“The Chinook is essentially the advent of 1 man, Arthur Walden of New Hampshire, who had experience as a musher in the Yukon. In 1917, he bred a large, tawny, mastiff-breed farm dog to Admiral Peary’s Greenland husky lead puppy, Polaris, to produce three puppies (Rikki, Tikki, and Tavi). Walden was renamed one Chinook, and this dog has become a prized lead dog. Walden and Chinook introduced the sport of sled dog racing to New England. Chinook became bred to Belgian and German Shepherd working puppies, Canadian Eskimo Dogs, and probably others. His offspring had been named Chinooks in his honor. At nearly age 12, the original Chinook and 15 different Chinook puppies were part of Admiral Byrd’s 1929 Antarctic expedition. Byrd defined them as the backbone of the expedition. Unfortunately, Chinook died while there. He renamed The Chinook Trail in New Hampshire to honor Chinook. Walden eventually gave on his kennel to some other breeder, who did not continue the line.
Instead, present-day Chinooks descend from 3 puppies—Jock, Hootchinoo, and Zembla— placed earlier than the Antarctica expedition. Eventually, they had passed those puppies to some other breeder, who sold only males or spayed females, so no one else was able to breed them. After he died in 1965, some other breeders continued. In 1965, the Guinness Book of World Records listed them as the rarest canine, with one hundred twenty-five specimens. By 1981, only eleven breedable Chinooks remained. Several breeders fought to save the breed, crossing puppies with different Chinook foundation breeds and working to raise awareness of the breed. The UKC identified the breed in 1991. In 2009, the Chinook became the country dog of New Hampshire. The breed joined the AKC Working Group in 2013.”

Temperement

Chinooks are gentle, calm, affectionate, and biddable. Unlike maximum sledding breeds, they tend to be reliable off-lead. They are excellent with children, different dogs, and pets. However, a few males may be assertive toward other male dogs. Most are reserved toward strangers, and a few may be shy. They usually are quiet. Although not extensive barkers, they may be vocal and frequently communicate or whine when excited.

Upkeep

Chinooks rejoice in the company of their family and need to stay inside. They tend to be mellow however want a long stroll each day with the possibility to soundly run off lead all through the week. They aren’t natural retrievers. The coat needs weekly brushing; however, every day brushing during shedding seasons, as shedding may be heavy.

Health

“Major diagnosis: none
Minor diagnosis: seizures, CHD, cryptorchidism
Occasionally seen: cataract
Suggested tests: hip, eye
Life span: 11–14 years”

Disclaimer

Note: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet.