What does the Chinook Club of America have to offer you?

American Kennel Club Recognition

As the Chinook anticipates moving into AKC Miscellaneous Class, owners will want to learn how this affects their Chinook and how they can participate.  Though members of the Chinook Club of America are active participants in American Kennel Club showing, trialing and stewarding, they recognize that most Chinook owners are new to the world of AKC.  Encouragement, education, and fun events for all Chinook owners will be used to help ease this important step for our breed.

The Chinook Standard

The Chinook Club of America believes there should only be one Standard for Chinooks.  CCA respects that the Standard recognized by the United Kennel Club is a quality standard that has served the breed well.  CCA used this Standard as its basis and modified it to comply with the format required by AKC.

Registration

The Chinook Club of America acknowledges the United Kennel Club registry and endorses The American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service for the Chinook.  CCA believes there is only one lineage history for the Chinook breed and will work to keep the information recorded by the AKC FSS and UKC as consistent as possible by encouraging dual registration and DNA parent verification for all Chinooks. 

Diversity

CCA recognizes the importance of a wide variety of background experiences and interests for people not only in the leadership positions of the breed club, but for everyone who wants to participate.  This diversity provides a wealth of experiences for a club to draw upon to promote and further the breed.  CCA invites everyone who wants to help on committees to join us in promoting a strong, sound future for the Chinook.  CCA will have term limits on leadership positions to encourage greater participation.

Activities

Chinook owners are interested in many activities.  Chinook Club of America will provide support and education for those owners who are currently participating in or who are interested in participating in AKC companion events.  As well, CCA recognizes that it is important to include pet owners and their spayed and neutered Chinooks in fun, non-competitive activities.  Because Chinooks live in many areas of the country, CCA will foster and encourage a variety of gatherings such as fun matches and trialing opportunities in different geographic areas.  This will provide a supportive atmosphere for Chinook owners to come together to share information, seek assistance, and meet each other just to have fun. 

Mentors

CCA has requested the assistance of mentors from outside of the Chinook breed.  Experienced trainers in the areas of AKC showing and trialing will help us understand the ins and outs of AKC events.  People from within the AKC organization will help set up judges education and answer the questions of Chinook owners.  And respected members of the canine health and genetics field will offer advice.  We have so much to gain by seeking the help of people outside our own breed.

We encourage you to join a committee!

The Bylaws Review Committee and the Standards & Judges Education Committee will be working on the Constitution and Bylaws and the Chinook Club of America Official Chinook Standard over the next year as we anticipate the Chinook moving into AKC Miscellaneous Class. We encourage input from every Chinook fancier on these important documents. 

The Show, Trial & Trail Committee is working to open a Working Dog Program in 2005 to recognize those Chinooks who participate in activities, at all levels.

The Publicity Committee will produce and distribute a quarterly newsletter, The Chinook Advocate, to all members of the club starting this fall.  The newsletter will be filled with helpful information and photographs sent in by members.  There will be articles on Chinook health, training, and fun family stories as well as news updates and activity listings. 

At this website you will find, and are encouraged to read, CCA's Charter Constitution and Bylaws and Official Chinook Standard. Here you will also find interesting news items, historical information and photos as well as links to helpful websites.  An on-line Charter membership application can also be easily downloaded.  The Publicity committee will be updating this site often to keep Chinook fanciers informed on what is happening in CCA and the Chinook breed.

The Rescue Committee will be an active participant in the rescue of Chinooks in need.  The Health & Genetics Committee will work with veterinary researchers to help improve the health and longevity of our Chinooks, and also encourage participation in health screenings and research programs aimed toward breeding healthy, sound Chinooks.  We will work with Chinook owners, breeders, and Chinook clubs in these meaningful endeavors.

This may seem like an ambitious agenda for a new club to tackle.  It is.  This club was formed by people who have the motivation and the ability to create these goals but it takes people like you to accomplish them.  CCA has been developed with the flexibility to become all that the membership wants it to be, and has the structure to ensure that all voices can be heard.  The Chinook Club of America is a dynamic club that will support the Chinook as one breed as we move toward the future.  We are looking for people who love the breed as much as we do.  There is a place in this club for everyone, regardless of other club affiliations, personal affiliations, or lack of any sort of affiliations.  We believe everyone has something to offer the future of our breed.

Come join other Chinook fanciers as we move forward with this fun and exciting new venture!

Sincerely,

Cheryl Brown

President - Chinook Club of America