Does the name “Chinook” ring a bell? Unless you live in New England or are a sled dog enthusiast, you probably haven’t heard of this pup. The tawny, golden-coated dog is a newer breed and is considered one of the rarest not only in the United States but also in the world. Keep reading to discover 15 facts about the Chinook, including its origin, personality, and role as a sled dog.
1. The Chinook Is a Newer Dog Breed
Unlike other dogs with centuries of history and ambiguous developments, the Chinook’s story is well-known because the breed is just over one hundred years old. Their story begins in the early 1990s with Arthur Treadwell Walden. He was an outdoorsman, Polar explorer, and sled dog driver who lived in Wonalancet, New Hampshire. As a canine enthusiast, Walden had a vision for a sturdy dog that could transport materials with the quickness of sled-pulling pups. After crossing multiple breeds, including the Greenland Dog, Mastiff, and Saint Bernard, he created the Chinook standard.
The breed gained traction in the United States throughout the twentieth century but did not receive full American Kennel Club (AKC) recognition until 2013. At the time, there were only 813 registered Chinooks, and it’s believed about 100 puppies are born worldwide each year.
2. Chinook Is Pronounced “Shu-Nuk”
The seven letters in Chinook couldn’t be anymore deceiving. The way it is spelled might lead you to believe it is pronounced “Chin-nook,” with a distinct “ch” at the beginning and a long “oo” sound in the second syllable. However, the pronunciation actually sounds more like “shu-nuk.” This was the name Walden gave to one of the original puppies in his first litter to develop the breed.
While working in the Yukon, one of the sled dogs on his team was named Chinook. He paid homage to this pup’s incredible work by naming his foundation pup, and eventually the entire breed, after him. Fun fact: every Chinook is a direct descendant of the foundation pup, so his legacy will not end!
3. These Dogs Sport Golden Coats
Chinooks have a smooth, medium-length coat in their signature golden hue. However, there are also fawn, tawny, palomino, gray red, and silver fawn varieties that are acceptable breed standard colors. As working dogs, they are larger in size. Chinooks are 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh between 50 and 90 pounds, depending on the gender.
Another trademark is their dark, almond-shaped eyes with black markings on the inner corners. To continue their sweet appearance, they have floppy ears that hang over the sides of their face and might be slightly darker than the rest of their fur. Similarly, the coat on their chest, stomach, and underside can be white or lighter than their faces and backs. Chinooks also have thick, saber-like tails that curve when they walk; it is a trait judges look for when they are judging the breed at dog shows.
4. Chinooks Have Some Grooming Needs
The AKC ranks this breed three out of five on the shedding scale. They are moderate shedders and don’t need much more than a weekly brushing. Although they do not require extensive coat maintenance, daily brushing with specialized combs is recommended during their two shedding seasons each year. This will help remove loose fur and simultaneously increase the amount of sweeping or vacuuming to remove visible hair when these dogs “blow coat.”
In addition, Chinooks require regular baths and basic hygiene care. Their nails should be trimmed on a regular basis to avoid overgrowth, pain and discomfort, or damage to the paws. Their ears and teeth should also be checked and cleaned regularly to remove buildup and ensure they look their best.
5. Chinooks Are Known for Their Sweet Personalities
These pups are excellent for families because of their affectionate personalities and the fact that they can get along with other pets and young children. They are moderately playful, which means they don’t need mental stimulation from toys or their family 24/7. Chinooks are just as happy lounging in the home as they are when completing a job or exploring outdoors.
The AKC also describes them as “devoted, smart, patient.” This comes in handy as they are highly adaptable and will stick by their owners through changes in schedules, physical environment, or noise. One thing to keep in mind is that Chinooks are watchdogs. They are protective of their home and family and will survey their surroundings for signs of danger. This also means they are quite vocal and might be initially wary of strangers but can warm up to them.
6. Chinooks Need Regular Exercise and Training
According to the AKC, Chinooks rank three out of five across the energy, playfulness, and mental stimulation categories. They aren’t couch potatoes, but they will require less exercise than other canines, such as herding breeds. However, playtime makes them come alive, and when the time is right, they are big fans of long walks, hikes, runs, and bicycle rides. Chinooks even feel at home in or near the water, so these dogs are okay swimming with their owners or going on boat rides.
