Chinook
Chinook is a large dog breed developed in the early 20th century in New Hampshire. This is an excellent working dog as well as a family pet and companion. Chinook is a smart and devoted dog that wants to please its owners. Today they are multipurpose dogs that can excel in pulling a sled, search and rescue, canine sports, or just playing with the kids.
Chinooks are good family dogs that require a decent amount of activities to be happy. They are very adaptable but will be the happiest in a house with a big yard where they can explore. These dogs are diggers, so you must be sure that you have a fenced area since they are escape artists.
Height:
22-26 in (53-69 cm)
Weight:
50-90 lb (25-41 kg)
Origin:
USA
Life Expectancy:
12-15 years
Dog Breed Characteristics
Grooming
Chinook dogs are very easy to take care of. These dogs shed moderately during the year, and weekly brushing will be enough to remove dead hair and keep their coat healthy. Twice a year, they will shed massively (during shedding season) when daily brushing is required.
Chinook coat colors:
- Tawny coloration – from pale honey to deep reddish-gold
- Dilute tawny
General Care
Besides brushing you will have to trim their nails when you hear them clicking on the floor, brush their teeth to prevent gum diseases, and check their ears for any sign of infection (redness, bad odor, wax build-up).
Exercise
Chinooks have a high amount of energy that they need to spend to be satisfied. They are very devoted to their family, especially their owner, so these dogs will enjoy participating in everything you do – long walks, hiking, bike rides, swimming, etc. Since they were bred for sledding purposes, it is no surprise that they do excellent in sledding competitions.
FUN FACT: Chinooks love to participate in canine sports such as rally, tracking, agility, and obedience.
Chinook personality
Chinooks are eager to please their owner, which makes training them easy. They are generally good dogs, but they will still need proper training and socialization so secure that your dog experiences many different life situations so he would know how to react to them. These dogs don't respond well to harsh training methods. Instead, use a lot of treats and praises, and you will get the best results.
These dogs tend to welcome everybody they know by jumping on them, and this can be avoided with early training.
FUN FACT: Chinooks are friendly dogs, and they can't be good guard dogs.
Chinooks and kids
These dogs are an excellent choice for families with kids. They will be their playing partner, and the kids will also enjoy it because they will be able to play with them for hours. You must supervise them while playing, so any unwanted behavior wouldn't emerge.
Chinooks and other animals
Chinooks are pack animals and get along with other canines and animals, especially if they are raised together. However, some dogs can act aggressively toward other dogs of the same sex.
Health
Chinooks are healthy dogs with a life expectancy of 12-15 years. They are, however, prone to some problems that every (future) owner should be aware of. To be completely sure that you will get the best possible dog regarding health, you should buy it only from a responsible dog breeder.
Chinooks are prone to:
- Hip dysplasia
- Allergies
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Cryptorchidism
Chinook breeders
Chinooks are still rare dogs outside of the US and especially in Europe and Asia. When searching for your next dog, take your time to find good and responsible dog breeders and always ask them to show you the health certification of their breeding dogs.
Chinooks are rare dogs; you must be prepared to wait for your puppy. In most cases, you will be put on the waiting list.
If you are considering getting a Chinook for your family, you will not make a mistake. These excellent family dogs will love to participate in everything you do and will accompany you everywhere you go. They will be excellent playing partners for your kids, and you can be sure that all family members will love them.
World Dog Finder team
Updated at07.09.2023.
Breed History
For the development of this dog breed one man is responsible- Arthur Treadwell Walden – a sled dog driver. He bred a Husky bred with a farm dog, and at that time, he didn't realize that he had created this extraordinary line of sled dogs. These dogs possessed great sledding abilities as well as friendly nature. He named this dog breed Chinook by the name of the lead dog of his sled team.
Chinooks have always been a rare breed, and in 1965 Guinness Book of world Records listed these dogs as the rarest in the world. In 1981 several breed enthusiasts decided that they wanted to save the breed from extinction. They succeeded in their attempt, but although these dogs are not extinct, they are still rare.
Chinook was officially introduced in the AKC Working Group in 2013.
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