| Getting a dog can change your life. If you get a | | | | characteristic wolf mask. Eyes are yellow |
| dog that is compatible with your lifestyle, it can be | | | | through amber and brown, with light colored eyes |
| a very rewarding experience, but all dogs require | | | | being very rare. Adults typically measure 24 to 28 |
| love, attention, care and training, so before you | | | | inches tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 95 |
| make that decision, ask yourself these questions: | | | | pounds. |
| Do I have time to give a dog the attention it | | | | Personality/Temperament: This breed is highly |
| requires? | | | | intelligent and excels in agility, sled racing and |
| Do I have the ability to provide proper grooming, | | | | obedience training but can be stubborn and |
| exercise and training for a dog? | | | | requires pack leadership. It is highly sociable, |
| Can I afford the expenses that come with a dog? | | | | friendly, affectionate, eager to please and makes |
| Do I have what it takes to be a strong pack | | | | an ideal family dog and loyal companion. It is |
| leader? | | | | tolerant toward other dogs and gentle with |
| Do I want to buy a dog from a breeder or adopt | | | | children. It prefers the company of people or |
| a dog from a shelter or rescue? | | | | other dogs and, if left alone for long periods of |
| If, after answering the above questions, you | | | | time, may become destructive or try to escape. |
| decide to move forward with getting a dog, it | | | | It responds well off leash and, with a small |
| would be wise to learn about the different breeds | | | | amount of training, will return when called. It |
| and their characteristics, personality | | | | makes an excellent working dog. A Tamaskan is |
| temperament, possible health conditions and | | | | not a good guard dog because of its friendliness |
| exercise and grooming requirements in order to | | | | toward strangers. Some Tamaskans, like other |
| make an informed decision. | | | | arctic breeds, will howl. |
| This article is a basic overview of one particular | | | | Possible Health Conditions: No known health |
| breed -- a Tamaskan. Read on to decide if this | | | | issues have yet arisen. The average life |
| breed of dog is compatible with your particular | | | | expectancy is 14 to 15 years. |
| lifestyle. | | | | Exercise/Grooming: The Tamaskan is very active |
| History/Background: The Tamaskan, meaning | | | | and needs a great deal of exercise such as a daily |
| "Mighty Wolf" in North American Indian language, is | | | | long walk or brisk jog. It requires free running |
| said to have originated in Finland, although that is | | | | and, if trained, will return when called. Because it |
| uncertain. Five husky-type dogs were imported | | | | is highly intelligent, it needs mental exercise, as |
| into the UK from the USA in the early 1980s and | | | | well. Grooming is fairly easy and includes a good |
| were then bred to Alaskan Malamute, Siberian | | | | brushing once a week, more during times of |
| Husky and German Shepherd crosses, attempting | | | | molting. |
| to create a dog that resembled a wolf but with | | | | Living Conditions: The Tamaskan is not |
| high intelligence, a good temperament and good | | | | recommended for apartment life and may |
| working ability. Breeding continued down through | | | | become destructive or attempt to escape if left |
| the years to improve the bloodlines and the | | | | alone for long periods of time. It needs a large |
| bloodlines were finally closed in 2006. The | | | | place for free running every day. |
| Tamaskan was first imported into the USA in | | | | Summary: The Tamaskan is a large dog that |
| 2005 and has since grown in popularity. The | | | | resembles a wolf but is highly sociable and |
| Tamaskan Dog Register was formed in February | | | | affectionate and makes an ideal family dog. It |
| 2006. Although it looks like a wolf, it has no wolf | | | | requires little grooming and has no known health |
| content. | | | | issues so far but does require a great deal of |
| Physical Characteristics: The Tamaskan is large | | | | physical and mental exercise and may display |
| and athletic, slightly taller than German | | | | destructive behavior if left alone for long periods |
| Shepherds. It has a wolf-like appearance with | | | | of time. So, now that you've learned a little |
| small ears, a straight bushy tail and coarse,thick | | | | about this breed of dog, one question remains -- |
| coat in three main colors, red gray, black gray | | | | Is a Tamaskan the right breed for you? |
| and wolf gray, with black overlay and | | | | |