Chinook
CalmFriendlyDignified
United States (New Hampshire) · 12–15 years
About the Chinook
The Chinook is one of the rarest dog breeds in the world and the official state dog of New Hampshire, where the breed was created in the early 1900s by explorer Arthur Walden. Developed by crossing a Mastiff-type dog with Greenland Huskies, Chinooks were bred as versatile sled dogs combining the power of freight dogs with the speed of racing dogs. They were the lead dogs on Admiral Byrd's 1929 Antarctic expedition. Chinooks are calm, friendly, and eager to please — a gentle giant among sled dogs with a dignified, people-oriented temperament unusual for northern breeds.
Breed stats
- Height
- 22–26 in
- Weight
- 50–90 lbs
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
- Group
- Working
- Coat
- Dense, medium-length double coat
- Origin
- United States (New Hampshire)
Coat colors
- Tawny (light honey to reddish-gold)
Temperament & ratings
Compatibility
Exercise & feeding
Daily exercise
60–90 min
per day recommended
Daily food
2.5–3.5 cups
high-quality dry food
Common health issues
- Hip dysplasia
- Cryptorchidism
- Seizures
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Allergies
Not every Chinook will develop these conditions, but awareness helps with early detection. Regular veterinary checkups and choosing a responsible breeder who health-tests their dogs are the best preventive measures.
Can Chinooks eat...
- Can dogs eat blueberries?Safe
- Can dogs eat grapes?Toxic
- Can dogs eat bananas?Safe
- Can dogs eat chocolate?Toxic
- Can dogs eat watermelon?Safe
- Can dogs eat cheese?Caution
- Can dogs eat almonds?Caution
- Can dogs eat apples?Safe
Frequently Asked Questions
- Chinooks are extremely rare — they are one of the rarest AKC-recognized breeds, with only about 800 dogs worldwide at any given time. In 1981, the Guinness Book of World Records listed them as the world's rarest dog breed with only 76 individuals. While numbers have improved since then, they remain uncommon. Finding a Chinook puppy typically requires a waiting list with one of the few dedicated breeders in the United States. Their rarity means prices range from $1,500 to $2,500 or more. The breed's small gene pool is a concern for long-term genetic health.
- Chinooks are outstanding family dogs — perhaps the best family dog among the northern/sled dog breeds. Unlike most northern breeds (Huskies, Malamutes), Chinooks are people-oriented, eager to please, and relatively easy to train. They are gentle, patient, and excellent with children of all ages. Their calm, friendly demeanor makes them welcoming to visitors, unlike many working breeds. They get along well with other dogs and can live peacefully with cats. Their main requirement is daily exercise — they need active families. For those who can find one, Chinooks are exceptionally rewarding family companions.
- Chinooks differ from Siberian Huskies in several important ways. Chinooks are larger (50-90 lbs vs 35-60 lbs) and come only in tawny shades, while Huskies come in many colors. Temperamentally, Chinooks are calmer, more people-oriented, and significantly easier to train — they actually want to please their owners, unlike the independent Husky. Chinooks have lower prey drive, making them safer with cats and small animals. Chinooks are quieter and less escape-prone than Huskies. Both need daily exercise, but Chinooks are more manageable overall. The main downside is their extreme rarity.
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