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Chinook
This incredibly strong sled
dog was the breed chosen by Admiral Byrd for his Antarctic
expedition. Records show that each dog in his team pulled an
average of 150 lb (68 kg).
History:
The Chinook is a relatively
new breed, having been developed in the early 1900s. Arthur
Walden desired a dog that was as capable of fast snow travel
as the Arctic husky dogs, and that was also as strong as the
larger sled-pullers. Walden used a mix of Eskimo Dog,
Smooth-Coated St. Bernard, German Shepherd, and Belgian
Shepherd Dogs to create the Chinook. The breed was named after
Chinook, Walden's favorite sled dog, who accompanied him on
the Byrd expedition at the age of 12. Unfortunately, Chinook
died on that trip, although it is not known how.
Despite its obvious virtues,
the Chinook has never been very popular, probably because
motorized sleds have replaced dogs in many Arctic
undertakings. Modern breeders, however, are determined to
preserve the breed. In 1990 the first ever Chinook round-up
took place and was attended by about 30 dogs from all over the
US. Despite the efforts of these dedicated breeders, the
Chinook is still a rare breed; there are only about 300 dogs
of this breed alive today.
Physical
characteristics:
The Chinook is a compact dog
radiating strength from its squarish frame. Because of its
newness and the lowness of its numbers, height and weight vary
widely, and no individual can be discarded on the basis of
size alone. In general, however: Height: 21 - 26 in (56 - 66
cm). Weight: 65 - 90 lb (29 - 40 kg).
Unlike most sled dogs the
Chinook has a short coat; however, it has a very thick
undercoat that protects it from the harsh climate. The coat is
characteristically tawny (golden fawn) in color. The eyes are
almond-shaped and this, combined with the rather wind-blown
ear set, gives the dog a curious but penetrating look. The
body is strong and muscular, with a deep chest.
Behavior:
The Chinook is a large
confident dog with a noble spirit. This powerful animal makes
an excellent watch-dog and is more than capable of also
fulfilling the role of guard dog. The Chinook gets along well
with most other dogs, but its sheer size may make other dogs
nervous at first. Owners say that they are very happy to
include their Chinook as part of their family, and believe
they make wonderful pets.
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