused by a malformation in the coxofemoral joint that causes pain and difficulties when walking, running or jumping. It is especially common in large and giant breed dogs and, if diagnosed early, 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 become totally paralyzed. This pathology was initially described in the German Shepherd, one of the breeds from which the Tamaskan derives, but it can affect any dog. However, there are few known cases of myelopathy in Tamaskans, so it is not a disease that should worry us too much.
- Cryptorchidism: this condition occurs only in males, since one or both testicles do not descend completely into the scrotum and They get stuck in the inguinal canal. Although this is not a major problem when the animal is young, over time the undescended testicle can cause cancer, so it is recommended that dogs with this disorder be neutered.
If it is kept correctly vaccinated and dewormed, frequent veterinary check-ups are carried out and it is offered sufficient physical exercise in combination with a quality diet adapted to its needs, the Tamaskan is a long-lived dog that perfectly Despite its size, it can reach 15 years of age.
Where to adopt a Tamaskan?
The Tamaskan is currently a very little known breed, so it is difficult to find specimens for adoption, especially in countries like Spain where they have hardly been introduced. However, this does not imply that it is impossible to adopt a Tamaskan, because, unfortunately, many people acquire them exclusively for their physical appearance and, when they grow up, they realize that they do not have the time or the capacity to take care of a dog. of these characteristics, abandoning them to their fate. The same occurs with other breeds of similar appearance, such as the Czechoslovakian wolfdog or the Northern Inuit.
If you really think that this dog could be the ideal companion for you, you can contact different animal welfare societiess by if they have any specimen or know of a Tamaskan that needs an adoption and, if not, you can always choose to adopt a mongrel dog that needs a home.
