Chinook Club of America, Inc.

Official Standard for the Chinook - Working Group

HISTORY

The Chinook was originated by author and adventurer Arthur Walden to establish a breed of sled dog with the tremendous power and endurance of the larger Alaskan freighting husky combined with the speed of the smaller Siberian husky used on the tundra. The progenitor of the breed, Chinook, was born on Walden’s farm in Wonalancet, New Hampshire in 1917. His dam was a Greenland husky and his sire a large, St. Bernard-type mixed breed. At maturity, Chinook was a large boned, tawny, flop-eared dog weighing 100 pounds, with an impressive head and kind expression. Chinook was known not only as a wonderful sled dog, but also for his gentle disposition toward children. By breeding Chinook to several different types of working dogs to lighten the weight of the bone and maintain intelligence, Walden created not only a sledding breed but also a versatile working dog. Walden used his team of Chinook dogs to help with farm work by packing materials on their backs, towing boats and hauling equipment to build a powerhouse and bring electricity to Wonalancet. With Chinook in lead, Walden and his dog sled team dominated the early racing scene and are credited with bringing the sport of sled dog racing to New England. In 1924, Walden founded the New England Sled Dog Club, the oldest continually run dog sled club still in operation. In 1927, Walden and 16 Chinooks accompanied Admiral Byrd on his first South Pole expedition and were the backbone of his supply transport. Tragically, Chinook wondered off in Antarctica and was never seen again. After returning from Antarctica, Walden sold his Chinook Kennels to Milton and Eva “Short” Seeley, who later refined the first AKC registered Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies. Walden and Julia Lombard continued to breed and race Chinook’s progeny at Lombard’s Wonalancet-Hubbard Kennels under the sponsorship of the Old Mother Hubbard Dog Food Company. They bred to produce the ideal type of sled dog for all purposes - one that could be used in conjunction with winter sports as well as succeed as a house pet. In 1940 the breed was sold to Perry Greene, who became the sole breeder of the Chinook for the next 23 years. Greene’s breeding program focused on temperament and the Chinooks’ ability to thrive as a family pet. After Greene’s death in 1963, with no clear successor to the breed, the number of Chinooks steadily declined until 1981, when only 11 breedable dogs remained. With this handful of dogs, a small group of dedicated breeders began an innovative breeding program. Since that time, with the help of many fanciers, the Chinook has escaped extinction and is once again enjoyed as a versatile working sled dog and treasured as a family companion.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

The Chinook is a distinct American breed of sled dog. Bred to perform many of the same tasks as other early freighting breeds, the Chinook possesses some Northern, Mastiff-type and German and Belgian Shepherd working-type ancestors in its background. The Chinook is distinguishable from other Northern breeds in that he has a more rectangular shaped head, may have dropped ears, and a close-fitting, tawny-colored coat. His keen expression reflects his intelligence; his proud carriage reflects his dignity. A large working dog capable of pulling light to heavy loads, he exemplifies a sound athlete. The head should be impressive; a broad skull, a tapered muzzle slightly shorter in length than the skull with an aquiline nose, a variety of ear carriages and brown, almond-shaped intelligent eyes. The body should be well muscled with a deep chest, firm, well-developed forelegs, strong backline, definite tuck-up, powerful thighs, a well-furred saber tail that may be carried in a graceful sickle curve when the dog is alert, and oval, compact feet. In action, the Chinook is graceful but purposeful; his gait is smooth and effortless. One of the key breed characteristics is the Chinook temperament: a gentle and affectionate disposition with a calm and willing work ethic. Inquisitive by nature, gregarious in the company of other dogs, patient and tolerant with children, sensitive to harsh handling, social yet dependent on its owner, the Chinook thrives as a family companion and should never appear timid or aggressive. This breed is presented in a completely natural condition with no trimming. The Chinook was developed to be a working sled dog and any deviation from the standard which compromises that purpose should be penalized in direct proportion to the degree of the deviation.

SIZE, PROPORTION, SUBSTANCE

The Chinook is a slow maturing breed and individual dogs may not reach their prime until as late as four years of age. Size: The height for mature males ranges between 23 and 27 inches at the withers, with an average weight of 70 pounds. The height for mature females ranges between 21 and 25 inches, with an average weight of 55 pounds. Proportion: In profile the body measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks is slightly longer than tall.  Substance: At all weights, the appearance is lean and muscular with moderate bone. Gender differences should be easily discernable, with the females somewhat smaller and lighter than the males. In judging Chinooks, size does not take preference to quality.

The expression reflects intelligence and dignity. The eyes are almond-shaped and of moderate size, with intelligent expression. Dark brown eyes are preferred but lighter, amber eyes are acceptable. Eye rims are dark-pigmented. A dark, apostrophe-shaped accent mark at the inner corner of the eyes is preferred. The ears are well-furred, medium-sized and set wide apart on the head. The ear leather is thick from base to tip. The inner edge of the ear is in line with the outer corner of the eye just below it. Drop, prick, or helicopter ears are acceptable. Helicopter ears are similar to flying ears except that the outer edges of the ears fold inward and the inside edges of the ear stand out from the head, parallel to the ground. For aesthetic purposes matching ears are preferred. The head is of moderate length, about 10 inches, more or less, depending on the size of the dog. The length of the muzzle, measured from stop to the end of the nose, is slightly shorter than the length of the skull, measured from occiput to stop. The planes of the skull and muzzle are roughly parallel to one another when viewed from the side and joined by a moderate stop. When viewed from the front, the skull is broad and slightly domed. The width of the skull is approximately equal to the length of the skull from occiput to stop. The stop is moderate and there is a furrow running vertically from the stop to the occiput. The cheeks have a chiseled appearance. The skin on the face and skull is tight and free from wrinkles. The muzzle tapers slightly from base to nose, is moderately deep and not pointed. The bridge of the muzzle is roughly parallel to the top of the skull, except for the nasal cartilage which dips slightly downward. The nose is large, always solid black and projects slightly over the mouth. The lips are black in color. The top lip overhangs the lower lip very slightly and the corners of the lower lip are slightly pendulous. The jaw is of moderate width with a full complement of strong, evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite. The line of the incisors is straight and perpendicular to the outside lines of the jaw.

