My new (not really a) wolfdog

[azhketh]

Beautiful Pup! I photographed some Tamaskans last year at the Rose City Classic Dog Show, and hope to find some to photograph this year, too. The man who had them there was campaigning for the breed's recognition by the AKC.

Here's one of them that I really liked:

I love him! want!

 

[Daenerys]

Beautiful dog!

So, you wouldn't trust Right Puppy Kennel? I first discovered Tamaskans because of them, and they're in my state...I've been wanting a Tamaskan ever since I saw theirs. They say they don't breed their Tamaskans with anything that has wolf in them.

 

[Hypancistrus]

Gorgeous puppy!! I love the photo where dad and brother are running up behind her!

And the follow up to this unsolicited PSA is:

Yes, consider adoption, but don't feel obligated or pressured into it if you realize that selectively, purposefully bred dog with known parentage and a relatively predictable temperament is better suited for your lifestyle - particularly if you've gone through all the work of locating a breeder that is responsible and produces healthy, well-tempered animals.

And alo consider the potential risks of adopting a dog with an unknown history as well - because they are very real.

And certainly, don't be made to feel guilty because of widespread animals rights propaganda.

My current dog is a rescued mutt, and is an extraordinary dog with astounding temperament, just in case anybody is wondering.

:sidestep:

Thanks for the follow up. All three of our dogs are purebreds purchased from a breeder. Two out of three times (I knew I wanted a puppy Golden as my first dog) we looked at PetFinder and checked out local shelters. The only thing local was pitbulls and mixes. I am a huge fan of bully breeds and know enough about them to realize they're not for us. We also checked out rescues. Bassett rescue refused to give us a dog because we "didn't live on a farm," and chihuahua rescue had no dogs that didn't bite kids or chase cats. We also considered an Italian Greyhound from a rescue-- there were very few dogs in the rescue, most were older with health problems. We began the process but then decided to pursue a bassett instead of a sight hound.

My mother adopted her last two scotties-- one from a breeder as a retired showdog and the second from a rescue. The first developed bladder cancer 3 months after my mother got her and was dead 6 months later-- heart breaking. And the second, Tessie, was 14 when my mom got her. She had her another year. Tessie also was a bit of a biter-- she grabbed my leg once when I was leaving the house and it was a good thing I had on thick jeans and she had very few teeth left.

Tara's parents recently adopted a white doberman and that dog is (pardon my french) really freakin crazy. She doesn't seem to grasp the line between playing and fighting and has that "fear biter" look in her eye. Everytime we see her I say to Tara thank God it was your parents that took her in and not some family with children-- she could seriously maul a child that walked right up to her.

I have other friends who have adopted dogs, including bullies, from local shelters and they are absolutely wonderful. Tara and I hope to adopt a "Heinz 57" mix at some point in our life, preferably a big fluffy shepherd of some sort. But we'll be very cautious in selecting a dog that will fit in our home. You have to be realistic about what you want from a dog and what you're willing to give to get there.

It's okay to buy purebred dogs from responsible breeders when you've done your homework on the breed and that particular breeder, and I don't think it makes you a bad person to do so. The animal rights loons have done a good job of linking purchasing purebred dogs with the death of shelter dogs, but it's not responsible dog owners who are the problem-- and the only cure for irresponsible dog owners is education.

 

[diamondlil]

What a stunning puppy! I hope you'll share progression pictures with us along the way!

 

[martin-bernstein]

Beautiful dog!

So, you wouldn't trust Right Puppy Kennel? I first discovered Tamaskans because of them, and they're in my state...I've been wanting a Tamaskan ever since I saw theirs. They say they don't breed their Tamaskans with anything that has wolf in them.

I definitely would not trust them. Check out how easy it is to buy one from them. http://www.rightpuppykennel.com/index.php?p=buynow When I got my pup, I was grilled by the breeder. She wanted to know everything she could about me and my girlfriend to ensure that the pup was going to a good home. She even asked for three references and got in touch with them before we signed a contract. That's the RIGHT way to do it. The WRONG way to do it is to sell your pups to an anonymous person off the internet. For all they know a teenager living in a cramped apartment could be buying it.

Also, look at this. http://www.rightpuppykennel.com/Tamaskan-Puppies . They had four litters in less than two weeks. That's insane! With each pup going for $1000 the whole operation seems like a puppy mill.

 

[Daenerys]

I definitely would not trust them. Check out how easy it is to buy one from them. http://www.rightpuppykennel.com/index.php?p=buynow When I got my pup, I was grilled by the breeder. She wanted to know everything she could about me and my girlfriend to ensure that the pup was going to a good home. She even asked for three references and got in touch with them before we signed a contract. That's the RIGHT way to do it. The WRONG way to do it is to sell your pups to an anonymous person off the internet. For all they know a teenager living in a cramped apartment could be buying it.

