Chinook: temperament, size, care and health

About the Chinook

The Chinook is a medium to large sled dog with a powerful, balanced body, a tawny coat and a calm, intelligent expression. Adults stand roughly 21 to 27 inches tall. The coat ranges from pale honey to reddish gold, with dark shading on the ears and around the eyes and muzzle. The ears may stand or fold, and the eyes are brown.

It is a very rare breed, born from a single breeder's effort to produce a freight and racing dog that combined strength, speed and a friendly temperament. Today it is kept by people who want an athletic companion with a mild manner, and it is often used for sledding, hiking, carting and skijoring.

Temperament and family life

The Chinook is usually gentle, willing and affectionate. It bonds closely with its family, often follows people from room to room and is wary or polite, rather than hostile, with strangers. It is generally calm indoors once exercised, and it is not known for excessive barking.

The breed is tolerant and sociable with children and with most other dogs, and it is often described as an easy-going family sled dog. Some are shy, so early socialization is valuable. As with other northern breeds, prey drive varies, and some will chase small animals. Chinooks dislike long isolation and may dig, chew or howl if left alone.

Exercise and training

A Chinook needs plenty of exercise, ideally an hour or more of walking, hiking, running or pulling each day, with fresh air and variety. It is happiest with a job, such as pulling a sled, wearing a pack on a trail or taking part in sport. In warm weather limit hard exercise to cool hours.

The breed is intelligent and sensitive, and it generally responds well to gentle, reward-based training. It has more eagerness to cooperate than many northern breeds, but it can still be distracted by scents and wildlife. Use a lead or a secure area. Start socialization early and teach loose-lead walking, as a strong Chinook can pull hard.

Grooming and shedding

The double coat sheds, with a heavy seasonal shed when the undercoat comes out in clumps. Brush once or twice a week with a slicker brush and undercoat rake, and daily during shedding. Baths are only occasional.

Trim the nails, check the ears and keep the paws clear of snow or burrs. Coat care is simpler than for a long-haired spitz. Provide shade and water in summer, and do not shave the coat.

Health

The Chinook is a hardy breed with a lifespan of about 12 to 15 years, but its small gene pool is a concern. Responsible breeders screen hips and may track conditions such as seizure disorders and cryptorchidism, a testicle that does not descend. Allergies, skin trouble and digestive sensitivity have also been reported. Because the breed descends from few dogs, it is wise to ask about relatedness and health testing. Take any concern about a specific dog to your veterinarian, as this is general information.

History

The Chinook was created in the early twentieth century by Arthur Walden of Wonalancet, New Hampshire, who bred a Greenland sled dog to a large tawny mastiff-type dog and developed the line further with other breeds to produce a strong, fast freight dog. His foundation sire was named Chinook, which became the breed's name. Walden drove dogs on Byrd's Antarctic expedition of the late 1920s. The breed nearly vanished by the 1980s, with a very small number remaining, and breeders have since rebuilt it. The American Kennel Club recognized the Chinook in 2013.

Is the Chinook right for you?

The Chinook suits an outdoorsy family that wants a gentle athletic dog and can give it time and company. It is a poor fit for people who cannot exercise a dog daily, who live in very hot areas or who need a guard dog. The Siberian Husky is a faster, more independent sled breed, while the Alaskan Malamute is a heavier freight dog. The Golden Retriever is a more widely available, equally gentle athletic companion.