The magnificent American Alaskan Tundra Wolves or Shepherd Dog, a unique blend of German Shepherd and Alaskan Tundra Wolves, emerged in the 1960s. Dog handlers across the United States regard this uncommon breed as a top-tier working dog, celebrated for its robust build, stature, intelligence, and demeanor.
Dubbed as a versatile performer, the American Tundra Shepherd Dog and Alaskan Tundra Wolf excels in a multitude of roles. It provides support to individuals with disabilities, and other animals, aids farmers, enhances the efforts of law enforcement and military personnel, supports outdoor enthusiasts, and ranchers, and plays a crucial role in search and rescue missions.
Beyond their professional capabilities in the canine world, these dogs serve as excellent protectors for homes, proving to be delightful companions for families.
American Tundra Shepherd Dog Quick Stats:
| Breed Popularity | Rare |
| Life Expectancy | 13-15 Years |
| Group | Working Group |
| Height | Male 27″-33″ Female 24″-27″ |
| Weight | Male 100-140lbs Female 85-100lbs |
| Temperament | Alert, Dedicated, Loyal, Majestic, Noble |
History Of The American Tundra German Shepherds Dog:
In the late 1960s, Frank Catania, a member of the U.S. Army K-9 Corps, initiated the creation of the American Tundra Shepherd Dog. This endeavor, known as the “ATS Project,” started in 1968, and originally developed ats dogs with the backing and financial support of the U.S. Government.
Following the conclusion of the Vietnam War, the government ceased its funding. However, this setback did not deter Frank. He pledged to continue the project independently at his own Midwest K-9 Training Estates in Edwardsville, Kansas, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to the breed’s development.
ATS Foundation:
For more than four decades, Frank dedicated himself to his dogs, overseeing their breeding and training with unparalleled commitment. He made good family dogs also had good family dogs and invested substantial time in educating individuals to excel in different aspects of the dog industry. His training extended to agitators, canine breeders, breed wardens, dog handlers, trainers, and even show judges.
His facility not only specialized in rescuing and training but also in registering the American Tundra Shepherd Dog. Frank became a central figure in his community, generously sharing his knowledge and his training methods and techniques with others. Demonstrating his commitment to education in the field, he established a dog training school that gained recognition from the Kansas Department of Education, further solidifying his legacy in the canine world.
Frank Catania was a remarkable individual whose significant life achievements were made all the more extraordinary by the fact that for over forty years, he was a quadriplegic, having broken his neck in a horse-riding accident in the summer of 1973. Despite this life-changing event, he continued his passionate work with the American Tundra Shepherd Dog until his passing on December 3, 2008. Frank Catania’s enduring legacy is a testament to his dedication and continues to be honored by his foundation.
The foundation established in his name remains committed to the breed and to perpetuating Frank’s visionary work. It is ats foundation aims to do so by advancing the breeding, development, and training of these remarkable dogs through educational and training programs.
Physical Features Of The American Tundra German Shepherd
The American Tundra Shepherd (ATS) distinguishes itself as a rare breed notably impressive breed, featuring remarkable physical characteristics that set it apart from other dog breeds.
Characterized by their large size, these dogs boast a well-proportioned body structure that lends them a powerful and commanding appearance. Their physical build not only contributes to their striking presence but also underscores their capability and strength in various working roles.
Head
The American Tundra Shepherd’s head is notably large, yet it remains in perfect proportion to its robust body, contributing to the dog’s striking and distinctive look. This harmonious balance between the size of the head and the dog’s body further enhances the breed’s imposing presence, reflecting its strength and intelligence.
Mouth
For the American Shepherd, the ideal dental alignment is a scissor bite, where the upper teeth closely overlap the lower teeth. However, a level bite, characterized by the upper and lower teeth meeting directly on each other, is also acceptable for this breed. This flexibility in scissor bite standards ensures that while a specific alignment is preferred for optimal health and function in dogs, slight variations are permissible without detracting from the dog’s overall quality or capabilities.
