Hawthorne Tamaskan

Wolfdoglife: We are very excited to share more info on Hawthorne Tamaskan with you! Although we didn’t get our pup from them, I wouldn’t hesitate to choose them as a breeder and I personally think very highly of them. They are always helping anyone with questions all while breeding amazing pups!

How did you first learn about Tamaskans?

I found the breed in 2008 when I was doing research for a current radio telemetry project with coyotes. For some reason, Tamaskan came up in a web search for feral dog heat cycles. Funny how things come up this way.

What made you fall in love with the breed?

I worked with wild coyotes in varying capacity for over ten years. As an undergrad student I trapped and radio collared two at a state park, and followed their movements for a season until they dispersed and were killed. I also produced my senior film project on coyotes as well. This translated into a full blown graduate project at Montana State where I followed the coyote population in Yellowstone, as well as the local biologists there, for my second year as well as my thesis film. My documentary took me to Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario where I shot Algonquin wolves for the project as well. I then did post grad work training another biology student how to trap and radio collar coyotes. All this experience and time spent with them translated into a lot of public lectures; over 40 in all. At every single presentation folks ask if coyotes or wolves make good pets. My answer has always been and always will be a resounding no. So when I came across the Tamaskan – it seemed like a perfect fit for people who want that look and behavior, but who shouldn’t or can’t own a wolf because of local laws. As a personal ethic, I just don’t believe in owning wildlife.

What is your story on becoming a Tamaskan breeder?

Well, at the time we were living in our hometown after moving back from Montana. We experienced a break in, and our cameras, and other expensive items were stolen. We had always wanted a dog and figured we were settled enough to take on the responsibility. Alarm systems give criminals 30 seconds before they have to get out. A dog is a much better deterrent. So we went to the local pound, found a mutt, and brought him home. We loved him so much and he was such a good boy that we decided to get him a buddy. That was about the time I found Tamaskan Dogs in my search. And it’s been downhill ever since! We brought home our foundation bitch in 2009 and Freyja’s still doing great and lives at home with us. I really felt I had a lot to give to the breeding community because I have a background in biology including genetics. Additionally, I wanted to help the breed succeed and so I recognized that we needed a better breed standard and needed to be recognized by an outside registry that still allowed open stud books. We worked toward those goals and accomplished them.

Do you have a best memory or stand out moment?

Every litter is a new adventure. There is nothing dull or repetitive about it. Every experience is different and so we strive to learn from each experience and each individual pup.

Of course, Freyja winning her Championship at ARBA / KC USA during the exhibition for consideration as a new breed with ARBA was remarkable as well. It was 80 degrees that day and so we had a lot of water on hand for all the dogs, a tent for shade, and I had my crate fans going full blast. There we were in the sun, in suits, hoping that the judges saw in our dogs just a small iota of what we saw in them. Six judges looked at Freyja. And ARBA’s ring is huge! She just kept wanting more despite the heat and sun. She was really enjoying herself that day and was such a good girl. We were so very proud to represent the breed and just astonished that we, complete newbies, could do pretty well in the ring. Judges remarked that they haven’t seen dogs move like ours in a long time – so that really hit it home that our structure is something to hold on to as best we can. Also in attendance that day were our dogs Darwin and Raven; and Teresa Cutler with Dylan; Dottie Brown with Max and Mark Firley with Kona. It was an exciting day and a real treat to have a mini-meetup and reunion. That was October 2013.

What makes your kennel different than other breeders? Anything special you do?

I believe we are still the only Tamaskan Dog breeder to be listed on the Puppy Culture breeder directory. This means that we have submitted proof that we use the Puppy Culture protocol for rearing and socialization for our litters. Jane Killion’s methods are very thorough and our litters have improved vastly since we started using her methods. It is labor intensive, but litters are anyway.

Also, we do structure testing for our pups – which drives our buyers nuts. But we do this at 8 weeks so we can send the best representations of the breed to breeding homes. If we lose our good structure, it could be generations before we get it back. I want to keep that beautiful movement we have. It reminds me so much of watching coyotes and wolves move in the wild. And that’s no accident. This is due to proper structure not haphazard breeding. Understanding which traits and faults can and can’t be mixed is an art form and a risk with each breeding. Which is why I say above we are always learning from what we do.

We also do yearly eye exams on our dogs. A single CAER is really useless. Canine ophthalmologists recommend eye testing through the age of 8 to ensure juvenile cataracts are not an issue.

Tell us about your current breeding dogs:

Ruuq, Hawthorne Astrila, has just had her second litter. She is 4 years old. 55 pounds, so a little small for the breed, but she has other virtues.

Darwin, J&J Devil of Piru, has sired a few litters. He is 7 years old and still in tact and fertile. However, he’s getting to the age where we could lose him as a breeding dog so he has been put on ice for litters in 10-20 years from now. He’s a big boy at 100 pounds.

Ember, Hawthorne Gates of the Arctic, will be 2 on July 5th. She just needs her eye exam to be completed. She may be bred this coming winter should she pass her CAER.

(We also have Raven and Freyja, both retired breeding bitches)

What state are you located in?

Pennsylvania

What type of person (or family) would be an ideal owner for a Tamaskan?

We look for people with previous dog experience, who currently have one or more dogs, have a 6′ fence and an active lifestyle. We also must see people who are willing to learn from their dogs, take obedience classes, and willing to put in the work for socialization.

Are there any downsides the breed has that you would like people to be aware of?

This breed is a lot of work. They are not something that should be bought for looks–no breed should. Tamaskan require a lot of early socialization and should ideally meet 100-300 friendly people and friendly dogs before the age of 16 weeks to develop into well adjusted adults. Socialization should continue throughout the dogs life averaging 100 dogs and people per year. Despite what others say, mine at least have a high prey drive. Face it: these are dogs. And canines have a prey drive. Also, these guys need daily on-leash walks to be happy as well as mental stimulation which is why we highly encourage formal obedience classes (or other canine sports like agility). This breed will test your patience. They are problem solvers and have learned to open doors and manipulate each other and their humans. For instance: we may all be relaxing for the evening enjoying a good show on TV. Freyja will decide that it’s time to go out. She will woo woo at us and everyone thinks it’s time to go outside. All the other dogs, (including at least one human) jumps up to go to the door to let the dogs out. This is Freyja’s cue to steal a seat on the couch. Good girl!

Disclaimer: The Tamaskan breed is not technically a “wolf dog”. They are domestic dogs that have been breed to look like wolves. I will feature dogs that look like wolves as well as classified “wolf dogs” but I want to clarify that the Tamaskan does not fall under the true wolf dog category.