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Chinook Puppies
for Sale
Chinook
Hurricane Kodiac Bear, the Chinook at 13 months old
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Pronunciation |
Shin-OOK |
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Description |
The Chinook has a compact muscular frame that well
suites this gentle sled dog. The body is well balanced; the chest is deep;
moderate bone and flexible musculature are prominent. The skin on the head is
tight with no wrinkles. The stop is moderate and there is a furrow running
vertically from the stop to the occiput. The muzzle is powerful, and the teeth
are enduring. The breed's ear carriage, rather wind-blown and bending, gives the
dogs a curious and entreating glint, However, the ears can also be pricked up.
The nose has large wide nostrils, should be solid black, and projects slightly
over the mouth. The lips are black in color. The top lip overhangs the lower lip
very slightly and the corners of the lower lip are slightly pendulous. The teeth
meet in a scissors bite. The eyes are almond-shaped and of moderate size, with
an intelligent expression. Dark brown eyes are preferred; but lighter, amber
eyes are acceptable. Eye rims are dark-pigmented. The feet are oval, firm, and
compact, with well-knit, well-arched toes and tough, deeply cushioned,
darkly-pigmented pads. The toes are moderately webbed and the feet are
well-furred, even between the toes. The front feet turn slightly outward.
Dewclaws can be removed from the front feet and, if present, are usually removed
from the back feet. The tail is thick at the root and tapers to the tip. When
the dog is standing, the tail hangs downward, approximately to the hocks. When
the dog is moving, the tail is carried up. The Chinook tail is never docked.
Chinooks have a double coat of medium length hair. The undercoat is thick, soft,
and downy in texture. The outer coat is coarse and the hair lies close to the
body. Less dense coats are normal in very warm climates. The neck is
well-furnished with hair, which forms a protective ruff blending into the apron.
The tail is well-furred, with longer hair at the base and underside of the tail.
The groin and inside of the rear legs are protected by the coat. In color the
Chinook is tawny (a golden fawn). |
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Temperament |
These are dedicated, hard-working and versatile sled
dogs. Performing their given task is their primary concern in life. In addition
to sled-pulling, the breed also can be used for carting, obedience, flyball,
search & rescue, and packing. The build of the dog, coupled with their agile
movement and drive, make them great agility dogs. One of the key breed
characteristics is the Chinook's temperament: calm, non-aggressive, with a
willing, friendly disposition. Chinooks are bred to work in teams and do not
exhibit dog-aggression. Notwithstanding its gentle, even temperament, the
Chinook is a dignified dog who may be reserved with strangers or in unfamiliar
surroundings. A Chinook should, however, never appear timid or aggressive. In
action, the Chinook is graceful but purposeful, alert but calm. His expression
reflects his intelligence; his proud carriage reflects his dignity. Most
Chinooks make excellent pets for children, especially when the dog is
raised with the children (even with rough & tumble children). Most Chinooks
tolerate children even when they haven't had any contact with them. These
dogs are incredibly loyal. They work totally reliable off-leash and really
only want to be with you. Given acres and acres of land, the dogs are
generally going to be wherever you are; so having a lot of space is not a
requirement. The Chinook needs to be close to its family and part of the family.
They do not make good outdoor pets. The Chinook is generally good with
non-canine pets. A tad strong willed, these dogs need to be taught early who is
the "top dog". Chinooks are easily
trained through positive reinforcement, but do not respond to heavy handed
training tactics. They have a very high pain-tolerance and do not appreciate
being disrespected. They are very smart, and only need to know what you want
them to do and why you want them to do it. |
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Height, Weight |
Height: Males 23-27 inches (58-69 cm.) Females
21-25 inches (53-64 cm.)
