Elk River Kennels, LLC
Future home of Tamaskans of Alabama
Elk River Kennels is West of Athens Alabama on Hwy 72 located on 5 acres. We first became interested in the Tamaskan dog over a year ago and their beauty stole our hearts. We hope to be breeders for this wonderful breed in the future, but for now, our website is still a work in progress, so please come back and visit us as we develop. We will be posting pictures of our Tamaskans and more information about this wonderful breed. Tamaskans are still new to the United States and there are but a few registered breeders. We hope to join the Tamaskan Dog Registry and the National Tamaskan Club of America in their quest to improve this breed and gain more popularity in the US.
The Tamaskan Dog, also known as The Finnish Tamaskan Dog, is probably the closest you will come to the "look" of the wolf in a breed without the wolf content.The Tamaskan Dog has an excellent temperament and makes a wonderful family dog and companion. They love the company of children and other pets,and tend to get along well with other animals including cats and smaller dogs.
Despite ancestry, the hunting instinct is low, but they do retain the 'pack' dog behavior and crave company of either humans or other canines. They can develop problems such as escaping and destructive behavior when they are left alone for long periods. As a working dog this behavior can also occur without proper stimulation.
All working dogs need to have their brains and bodies exercised from time to time, and the Tamaskan is no exception. In regards to training, they are highly intelligent, but can be somewhat stubborn. Tamaskan Dogs have been known to excel in obedience, agility, sled pulling and musical freestyle, but their calm and laid back nature also makes them suitable as therapy dogs. Unlike their husky ancestors, Tamaskan Dogs respond well off the leash and if trained sufficiently will return to you when called.
According to the TDR standard 'The Tamaskan Dog is friendly and affectionate, should not appear aggressive or overly reserved towards people or other dogs. High intelligence and eagerness to please make them versatile in their uses as a working dog and loyal companion.'
Indeed, Tamaskan Dogs love strangers and would more likely lick them to death than bite, so they would never make a good guard dog.
Some Tamaskans, like other arctic breeds, will howl. This is a most beautiful sound, but generally not at 2 in the morning, and 'beautiful' is usually not how the neighbors describe it
We are proud to introduce our new addition to the family, Blustag Chapala "Tsonata" (pronounced So'nata, meaning "Jonathan" in the Cherokee language)
Tsonata arrived in the United States on Friday March 19th at the Atlanta Int'l Airport. He was so happy to see us and quite ready to be out of his crate. I held him and loved on him the entire 5 hour drive back home. Tamaskans are such loving dogs and really bond with their human companions immediately. For those of you considering a Tamaskan I can tell you that unlike some wolf hybrids, the Tamaskan is all dog in temperament. They are so loving!
Tragically our beloved female Tamaskan pup, and Tsonata's would have been mate, Blustag "Carina" Tewi, passed away due to some very unfortunate chain of events a week prior to his arrival. She will forever be in our hearts.
I cannot tell you how badly she is missed. All Tamaskans are special, but when you have one, you find out just how special each one truly is. I will always love my Carina and a day doesn't go by that I do not think of her and miss her.
Tsonata has proved to be all boy. He is curious and into every thing. Each Tamaskan will have their own personality but their temperament is much the same. Like all puppies they require toys and things to chew on, this will keep your furniture and other items of choice "almost" safe from their urge to chew. Tsonata is still learning what is acceptable and what is not, he is willful and is determined to challenge me in the "not" department. His attitude is, "it is all about me". I tell him no and give him one of his chew toys, but I can see in his eyes, he would rather have the shoe or delicious chair leg he was just inspecting and if I don't watch him he will have it. Tsonata has a knack for destroying things in record time, so vigilance is a must with him. I am convinced that his litter mates must be so glad he is no longer there to chew their ears off! I have gone through quite a number of various toys with him and if it has ears, nose and a tail, he will have them removed in no time at all.
All puppies will chew, and it is necessary for them to do so. Most breeders and experienced dog owners know that when teething a puppies ears will droop, as Tsonata's does. If you have a pup and are worried about those droopy ears, don't. Give them plenty of appropriate things to chew on, this will not only ease their discomfort but help their ears to stand back up. Be aware though that through out the teething process, their ears will fall and stand back up several times until their adult teeth have come in.
Tsonata's first night was nearly sleepless for us. He was not used to being alone in his crate. Crate training is the best way to potty train your new puppy. All dogs like the "den" feeling when it is time to sleep and usually will not potty where they sleep. Tsonata missed his litter mates so much, and he let us know all night long and the next night, and the next. We realized he had to have a play mate. Our older dogs, both rescued husky mixes, would not have anything at all to do with him. My husband and best friend, Jonathan, suggested we rescue another pup from our local animal shelter. I was hesitant at first, but after yet another sleepless night, the decision was made.
