The Chinook

Named after the Inuit word for “warm winter winds” the Chinook is a strong, hardy and swift dog that is capable of hauling heavy loads across a frozen tundra. This dog is characterized by having a broad skull and a tapered muzzle. The eyes are brown and almond-shaped. When he is alert, his saber tail is formed in a distinctive sickle curve. When joined in competition, the Chinook is presented in all its natural glory, hair should not be trimmed (not even the whiskers).

Chinooks were once bred to pull sleds and was once close to extinction. Thanks to the efforts of Chinook fanciers, the breed is once again thriving. Chinooks no longer pull sleds for a living but do so as a sport. Most Chinooks are entered into winter competitions / sports, and the rest are bred to be pets.

If you are looking for a guard dog, then the Chinook is not for you for these animals are known to have a gentle, calm, and happy temperament. These shy and reserved dogs are very loyal to their masters. Chinook puppies should be properly socialized else adult Chinooks would not outgrow their inherent shyness. Although they would be friendly towards strangers, children and older dogs, they would rather remain by the side of their master.

Chinooks, though they are working dogs, do not need heavy and strenuous exercise. The Chinook requires only a few exercise sessions per week. After a hearty run or some obedience lessons, an adult Chinook will rest and once he has regained his breath, he will find ways to entertain itself.

Despite being a working dog, Chinooks can live comfortably in an apartment or inside a house. Chinooks love human contact and would prefer to live with humans rather than stay outside in the backyard or a dog house.

The Chinook has a double coat of tawny colored hair. The coarse outer coat covers a thick, soft and downy undercoat. The base and underside of the Chinook’s tail is longer than the rest of the fur on this body part. Acceptable Chinook coat colors should range from light honey to reddish gold. If your Chinook has black markings on the inside corners of its eyes, and the ears and muzzle are darker than the rest of the body, don’t be dismayed as these markings are very much preferred. Because of their double coat, grooming should involve a deeper, firmer brush that normal. The key is to get down into the deeper coat.

Chinooks are known for their excessive shyness. Aside from this personality flaw, Chinooks are generally a healthy breed. However, a small percentage still get afflicted by health problems such as eye abnormalities, hip dysplasia, and skin problems. Some even suffer from mono / bilateral cryptorchidism, and spondylosis. If you’re going to buy a Chinook puppy, make sure that you double check the dogs eyes and his rear legs (to rule out hip dysplasia).

...you may also like other dogs whose appearance is similar to the Chinook include Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamute, and the Akita.