Eyes
This unique strain of German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) displays a remarkable variety of eye colors, encompassing hues such as hazel, yellow, black, brown, and even orange. This diversity in eye coloration adds to the distinctiveness of each dog’s mouth, contributing to the breed’s unique aesthetic appeal and personality.
Nose
The American Shepherd features a prominent, black nose equipped with well-defined nostrils, a trait that significantly in air scenting enhances its ability to intake air efficiently and exhibit a powerful scenting capability. This characteristic is particularly beneficial, aiding in their renowned proficiency in tasks that require a keen sense of smell, such as search and rescue operations and various forms of tracking work.
Ears Tundra Shepherd Dog
Like their German Dog (GSD) counterparts, the American Shepherd’s ears are large and proportionate, up to one year of the same size as of their head, contributing to their alert and attentive appearance. Typically, these ears stand upright, although they may also tilt slightly, adding to the breed’s keen and observant demeanor. This ear positioning not only enhances their striking profile but also optimizes their auditory capabilities, allowing them to detect sounds efficiently.
Chest
The chest of the American Tundra Shepherd is designed to be robust and powerful, extending down to the elbows or possibly even lower. This characteristic is crucial for providing the dog’s body with a strong foundation, supporting its stamina and endurance.
Back
The American Tundra Shepherd boasts a strong and level back, which is noticeably longer in proportion to the dog’s height, contributing to their distinct silhouette. This structural integrity is supported by strong hips and thighs, laying a solid American Tundra Shepherd foundation for the dog’s powerful build and impressive endurance.
The croup, or the area of the back just before the tail, exhibits a slight tilt towards the tail, enhancing the dog’s agility and facilitating fluid movement. This slight tilt also contributes to the breed’s ability to perform a wide range of physical activities efficiently, from working tasks to dynamic play.
Legs
The American Tundra Shepherd’s legs are robust and well-developed, proportionately sized to match its large body, ensuring a balanced and powerful stance. Contrary to breeds where a difference in leg length can affect the dog’s height, stance, and gait, the American Shepherd’s front and back legs are of equal length. This symmetry contributes to the breed’s efficient movement and stability, supporting their versatile capabilities in a variety of activities and tasks, from rigorous outdoor work to agility-based challenges.
Hocks Tundra Shepherd
The hocks of the American Tundra Shepherd are elongated and well-angled, serving as a cornerstone for the breed’s notable athletic ability. This anatomical structure is pivotal for facilitating ease of movement and swift navigation across diverse terrains. It ensures the dog’s mouth can achieve high speeds without sacrificing balance or stability, a testament to their physical prowess and agility. The careful angulation of the hocks enhances the dog’s overall performance, whether in working environments, during vigorous exercise, or in competitive activities, allowing for fluid, powerful, and efficient movement.
Gait American Tundra Shepherd
The American Tundra Shepherd dog exhibits a steady and solid walk, characterized by a balanced and extended reach in its gait. This manner of movement underscores the breed’s well-coordinated musculature and strong skeletal structure, allowing for smooth, efficient motion.
The dog’s ability to maintain this consistent gait, with a harmonious blend of strength and grace, reflects its athletic build and capacity for enduring physical activities.
Global Kennel Club
Tail American Tundra Shepherd Dog
The tail of the American Tundra Shepherd dog is distinguished by a rounded, fluffy tip that curves gracefully, resembling a saber. This feature contributes to the breed’s striking appearance, with the tail extending beyond the hock but not touching the ground. While the dog’s tail also exhibits a curve, it does not form a complete curl over the back, maintaining a distinctive shape that enhances the dog’s elegant profile. This specific tail characteristic adds to the overall aesthetics of the breed, reflecting a balance between form and function, and is indicative of the breed’s robust physicality and agility.
Coat
The dog’s coat can be short, medium, or long.
Color Tundra Shepherd dog
The American Tundra Shepherd dog displays various coat colors and patterns, showcasing the breed’s unique beauty and genetic diversity. These include:
- Black and Silver: A striking combination where the base of the coat is black, complemented by silver accents that enhance the dog’s appearance.
- Black and Brindle: This pattern features a black base with brindle patterning, giving the coat a textured and dynamic look.
