Tamaskan: Your Complete Guide
Have you ever seen a dog that resembles a wolf? Or perhaps a dog resembling a cross between a German shepherd and a husky? If so, you might be looking at a tamaskan. These large working dogs are a decent breed due to breeding between German shepherds and Siberian huskies. German shepherds can also be bred with Alaskan malamutes for similar results.
That said, don’t let the size of tamaskans intimidate you because they’re well-behaved dogs with a fierce sense of loyalty. Tamaskans are also easy to train and known for being loving with other family members and some other pets. While tamaskans are good dogs, they’re not for everyone, especially if you live in warm climates or have little children.
To understand more about the tamaskan, read on. We’ll take you through everything you need to know about this breed to determine if they fit you or your family.
Quick Look at the Tamaskan
Below is a quick glance at the tamaskan regarding their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 55-88 pounds, 24-28 inches |
| Coat Type | Medium-length, straight, multi-coat |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | High-energy, loyal, obedient |
| Good With Kids | |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
What Is the History of Tamaskans?
Tamaskans are a relatively recent dog breed. They haven’t been around for 100s of years like huskies and aren’t as well-known as a German shepherd. However, the combination of traits from a German shepherd and husky has helped them become one of the fastest-growing breeds, even if they’re not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
While little is known about their history, some of the first tamaskan breeds hail from Finland. During the 1980s, husky breeds were imported to Finland from regions like Alaska and Siberia. From there, they were mixed with German shepherds to produce the tamaskan breed. While they’re still bred in Finland, tamaskans are becoming more popular as breeders and pet owners begin to seek them out more often.
It’s also important to note that breeders can now create more tamaskans by breeding tamaskans with each other. Therefore, they’re now a unique breed and not just a one-off mix between a German shepherd and a husky.
What Do Tamaskans Look Like?
Tamaskans look like a mix between a German shepherd and an Alaskan husky. They have pointy ears, medium-length coats, and a long snout. Typically, their colors are similar to many wolf patterns, and the three most common variations are red-gray, black-gray, and wolf-gray. It’s safe to say that they look the most wolf-like compared to other breeds.
When it comes to their eyes, the color can also vary. Their eye color is typically yellow or amber, but it’s not uncommon to see light brown eyes; the shape resembles an almond. Tamaskans have long necks, a tucked belly, and a muscular frame.
What Size Is a Tamaskan?
The tamaskan is a medium-sized dog. The biggest ones that you’ll find are 28 inches tall at the shoulders. Size-wise, they’re about the same height and weight as a German shepherd, and males are larger than females. This is only a slight difference.
Females are slightly smaller but also reach about 24 inches at the shoulder. Therefore, they’re a medium-sized dog in just about every category.
What Is a Tamaskan Coat Type and Length?
Tamaskans have a medium, thick coat of hair. Like wolves, they have dense coats that shield them from harm and the elements. Their hair is mostly straight but can become knotted without proper grooming.
Tamaskans also have more than one coat. They have a long and straight topcoat, but the undercoat is soft and dense. Tamaskans have undercoats to keep heat in during the winter and to reflect light during the summer.
What Is a Tamaskan’s Temperament?
Tamaskans are great family dogs, and they’re known for being gentle and friendly with the whole family, including children. They can also be social with other animals. While they’re nice dogs, tamaskans love working, playing, and exercising.
They have what seems like limitless energy, so playing with them and spending time on walks is essential to keep them calm and comfortable. Otherwise, their temperament can become sassy, standoffish, and full of mischief. Tamaskans will generally become restless without attention and something to do.
Another important thing to note about the tamaskan’s temperament is that they’re pack dogs. Tamaskans love to be part of a pack, and it’s important to be the pack leader, or else the dog won’t respect you. This might sound silly, but it’s the best way to bond with your dog. Make sure you’re firm with your training and keep them occupied with mental and physical training.
Are Tamaskans Good With Kids?
