Tamaskan Dog Breed

The Tamaskan Dog was conceived for sledding, racing, and companionship. They excel at these tasks and more, but they are not for timid or inexperienced people or homes (or apartments) with little space. They are fine with kids, great with other dogs but may be problematic with small, non-canine pets. The ideal residence is a rural one in a cold climate and with other dogs.

Here are some things you should know about Tams if you are planning to adopt one:

PROS

• Intelligent
• Super strong
• Very friendly
• Visually striking
• Superb team dogs
• Few known health issues
• Great for very active people
• Remarkable tracking abilities
• Not good in warm weather or hot climates

CONS

• Very rare
• Loves to dig holes
• Not hypoallergenic
• Matures very slowly
• Extremely expensive
• Requires a lot of exercise
• Somewhat difficult to train
• Prone to separation anxiety
• Sheds a lot at least twice a year
• Does NOT have wolf in bloodline
• Highly sensitive to the moods of people
• Lots of Huskies bred with other dogs sold as fake "Tams"

Although this breed is somewhat new, there is a great amount of Tamaskan Dog info available online. These big dogs are larger than some of the breeds from which they come — such as Siberian Huskies — and smaller than the species from which they are mistakenly believed to have been crossed with: wolves. They have an extremely thick double coat, and the males are distinct from the females in both size and other visual aspects.

Basically, Tamaskan Dogs look like Timber Wolves even though they have no wolf in them at all — although they do sometimes howl. These dogs are very versatile and can be employed as sled dogs, trackers, search-and-rescue and hunting dogs. They are at their best when trained for work. They may look scary to those who first see them, but they are far from that; they can even be therapy dogs!

Tamaskans are active if motivated. They do need a great amount of exercise, but they won't do it by themselves if simply left outside. You will need to take them on long walks twice or more daily. (This is a good time to help them understand you as an alpha by leading them rather than being led.) Visits to the dog park are essential too. Be sure to research more than just the Tamaskan Dog 101 so you can raise a healthy, happy and loving companion!

The Tamaskan Dog temperament is still being mapped out, so to speak, but it is basically understood that they are very sensitive even as they are physically hardy. They tend to be extremely friendly although they may bark if a stranger approaches. With other dogs, Tams typically get along wonderfully. When socialized as puppies with non-canine pets, they should get along fairly well. They do have a high prey drive, however, and it's recommended to supervise them nonetheless.

Basically, this breed is laid-back and will reserve their energy for when they feel they need it. There is no wolf's blood in them, but they do come from Arctic dogs and related breeds that are accustomed to very cold climates where food is scarce and even small tasks require a significant amount of effort. They'll usually assess whether an activity will get them something.

Tams can be difficult to train. They respond better to experienced dog people who know how to be patient, confident and consistent. These dogs are said to need a reason to learn obedience and tricks, and so it's best to have a purpose in mind when training them.

Unlike many recently established breeds, the health profile for the Tamaskan Dog is already being built, and a database is available online for breeders and lovers of these dogs. As late as early 2016, a health database for Tamaskan Dogs has indicated that there are no specific heritable diseases. There have been incidents as well as deaths reported due to a variety of ailments, but apparently not enough to declare there is any particular problem.

Here are the possible health concerns that have been reported among Tams:

• Bloat
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Deafness
• Liver failure
• Cryptorchism
• Hip dysplasia
• Ear infections
• Renal disease
• Other eye problems
• High sensitivity to heat
• Degenerative Myelopathy

Tamaskan Dogs are said to have a typical lifespan of 14 to 15 years.