Chinook
OVERVIEW OF THE CHINOOK
The Chinook traces its origin in New Hampshire and is known for its reputation as a hard-working dog and a dedicated family pet. Smooth as tawny leather, bare-bones, male Chinooks can reach a height of 26 inches just at the shoulders and are stocky and powerful creatures. Females tend to be slightly diminutive in stature due to their more feminine appearance.
The Chinook is a multipurpose dog that’s happy hiking or competing in other agility sports. They exude quiet, unwavering dignity and their dark almond eyes sparkle with goodwill. Chinooks are gentle dogs who love humans and are especially good with kids.
They’re easily trained, and a few of the activities they’re experts at are sledding, carting, agility, search and rescue, and herding. Although Chinooks aren’t the most active breed, they do need regular exercise to maintain their peak physical condition.
HISTORY
Arthur Treadwell Walden, a resident of Wonalancet, New Hampshire, and budding polar explorer, founded the Chinook. In 1896, the New Englander followed his wanderlust to the Last Frontier at the heart of the Alaska Gold Rush. For six years, Walden toiled across the Klondike as a sled-dog driver, prospector, stevedore, logger, and riverboat pilot.
After years away, Walden returned to his village, a dedicated musher intent on starting his own kennel of sled dogs. A mastiff-type dog and the offspring of one of the many of Admiral Robert Peary’s Greenland huskies served as the basis for Walden’s breeding program. The puppies he raised gained acclaim for their pleasant demeanor and natural talent as sled dogs.
Chinook was the head dog on Walden’s sled team and that served as an inspiration for Walden to name the new breed after the head dog. (The term “Chinook” originates from a Native American term for “warm wind.”) The ancestry of every modern Chinook may be traced back to this lone hound.
As a result of the tremendous success of his breeding effort, Walden and the new breed of dog quickly rose to prominence in the sledding community. Still, Len Seppala and the Siberian Huskies quickly surpassed them in fame after their 1925 “Serum Run” to Nome, Alaska, went viral and made them international celebrities.
A Chinook crew led by Walden accompanied the legendary 1928 Antarctic expedition by Admiral Richard Byrd. The tenacity displayed by Walden, who was 58 years old, and Chinook, who was 11 years old, left Byrd suitably impressed.
In two separate trips, he was able to transport 3,500 pounds of supplies (16 miles each way) with only Walden’s team of 13 dogs. When it came to carrying passengers, Walden’s crew was indispensable.
In 1947, Walden lost his life trying to rescue his wife from the fire that destroyed their Wonalancet farmhouse. The number of his newly developed breed steadily declined throughout the years that followed.
CHINOOK TRAITS
Appearance
Chinook is known for its huge size, floppy ears, and golden color, but some of these dogs have perked ears; you won’t know for sure how the puppy’s ears will appear until it’s roughly six months old. The length of the coat is about average, consisting of an exterior coat that is rough and an undercoat that is dense but fluffy.
Their tawny skin tone can range from a modest honey color to a stunning reddish-gold color. The Chinook has a distinct appearance and may have dark brownish to black streaks on the ears and snout. Also, they may have black streaks on the inner corners of their eyes.
Their eyes are shaped like almonds with some dogs having markings of a buff color on their cheeks, snout, neck, torso, toes, and stomach. When they’re relaxed, the dog’s long tail is allowed to hang down, but when they are agitated, the tail is carried up.
Temperament
Chinooks are gentle and friendly dogs, but they tend to be reserved when meeting new people. They should be contained within a fenced yard because they’re prone to wander.
While Chinooks are wonderful family pets and friendly with other dogs, they aren’t watchdogs. Also, even if they show initial signs of timidity towards humans, this dog is neither aggressive or violent. The dog does not bark excessively but uses “woo-woo” or whining noises to communicate.
They are high-energy pets who love exploring the outdoors with their owners on walks, runs and bicycle rides. They might be suitable as therapy animals. Chinooks despise water and, despite loving a good workout, can quickly get tired if they play endless games of fetch. It’s worth considering that a Chinook might become excited and start digging in the yard as well.
Due to their high intelligence, puppies benefit greatly from constant, firm training from the moment they join your family. It’s highly recommended to get them into proper training as early as possible because they have the potential to develop a headstrong personality without proper training. They are willing to learn and adapt quickly.
FOOD AND HEALTH OF THE CHINOOK
Diet
The Chinook should be fed a premium dog food suitable for its age, as recommended by breeders. Keep an eye on your dog’s calorie intake and weight, as certain dogs are predisposed to being overweight.
While treats have their place in training, too much can lead to weight gain and hinder progress. When feeding your dog table scraps, it’s best to be sparing and stay away from cooked bones altogether as there are only certain human foods that Chinooks can eat.
You should feed your Chinook a balanced diet to keep it healthy and happy. When selecting dog food, look for full, balanced nourishment on the packaging. If you’re cooking for your dog at home, prepare meals using the appropriate nutrients.
Remember, including protein in your dog’s diet is essential. It’s the primary structural component of every living cell. Given its working dog status, the Chinook requires a diet with a protein content between 24 and 25%.
