The Chinook Dog: The American Original You Have Never Heard Of.
The Chinook: An American Original You Have Never Heard Of.
The Chinook is a rare American breed of sled dog developed in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in the early 20th century. Tracing its origins to a single foundation sire named Chinook, this hardy working dog is best known as the official state dog of New Hampshire.
The Chinook Origins
The creation of the Chinook is credited to Arthur Treadwell Walden (1871-1949) of Wonalancet, New Hampshire. Walden was a pioneering dog musher who drove sled dog teams in Alaska during the Gold Rush years before returning to New England. In 1917, he acquired a large tawny colored male puppy from a breeding between a Greenland Husky named Ningo and a Mastiff/St. Bernard mix. Walden named this pup Chinook after the warm Chinook winds and began training him as a lead sled dog.
Chinook proved to be an intelligent and powerful worker with strong leadership abilities. Walden soon made the dog the foundation sire for his kennel of sled dogs, breeding him to female Belgian Shepherds, German Shepherd Dogs, Canadian Eskimo Dogs, and perhaps other breeds. The offspring were then bred back to Chinook to set the type. This established Chinook's prepotency - his ability to pass on his physical traits and temperament consistently.
Walden made Chinook the lead dog of his primary sled dog team for the Byrd Antarctic Expeditions of 1928 and 1929. On the 1929 expedition, the 12 year old Chinook disappeared while shuttling supplies and was presumed dead. The legacy of his genes, however, lived on in the Chinook breed Walden continued developing back home in New Hampshire.
Rise and Fall of the Breed
For the next few decades, the breeding and preservation of the Chinook was continued by Walden's associates. Control of the core breeding stock passed from Walden to Julia Lombard to outdoorsman Perry Greene of Maine in the late 1940s. Greene became dedicated to the Chinook but kept the breed very rare and closely held during his breeding program. After his death in 1963, the population of Chinooks plummeted with only about 11 breedable dogs remaining by 1981.
Such a severely bottlenecked population could have meant the demise of the breed. But dedicated breeders in Maine, California, and Ohio divided up the remaining Chinooks and managed to bring numbers back up just in time. Mixing in other breeds thought to contribute to early Chinook genetics also helped increase genetic diversity. The Chinook survived this brush with extinction to live on into the modern day.
Recognition and Popularity
In 1991, the United Kennel Club (UKC) granted registered status to the Chinook. This was an important milestone that helped promote and stabilize the breed. The American Kennel Club (AKC) later followed suit by accepting Chinooks into their Foundation Stock Service in 2001. After going through AKC's Miscellaneous class, the Chinook finally joined the Working Group as the AKC's 176th breed in January 2013.
Despite official recognition, the Chinook remains extremely rare. Only about 100 Chinook puppies are born each year worldwide, with around 800 total dogs comprising the global population. Chinook owners are working hard to gain greater awareness for these charming and capable canines. But rarity has its benefits - for those dedicated to finding one, the personal nature of locating a breeder and waiting for a puppy makes bringing home a new Chinook an unforgettable experience.
The Chinook Appearance
The Chinook is a strongly built, medium sized dog ranging from 21-27 inches tall at the shoulder. Ideal weight for males is 60-90 pounds, females 45-75 pounds. The UKC breed standard describes the preferred coloration as "light honey color to reddish-gold" with darker amber coloring on the ears and muzzle. Tawny buff markings on the cheeks, chest, legs and underside are common. Small black markings above the inner corners of the eyes give Chinooks a kindly, soulful expression.
The medium length double coat is thick and dense with good undercoat insulation. Eyes are deep set and brown to amber. Ears are moderate in size, set high on the head, and dropped. The tail should be well furred and carried in a gentle saber curve. The Chinook has a balanced, athletic appearance with moderate bone and powerful muscling. Overall, the breed conveys strength, agility, and dignified reserve.
Temperament of the Chinook
Despite their brawn, Chinooks have a gentle, approachable nature. Their temperament can be described as willing, friendly, dignified, and trainable. Chinooks form close bonds with their people and have an especial affection and patience for children. They get along well with other dogs and animals. Reserved politeness towards strangers rather than overt aggression or shyness is the desired disposition.
