Chinook

Arthur Walden of New Hampshire is the creator of the Chinook dog breed. As a musher in the Yukon in 1917, he bred a large Mastiff-like dog with a Siberian Husky, resulting in puppies, one of which he named Chinook. He brought the sled racing dog back to New England, where it was bred with Belgian Shepherds, German Shepherds, and Canadian Eskimo Dogs. Chinook dogs were taken on the 1929 Antarctic expedition. 

Active and outdoorsy types make the best partners for Chinook dogs. Experience with large breeds is ideal, as is someone who knows how to deal with an independent streak. The dogs thrive in colder climates, so owners who live somewhere that is cold most of the year are ideal.

Relaxed and easygoing indoors, Chinook dogs can have a lot of energy once they are outside. They will want to do physical activities with their owners, such as walking, hiking, biking, camping, swimming, and more. If a sled is available, they’ll be delighted to pull it as that was their original breed intention. They also excel at agility, obedience, rally, coursing, and tracking.

They can be entertained indoors, but a Chinook dog does best when they have enough room outside to roam and romp. They are large dogs, so a dedicated space for them inside is also ideal.

The double coat of the Chinook dog is easy to care for. It will shed, but brushing regularly to remove dirt and loose hair can help.

Unlike other sledding breeds, the Chinook sled dog is reliable off-leash. They are easy to train and enjoy training. The focus should be on teaching them not to jump—they get overly excited when meeting new people or seeing old friends—and on socialization.

Chinooks can make good family dogs as they are gentle and tolerant, especially of children. They are large but calm.

The cost of a Chinook dog from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.