- Black with Off-White/Cream Markings: A classic look where the primary coat color is black, accented with subtle off-white or cream markings that add contrast and visual interest.
- Black Grey Steel with Tan Markings: A sophisticated coat color where a deep, steel grey is mixed with black and highlighted by tan sable silver markings, offering a distinguished appearance.
- White, Brown, and Black Brindle with Silver Markings: An intricate and rare combination, presenting a brindle pattern that intertwines white, brown, and black, subtly highlighted by markings.
- Black and Tan Sable Silver with White Markings: A complex and visually captivating color scheme, featuring a sable pattern that blends black, tan, and silver, accented with white markings for added depth.
Major Faults in the American Tundra Shepherd dog
The temperament and physical characteristics you’ve described encompass both behavioral and structural elements that are significant for the breed’s overall profile:
- Temperament American Tundra Shepherds: A temperament characterized by first-degree submissiveness indicates a gentle and compliant dog that is willing to follow the lead without displaying dominant behavior. This trait can benefit families and work environments where cooperation and adaptability are valued.
- Overshot Jaw: This condition, where the lower teeth are set noticeably back and the upper jaw extends past the lower, can affect the dog’s bite and chewing efficiency. While it’s a deviation from the standard, it doesn’t necessarily impair the dog’s quality of life.
- Undershot Jaw: The opposite of an overshot jaw, occurs when the lower jaw and teeth extend beyond the upper jaw. It’s another deviation from the breed standard that can influence the dog’s bite but is often manageable.
- Dental Count: Having fewer than the breed-standard thirty-nine teeth out of forty-two can be an indicator of genetic variation. While it deviates from the ideal, it’s a relatively minor concern unless it affects the dog’s ability to eat or leads to dental issues.
- Color Standards American Tundra Shepherds: The Global Kennel Club’s acceptance of twelve colors with specific restrictions (such as the allowance of white only on the chest, not exceeding one inch in diameter, and the requirement for a solid-colored back) underscores the importance of coat color and patterns in maintaining breed standards.
- Physical Development: The condition where one testicle is lower than the other and may take up to a year to fully descend is not uncommon in dogs. While it’s a consideration in breeding, it doesn’t necessarily affect a dog’s health or functionality, provided it doesn’t lead to complications like inguinal hernia.
Minor Faults American Tundra Shepherds:
When considering an American Tundra Shepherd dog, it’s crucial to be mindful of certain albino traits and physical characteristics that might indicate deviations from the breed’s standards or potential health concerns. Here are some key points to consider:
- Albino Traits: Be cautious of albinism, characterized by white fur, a pink eyes nose, and pink eyes. These traits can suggest a genetic condition that might affect the dog’s health and sensitivity to sunlight.
- Tail Length: The tail should be of moderate length, not excessively short or overly long, maintaining the breed’s balanced and proportional appearance.
- Ear Structure: Ears should be erect and attentive, not bent, folded, drooping, or floppy. This is a breed characteristic that reflects alertness and good health.
- Paw Structure: Look for well-formed paws. Splayfeet (spread-out toes) or cat feet (compact, rounded paws) can affect the dog’s movement and indicate structural deviations.
- Body Proportion: The body should be neither too short nor too long but well-proportioned to support healthy movement and function.
- Teeth Condition: Healthy teeth should not be discolored, as this can indicate dental or health issues.
- Back Structure: A straight and strong back is ideal. Avoid dogs with roaches (arched), swaybacked (sagging), or too narrow backs, as these can lead to mobility problems.
- Croup Alignment: The croup should slope gently from the hips to the base of the tail, without a significant drop, to ensure proper structure and gait.
Caring For An American Tundra Shepherd Dog:
Exercise:
The American Tundra Shepherd dog possesses a moderate energy level, mirroring that of the German. To ensure their health and well-being, they require an adequate amount of physical activity. Incorporating daily walks and allocating at least two hours of quality exercise every day will satisfy their exercise needs. This regimen not only keeps them physically fit but also mentally stimulated, allowing them to thrive in their environments.
