Chinook

From a Single Dog

            The Chinook is a sled dog that descended from a single dog bearing that name.  They were developed in the United States in the New England region at the beginning of the 20^th century.  Once widely used as a working dog, the Chinook is now more commonly a household companion.

            Chinooks stand between 21-27 inches at the withers and weigh between 55-90 pounds.  Their double coat can range from light honey to red/gold, with black markings on the ears and muzzle.  Ears can be erect or dropped, and dropped ears are preferred.  The Chinook in appearance is more mastiff rather than the spitz that is more common in sled dogs.

            The existence of the Chinook can be credited to one man and his dog.  Arthur Walden was an author and explorer, and the dog named Chinook was born on his New Hampshire farm in 1917.  The dog was one of three pups born to a mixed husky female, and his sire was a large, mix breed dog.  Chinook resembled neither of his parents, resembling a large mastiff-like dog.  He excelled as a sled dog, and was used as Walden’s lead dog and stud.  His offspring were bred with Belgian Sheepdogs, German Shepherd Dogs, Canadian Eskimo Dogs, and likely other breeds, as well as mixed breeds.  In 1929 Walden and his team of dogs were part of the Byrd Antarctic expedition.  This was the now 12-year old Chinooks last journey, as he perished during the expedition.

                The Chinook stock passed from Walden to Julia Lombard, and from her to Perry Green in the 1930s.  Green bred the dogs in Maine until his death in 1963, and this almost brought the extinction of the breed. By 1981 only a dozen Chinooks were still in existence.  The breed survived, however, and gained recognition by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1991.  Today the Chinook is still a rare breed, only around 800 dogs are in existence and roughly 100 pups are born yearly.

            Chinooks are intelligent, loyal dogs.  Unlike other northern dogs they do not do well as outdoor pets, as they crave human companionship and want to be part of the pack and family.  They do well with children and normally have no problem with non-canine pets, especially when they are raised with them in the household.  Most are no longer used for sledding, but they are more then willing to do whatever you ask of them, and therefore excel at other dog sports, such as agility and flyball.  Chinooks simply want to be with you.