Searching for just the right puppy took us to several animal shelters in our area. It turned into an all day outing. We finally found the perfect companion for Tsonata, a Heeler/Husky mix and only a couple days older than he. Our choice of pup had to be not only near his size and age, but be tough and able to give as well as he was about to get. And so "Rio" came home with us, he and his sister were turned into the shelter by their owners. A nice young couple adopted his sister as we were adopting him
Tsonata and Rio are like peas and carrots. Rio will not sleep unless his head is on Tsonata's body. They have the best time together and sleep all night long without a sound. After the 4th night of crate training, all I had to do now is tell them "boys, it's time for bed" and they both go in on their own, side by side, and cuddle up quietly. And yes, Rio has managed to keep both his ears.
Tsonata Update 6-20-2010
He is getting huge! Now at 5 months of age and already nearly the size of our 5 year old husky mix. Tsonata is becoming silver over most of his body with black highlights. Over his back of course, he has the darker grey/black ridge from top of his shoulders to the base of his tail. I was concerned at first about his tail, but my breeder told me his tail would be just fine, he just likes to have it all over the place. And he did, he carried it over his back, sideways, with a curl at the very tip sometimes.
Today his tail is correct, straight, and bushy like a wolf's.
He no longer carries it all over the place as he did before.
So if you have a Tamaskan pup with the same tail carriage, be patient. Although there are a few exceptions that do not correct their tail carriage, the majority of them do.
Summer heat is this breeds biggest problem, depending on where you are geographically located, it can be brutal.
Our summers are typically in the 90's and up for very extended periods. Tsonata spends much of his time in our creek.
Air conditioners become a must and Tsonata loves to be in a nice cool room lying on a cold floor.
I have put a small pool in his outdoor kennel for him to enjoy when he is outside and he thinks it is the best thing since peanut butter.
He will lie in it for hours, switch from one side to the other, and falling asleep with his head hanging off to the side.
He protects his pool fiercely, and has made it very clear to all, that it is his and his alone. He refuses to share.
As I said, his attitude is still "it is all about me".
If you would like more information about this breed or are interested in locating a registered breeder of the Tamaskan dog, please visit the Tamaskan Dog Registry at www.tamaskan-dog.com or the National Tamaskan Club of America at www.tamaskan-dog.us.
The Tamaskan Dog Register's motto is “Wolf-dog without the Wolf”, which should make its meaning perfectly clear, wolf dog without the wolf is just a dog, the Tamaskan has no Wolf content.
If you are interested in rescuing a Tamaskan please visit the NTCA at www.tamaskan-dog.us or www.tamaskanusa.com the website of Michiftamaskan of Wisconsin.
Special thanks to Lynn at arcticbreeds for picking out our newest family members as well as her patience and understanding, she has been invaluable to us.
To John and Tina Bannow at Tarheel for answering our questions and offering their help and guidance. We cannot wait to meet both of you.
And to Denise at Michiftamaskan of Wisconsin, a bigger heart I have yet to see.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that IceWind Farms in NJ and Right Puppy Kennel in North Carolina are NOT registered breeders of Tamaskan dogs. The Tamaskan originated in Finland , and the Tamaskan Dog Register is the official registering entity for all authentic Tamaskan dogs worldwide. The TDR was started by the founders of the Tamaskan breed to maintain registry and health records for all authentic Tamaskan dogs worldwide. The NTCA is the US Club for the Tamaskan breed
Tsonata arrived in the United States on Friday March 19th at the Atlanta Int'l Airport. He was so happy to see us and quite ready to be out of his crate. I held him and loved on him the entire 5 hour drive back home. Tamaskans are such loving dogs and really bond with their human companions immediately. For those of you considering a Tamaskan I can tell you that unlike some wolf hybrids, the Tamaskan is all dog in temperament. They are so loving!
Tragically our beloved female Tamaskan pup, and Tsonata's would have been mate, Blustag "Carina" Tewi, passed away due to some very unfortunate chain of events a week prior to his arrival. She will forever be in our hearts.
I cannot tell you how badly she is missed. All Tamaskans are special, but when you have one, you find out just how special each one truly is. I will always love my Carina and a day doesn't go by that I do not think of her and miss her.
Tsonata has proved to be all boy. He is curious and into every thing. Each Tamaskan will have their own personality but their temperament is much the same. Like all puppies they require toys and things to chew on, this will keep your furniture and other items of choice "almost" safe from their urge to chew. Tsonata is still learning what is acceptable and what is not, he is willful and is determined to challenge me in the "not" department. His attitude is, "it is all about me". I tell him no and give him one of his chew toys, but I can see in his eyes, he would rather have the shoe or delicious chair leg he was just inspecting and if I don't watch him he will have it. Tsonata has a knack for destroying things in record time, so vigilance is a must with him. I am convinced that his litter mates must be so glad he is no longer there to chew their ears off! I have gone through quite a number of various toys with him and if it has ears, nose and a tail, he will have them removed in no time at all.
