Twatha Utonagan

Utonagan History

In the late 60's a woman named Eddie Harrison decided to experiment at creating a new breed. She and some fellow interested breeders bred together Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies and German Shepherd Dogs, the aim being to produce something that looked like a wolf.

pictured Here are some of her stock:-

pictures courtesy of June Clarke (Donehogawa) and animals galore

In 1987 4 animals were imported from San Francisco pictured below

These dogs were imported as 25% wolfdogs, but upon further investigation were found to be rescued animals of unknown ancestry.
Also one female was imported from Alaska

The progeny of these dogs were then selectively bred back to the Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky and German Shepherd mixes already in place.

After over 35 years of breeding we have now established consistency in type, which would marred by re-introducing the foundation breeds.

In 1988 they were First named "Northern Inuit", a sister-group to the Northern Inuit Society decided that due to the controversy over the name Northern Inuit, it should be changed to Utonagan (thank you to Brian Jenkins for coming up with such a lovely and appropriate name).

The Utonagan society took stock from the northern Inuit society and continued to use stock from Eddie Harrison and other founder breeders. However the two societies visions of what the dogs should look like differed early on, and therefore some slight differences were introduced when the Northern Inuit society imported some of it's own stock, many years down the line the difference is now quite apparent, with chest width and coarseness of head being the most obvious.

They are a gorgeous dog, with a lovely temperament, great with other dogs, kids and other animals. Utonagan are home bred dogs, handled and trained from as early as possible, they are fed on the Barf Diet (Bones and Raw Food), this diet is as close to nature as we can create in the family home environment, and produces healthier dogs.
Utonagan make great pets and working dogs, however do not have the drive to make competitive sled dogs.

Utonagan are not to be confused with the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog or the Saarloos Wolfdog. These breeds were founded by crossing the Carpathian Wolf and European Wolf respectively with German Shepherds, they are magnificent animals, but illegal in Britain without a Dangerous Wild Animals licence due to their lupine heritage.

UTONAGAN HAVE NO WOLF OR WOLFDOG CONTENT.

The Utonagan Society was initially set up around 1999, whilst it's previous chairperson did a great deal to move the breed forward and help get the breed recognised, a new committee is now in place.

Another Society the British and International Utonagan Society was set up in late 2003, after the founder obtained 3 very closely related dogs from the previous secretary of The Utonagan Society. This society closed early in 2006, changed it's name and breed, as they are now calling the breed Tamaskan's and breeding Utonagan to Czechoslovakian Wolfdog cross Huskies based in Finland. Please be advised that any animal with wolf or wolfdog content is illegal in the UK without a Dwa licence.

The Utonagan club was founded in June 2006, it's aim is to obtain Kennel Club recognition and it is run under kennel club rules and regulations. Whilst it is a new club, it has the backing of experienced pedigree breeders as well as a number of the original founder breeders.