Also, look at this. http://www.rightpuppykennel.com/Tamaskan-Puppies . They had four litters in less than two weeks. That's insane! With each pup going for $1000 the whole operation seems like a puppy mill.

Funny you should say that, cause that would be me except I wont be buying another dog until I have a house...

 

[Calift]

It's okay to buy purebred dogs from responsible breeders when you've done your homework on the breed and that particular breeder, and I don't think it makes you a bad person to do so. The animal rights loons have done a good job of linking purchasing purebred dogs with the death of shelter dogs, but it's not responsible dog owners who are the problem-- and the only cure for irresponsible dog owners is education.

I no doubt agree!

I love purebreds- I love their history and appreciate the lifelong dedication of quality breeders. With a good breeder, it's literally a 12 year relationship you'll have!

I also agree a real working dog should come from proven working lines. But if anyone is interested in this (or any) breed mainly based off appearance- then those are the folks who can afford to consider adoption from the appropriate groups.

 

[Calift]

Unless a breeder has hired help...I wouldn't trust anyone personally producing more than 2 litters a year (that live at their house, under their care).

 

[Daenerys]

http://www.tamaskan.com/ CAUTION: This is probably a puppy mill. You can even buy a puppy just buy putting it in the shopping cart and paypalling them! They have no desire to know about the homes their puppies are going to. That's pretty sick. They also use wolves as breeding stock so these do NOT qualify as Tamaskans.

How is the Tamaskan Club of America a puppy mill?? I know they're linked to Right Puppy Kennel, but considering that the website is the TCoA and RPK is where the new NC State live mascot is from, I highly doubt with all that publicity they could get away with being a puppy mill...

 

[martin-bernstein]

How is the Tamaskan Club of America a puppy mill?? I know they're linked to Right Puppy Kennel, but considering that the website is the TCoA and RPK is where the new NC State live mascot is from, I highly doubt with all that publicity they could get away with being a puppy mill...

The Tamaskan Club of America was started by the people over at Right Puppy. Right Puppy, not TCoA, are breeders. I don't know what the definition of a puppy mill is, but having four of your females produce litters in two weeks and then ask for deposits without even knowing who their customers are, that seems REALLY shady to me, puppy mill or not. After all, these are not corn snakes we're talking about here, they are dogs, man's best friends, highly intelligent and emotional animals. As a breeder you have a responsibility to ensure that all your pups go to homes that will give them the best life possible.

 

[Daenerys]

I was talking to the guy Kevin yesterday on his online chat, he says he doesn't sell puppies to people without talking to them first...and that the purpose of the "buy now" page is for people to put down deposits AFTER they talk to him...because they sell to people internationally, its easier to paypal the deposit for those who use paypal. He says nobody puts down a deposit until after they talk to him.

 

[martin-bernstein]

That's good to know. He should consider making the "buy now" page private. It doesn't make his operation look good.

 

[Jessicat]

Another way to check if a breeder is reputable or not is how often they have puppies available. A breeder that ALWAYS has puppies for sale is a huge red flag.

Responsible breeders have.. maybe a litter a year IF that. Anything more than that, and I start to question the breeder's motives, how they raise their dogs, and how they're really choosing their pairings. Breeders who breed for a profit are more likely to breed for looks and stray from the breed standard. They won't be as interested in VERY important things like temperament, disposition, health problems, ect..

 

[TheJadeReptile]

Cute little girl. Would love to have one, but I have my Micheal a Great Pyrenees.

 

[Daenerys]

Another way to check if a breeder is reputable or not is how often they have puppies available. A breeder that ALWAYS has puppies for sale is a huge red flag.

Responsible breeders have.. maybe a litter a year IF that. Anything more than that, and I start to question the breeder's motives, how they raise their dogs, and how they're really choosing their pairings. Breeders who breed for a profit are more likely to breed for looks and stray from the breed standard. They won't be as interested in VERY important things like temperament, disposition, health problems, ect..

If you read their customer testimonials, every single one of them states that the puppy they bought has a superb temperament. Of course I am aware that they choose what they display on their webpage, but still. They also give lifetime health guarantees. So what if they have multiple litters? This guy who runs the kennel breeds these dogs for a living. He can't do that off one litter a year. You also have to remember that someone who does this for a living is capable of spending way more time with the dogs that someone who does it as a hobby. His daughter helps. They are constantly updating their website with photos and videos of the dogs. Each puppy also gets its own photo sessions.

I honestly don't think Right Puppy Kennel is any sort of puppy mill.

 

[Calift]

To the above poster....there is a long spectrum of dog breeders!

