The Chinook is a rare sleddog type or variety developed in the New England region of the USA in the early 20th century. Sled dogs, known also as sleigh dogs, sledge dogs or sleddogs are dogs that are used to pull a wheel-less vehicle on runners (a sled or sleigh) over snow or ice, by means of harnesses and lines. ... Modern New England, the six northeastern-most states of the United States, indicated by red The New England region of the United States is located in the northeastern corner of the country. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the...

Appearance

Standing 21 to 27 inches (53-69 cm) in height at the withers and weighing 55 to 90 pounds (25-41 kg), the Chinook is balanced and muscular. The medium-length double coat is “tawny” in colour, with darker shadings on muzzle and ears; white dogs are not allowed, nor are other colours. Eyes are brown to amber in colour. 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 mastiff than to spitz ancestry. The withers is the highest point on a horses back, on the ridge between its shoulder blades. ... A dogs coat is its fur. ... The red line indicates the 10°C isotherm in July, commonly used to define the Arctic region border The Arctic is the area around the Earths North Pole. ... Mastiffs are a group of large, solidly built breeds of dogs, typically with heavy bones, pendant ears, a relatively short and well muscled neck, and a short muzzle. ... Spitz-type breeds of dog (the correct German plural is Spitze, though Spitzen is commonly used in the US) are characterised by long, thick, and often white fur, and pointed ears and muzzles. ...

Temperament

The breed is described as calm, nonaggressive and friendly, though sometimes reserved with strangers. Inherently gentlen with children.

Health

Health issues in Chinooks are epilepsy, canine hip dysplasia, and eye defects. Hip dysplasia is a congenital disease that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. ...

History

The Chinook owes its existence to one man, Arthur 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 lead driver and trainer on the 1929 Byrd antarctic expedition. He is credited with bringing sleddog sport 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. Wonalancet is an area in New Hampshire in the United States comprised of parts of several towns (Tamworth, Sandwich, Albany, and Waterville). ... State nickname: The Granite State Other U.S. States Capital Concord Largest city Manchester Governor John Lynch Official languages English Area 24,239 km² (46th)  - Land 23,249 km²  - Water 814 km² (3. ... 1917 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Mastiffs are a group of large, solidly built breeds of dogs, typically with heavy bones, pendant ears, a relatively short and well muscled neck, and a short muzzle. ... Belgian Shepherd Dog (also know as the Belgian Sheepdog or Chien de Berger Belge) can refer to any of four breeds of dog: the Groenendael, the Laekenois, the Tervueren, or the Malinois. ... Country of origin Germany Classification Breed standards (external links) FCI, AKC, ANKC, CKC KC(UK), NZKC, UKC The German Shepherd Dog (known also as the Alsatian or Schäfer(hund)) is an intelligent breed of dog. ... Motto: none Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Whitehorse Largest city Whitehorse Commissioner Jack Cable Premier Dennis Fentie (Yukon Party) Area 482,443 km² (9th)  - Land 474,391 km²  - Water 8,052 km² (1. ... 1929 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1924 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Control of the core breeding stock passed from Walden to Mrs. Julia Lombard and from her to Perry Greene in the late 1930s. Greene, a noted outdoorsman, bred Chinooks in Waldboro, 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 United Kennel Club in 1991; current numbers of registered animals are around 400. The registry has a cross-breeding programme 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 registered Chinooks. State nickname: The Pine Tree State Other U.S. States Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Governor John Baldacci Official languages None Area 86,542 km² (39th)  - Land 80,005 km²  - Water 11,724 km² (13. ... 1963 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1981 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... State nickname: The Pine Tree State Other U.S. States Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Governor John Baldacci Official languages None Area 86,542 km² (39th)  - Land 80,005 km²  - Water 11,724 km² (13. ... State nickname: The Buckeye State Other U.S. States Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Governor Bob Taft Official languages None Area 116,096 km² (34th)  - Land 106,154 km²  - Water 10,044 km² (8. ... State nickname: The Golden State Other U.S. States Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Official languages English Area 410,000 km² (3rd)  - Land 404,298 km²  - Water 20,047 km² (4. ... The United Kennel Club (or UKC) is the second oldest all-breed registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States and the second largest in the world. ... 1991 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Working Life

Although still used for recreational dogsledding 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 agility trials.

Miscellaneous

Chinooks are recognised and registered only by alternative registries such as the American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service and the UKC.

External link

• The Chinook Owners Association (http://www.chinook.org)

• Chinook Club of America, Inc. (http://www.chinookclubofamerica.org)