Of course, sled pulling is their bread and butter, and they excel in this breed-specific sport. These dogs have no problem pulling people or transporting items on sleds, bikes, skis, and even scooters. In terms of non-sled activities, they can be trained to compete in other events such as agility, lure-course, rally, and tracking.
7. Chinooks Are Excellent Sled Dogs
So, what are the qualifications for a sled dog? Based on the physical demands and the harsh climates, sled dogs are a resilient bunch. Therefore, sled drivers look for certain appearance, social, and personality traits in Chinooks that predict their success on the road. First, one of the most important features is strong legs and feet that can withstand the cold and endure long-distance travel. A pup that becomes fatigued on short trips or has injuries will not succeed as a sled dog due to discomfort and physical effort.
Second, drivers look for canines that aren’t picky eaters. After each day of exercise, Chinooks need enough calories to refuel their bodies. Those who are selective about what they eat will not have the same energy levels as the other pups who consumed their entire portion of food. A third feature sled drivers look for is friendliness. They want a Chinook who gets along with other dogs, works well in a team, and listens to the driver to ensure the smoothest trip possible.
8. Chinooks Are Endangered
This loyal, rare breed might have more stable population numbers and dedicated breeders now, but this wasn’t always the case. In the second half of the 1900s, Chinooks faced extinction. Due to financial reasons, Walden sold his Chinooks, and they bounced from owner to owner, and state to state over the next decades. One of the subsequent owners, the Greenes, only sold male or spayed female Chinooks, which decreased the possibility of breeding more litters.
By 1981, there were only 28 registered Chinooks in the United States, and enthusiasts took notice. Of the 28 only 11 were deemed breedable as most were elderly or neutered and not in optimal conditions for mating. In the decade between 1984 and 1994, a group of dedicated breeders increased the healthy litter numbers and had a Chinook revival.
9. Chinooks Aren’t the Only Rare Dog Breed
As previously mentioned, Chinooks are a rare breed. They are not as common as the Golden Retrievers, Poodles, Chihuahuas, and French Bulldogs of the world. While there are fewer of them, and their population size might not exceed a few thousand globally, they have the company of other rare breeds to feel less lonely. One breed in this group is the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje. As the name suggests, this compact breed was developed in The Netherlands to help hunters with duck luring. Out of the AKC’s 200+ breeds, Nederlandse Kooikerhondje ranks 170th place in terms of popularity.
Another uncommon breed is the Norwegian Lundehund. These pups are unique for multiple reasons, including their penguin hunting purpose, their six toes, and their extra paw pads! Talk about something different. Norwegian Lundehunds are 198th in the AKC’s list, making them one of the rarest breeds in the United States.
10. Chinooks Are New Hampshire’s Official State Dog!
Chinook is the official state dog of New Hampshire, in the northeastern United States. The idea for this bill began at Roth Lurgio Middle School in Bedford, New Hampshire in 2008. Ms. Jen Johnson Wells’ seventh graders proposed the idea after developing a strong bond with their teacher’s Chinook, who made regular appearances at school events.
In the spring of 2009, the bill was introduced to the state legislature, and Ms. Johnson Wells and her class appeared at the committee hearing to advocate for the Chinook’s historical significance within the state. Fortunately, the bill was approved and became a law in June 2009. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the entire state officially celebrating Walden and the Chinooks’ legacy.
11. Final Fast Facts About Chinook
Here are some other things you might not know about Chinooks:
- A healthy Chinook can live to celebrate its 12th to 15th birthday.
- Because of their rarity, finding a Chinook puppy can take six months to two years.
- They are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia and eye conditions.
- There is a heavy-lift helicopter named the Boeing CH-47 Chinook. Similarly, this breed shares its name with the Chinook salmon, the largest variety in the Pacific that can reach an adult size of 30 pounds.
- Chinooks have been recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) since 1991.
