Mary Allen
Active, friendly, and intelligent – these are just a few of the characteristics that define the Chinook. He is a very large dog who loves to be encouraged in sports. But is the Chinook for everyone? And what exactly awaits you when you add a Chinook to your family? We explain that and much more to you in this breed portrait of the Chinook.
If you are thinking about buying a Chinook, this article will help you make a decision. In the following, we give you a rough overview of the character, upbringing, care, and origin of the Chinook.
Essence and character of the Chinook
The Chinook is a very even-tempered, friendly, and intelligent dog that loves to be active. He is rather reserved towards strangers, but this should not be confused with shyness.
He desperately needs close human contact, which can be explained by his breeding history. He was bred as a working dog that can contribute a lot to teamwork, for example as a sled dog.
Socializing from the Chinook
Chinooks get along great with other animals. However, he should already come into contact with other animals from puppyhood in order to guarantee a carefree get-together. This applies to other dogs as well as cats.
With children, it is a little more difficult. Although he is a friendly and even-tempered dog, it should not be overdone with children.
Tip: Due to its high urge to move, it is less suitable for seniors.
Establishing clear and consistent rules when dealing with the dog is a great advantage.
Training and husbandry of the Chinook
The training and keeping of a Chinook is not that difficult but can be quite challenging for dog beginners. Large dogs in particular need a lot of exercise and attention. This is especially true for the Chinook.
He’s not a dog for an apartment in the city. Rather, he needs an environment in which he can let off steam. A house with a garden has the ideal conditions for this. A living area close to which you can go for long walks or hikes is just as suitable.
Care and Health of the Chinook
The Chinook has a very dense coat with a fluffy undercoat. Brushing is necessary weekly and even recommended daily during the shedding period. Hair loss at this time is very strong. All in all, grooming the Chinook is not too complex.
A Chinook is a reasonably hardy and healthy dog, but like many other large dog breeds, they also have size-related ailments. Diseases typical of the breed include:
- clouding of the lens of the eye;
- hip dysplasia;
- skin, stomach, and intestinal problems.
Activities with the Chinook
So that your Chinook is always well utilized, you can choose a few exciting and varied activities with him. Chinooks are open to everything. Here are a few ideas for joint activities with your four-legged friend.
- agility;
- frisbee;
- hikes;
- walks;
- sledding.
Origin of the Chinook
The history of the Chinook begins in the early 20th century when dog breeder and author Arthur Walden began breeding. His goal was to breed an “all-rounder dog” like the ones the North American Indians had. The name Chinook came from the Chinook Indians from whom he knew the dog.
Fun Fact: In 2009, the Chinook became the state dog of New Hampshire.
To revive the breed, he crossed “leftover” Native American dogs with Eskimo dogs, St. Bernard Shorthairs, and Belgian Shepherds. This resulted in a strong breed that could be used as protection and companion dogs or as sled dogs. This breed was given the name “Chinook” because of its “origin”.
Fun Fact: In 1965, the Chinook was listed as the rarest dog at 125 specimens.
By 1981 there were only 11 Chinooks left in breeding worldwide. Many of the breeders worked hard to save the breed and finally succeeded. In 1991, the UKC first recognized the breed, and in 2013 he joined the AKC working group.