Tamaskans are good with children if they’re old enough not to tug, harm, or get too rough with the dog. As pack dogs, it’s also important for children to be just as firm with them as other family members. Being too soft with a tamaskan can make it feel like it’s higher in the pack than a child, leading to aggressive behaviors and other problems. Therefore, it’s best to monitor your child and the tamaskan to see how they behave with one another.
Are Tamaskans Good With Other Animals?
Tamaskans are good with other animals, but it’s best to raise them in a household with other animals from a young age. You can also socialize them at a young age through training to ensure that they’re friendly when new animals enter the home. They’ll play with and have fun with smaller animals, too, like rabbits, guinea pigs, and even cats. Many tamaskans are also known for befriending these animals.
That said, there are some situations where tamaskans can become aggressive with other animals. This typically happens when female dogs are around, so it’s something to consider.
Are Tamaskans Aggressive?
Despite their wolf-like appearance, tamaskans are friendly and gentle dogs. They’re not aggressive unless they feel threatened or unless they’re trained to be aggressive. While tamaskans are friendly, socialization is key. Exposing them to unique situations and other people/animals is important to prevent aggressive behavior.
Do Tamaskans Bark?
Tamaskans don’t bark often, but they do have a loud bark when they do. Instead of barking, they make a sound that’s more like a combination of a whine and howl. When strangers enter your home, they’ll make this noise and may even use it when other animals are around. While it’s not a bark, it’s still loud and can annoy neighbors if you live in an apartment.
Their howling and barking can be reduced through training, but these are vocal dogs, so keep that in mind.
Are Tamaskans Affectionate?
Despite looking like a wolf, tamaskans are affectionate dogs that love spending time with their families. They’re eager to please family members and love to get pets and the occasional belly rub. Some tamaskans will even sit on your lap.
Tamaskans are also loyal and protective, so they like to stay by your side. How much affection they give depends on their bond with their humans.
Are Tamaskans Intelligent?
Tamaskans are one of the smartest breeds around. They’re receptive to all types of training and have the capacity to learn complex commands and tricks. In fact, it’s important to stimulate their mind as much as their body when you’re playing with them to keep them from getting restless.
While tamaskans are quick to learn, that’s only when they’re willing. If you don’t establish yourself as the pack’s leader, they’ll be difficult to train until you do so. They might also not enjoy your training if it doesn’t stimulate their mind.
Are Tamaskans Energetic?
Tamaskans are very energetic, like most work dogs. This means that you’ll want to walk with them often or even take them on runs with you. Their high energy levels come from their parent breeds, which are Alaskan huskies, German shepherds, and other high-energy dogs. Therefore, make sure you give them plenty of time and attention to avoid them getting rowdy in the house.
To manage their energy properly, make sure you exercise with them for at least two hours daily. While this may seem like a lot, it’s best if they walk for about two dozen miles a week or play for at least 14 hours. Otherwise, your tamaskan might get reckless.
Are Tamaskans Easy to Train?
Tamaskans are easy to train as long as they respect you. The first part of your training must focus on establishing that trust as the pack leader. Once you do, it’s easy to train them however you want. You can focus on obedience training, commands, agility training, off-leash training, and just about anything else you can think of.
Ultimately, there isn’t much these work dogs can’t do.
Are Tamaskans Good Watchdogs?
Tamaskans aren’t the best watchdogs. While you can train a tamaskan to do just about anything, they’re not fierce barkers or aggressive. While they can alert you to danger if something is wrong, they’re more curious about strangers than anything. For these reasons, they’re better as work dogs than watchdogs or guard dogs.
Are Tamaskans Good Service Dogs?
Tamaskans are great service dogs because they’re receptive to all types of training. These dogs can be trained to help people with physical or mental disabilities, as long as it’s within reason. When it comes to helping physically, tamaskans are great at guiding people, fetching items, and pushing wheelchairs if they get stuck.
On the mental health side, they can provide deep pressure therapy (DPT) to calm people down, find help during a seizure, and guide someone out of a crowd. Tamaskans are also smart enough to know when someone is about to enter a panic attack before it happens, which can help them prevent it from happening in the first place.
