Tamaskan
14-15 yrs
55-85 lbs
24-28"
Finland

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Tamaskan

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Dog Breeds
Tamaskan

55-85 lbs

24-28"

Finland

Tam, Tamaskan Husky

Outside of the Northern Inuit and a few other select breeds, there are few dogs that exist that resemble a wolf as closely as the Tamaskan. Originating from Finland, this large dog was specifically bred to both look like a wolf and have the traditional working drive of relatives like the Siberian Husky, all while maintaining a temperament that makes it companion-ready and family-friendly. Outside of a few specific features, the look is nearly uncanny, so much so that the Tamaskan has been used as a "wolf" in film, television, music videos, mascots and even Broadway. Of course, their excellent temperament doesn't hurt their cause either. But even though they've quickly risen in popularity since gaining considerable notice since their inception in the 1980s, they are still considered a relatively rare breed, although breed clubs have popped up in numerous North American and European countries in recent years, increasing the likelihood of their numbers continuing to rise at a steadier pace.

                
                Purpose
              
Companion, Working

                Date of Origin
              
1980s

                Ancestry
              
Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, German Shepherd

Tamaskan Health

Average Size

Height: 25-33 inches Weight: 65-95 lbs

Height: 24-28 inches Weight: 55-85 lbs

Major Concerns

Hip Dysplasia
Cryptorchidism

Minor Concerns

Degenerative Myelopathy

Occasional Diagnoses

Epilepsy

Occasional Tests

X-Rays
Physical Examination
Blood Panel
DNA

Tamaskan Breed History

Given that the breed was developed in the 1980s, their history is quite short. During that time, Finnish breeders imported a handful of Siberian Huskies with the intent of breeding them with others to create a dog with a wolf-life appearance and a hard working drive yet possessed a good enough temperament to be somewhat easily trained and kept as a companion animal. The US Huskies were crossed with other Siberian Huskies along with Alaskan Malamutes and German Shepherds. There does seem to be at least some debate about the final influences, which could include the more lupine-like Czech Wolfdog to add to its truly wolf-life features. Since the 2000s, these dogs have been featured in numerous forms of visual media, standing in as a life-like representative of an actual wolf. Their increasing popularity has helped them spread internationally and generated breed clubs in numerous countries including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Croatia, and the United Kingdom.

Tamaskan Breed Appearance

It's safe to say that the Tamaskan is easily one of the most wolf-like dogs in existence. Standing up to 33 inches tall at the withers and up to nearly 100 pounds, this breed may fall short of a full-sized Gray Wolf, but still boast considerable overall size. Their heads are long and somewhat narrow with a slight stop and a skull nearly as long as their black-nosed muzzle. Their eyes are almond-shaped and come in a variety of colors, although lighter eyes are considered rare. Their ears are relatively small and pricked, being somewhat triangular in shape. They have a long necks, level toplines, a short, quickly falling croup and a tucked belly. Their frame is relatively light but athletic and muscular, showing most in their thighs. Their tail is long and bushy and is hung when at rest and nearly vertical while at play. Their coats are long and dense, coming in three colors: red grey, wolf grey, and black grey.

Eye Color Possibilities

Hazel

Brown

Amber

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Coat Color Possibilities

White

Gray

Black

Red

Coat Length

Short Medium Long

Coat Density

Sparse Normal Dense

Coat Texture

Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Tamaskan Breed Maintenance

Even with their longer coats, Tamaskans are considered relatively low maintenance dogs. Their coats need brushing with a fine bristle or pin brush a few times a week unless during high shedding seasons, which requires greater frequency, but otherwise take little other care. They generally keep themselves clean and their coats possess natural oils that shouldn't be disrupted with bathing unless they get into something offensive. If they receive a proper amount of exercise, their nails will somewhat wear down on their own but should still be monitored and trimmed to prevent issues like cracking or breaking from arising. Especially because of their high intake of food, their teeth should also be brushed regularly to help maintain good oral health.

Brushes for Tamaskan

Slicker Brush

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

Daily Weekly Monthly

Tamaskan Temperament

Despite looking like one of the greatest hunters nature has to offer, Tamaskans are actually quite gentle, friendly and affectionate dogs. Likely due to their heritage of being raised as pack animals, they are highly social and enjoy being a part of a family, whether it is primarily canine or human. Because of it, however, they don't generally do well being left alone, as they have a tendency to get frustrated or bored and may either become destructive or try to escape. They are exceptionally intelligent which allows them to excel at nearly everything they attempt from simple training to agility, work, and even sledding. They are known to be accepting of other dogs, patient with children, and either relaxed or somewhat aloof with strangers, and usually maintain a pretty laid back attitude when in the home. They do need a considerable amount of exercise though, and will get restless if they're not given the proper amount, which can sometimes translate into poor behavior, so they generally do better with larger homes, preferably with a large yard, and an active family. But given their great overall temperament, intelligence, and social nature, they still make great companions and work dogs regardless.

Tamaskan Activity Requirements

Because of their working and sled dog lineage, Tamaskans not only have a ton of endurance but a fair amount of muscle as well, both of which demand a high level of exercise. As such, they need at least 18 miles of walking or running a week if not more, around 70 minutes of activity daily. Because of their intelligence, they also need to be stimulated mentally as well, so giving them work, teaching them commands or even just playing fetch will go a long way in helping keep them both healthy and tired. Not meant for apartment or condo living, this breed needs plenty of space and activity.

Activity Level

                  Low
                  Medium
                  High
                
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
18 miles

Minutes of Activity Per Day
70 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Tamaskan

Similarly Sized Breeds to Tamaskan

Tamaskan Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3.5 cups
Daily Cost
$1.50 - $2.00
Monthly Cost
$45.00 - $60.00

Tamaskan Height & Weight

6 Months

                  Height: 22.0 inches
                  Weight: 57.0 lbs
                
                  Height: 18.5 inches
                  Weight: 50.0 lbs
                
12 Months

                  Height: 25.5 inches
                  Weight: 68.5 lbs
                
                  Height: 22.5 inches
                  Weight: 60.0 lbs
                
18 Months

                  Height: 29.0 inches
                  Weight: 80.0 lbs
                
                  Height: 26.0 inches
                  Weight: 70.0 lbs

Written by a Puggle lover Jonathan Powell

Published: 02/22/2018, edited: 08/18/2021

Tamaskan Owner Experiences

Hunter

4 Years

3 People

House & Yard

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Herding cattle

Playing fetch

training

Flyball

Oh, Hunter. He is a wonderful companion of mine and my two kids. He loved Herding Cattle as much as he loves work. He is a K9 Unit Police Dog. He loves to play fetch, flyball and loves training. We got him off a breeder in OH. He doesn't shed and is super friendly towards other dogs and people. Even though he is a K9 Unit Dog he sure loves being a herding dog. In the short term. Make sure you have a Ranch.. and a Tamaskan.

3 years, 8 months ago

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