The pride of Wonalancet, New Hampshire, the Chinook is a rugged working dog and devoted family pet known for intelligence, patience, and eagerness to please. Once on the verge of extinction, the Chinook is among the scarcest AKC breeds — a true American original developed in New Hampshire in the early 20th century.
Chinooks are sweet-tempered dogs that are hardworking and devoted to their loved ones. They are extremely athletic and need to be given jobs to do — such as sled-pulling — to burn off energy and keep them mentally stimulated. A calm, dignified dog with a muscular physique, the Chinook is a rugged, active, hard-working dog that is always ready for an adventure.
A Breed Born on a New Hampshire Farm
The Chinook (pronounced Sha-Nook) is the state dog of New Hampshire, and the breed was founded by the state's own Arthur Walden in the early 1900s. As an adventurer, Walden made his way to Alaska at the height of the Gold Rush in 1896 and began driving sled dogs.
Upon his return home to New Hampshire, Walden brought his newfound passion with him and decided to breed his own line of powerful sled-pulling puppies. The father of the breed, Chinook, was born on author/explorer Arthur Walden's Wonalancet, New Hampshire farm in 1917, one of three pups born to a "Northern Husky" female sired by one of the dogs on Peary's North Pole team. Chinook's sire was a large, mixed-breed, mastiff-type dog. Walden named the resulting breed after the lead dog on his sled team, Chinook, and all Chinook individuals can be traced back to this one dog.
Chinook was an outstanding sled dog and accompanied Admiral Byrd's South Pole expedition in 1927. Chinook's offspring, who inherited his coloring, size, and general characteristics, were bred to combine the strength of the large freight dog with the speed of the smaller racing sled dogs. In the early 1900s, the Chinook set records for distance covered, loads carried, and running time. In 2009, the Chinook was named New Hampshire's state dog.
A Northern Breed of Tawny Gold
The Chinook is a large dog capable of pulling light to heavy loads. It stands 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weighs 50 to 90 pounds, with a muscular body, webbed feet, and a saber tail — all traits that helped the breed excel as sled dogs.
The breed has a broad skull, a tapered muzzle slightly shorter than the skull, brown almond-shaped eyes, and floppy ears that enhance its personality. Chinooks have a dense, medium-length double coat of tawny color — a close-fitting, tawny-colored coat made up of a coarse-textured outer coat and a soft, dense undercoat. Other typical Chinook characteristics include webbed feet with thick, well-furred pads. The breed matures slowly, and individual dogs may not reach their prime until as late as four years of age.
Calm, Non-Aggressive, and People-Oriented
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. The typical Chinook temperament is loving, playful, and eager to please their family members.
Chinooks are the best friends of children and are typically friendly with anyone they meet. Along with a calm disposition, this breed is hardworking and trainable. Their loyalty, natural athleticism, and intelligence make them wonderful companions for a variety of people. Vigilant but not guardian dogs, Chinooks have high adaptability levels and enjoy an outdoorsy, active lifestyle.
Exercise and Activity
Chinooks are extremely athletic working dogs that do best living with an active family. They need at least two hours of exercise every day, which can consist of running, walking, hiking, participating in dog sporting events, and playing with their housemates. They are happiest when given a job to do.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 45–60 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 30–40 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
Since these dogs were bred for sledding, they perform well in sports like skijoring, scootering, and bikejoring, and they also enjoy obedience, agility, rally, and tracking. When bored, Chinooks can be destructive, so a regular exercise routine is essential. The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for exercising a high-energy working breed.
Training a Chinook
Chinooks are smart dogs and generally easy to train. Intelligent and eager to please, they're quick to learn new skills and do best with positive-reinforcement training methods. A few basic obedience lessons can begin when puppies are 6 to 8 weeks old, and this dog also excels at advanced training as they grow older.
Chinook puppies should participate in socialization and training classes starting as early as 8–12 weeks of age to allow them to mature into well-behaved dogs. Housetraining and learning good behavior are usually a breeze for these smart, devoted dogs. The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming a Chinook
The Chinook's soft double coat sheds throughout the year, but more heavily in the spring and fall. The coat requires a moderate amount of grooming for upkeep, and prospective owners should be prepared for regular brushing to reduce stray hair around the house.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 2–3 times a week (daily during shedding season) | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
Chinooks require only an occasional bath, brushing, and toenail trimming. Routine care includes nail trimming, ear cleaning, and tooth brushing. The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a heavy-shedding double coat.
Feeding a Chinook
A Chinook should be fed high-quality food appropriate to its age, size, and activity level, typically in two meals per day. These athletic working dogs need balanced nutrition to support their high energy output.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1–1.5 cups | Use a large-breed puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 2–3 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 1.5–2.5 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Dietary needs change through life, and your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
Chinooks are typically extremely healthy dogs with an average life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. As a rare breed, they have a limited gene pool, and breeders work to maintain genetic diversity. The breed can be at risk for a few medical conditions, including some hereditary issues, so responsible breeders health-test their breeding stock.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia screening | Discuss with your vet | OFA/PennHIP on parents |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 6–7 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
Chinooks make wonderful family dogs thanks to their calm and affectionate personalities. They're great with kids, other pets, and strangers, and have laid-back, sensible personalities that work well in social households. As a large breed, their interactions with young children should be supervised.
Chinooks enjoy the company of their family members and other dogs and can develop separation anxiety if they're left alone for too long. They're not suitable for homes where they are alone for long periods, as they're happiest when getting plenty of attention from their humans. They were bred to be sled dogs, but that doesn't mean they do well when left outdoors alone — Chinooks are hardy dogs who love to be near their people at all times. If you're weighing whether a Chinook fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning a Chinook means committing to a rare, athletic working dog that needs at least two hours of daily exercise and can become destructive when bored. They shed heavily, can develop separation anxiety when left alone, and because the breed is so rare, it might be hard to find a puppy.
Yet for the right owner, the Chinook is a treasure — a loyal, affectionate, and intelligent companion, the pride of Wonalancet, ready for any adventure.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Calm, affectionate, and people-oriented
- Excellent with children
- Highly trainable and intelligent
- Great for active families
- Good with other dogs and pets
- Healthy, robust breed
Disadvantages
- Extremely rare; hard to find
- High exercise requirements
- Heavy shedder
- Can develop separation anxiety
- Destructive when bored
- Needs a job to do
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Chinooks get? Males stand 23–27 inches and weigh 55–90 pounds; females 21–25 inches and 50–65 pounds.
How long do Chinooks live? Typically 12 to 15 years.
Are Chinooks good family dogs? Excellent — calm, affectionate, and great with kids.
Are Chinooks easy to train? Yes — intelligent and eager to please.
Are Chinooks good with other dogs? Yes — bred to work in teams, they don't exhibit dog aggression.
Are Chinooks good guard dogs? They're vigilant but not guardian dogs.
Are Chinooks rare? Yes — one of the scarcest AKC breeds, with fewer than 150 puppies born each year.
Are Chinooks good apartment dogs? Not ideal — they need space and daily exercise.
How much exercise do Chinooks need? At least two hours a day.
Are Chinooks the state dog of New Hampshire? Yes — named the state dog in 2009.
What color are Chinooks? Tawny, from light honey to reddish gold.
What health problems do Chinooks have? They're typically healthy, but the small gene pool means responsible health testing matters.