OFFICIAL BREED CLUB STANDARD OF THE CHINOOK

HISTORY:

The Chinook is a North American working breed, one of only a few true American bred dogs. The Chinook was developed by explorer Arthur T. Walden on his Wonalancet, New Hampshire farm to combine the strength of the large freight dog with the speed of the smaller, racing dog. Walden took Chinook, the foundation sire of the Chinook breed, along with fifteen of Chinook's progeny to the South Pole on Admiral Richard Byrd's 1927 expedition. Byrd claimed that "Walden's team was the backbone of our transport" and that if it had not been for the Chinook team, his attempt to conquer Antarctica would have ended in failure. In honor of Walden, and his legendary lead dog Chinook, Route 113A in Wonalancet, NH was designated as the Chinook Trail, and signs bearing Chinook's likeness mark the trail as you enter the village of Tamworth and near road Walden's homestead in Wonalancet.

APPEARANCE:

The dog's overall appearance should reflect his working background: the general impression should be one of intelligence, strength, and agility. The body should appear well muscled and moderately heavy boned. The chest is deep, the ribs well sprung. The head is broad but does not look bulky or heavy in relation to the dog. The eyes are expressive, showing a calm intelligence and when in motion the dog moves with a fluid gracefulness of form and purpose. The Chinook is a slow maturing breed. Dogs do not attain their full physical potential until their third year and they remain puppyish in their behavior for many years.

The Chinook is double coated, thick coated in cold climates with a thinner coat in warm climates. The traditional coat color is tawny, ranging from palomino to a reddish gold. Black mask and black ears, white or buff mask and or throat, chest, underside, breeches and toes are allowed.

TEMPERAMENT:

The Chinook is alert and inquisitive by nature. He is a loyal family dog, affectionate, playful, and wonderful with children. Eager to please and adaptable, the Chinook is a willing worker, whether it be showing in the ring, pulling a sled, or participating in family activities such as hiking, biking, or ball playing. The dog seems to have limitless energy when called on, but is equally content to relax and rest during periods of inactivity. The Chinook is not aggressive and aggressive dogs should be penalized. Gregarious in the company of other dogs, especially other Chinooks, the Chinook may appear reserved with strangers, though never hostile. Shy dogs should be faulted.
Disqualification: Aggressiveness.

HEAD:

Expression

The expression is intelligent, keen, and composed.

Skull

The skull should be broad between the ears, slightly rounded on top with a moderate stop. The overall size should be in proportion to the body.

Muzzle

The muzzle is large, with a Roman nose, and not overly long or pointy.

Nose

The nose should be black but the color of the nose may change with the weather and some dogs will seasonally exhibit snow nose, also known as winter nose.

Teeth

The teeth meet in a scissors bite, an overshot or undershot jaw should be penalized.

Eyes

Eyes are almond shaped, of moderate size with intelligent expression. A dark accent marking at the inner corner of the eye is desirable. Dark eyes are preferred but lighter amber eyes are acceptable.

Ears

Ears should be medium in size and moderate in texture. The ear set is quite variable. Dropped ears are preferred but all other ear sets are allowed including pricked and helicoptered and the ears need not match. Regardless of the ear set, the ears must not appear overly long in proportion to the head size. The ears are wide set, the upper corner of the ear should be in line with the outer corner of the eye below it.

Lips

The lips are black and are not firmly fitted.

Disqualification:Lack of pigmentation in the nose; permanent pink nose.

BODY:

Neck

The neck is strong, muscular, moderately arched, with good ruff.

Chest

The chest ismoderately broad, deep and strong with well pronounced forechest. The depth of chest provides for ampleheart and lung room and the general appearance is more of depth than breadth of chest. Ribs are well sprung out from the spine, and are neither barrel shaped or flat with too little spring.

Back

The back is straight and strong, with a level topline from withers to croup.

Shoulders

The shoulders are well laid back with good angulation.

Forequarters

The forelegs are straight with strong pasterns. Dewclaws on forelegs may be removed but are normally left on. Muscles are firm with good bone.

Hindquarters

The hindquarters should be moderately spaced and parallel. Thighs, particularly the upper thigh, are powerful in appearance and well muscled. Rear dewclaws, if any, should be removed. The stifle shows moderate angulation, the hocks should be well let down, turning neither in nor out when the dog is in motion.

Feet

The foot is a hare-foot, slightly spread but not splayed, with thickly cushioned pads. Feet are in proportion to the size of the dog.

Tail

The tail should be set just below the topline and is carried in a graceful sickle curve when the dog is alert. A saber tail is common when working or in repose. The overall appearance is well furred.

COAT:

The Chinook has a double coat of medium length. The undercoat is thick, soft and downy in texture. Guard hairs lay close to the body. Thinner coats are normal in warm climates.

COLOR:

All shades of tawny from palomino, to silver fawn to reddish gold are allowed. White or buff markings on the face, throat, chest, underside, breeches and toes are acceptable as is white on the tips of the toes. Black masking and black ears are preferred. Overall, the color should appear solid and no white or buff markings other than those listed are allowed. No other colors are allowed.
Disqualification: White or white & buff dogs, black & tan or gray & tan dogs.

SIZE:

There is a natural range in size for the breed. The desired sizes for the Chinook are as follows: Males-- Minimum 25 inches at the withers and average 75 pounds. Females-- Minimum 23 inches at the withers and average 65 pounds. Size should not exceed temperament, type, movement, soundness and symmetry in importance when judging the Chinook, but when dogs are judged as equal, the dog nearest the desired size is preferred.

SUMMARY:

Intelligence, temperament, and disposition are prime characteristics of the Chinook and should be given due consideration in judging the dog. The overall appearance should personify a working sled dog.

FAULTS:

In addition to the faults already noted: underdeveloped chest, straight shoulders, cowhocks, weak pasterns. Obvious structural faults common to all breeds, though not specifically mentioned here, are objectionable for the Chinook as in any other breed.