Chinook

The Chinook is a breed of dog originating in the United States. It is a large and strong dog, especially designed to work in teams on sleds and heavy loads. In addition, it is known for its affable and affectionate temperament with its family.

General details

Members of this breed of dog usually measure approximately 60 centimeters. On the other hand, the average weight is usually between 20 and 30 kg for females, while males reach weights ranging between 25 and 40 kg. The life expectancy of these dogs is between 12 and 15 years. They are not recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).

Breed history in brief

The Chinook dog breed originates from the United States, more specifically from the state of New Hampshire. It was created in 1917 by breeder Arthur Walden, who crossed an Alpine Mastiff dog with a Siberian Husky female. The purpose of creating this breed was to obtain dogs that could work in sled teams and also as companion dogs. The Chinook was developed mainly in the New England region of the United States, and during its first years of existence, they were very popular in the region to work in sled teams. However, their popularity waned with the advent of snow machines and other motorized vehicles that caused the need for sled dogs to diminish. Today, the Chinook is used primarily as a companion dog and as a working dog in activities such as sled racing, cross-country skiing and snow trekking. They are also used in some therapy and as search and rescue dogs.

Breed characteristics

The Chinook breed of dog is a large, strong dog with a powerful, muscular appearance. Its head is broad and strong, with a medium length muzzle and triangular ears slightly rounded at the tip that hang down. His eyes are dark brown and his expression is sweet and friendly. The coat is soft and dense, with a medium to long length, and coloration usually ranging from light golden to a deep reddish brown. The Chinook is a friendly and sociable dog, loyal and affectionate with its family and also with strangers. It is an intelligent and adaptable dog, with a calm and balanced temperament. It is an excellent working dog, very versatile and capable of performing a variety of tasks, such as search and rescue, sled work, herding and therapy work.

Common health problems

The Chinook breed of dog is generally healthy, but like all breeds, they can be predisposed to certain genetic diseases and health conditions. Some of the diseases that have been observed in this breed are hip dysplasia, von Willebrand's disease, Addison's disease and progressive retinal atrophy. In addition to the aforementioned conditions, the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) recommends a cardiac and ocular screening examination, as well as a series of tests to assess the following diseases: chondrodystrophy, autoimmune thyroiditis, multidrug sensitivity, patellar luxation and degenerative myelopathy.