It’s also worth noting that tamaskans can be great emotional support animals because of their emotional intelligence. Even without service dog training, they can recognize when someone needs comfort. This also applies to therapy dog work, but they’re not a common breed for therapy services because of their appearance and size.
How to Care for a Tamaskan
Tamaskans are easier to care for than most dogs. Their nails will wear down over time as long as they’re active, so keeping them engaged is essential if you don’t want to worry about trimming their nails. Aside from their nails, other grooming needs are minimal because their coat has natural oils. In fact, it’s best to avoid bathing them too frequently to prevent tampering with this natural oil.
Also, keep an eye on their dental health. Tamaskans eat a lot of food, so brushing their teeth can prevent their teeth from decaying. If you don’t want to brush their teeth manually, you can give them treats that improve dental health.
Do You Need to Groom a Tamaskan?
Tamaskans don’t need a lot of grooming, but you still need to care for their coat. It’s important to brush their coat at least weekly, which will prevent matting and excessive shedding. Other grooming needs include trimming their nails, checking their ears, and trimming fur around their paws.
If you’re ever uncomfortable grooming your tomaskan, you can take them to a professional groomer.
Do Tamaskans Shed?
Tamaskans don’t shed often, but there are some seasons where they shed more than others. These dogs shed the most during the spring when they lose their winter coat, so you’ll want to brush them several times weekly. Otherwise, you’ll get stuck with a lot of hair in your home.
What Health Problems Do Tamaskans Have?
Tamaskans are a healthy breed, so you don’t have to worry about many health problems. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t run into any. Some common health issues impact tamaskans, which include problems with their hips (hip dysplasia), vision, and hearing. As tamaskans age, these parts of their body will decline. Tamaskans may also struggle with digestive problems, epilepsy (rare), and heart problems.
One health problem that’s more prevalent in tamaskans than other breeds is separation anxiety. While this doesn’t cause physical problems, it can result in an unhappy dog that gets destructive when you’re not home. Separation anxiety in tamaskans may also result in stress that wears their body down faster.
Also, keep an eye out for heart problems and other health conditions. Always consult with a vet before diagnosing something yourself, and make sure you get your dog checked out often to catch health issues early.
How Long Do Tamaskans Live?
As a healthy breed, tamaskans live for a long time, even longer than some other medium-sized breeds (on average). Tamaskans typically live for at least 12 years, but some can make it past 15. Bringing your tamaskan to the vet regularly, making sure they get exercise, and feeding them a healthy diet will help them live longer.
What Should a Tamaskan Eat?
Tamaskans should eat a healthy diet that consists of high-quality dog food. They can eat kibble or wet food, but make sure adult dogs are eating at least 3.5 cups of food per day. Split this between two meals, and don’t leave extra food in their bowl because it can result in overfeeding. You should also give your tamaskan plenty of treats to avoid getting hungry too often.
Tamaskan puppies have different feeding requirements. You’ll want to start small and spread their meals out to about five times per day. As they grow, begin increasing the amount of food and removing meals until you get to two or three.
According to the International Tamaskan Registrar, tamaskans have sensitive stomachs, so focus on feeding them mostly proteins from meat. Vegetables and healthy fats should also be incorporated, but they should be side dishes and not the main meal.
Is a Tamaskan the Right Dog for Me?
Tamaskans are medium-sized dogs with fierce loyalty and a good work ethic. They’re a great fit for anyone who lives in cold climates where help with hunting and gathering is required. Tamaskans can also function as alert or service dogs, so they aren’t limited to foraging outdoors. You’ll also love tamaskans if you have the time and energy to match their energy. So, make sure you have plenty of time to walk, play, and train them. Doing so will help you improve your bond.
On the other hand, tamaskans aren’t for everyone. Unfortunately, they’re not the best breed for pet owners who have small children because accidents can happen during rough play. You’ll also want to avoid this breed if you live in warm climates because they can overheat rapidly.
Lastly, make sure you have a home with enough space to accommodate a medium-sized dog. If you don’t have a backyard, that’s okay, but make sure there are places you can walk and exercise with your dog.
Overall, you shouldn’t have any problems with a tamaskan if you train them properly and spend enough time with them.