Chinooks have an innate desire to work cooperatively and please their masters. They take well to training and are highly versatile in ability. Historically they are sled dogs, but today's Chinooks make excellent family companions, hiking partners, therapy dogs, search and rescue workers, and skijoring athletes. Their moderate energy levels and trainability allow them to transition smoothly between working and home environments.
The Chinook Health Problems
With such a limited gene pool, Chinooks are susceptible to some inherited health conditions. Responsible breeding practices aim to minimize these issues, but buyers should be aware of the most common ones:
Aside from these conditions, the Chinook is a rugged breed with overall good health and longevity. Reputable breeders will screen breeding stock for hip dysplasia, eye issues, thyroid problems, and test for the gene mutation that causes epilepsy. With informed care, the typical Chinook lives 12-15 years and enjoys good quality of life.
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Exercise and Care for Your Chinook
The active Chinook needs a moderate amount of daily exercise and stimulation. Long walks, hiking, jogging, or other outdoor activities are ideal. Chinooks also enjoy training exercises, dog sports, and interactive play with people or other dogs. When properly exercised, they are calm and mannerly house dogs.
Chinooks are very clean dogs with little doggy odor. The thick double coat requires weekly brushing to remove dead hair. Bathing should be done on an as-needed basis using mild dog shampoo. Chinooks shed moderately year-round but more heavily during spring and fall.
This is an intelligent breed that does best with plenty of mental stimulation and activities. Keeping their agile minds engaged prevents boredom and destructive behaviors. Chinooks appreciate having a job to do and respond very well to positive training methods. Early socialization to new places, people, dogs, and situations ensures a confident, well-adjusted companion.
Feeding a high quality commercial dog food formulated for active breeds is recommended. Three to four cups divided over two meals per day is typical for an adult Chinook. Regular veterinary care, annual vaccines, monthly flea/tick and heartworm prevention, and yearly bloodwork help keep the Chinook healthy. Overall, they have modest exercise and grooming requirements for an active working breed.
The Ideal Home
What kind of owner is best suited to the Chinook? Active individuals and families who enjoy the outdoors are ideal. Hiking, backpacking, running, cross-country skiing, or dog sports will fulfill a Chinook's needs for exercise and bonding. This breed thrives when included in family activities and outings.
Prospective owners should be prepared to patiently seek out breeders and wait for a puppy - instant dog ownership gratification does not apply for rare breeds! Training time, proper socialization, and veterinary care for a Chinook represent a significant commitment. These dogs do best in homes where they are fully included as family members.
Ideally, the Chinook can continue serving as a sled dog or backpacker for an active owner. But they adapt remarkably well to life as urban or suburban companions who split their days between playtime, training, and snuggling on the couch.
Chinooks want to be where their people are - they do not do well isolated in kennels or backyards. Their affectionate nature and sensitivity require an owner willing to provide structure, positive reinforcement training, and gentle guidance. In return, the Chinook will be the quintessential loyal companion.
Chinook Breed Advocates
A few of the biggest supporters helping increase recognition of the Chinook:
The organizations and individuals above have been integral in keeping the rare Chinook from disappearing. Through dedicated preservation breeding, education, specialty shows, and performance events, they continue to generate interest in this outstanding native American breed.
Notable Chinooks
A few of the exceptional Chinooks that have helped promote the breed:
The Chinook Today
After surviving near-extinction in the 1980s, the Chinook breed has rebounded thanks to devoted breeders and owners. Chinook lovers today continue working to increase awareness of these special dogs while protecting the original type and abilities. There is still much progress to be made establishing the Chinook more widely in the dog world.
But the outlook is bright for this engaging breed. As more people discover the joy of owning a Chinook, popularity is gradually growing. With their attractive appearance, athletic talents, and endearing personality, Chinooks possess all the qualities of a fantastic family dog for the active owner. They excel at dog sports and activities but retain a mellow composure in the house.
For the right person or family seeking a loyal adventure partner that will also relax by the fireplace at day's end, the magnificent Chinook fits the bill and defies comparison. This American original remains stepping out of the history books and into the hearts and homes of appreciative owners lucky enough to meet one. The Chinook's past, present, and future looks bright in the capable hands of devoted breeders and fans around the country.
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