Breeds / Large
Chinook puppies
A rare American sled dog, gentle and people focused in the house but built for pulling and long days of work, and inclined to talk about it.
The facts
- Size class Large
- Country of origin United States
- Adult weight 22.7 to 40.8 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 50 to 90 lb
- Adult height 56 to 66 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Medium smooth
- Typical lifespan 12 to 15 years
- Good with children Reliably good
- Good with other dogs Reliably good
Where these come from:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming and the temperament ratings, coat type, country of origin and health notes
About the Chinook
The Chinook is an American sled dog developed in New Hampshire in the early twentieth century, bred to combine real pulling power with a temperament calm enough to live in the house. It takes its name from the lead dog the line was built on, and it came within a few animals of extinction in the 1980s. It is a large tawny dog of 22.7 to 40.8 kg standing 56 to 66 cm, friendly, workmanlike and notably gentle with children given normal supervision and socialisation.
It looks relaxed indoors and is anything but outdoors: hiking, carting, sledding, agility and long walks all suit it. Weekly brushing handles the double coat, with daily sessions when it drops. The breed is vocal and scores 5 out of 5 for barking, so the noise needs shaping early. It fits an active family that takes the dog along, and not a household out all day. The common mistake is buying the calm house manners and providing no work.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Chinook puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, screened by hip evaluation of breeding stock
- Chinook seizures, a paroxysmal movement disorder rather than true epilepsy, diagnosed by veterinary neurological workup
- Cryptorchidism, where one or both testicles fail to descend, found on a physical exam
- Skin and food allergies, diagnosed once parasites and infection have been ruled out
- Gastrointestinal upsets, investigated by a vet where they become chronic
From Chinook breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chinook/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Your Chinook puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Chinook.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 22.7 to 40.8 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Other large breeds
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.