Weight: Males average 70 pounds (32 kg.) Females average 55 pounds (25
kg.) |
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Health Problems |
The following health conditions have occurred within
the overall Chinook breed: excessive shyness, eye abnormalities, hip
dysplasia, hormonal skin problems, mono/bilateral cryptorchidism, seizures
and spondylosis. Generally, the breed is very healthy and these diseases
occur in a small percentage of the population. Breeders are working hard to
screen out dogs with any diseases listed above, and buyers should make sure
the parents of a puppy are certified as free of eye and hip disease. |
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Living Conditions |
Chinooks make fine apartment dogs so long as the
owner makes a commitment to regular exercise and walking. They do not bark
often and can be left reliably after puppyhood for periods of time. Unlike
their northern breed counterparts, these dogs do not make good outside
pets. They are emotionally too sensitive, and isolation from human contact
triggers separation anxiety and other emotional turmoil. These dogs should
not be kept in a backyard and should always be considered a part of the
family. |
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Exercise |
Chinooks require moderate exercise
and are not hyper dogs, but should be taken for a
daily walk. Once exercise is
over, the dog will easily entertain itself or will rest. |
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Life Expectancy |
About 10-15 years. |
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Grooming |
The coat of the Chinook practically takes care of
itself and requires little to no grooming. Chinooks have a double coat
consisting of a downy undercoat and a course overcoat. Some Chinook owners
have reported their dogs shed twice a
year for about a week; otherwise, they shedding very little; while others have
reported their dogs to shed heavily all year round. One owner stated, "Kodi
sheds VERY heavy almost year round (despite our regular brushing of his coat).
Oz is also a shedder - although so far not as much so as Kodi. I think whoever
has a Chinook should be prepared for dog hair in the house." |
Origin |
The Chinook is a Northern breed derived from a single
ancestor. The father of the breed, Chinook, was born on author/explorer Arthur
Walden's Wonalancet, New Hampshire farm in 1917. He was one of three pups
born to a "Northern Husky" female, sired by one of the dogs on Peary’s
North Pole team. Chinook’s sire was a large, mixed breed dog. Chinook was a
"sport," a phenomenon of nature, not resembling either of his parents.
He was an outstanding sled dog and accompanied Admiral Byrd's South Pole
expedition in 1927. Chinook’s offspring, who inherited coloring, size
and general characteristics, were bred to combine the strength of the large
freight dog with the speed of the smaller racing sled dogs. In the early 1900's,
the Chinook set records for distance covered, loads carried and running
time. This breed has been bred through the years by a small number of
dedicated fanciers. The Chinook is a very rare breed. The Guinness
Book of World Records listed the Chinook as the world's rarest dog in 1966 when
only 125 existed. The Chinook used to be an outstanding sled dog; but in
the 1980s the breed was almost extinct, with only 12 breedable dogs left in the
world. Their sled drive is greatly reduced. They are much more companion dogs
who are capable of doing any sort of work, but they really love sledding,
skijoring and carting. They are particularly good at carting because, unlike
their Siberian and Alaskan counterparts, they are easily trained in obedience
and can work very calmly in harness. Fanciers are working to gain more
recognition and are actively seeking sledders to work with the breeders in
programs that emphasize the working qualities. The Chinook was recognized
by the United Kennel Club in March 1991. The United Kennel Club worked
with the COA (Chinook Owners
Association) to develop a crossbreeding program, which uses dogs originally
bred into the breed to create more diversity and health in the gene pool.
There is an application process, stringent guidelines, and a committee to
oversee the whole thing. At the end of the program, the dogs will be
eligible for purebred registration in the UKC. In an unprecedented move,
the UKC also allows intact Chinook Crosses to be LP registered. (Only a
spayed/neutered non-pure dogs can be LP registered in the UKC.) The Chinooks
New England Club is one of the affiliate clubs of the COA. They are also
working hard at preserving the breed. |
Group |
Northern |
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Recognition |
UKC, ARBA, FORB, CKC, CWNBC, APRI, ACR |
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UKC = United
Kennel Club
ARBA=American Rare
Breed Association
FORB = Federation
of Rare Breeds
CKC = Continental
Kennel Club
CWNBC = Chinooks
Worldwide - National Breed Club
APRI = American Pet Registry
Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry |
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GreatMountain Team Mushing into 2000!
Chinooks and one Husky, GO TEAM GO!!
Photo Courtesy of Greatmountain Chinooks
CH WoodsRunner Allagash Springs TT
Photo Courtesy of Greatmountain Chinooks
Hurricane Kodiac Bear, the Chinook at 13 months old
Hurricane Kodiac Bear, the Chinook as a young puppy
Hurricane Kodiac Bear, the Chinook as a young puppy
This is Tory the Chinook. That's short for 'Victorious
Rejoicing' She got her name because she became very ill as a puppy and almost
died. But Tory is now happy and healthy, her owner is "proud to call her mine!"
Tory the Chinook
Tory the Chinook
Tory the Chinook
See Tory the Chinook playing
Frisbee
Chinook Pictures Page
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Sled
Dog Breeds
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