All puppies will chew, and it is necessary for them to do so. Most breeders and experienced dog owners know that when teething a puppies ears will droop, as Tsonata's does. If you have a pup and are worried about those droopy ears, don't. Give them plenty of appropriate things to chew on, this will not only ease their discomfort but help their ears to stand back up. Be aware though that through out the teething process, their ears will fall and stand back up several times until their adult teeth have come in.
Tsonata's first night was nearly sleepless for us. He was not used to being alone in his crate. Crate training is the best way to potty train your new puppy. All dogs like the "den" feeling when it is time to sleep and usually will not potty where they sleep. Tsonata missed his litter mates so much, and he let us know all night long and the next night, and the next. We realized he had to have a play mate. Our older dogs, both rescued husky mixes, would not have anything at all to do with him. My husband and best friend, Jonathan, suggested we rescue another pup from our local animal shelter. I was hesitant at first, but after yet another sleepless night, the decision was made.
Searching for just the right puppy took us to several animal shelters in our area. It turned into an all day outing. We finally found the perfect companion for Tsonata, a Heeler/Husky mix and only a couple days older than he. Our choice of pup had to be not only near his size and age, but be tough and able to give as well as he was about to get. And so "Rio" came home with us, he and his sister were turned into the shelter by their owners. A nice young couple adopted his sister as we were adopting him
Tsonata and Rio are like peas and carrots. Rio will not sleep unless his head is on Tsonata's body. They have the best time together and sleep all night long without a sound. After the 4th night of crate training, all I had to do now is tell them "boys, it's time for bed" and they both go in on their own, side by side, and cuddle up quietly. And yes, Rio has managed to keep both his ears.
Tsonata Update 6-20-2010
He is getting huge! Now at 5 months of age and already nearly the size of our 5 year old husky mix. Tsonata is becoming silver over most of his body with black highlights. Over his back of course, he has the darker grey/black ridge from top of his shoulders to the base of his tail. I was concerned at first about his tail, but my breeder told me his tail would be just fine, he just likes to have it all over the place. And he did, he carried it over his back, sideways, with a curl at the very tip sometimes.
Today his tail is correct, straight, and bushy like a wolf's.
He no longer carries it all over the place as he did before.
So if you have a Tamaskan pup with the same tail carriage, be patient. Although there are a few exceptions that do not correct their tail carriage, the majority of them do.
Summer heat is this breeds biggest problem, depending on where you are geographically located, it can be brutal.
Our summers are typically in the 90's and up for very extended periods. Tsonata spends much of his time in our creek.
Air conditioners become a must and Tsonata loves to be in a nice cool room lying on a cold floor.
I have put a small pool in his outdoor kennel for him to enjoy when he is outside and he thinks it is the best thing since peanut butter.
He will lie in it for hours, switch from one side to the other, and falling asleep with his head hanging off to the side.
He protects his pool fiercely, and has made it very clear to all, that it is his and his alone. He refuses to share.
As I said, his attitude is still "it is all about me".
If you would like more information about this breed or are interested in locating a registered breeder of the Tamaskan dog, please visit the Tamaskan Dog Registry at www.tamaskan-dog.com or the National Tamaskan Club of America at www.tamaskan-dog.us.
The Tamaskan Dog Register's motto is “Wolf-dog without the Wolf”, which should make its meaning perfectly clear, wolf dog without the wolf is just a dog, the Tamaskan has no Wolf content.
If you are interested in rescuing a Tamaskan please visit the NTCA at www.tamaskan-dog.us or www.tamaskanusa.com the website of Michiftamaskan of Wisconsin.
Special thanks to Lynn at arcticbreeds for picking out our newest family members as well as her patience and understanding, she has been invaluable to us.
To John and Tina Bannow at Tarheel for answering our questions and offering their help and guidance. We cannot wait to meet both of you.
And to Denise at Michiftamaskan of Wisconsin, a bigger heart I have yet to see.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that IceWind Farms in NJ and Right Puppy Kennel in North Carolina are NOT registered breeders of Tamaskan dogs. The Tamaskan originated in Finland , and the Tamaskan Dog Register is the official registering entity for all authentic Tamaskan dogs worldwide. The TDR was started by the founders of the Tamaskan breed to maintain registry and health records for all authentic Tamaskan dogs worldwide. The NTCA is the US Club for the Tamaskan breed
To contact us: email us at alabamatamaskans@att.net
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