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crédit photo: Martine Chaîné
Behind every breeding program, there is a story, a passion, and a dedicated person. Here, it's Marie-Andrée who brings her experience and love for Nordic dogs to her kennel. With over 15 years of learning, she has faced numerous challenges with patience and compassion, creating an environment where animal well-being is at the heart of everything. But her journey goes beyond breeding: a profound encounter with a real wolf deeply influenced her vision and connection with these fascinating animals. Discover what makes her kennel a unique place, full of respect, commitment, and passion.
The Story of
Mahìkan Atùm Tamaskan
My Encounter with the Wolf
It was August 15, 2007, near the town of Amherst in Nova Scotia. I had just set up my camp for the night. The sky was pink, the breeze gentle, and the moon reflected over the calm, purple sea. Everything felt peaceful and still.
And then, there he was.
Only five meters away, a wolf stood before me. Perfectly still, his posture noble and calm, his eyes locked with mine. We communicated without a single word. In that silent exchange, I felt sincerity… and humility.
Time seemed to stop as we gazed at one another. I took in his magnificent grey coat, his height and powerful presence. His head was slightly tilted toward me. His eyes, an indescribable blend of grey, green, and yellow, seemed filled with curiosity. In one graceful leap, he was gone, following the trail of prey he soon caught.
But he never truly left me.
From that night on, I carried him in my heart, keeping him and the memory of him alive inside me. He returned to me in dreams, guiding me, showing me a path I hadn’t yet discovered. I loved and trusted him, without ever truly knowing him.
Years later, I adopted my first Nordic dog from the local shelter: Louna. The love story that had once lived only in my memory began to take shape in real life. It was the beginning of something beautiful. My journey with this extraordinary breed had officially begun.
Meet the Heart behind the Breeding Program
Behind every great breeding program is a passionate breeder — and for us, that’s Marie-Andrée.
With over 15 years of hands-on experience with Nordic dogs, including many rescues, Marie-Andrée brings a deep understanding and unwavering compassion to every aspect of her work. Her journey began with dogs who needed the most love: those carrying the heavy weight of trauma, neglect, anxiety, and multiple unplanned litters. These early challenges shaped her gentle and intuitive approach to canine care.
Today, she shares her home with her two cherished companions and runs a family-style dog boarding service. Her core values are observation, listening, and understanding.
Her dogs aren’t just animals — they are her family, the children she never had. Spending quality outdoor time with them is a true priority. They are her life partners, present in every part of her day. Each morning begins with hugs, and each evening ends with a deep respect for one another’s space.
« This small breeding project is a somewhat crazy dream, an adventure that has always lived in the back of the mind and is now coming true. It is a real joy and privilege for us to be part of the development of the Tamaskan here in Canada. Our priorities are the physical and mental balance of our dogs, then maintaining that balance, and finally perfecting that balance. I believe in constant improvement, the quest for perfection, and that our passions are one of the pillars that make our life exceptional. With the Tamaskan, it is so rewarding to pursue this perfection! The criteria for selecting individuals through their morphology and DNA are constantly evolving toward this utopian perfection. At the same time, a new family is beginning to develop, that of the descendants of our breeding, including each adopter and their family. Welcome to our family! »
Marie-Andrée, Breeder and Owner
To continue developing and refining her skills, Marie-Andrée studies under the tutelage of internationally renowned professional trainer Jean-Christian Champagne (pictured below). Always eager to learn, she is committed to giving each dog she welcomes the very best of herself: her time, her knowledge, and her boundless love.
