Research Updates

Health and Genetics

The Chinook Club of America along with the CCA Health and Genetics Committee encourages and supports research into health related issues that impact the Chinook Breed.

The following core canine health and genetics organizations have had a positive impact on the health of the Chinook and are organizations CCA would like our members and our breeders to support:

The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (CHF)

The CHF, founded in 1995, funds canine health with an emphasis on genetic research.  CHF is the largest non-profit funder of exclusively canine research in the world.  The Chinook is currently the recipient of a CHF “ACORN” Grant - Active grant number  847-A: “Mapping and Identification of the Mutation Responsible for Epilepsy in the Chinook” by Gary S. Johnson, DVM, PhD at the University of Missouri..

The CHF website provides information on current and competed research projects sorted by disease, institution, breed, researcher and grant number.  CCA has established a Donor Advised Fund with the CHF where contributions donated specifically to CCA’s “Chinook Donor Advised Fund” will be used for Chinook Dog health and genetic research.  These funds also earn interest, are tax deductible, and are often matched by CHF. Your donations to the Chinook Club of America’s Chinook Donor Advised Fund are appreciated!

CHF provides educational services to parent clubs and dog owners including sponsoring health events, informational booths at major AKC conformation shows, and conducting canine health and genetics breeders’ symposiums across the United States.  Watch the Chinook Club of America website for notices on CHF events.

The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)

CHIC is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC CHF and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).  CHIC’s mission is:  “to provide a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists that will assist in breeding healthy dogs.”  CHIC provides an open database that allows parent clubs to identify and track major health concerns within their breed so that breeders and buyers may have accurate information on which to base decisions.

To obtain a CHIC certification your Chinook must be permanently identified.  CHIC testing for certification is individualized by the parent clubs for each breed.  For Chinooks, testing is required for hips through the OFA or PennHIP, and eyes through the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF).  At least one of the following elective exams is also required:  an OFA cardiac evaluation, an OFA thyroid evaluation, or an OFA patellar luxation evaluation.  A CHIC number is issued when a Chinook has completed the required tests including one elective test.  Your Chinook dog will receive a CHIC number regardless of test results (passing or not passing).  CHIC certified Chinooks can be found listed on the CHIC website.

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)

The OFA was originally founded in 1966 to investigate canine hip dysplasia but since that time the organization has expanded its goal to “improve the health and well being of companion animals through the reduction in the incidence of genetic disease”.  Some of the health databases maintained by the OFA include hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, autoimmune thyroiditis, congenital heart disease, shoulder OCD, as well as several DNA based databases. The OFA website provides health and genetics information, forms for testing and testing information, reports on breeds and individual dogs, and a list of coming health clinics.

OFA records can be searched by breed, name, and registration number:  as of June 2008, over 700 evaluations on Chinooks can be researched on the OFA website.

Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF)

CERF maintains a health registry of dogs that have been certified free of known heritable eye disease that are specific for each breed.  CERF issues reports on the prevalence of eye diseases by breed and publishes articles on various canine eye conditions such as cataracts, persistent pupillary membranes, and retinal dysplasia.

To receive a CERF certification, a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist exams your Chinook’s eyes, advises you on any findings, and completes and mails a customized “CERF form” back to CERF.  The owner fills out the back of the CERF form given by the vet, and mails the form along with the appropriate fee to CERF.  The vet’s form provides breed information to the CERF database while the owner’s form is used to issue a one year eye certification to the owner.  This certification is good for 12 months from the date of exam.  Recertification requires additional exams.

CERF maintains an online verification page where Chinooks can be searched by their name, CERF number, or their registration number.  CERF clinics are listed on their website (and on the OFA website) as well as a listing by state of board certified veterinary ophthalmologists.

The Chinook Club of America encourages all Chinook owners and Chinook breeders to participate in genetic research, health testing, and health certifications as they relate to their Chinook Dogs!!!