Grooming :
To maintain the health and appearance of an American Tundra Shepherd dog coat, weekly brushing is advised. This routine helps in preventing mats and tangles, ensuring the coat remains clean and lustrous. They experience seasonal shedding twice a year, during which their grooming needs intensify. During these periods, more frequent and thorough brushing is necessary to manage the increased shedding, helping to remove excess hair and maintain the coat’s condition.
Additionally, regular nail trimming is essential for their overall health and comfort. Keeping the nails at a proper length prevents issues such as pain or discomfort while walking, and it can also reduce the risk of nail injuries. Trimming the nails regularly helps ensure the dog’s paws remain healthy and supports a stable and firm stance.
Health:
While specific health information on the American Tundra Shepherd Dog may be limited, it is generally believed that they experience fewer hereditary health issues compared to the German Shepherd. Some breeders assert that this breed is free from genetic diseases, suggesting a robust genetic makeup. However, as with common health issues in any breed, it’s prudent to approach such claims with caution and ensure that dogs are sourced from reputable breeders who conduct thorough health screenings.
To maintain their health, regular annual check-ups with a veterinarian are recommended.
Common Health Issues:
- Bloat
- Cardiomyopathy
- Cataracts
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Ear infection
- Elbow and Hip Dysplasia
- Entropion
- Epilepsy
- Heart Disease
- Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
- Vision problems
Nutrition:
Feeding the American Tundra Shepherd Dog a high-quality diet is essential for enhancing their lifespan and vitality. Opting for premium dog food or well-balanced homemade meals, when possible, can significantly contribute to their overall health dog food. It’s important to select a diet that is appropriate for their life stage—puppy, adult, or senior—as nutritional needs vary with the age of dog food. Puppies, for example, require more calories and specific nutrients to support their rapid growth, while senior dogs may need a diet lower in calories but rich in fiber and certain nutrients to maintain health as their metabolism slows.
Using treats as a training aid can be highly effective for teaching commands or rewarding specific behaviors. However, moderation is key to preventing overfeeding, which can lead to obesity and associated health problems. Treats should be considered part of the dog’s total calorie intake for the day.
global kennel club
Training:
The American Tundra Shepherd dog is renowned for its high intelligence, making it highly adaptable to a wide range of roles and jobs. To harness this potential, they require consistent and firm training from an owner who can establish clear leadership. This breed responds well to positive reinforcement techniques, such as treat rewards, which can be highly effective for teaching basic commands and encouraging desired behaviors.
Starting socialization at an early age is crucial for the American Tundra Shepherd Dog. Early exposure to different people, environments, sounds, and situations helps them develop a calm and stable temperament, essential for their future roles as working dogs or companions. This American Tundra Shepherd foundation of socialization ensures they are well-adjusted and confident in various settings.
For more advanced training or specific tasks, professional trainers can be invaluable. Their expertise can help unlock the breed’s potential in areas such as obedience, agility, service roles, or protection work. Professional training can also provide structured learning environments where these dogs can thrive, further enhancing their skills and behavior. Given the breed’s intelligence and capability, with the right training and proper socialization, the American Tundra Shepherd Dog can excel in virtually any task they are given.
Final
Indeed, the American Tundra Shepherd stands out as a distinctive and intriguing breed, blending the robust heritage of the German Shepherd with unique traits that make it an exceptional companion and working dog. Its origins and development, underscored by dedication and innovation, have resulted in a dog known for its steadfast loyalty, remarkable intelligence, and versatile working capabilities.
Despite the relative scarcity of widespread knowledge about the breed, the American Tundra Shepherd dog has demonstrated its potential to excel in various roles, thanks to its trainability, energy, and affectionate nature. The emphasis on early proper socialization, consistent dog training, and proper health care is crucial in nurturing a dog that is both well-mannered highly intelligent, and capable of adapting to diverse environments and tasks.
For those who appreciate the breed’s qualities and are prepared to invest in their development, the American Tundra Shepherd dog can indeed be an unparalleled companion. The journey of understanding and caring for these dogs continues to evolve, promising enriching experiences for both the breed and their human counterparts. With informed, dedicated ownership, the American German Shepherd is a rare breed poised to thrive and affirm its place as a valued and beloved member of the canine community.