Faults - Excessive overbite. Undershot jaw.

NECK, TOPLINE, AND BODY

Neck: The neck is strong and moderately arched. The skin on the neck is pliable but does not form a prominent dewlap. Topline: The topline of the back is straight and strong with a slight arch over the loin to allow for efficient transfer of thrust from the rear quarters. Body: The body is extremely flexible and is well-muscled and hard. The length of the body from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks must be slightly more then the height of the dog. The chest is deep, extending nearly to the elbow, and moderately broad. The deepest part of the chest is just behind the forelegs. The forechest extends well in front of the legs. The ribs are well-sprung out from the spine, forming a strong back, then curving down and inward to form a deep body. There is a definite tuck-up with a clearly defined waist at the flank. The Chinook has a saber tail with an overall well-furred appearance. The tail is distinctly flattened on the sides, with longer hair occurring on the underside and at the base of the tail. It is set just below the topline and is carried in a graceful sickle curve when the dog is alert. When the dog is standing, the tail hangs downward, approximately to the hocks, with a slight upward curve at the tip. The Chinook tail is never docked.

Faults - Body too short or too long. Barrel-shaped or slab-sided ribs. Shallow or narrow chest.

FOREQUARTERS

The scapula and the upper arm form an angle of about 110 degrees. The shoulders are moderately laid back. The shoulder blade and the upper arm are roughly equal in length. The muscles of the upper leg are firm and well-developed. Elbows are neither close to the body nor out but are set on a plane parallel to the body. When standing the forelegs are placed directly under the withers. The forelegs are straight, with strong, moderately short, slightly sloping pasterns and moderate bone. There should be a slight rotation of the pastern causing the dog to toe out not more than 10 degrees so that the dog pushes off from the center toes. Front dewclaws may be removed. The feet are oval, firm, and compact, with well-knit, well-arched toes and tough, deeply cushioned, darkly-pigmented pads. The toes are moderately webbed and the feet are well-furred, even between the toes. The front feet turn slightly outward.

Faults - Fine bone. Straight shoulders. Short upper arm. Weak pasterns. Cat feet or hare feet. Splayed toes. Long, injury-prone toes.

HINDQUARTERS

Viewed from behind, the rear legs are moderately spaced and parallel. Thighs are powerful in appearance and strongly muscled. Stifles are moderately angulated. Hocks are well let-down and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. When viewed from the rear or the side, the hocks are perpendicular to the ground. Rear dewclaws, if present, must be removed.

Faults - Straight stifles. Sickle hocks.

COAT

Chinooks have a double coat of medium length hair. The undercoat is thick, soft, and downy in texture. The outer coat is coarse and the hair lies close to the body. Less dense coats are normal in very warm climates. The neck is well-furnished with hair, which forms a protective ruff blending into the apron. The tail is well-furred with longer hair at the base and underside of the tail. The groin and inside of the rear legs are protected by coat.

Faults - Long, soft, or thin coat. Lack of double coat in cold climate. Unprotected belly and groin.

COLOR

The Chinook is tawny in color. This preferred tawny coloration has historically been a distinguishing characteristic of the breed. The ideal coloration runs from light honey color to reddish-gold. Black markings on the inside corners of the eyes are preferred. Dark tawny to black markings on the ears and muzzle are preferred. Guard hairs on the tail may be black. No white markings are allowed. Buff markings on the cheeks, muzzle, throat, chest, breeches, toes and underside are acceptable.

Faults - Any color other than tawny. Disqualification: White dogs or white dogs with biscuit or cream shading.

GAIT

In action, the Chinook is graceful but purposeful, alert but calm.  The Chinook must be exhibited at a trot. This gait is smooth, efficient and effortless. When the front leg is fully extended the foot should reach to a perpendicular line drawn from the center of the chin to the ground. Viewed from behind, the rear pads should be fully visible. Viewed from the side, some smooth up and down movement at the trot is allowed because this is consistent with proficiency at the gallop. If a Chinook paces in the ring, the judge should ask to have the dog gaited again into a trot. No Chinook should be penalized for pacing unless it cannot demonstrate the correct trotting gait.

TEMPERAMENT

One of the key breed characteristics is the Chinook temperament: calm, non-aggressive, with a willing, friendly disposition. Chinooks are bred to work in teams and do not exhibit dog aggression. Notwithstanding its gentle, even temperament, the Chinook is a dignified dog who may be reserved with strangers or in unfamiliar surroundings. A Chinook should, however, never appear timid or aggressive.

DISQUALIFICATIONS

Viciousness or extreme shyness. Rear dewclaws. Color –White dogs or white dogs with biscuit or cream shading.

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