Chinook

• ExerciseHigh

  Needs a good workout or long walk every day.

• GroomingWeekly brushing

  A weekly brush keeps the coat healthy.

• Living spaceHouse with room

  Does best with room to move and a yard.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment12–15 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Hip dysplasia · Epilepsy · Cataracts

The Chinook was created in New Hampshire in the early twentieth century by Arthur Walden, who wanted a sled dog with the freighting power of a heavy northern breed and the trainability and temperament of a family dog. It came close to extinction in the 1960s, when the breed was down to a handful of animals, and it remains genuinely rare today. It is the state dog of New Hampshire. What separates it from the huskies and malamutes is temperament. Chinooks are gentle, patient, notably good with children, and much more biddable than most northern breeds; they are also quieter and far less prone to the escape artistry and independent streak that define a Siberian Husky. Some individuals are shy, so early and continued socialisation matters. They are strongly people-oriented and do badly kennelled or left alone for long periods. They were bred to pull, and they need real work: an hour or more of daily exercise, and they thrive on carting, sledding, hiking and dog sports. The medium double coat sheds seasonally and needs weekly brushing, more during the moult. Because the gene pool is so small, choose a breeder carefully and ask about the health of the whole line: the breed screens for hip dysplasia, eye disease and cryptorchidism, and has a documented movement disorder known as Chinook seizures, a form of paroxysmal dyskinesia distinct from epilepsy, which a breeder should be willing to discuss openly.

• How much exercise does a Chinook need?

  High. Needs a good workout or long walk every day.

• How much grooming does a Chinook need?

  Weekly brushing. A weekly brush keeps the coat healthy.

• Is a Chinook suited to apartment living?

  House with room. Does best with room to move and a yard.

• Is a Chinook a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Chinook live?

  12–15 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Chinook?

  Keep an eye out for Hip dysplasia, Epilepsy, Cataracts. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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