The Chinook is a rare breed of sled
dog, developed in the state of New Hampshire during the early 20th century. The
Chinook is New Hampshire's official state dog.
Description
Appearance
Standing
21 to 27 inches (53 to 69 cm) in height at the withers and weighing 55 to 90
pounds (25 to 41 kg), the Chinook is balanced and muscular. The United Kennel
Club (UKC) breed standard states, "The ideal coloration runs from light
honey color to reddish-gold. Black markings on the inside corners of the eyes
are preferred. Dark tawny to black markings on the ears and muzzle are
preferred. Guard hairs on the tail may be black. No white markings are allowed.
Buff markings on the cheeks, muzzle, throat, chest, breeches, toes and
underside are acceptable." The UKC standard faults any color other than
tawny and disqualifies albinism. Other proposed standards state that the
medium-length double coat is "tawny" in color, with darker shadings
on muzzle and ears; white dogs are not allowed, nor are other colors. Eyes are
brown to amber in color. Ear carriage is variable, but dropped is preferred and
the head more strongly rectangular than other sleddog breeds. The tail is a
well-furred saber and not the usual brush or plume of Arctic breeds. Overall,
the Chinook seems to owe more to molosser than to spitz ancestry.
Temperament
The
Chinook is an affectionate and playful family companion with a special devotion
toward children. It is a willing worker who is eager to please and enthusiastic
to learn. The Chinook is highly trainable, adaptable, and versatile in his
abilities. Gregarious with other dogs, the Chinook works well in teams and
within family packs. The Chinook is a dignified dog; some may be reserved with
strangers but should never appear shy or aggressive.
Health
Health
issues include normal hereditary problems such as epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and
atopy. Also common is cryptorchidism, which occurs in about 10% of all male
dogs.
History
The
Chinook owes its existence to one man: Arthur Treadwell Walden of Wonalancet,
New Hampshire. The breed derives principally from one male ancestor born in
1917, named "Chinook", who was Walden's lead dog and stud.
"Chinook" derived from a crossbreeding of husky stock from the Peary
North Pole expedition with a large, tawny Mastiff-like male. Photos of
"Chinook" show a drop-eared dog with a broad Mastiff head and muzzle.
Walden's leader was bred to Belgian Sheepdogs, German Shepherd Dogs, Canadian
Eskimo Dogs and perhaps other breeds; the progeny were bred back to him to set
the desired type and was apparently a strong reproducer of his own traits.
Arthur Walden was an experienced dog driver with years of experience in the
Yukon; he was the lead driver and trainer on Byrd's 1929 Antarctic expedition.
He is credited with bringing sled dog sports to New England and with founding
the New England Sled Dog Club in 1924. The 12-year-old "Chinook" was
lost on the Byrd expedition.
Control
of the core breeding stock passed from Walden to Julia Lombard and from her to
Perry Greene in the late 1940s. Greene, a noted outdoorsman, bred Chinooks in
Waldoboro, Maine, for many years until his death in 1963. Rare and closely held
by Greene who was for many years the only breeder of Chinooks, the population
dwindled rapidly after his death. By 1981 only eleven breedable Chinooks
survived. Breeders in Maine, Ohio and California divided the remaining stock
and managed to save the type from extinction.
The
Chinook obtained registered status with the UKC in 1991; current numbers of
registered animals are around 800. Only about 100 puppies are born annually
worldwide. The registry has a cross-breeding program under which Chinooks are
bred to individuals of other breeds thought to have contributed to Chinook
development; fourth-generation backcross descendants of such crosses may be
accepted as UKC purebred Chinooks if they meet the Chinook Owner Association's
Cross Breeding Program requirements.
Chinooks
joined the American Kennel Club (AKC) Foundation Stock Service in 2001 and were
later added to the AKC's Miscellaneous Class in 2010. Finally, in January 2013
the Chinook became the AKC's 176th breed and joined the working group. Chinooks
are still working for recognition from other major kennel clubs.
Working life
Although
still used for recreational dog sledding by some owners, Chinooks today appear
to be used largely as family pets. Individuals are also used for dog-packing,
search and rescue, skijoring, and obedience and dog agility trials.
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