Chinook

Characteristics of Chinook

Brief information

• Smart;
• Friendly;
• Calm, balanced.

Origin story

The breed got its name from the leader of the American sledding team Arthur Walden from New Hampshire. This man set himself the task of breeding strong, strong, able-bodied animals that are not afraid of the cold, which could compete with husky. So at the beginning of the 20th century these wonderful dogs appeared. About how many breeds participated in the experiments, history is silent. According to various versions, the progenitors of the Chinook were likes, dogs, St. Bernards, Eskimos, Huskies and even large mongrels. But the names of the puppies of the first experimental litter are known: the owner named them Riki, Tiki and Tavi.

Strong, sturdy, hardy Chinooks honestly worked in teams, transporting goods in the harsh North. In particular, they were used in the expedition of General Bern. The dogs could run for hours through the snowy expanses of the Arctic with a heavy load on their backs.

But technological progress is relentless, and the need for sled dogs has dropped dramatically. Chinooks were on the verge of extinction, and they were saved only thanks to the activities of the association of lovers of this breed that arose in America in the 1950s. The Chinook Club is actively working to this day, doing a lot to popularize these animals, considering them a national treasure; The number of dogs is growing, and there is every prospect that the Chinook will receive official breed status.

By the way, in 2009 these beautiful dogs became the symbol of the state of New Hampshire, USA.

Description

There is no official breed standard yet, but it is quite possible to talk about the distinctive features of these dogs. They are large (females are smaller than males), broad-chested, muscular, taut, with a straight back and strong paws.

Color – from light beige to copper-red, with overflowing tones; opaque white spots on the cheeks, chest and abdomen are allowed. The coat is short, but dense, with a very dense undercoat, on the neck and chest it can be slightly longer, forming a neat frill.

Eyes with dark “eyeliner”, there may be a black “mask” of various sizes, as well as patches of black hair on the ears, ridge, tail. The tail is usually saber-shaped, of medium length. Ears drooping or semi-pendulous, of medium size. The nose is black.

Character

Chinooks were bred as working sled dogs. Such a quality as high intelligence was fixed in the breed: in the conditions of the North, not only the safety of the cargo, but also the life of people depended on the ability to correctly assess the situation.

These dogs are distinguished by devotion, focus on the owner and friendliness to people in general and to their own kind. Now, because of these excellent properties, they are taken as companions. The dog will be your excellent companion on a hiking trip, will carry special dog backpack, in winter rides on a sleigh for both children and adults. Another feature of the breed is late maturation. And at two years old, Chinooks can jump and frolic like puppies.

Chinooks are not originally guards, but they are easily trained after the course training learn to protect the owners and property.

Chinook Care

The coat of the Chinook is short, but with a thick undercoat, it does not get very dirty and is easy to clean. In frequent combing out does not need, unless during the molting period. Accordingly, the dog does not particularly need bathing. And if you still washed your pet, lying in something especially fragrant, try to let the undercoat dry well, in winter this is especially important.

claws in Chinooks, as a rule, they wear down themselves if the dog walks for a long enough time.

Conditions of detention

The ideal option is a country house with a large plot. Remember that the Chinook was originally bred to be a tireless runner and heavy load carrier. These dogs do not like limited space, so it is better to send them to enclosures only at night. City dwellers need walks at least twice an hour, at a good pace, it is also very useful to take a dog with you on a bike ride or on a hike.

Prices

There are only a few such dogs in Russia. Their owners are united in social networks. The main population of Chinooks is in the United States of America. So getting a puppy is quite difficult and very expensive. We are talking about amounts equivalent to 1 thousand dollars. Plus payment for the necessary documents for the flight, boxing, the flight itself. But, if you fell in love with this wonderful breed and firmly decided to become the owner of a unique dog, you are not afraid of any obstacles.

Chinook – Video