Energy is primarily derived from the fat eaten, both plant and animal fats. It promotes a healthy glow to your dog’s skin and coat. Their daily diet should consist of 8 to10% fat. On the other hand, minerals are essential for your dog’s diet because they help build strong teeth and bones.
Exercise
Chinooks require a daily activity of at least an hour’s duration. It’s crucial to give your Chinook plenty of opportunities for physical activities to keep it healthy and happy. Chinooks excel at dog sports because of their high rate of metabolism.
Despite their laid-back demeanor in the house, Chinooks are quite active dogs who enjoy engaging in physical activity. Due to their close relationship with their owners, these dogs excel as traveling companions.
They love spending time alongside their human family so much that they even go boating and swimming with them. Because of their ancestry, Chinooks are naturally gifted at pulling sports like dog sledding, scootering, and bikejoring. Also, they do very well in active settings, such as going for long runs with their owners or helping out on the farm.
Chinook can benefit from regular exercise. Your pet can receive some exercise from playing fetch for a long time; a fenced-in patio is perfect for this. The backyard isn’t enough, though; you’ll also need to provide your dog with regular mental and physical stimulation.
Remember to also engage in some form of mental training. Chinooks are bright dogs; play with them in ways that stimulate their brains. It’s a good idea to provide your dog with some engaging toys to play with in addition to the training sessions. Chinooks love a challenge, and they’ll love the reward much more once they’ve figured out the solution to the puzzle.
Training and socialization
Training is essential if you want your Chinook to be obedient, healthy, and cognitively active once you bring it home. If you’ve decided to adopt a Chinook puppy, don’t waste time getting started on its training. Puppies between the ages of six and eight weeks old are typically very willing to delight their owner.
It’s also simple to train them because they remember whatever you show them. Get them started on basic obedience training at eight weeks, and then move on to potty training at 12 weeks. Keep them in the early Chinook training even after they’ve reached adulthood.
Get serious about training early and add advanced skills like difficult tricks and agility to your training plan. The Chinook is a high-energy working dog that needs regular exercise. Your dog’s mental health and happiness depend on regular mental stimulation, which you may provide through agility training.
As a first step, you should start training your dog in the basics at home, including teaching it to stay, come, sit, and more. The puppy is easily sidetracked by its toys, so keep them out of the training area. Limit daily workouts to not more than 10 minutes. They’ll get bored quickly and have to figure out how to occupy their time.
Chinook pays close attention and picks up new skills quickly. While most sled dogs would bolt in a large park, this one will stay by your side no matter where you go. That’s why it is safe to allow them to run free while you train them in a public space like a park or a busy plaza.
A Chinook is docile and calm, so social aggression shouldn’t be a concern if your dog has been properly raised. Chinooks are naturally shy and benefit from prolonged interactions with individuals and novel stimuli such as loud noises and bright lights.
Otherwise, their normal reserve can turn into awkwardness. It’s recommended to go for early socializing and puppy training programs to ensure that the Chinook develops into a well-adjusted, well-behaved pet.
Health concerns of the Chinook
While Chinooks tend to be quite healthy, they, like all breeds, can develop a variety of illnesses. Although not every Chinook will contract one of these illnesses, you should know about them.
Look for a reputable breeder who is willing to provide you with health documentation for both of the parents before you commit to purchasing a puppy from them. The health clearance certifies that the dog has been checked for and found free of a certain disease.
For hip certification, look for certifications from either the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or PennHIP, and for eye certification, look for CERF clearances. These are the standards by which Chinooks are judged.
Clearances aren’t given out to dogs under two years old since some health issues don’t manifest until the canine achieves full maturity. Find a breeder who waits until its dogs are at least two or three years old before breeding them. Hip dysplasia, cataracts, epilepsy, troubles with the skin and coat, and digestive disorders are all things that have been observed in this breed.
Optic illnesses
Cataracts are an opacity on the eye’s lens that impairs vision. Cataracts are an age-related condition that can be treated surgically in some cases to restore your dog’s eyesight.
Digestive tract issues
Some Chinooks may be predisposed to developing long-term GI (gastrointestinal) difficulties such as constipation, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Myelopathy or degeneration of the spinal cord (DM)
DM is a progressive neurologic condition of dogs that manifests primarily in the rear limbs, causing weakness and a lack of coordination.
GROOMING INSIGHTS FOR THE CHINOOK
The Chinook has a luxurious double coat that requires no maintenance. Chinooks, like all mammals, undergo seasonal molting. The Chinook’s double coat consists of a tough, long outer coat and a thick, soft, short undercoat that rests near the body.
The fur is longest around the neck, shoulders, back, and legs. In contrast to their thick and fluffy winter coat, their summertime coat is lighter and rougher. Brush your dog once a week to eliminate dead hair and debris and to keep the dog clean and tidy.
It’s important to brush your pet for longer periods each day throughout the shedding season, which occurs twice a year but more frequently in neutered pets. Nails should be trimmed regularly to prevent your pet from experiencing the pain associated with having nails that are too long.