American Tundra Shepherd (Guides 2021)

The American Tundra Shepherd is a working breed originally developed in the United States in the late 1960s. It is a breed that is highly skilled, has a stable temperament, is stocky and furry. Below you can learn more about this breed, its personality, and its good for you.

What Is An American Tundra Shepherd?

What Is An American Tundra Shepherd

The American Tundra Shepherd is a rare breed that was developed in the United States. It was originated by former US Army Canine Chief Instructor Frank Catania of Edwardsville, Kansas, and did so under a defense growth contract from the US Department of Defense.

This breed is robust and huge and established by crossing a German Shepherd and a North American wolf. They have a wedge-shaped head, and their muzzle is long, and their lips are limited. These dogs generally have dark brown eyes, but American tundra dogs can be found with golden, orange, bronze, or yellow eyes.

Their pads are thick and have a dense, fuzzy undercoat, while their outer coat is straight and thick with medium hairs. They usually have a collar of hair around the neck that is longer.

Some Facts About The American Tundra Shepherd

American Tundra Shepherd is one of the most amazing breeds. Know a little more about the American Tundra Shepherd and its many characteristics: 

Size

This breed can grow to between 24 and 33 inches.

Weight

The American Tundra Shepherd can weigh around 5 to 8 pounds when they are puppies. When adults are adults, males can weigh between 110 and 140 pounds and females between 85 and 100. Gain weight too fast

Coat colors

You can find American Tundra Shepherds in the following coat colors:

  • Sable silver, black, and tan with white spots.
  • Steel, gray, black with tan markings.
  • White, brown brindle color
  • Black with silver markings
  • Black and silver color
  • Brindle black color
  • Black with cream or off-white spots

Price

The price of the American Tundra German Shepherd can vary depending on the breeder and their genetics.

What Is The Personality Of An American Tundra Shepherd Like?

The American Tundra German Shepherd is a stable dog that can be used for service or police work. This breed is not easy to train but responds very well to leadership, so it needs a firm owner who gives strict and severe orders.

  • Is stable
  • Smart
  • Playful
  • With high energy

Health problems

Not much is known about the health problems of American tundra herders. Many experts claim that they have fewer inherited health problems than German Shepherds. Breeders of this breed also claim that they are free from genetic diseases.

 Although some aspects can influence the breed’s health, such as the generic German Shepherd, age, diet, and environment. Shepherds of the American tundra can suffer from:

  • Epilepsy
  • Inflate
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Waterfalls
  • Eyesight problems
  • Heart diseases
  • Compulsive behaviors
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
  • Degenerative myelopathy

The Lifespan Of The American Tundra Shepherd

The average lifespan of an American Tundra Shepherd is approximately 13 to 15 years. This will depend on the care and hygiene that it has on the part of its owner.

Temperament

The temperament of the American Tundra Shepherd is stable, although, at times, it can be somewhat aggressive. They are always alert to take care of their space and protect their owners. It is a very intelligent breed, and they have great memory retention.

Although not an easy breed to train, they can learn a lot of commands and tricks easily. You only need an owner who is strict and with strong orders. It is a friendly and loyal dog to its owners and family members.

They have smelling abilities that are excellent, which is why they are good at scenting the air and tracking. It is a breed that he loves to hunt and is reserved with strangers. He has a lot of energy and needs large spaces to exercise and run.

How To Train The American Tundra Shepherd?

It is an intelligent breed of dog, but it is not easy to train. They are ideal for trainers or owners who have more experience so that they can have proper training. If you want to train your American Tundra Shepherd, you can follow the following tips:

  • You must give him strong and severe orders.
  • Must be a strict trainer or owner
  • Must give you treats
  • Offer a reward when he does something right. It will encourage him to keep obeying you.
  • As time passes and you learn more tricks, you can wean the number of treats.
  • You can use a vibrating collar to obey your orders.

How to care for the American Tundra Shepherd?

If you want to acquire an American Tundra Shepherd, you must know how to care for them to be always healthy. Follow the tips below:

Grooming And Care

The American Tundra Shepherd is a breed that does not have specific grooming requirements. You should follow the grooming and care you follow with any other dog to keep it clean and neat. You should brush it very often in the week so that the coat stays nice and clean.

You need to trim his nails or take him to a vet to get the job done and maintain his nails properly. They are dogs that love to be outdoors and get dirty easily; they should be bathed at least once a month. You can use dog wipes to keep him clean between each bath.

Diet

It is a large and robust breed that must have a healthy diet to maintain itself. You have a lot of energy, and that is why you must give him the right positions and a lot of protein in his diet. You can seek out an expert or consult with your veterinarian so that you can plan your American Tundra Shepherd’s nutrition. Remember to look for food that is high quality for large dogs.

Exercise Needs

They are dogs with high energy that need a lot of physical activity. They should take him on daily walks and keep him in a large outdoor space where they can run and exercise. They need a dog’s basic care; you must give him water, love, and a healthy diet with protein.

Is American Tundra Shepherd The Right Choice For You?

The American Tundra Shepherd is a strong, large, intelligent dog that is not for people with a weak heart. If you want to have this breed, you must be strong in your training to obey him and learn his commands and tricks quickly.

If you do not like to use strong commands, you should seek a professional trainer with high maintenance dogs experience. Be stern in your orders to be considered the leader of the pack. You will have an intelligent dog, loyal to its owners and the whole family.

The American Tundra Shepherd is a dog adapted to companionship, surveillance, and protection of the home. It is a breed used for service for people with disabilities.