There are puppy mills and backyard breeders on one end with horrendous conditions....and top, quality breeders on the other. Far more common are the hobby breeders that love their pets and want to witness a litter- they don't pay much attention to anything other than a good companion. Exactly where all these breeders fall is subjective.

For me personally, I look for breeder that combine the dog's natural talents (working component) with the conformation. I want a breeder that cares more about their national club than the AKC. I want someone who commonly turns down potential owners- because they know their pups better than anyone else and don't sell to anyone who isn't a 100% match. I want someone who has very few litters, but that have dedicated a huge part of their lives to their dogs. I want someone who is passionate about their breed and opening acknowledges the faults. These breeders must have knowledge on health issues and training. And These people do exist- but there are far fewer of them and they may not come up on google. They may not even have a website- and their priority isn't selling dogs. They may have a 2-year wait-list and you might only find them through references. If I'm going to buy a dog in a society that disposes of some many, I'm going to make sure that dog was absolutely put on this earth for the right reasons.

 

[Allalaskan]

Another thing I just wanted to add (not choosing sides haha just an opinion) Usually puppy mills are back yard operations that do not have a business licence. Im sure there are some that are licenced but I know of some profesional breeders who have 3-4 "couples" that breed 1 at a time so usually have a litter every 4 months. These how ever are not that common and most quality breeders only have 1-2 a year. Im not sure about other states but I know in Alaska there is a law that if you have less then 2 litters per year (of dogs atleast not sure about other animals) WITHOUT having a licence of any kind and selling them. How ever we still do not have much of local breeders of pure breeds, and we do have quite a few puppy mills that produce poor quality dogs.

Just because a breeder produces more then 1 litter per year doesnt always mean they are a "puppy mill" but I would do much more further investigation into them before I purchased a dog from them. That means asking for numbers of people who have bought dogs from them, even finding some dog forums and asking if any one has purchased a dog from that breeder. Its getting harder to find honest people, especially when it comes to dog breeders these days it seems especially with the internet now and so many people willing to buy a dog they have never seen aside from a few pictures on the net.

If you do decide to get a dog from them I would recommend you look for some outside sources other then directly from the breeder on how good there dogs really are. Ask around on some forums and try to find some people who have actually baught dogs from them and see how they have done after they have aged a bit. Some times it takes a year or two before any problums come up.

Good luck

 

[Jessicat]

I honestly don't think Right Puppy Kennel is any sort of puppy mill.

I havn't looked into them at all, I was just making a general statement.

I'm also not saying that they're a puppy mill, but that I am weary of buying an animal from anyone who overbreeds their dogs. There are just so many dogs out there that I do feel like if you want the VERY BEST go with a show breeder who keeps top knotch dogs and only breeds them rarley.

Breeders that breed for a profit are doing just that.. breeding for money. It just seems to make sense to me that you won't be getting as high quality of a dog as you would be someone who puts the dogs first and breeding second.

Dedicated top knotch breeder or rescue animal imo.

Just because a breeder produces more then 1 litter per year doesnt always mean they are a "puppy mill" but I would do much more further investigation into them before I purchased a dog from them.

Exactly.

Badly bred dogs can be your worst nightmear.. especially consitering the mixture of dogs you're dealing with in your chosen breed. There are a LOT of high personality breeds in there, and if not bred responsibly.. you could have trouble and danger on your hands.

 

[Dreamsnake]

I know many people who'd never consider adopting a shelter dog because they don't want a badly bred dog. I'm not sure that I agree with them because the dogs I've encountered from breeders have all had genetic health problems. My mother in law has gotten two poodles from the same breeder and both ended up having seizers, I don't know why she got the second one after she put down the first.

 

[Allalaskan]

I know many people who'd never consider adopting a shelter dog because they don't want a badly bred dog. I'm not sure that I agree with them because the dogs I've encountered from breeders have all had genetic health problems. My mother in law has gotten two poodles from the same breeder and both ended up having seizers, I don't know why she got the second one after she put down the first.

I think thats because most dogs you see in the shelters or pounds are usually mix breeds, atleast up here rarely do you ever find a pure breed in the pound. Where as people who breed only for money tend to do alot of inbreeding to produce quanity not quality. Generally dogs who are cross breed are "accidents" and usually have genes from a wider pool where as poorly breed purebreeds can have bad genetics due to intence inbreeding.

As far as the dog breed you are looking at, I think it depends on thw quality of the pure breeds that were used to create this new breed. If good high quality genetic pure breeds were used then chances are they all have good genetics. But again do your home work, ask the guy where the "source" dogs were bought from and there pedigree, make sure that the dogs used were good quality dogs and make sure he does NOT inbreed his dogs. I am very leary of buying dogs that I can not see in person. So be carefull and do your home work