Working group

Chinook

A rare, gentle sled dog from New England — calm, devoted and great with kids.

Chinooks are athletic, tawny sled dogs developed in New Hampshire in the early 1900s. They are friendly, affectionate and famously patient with children, with moderate energy and a love of the outdoors.

Height
22–26 in56–66 cm
Weight
50–90 lb23–41 kg
Life expectancy
12–15 years
Size
Large
Group
Working
Origin
New Hampshire, United States

Coat: Medium-length, thick double coat. Colours: Tawny (pale honey to deep reddish gold).

At a glance

Exercise Requirement3.5 / 5
20-30 min gentle walk2+ hours intense stamina
Indoor "Off-Switch"3.5 / 5
Restless / constantly searching for actionInstantly curls up and relaxes indoors
Trainability3.5 / 5
Strong independent thinkerEager biddable student
Mental Stimulation3.5 / 5
Content with routineNeeds a job or creates mischief
Affection Level4.5 / 5
Polite distanceConstant lap snuggler
Stranger Friendliness3.5 / 5
Naturally aloof / watchfulGreets every stranger as best friend
Child Patience & Safety5.0 / 5
Prefers quiet adultsRemarkably sturdy & patient
Other Dog Friendliness4.0 / 5
Strong solo-dog preferenceLoves pack play and multi-dog homes
Prey Drive2.5 / 5
Ignores crittersHigh pursuit instinct / fence chaser
Vocalization & Barking3.0 / 5
Nearly mute / quietWatchful alarm barker or howler
Shedding Level3.5 / 5
Minimal to non-sheddingHeavy year-round fur shedding
Grooming Burden2.5 / 5
Wash & wear coatDaily brushing + salon visits
Drool Tendency1.5 / 5
Dry-mouthedRequires dedicated slobber towels
Apartment Suitability2.5 / 5
Needs acreage or private runThrives in urban elevator apartments
Beginner Friendliness3.5 / 5
Demands experienced handlerIdeal forgiving companion for first-timers
Owner Demand Level2.5 / 5
Very forgiving for novicesRequires skilled firm handling

Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.

Temperament

Chinooks are calm, gentle and devoted to their families. They are known for patience with children and tend to be friendly with visitors and other dogs.

They can be sensitive and some are shy with strangers without socialisation. They enjoy work — pulling, hiking, agility — and are more biddable than many sled breeds.

Living with a Chinook

Exercise

About an hour of daily activity. They enjoy hiking, sledding, carting and agility, and cope well with cold.

Grooming

Brush weekly and more often during seasonal sheds. The coat is otherwise easy to maintain.

Training

Willing and intelligent; gentle, reward-based training works best. Socialise early to prevent shyness.

Kids & other pets

Exceptional with children and usually good with other dogs. Lower prey drive than many sled breeds.

Time alone

Chinooks are family dogs and prefer company; long isolation can lead to digging or chewing.

Home fit

Best suited to a house with secure outdoor space; apartment living is hard on this breed and its neighbours.

Is a Chinook right for you?

Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Chinook matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.

Take the Breed Fit quizTry Dogsona →

Health

With good breeding and care, a Chinook typically lives 12–15 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.

  • Hip dysplasia

    The main orthopaedic concern; screened parents reduce the risk.

  • Seizures

    Idiopathic epilepsy occurs in the breed and is usually managed with medication.

  • Skin allergies

    Atopic dermatitis and itchy skin occur in some lines.

  • Cryptorchidism

    Undescended testicles are more common than average in male Chinooks.

Ask a breeder for

  • Hip and elbow evaluation
  • Eye examination

Sources: OFA CHIC breed requirements: Chinook; Chinook Club of America. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.

Cost to own

After the first year, expect roughly $1,500–$3,000 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).

  • Food, medication and anaesthesia are dosed by weight, so every vet visit costs more for a big dog.
  • Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
See the full first-year cost breakdown →

History

Author and adventurer Arthur Walden developed the breed at Wonalancet, New Hampshire, beginning in 1917 with a dog named Chinook, sired by a Greenland husky crossed with mastiff-type stock. Chinook became a celebrated sled dog.

Chinook dogs joined Admiral Byrd’s 1928 Antarctic expedition. The breed nearly died out, with only a handful of dogs by the 1980s, but careful breeding revived it. It is New Hampshire’s state dog and was recognised by the AKC in 2013.

Did you know?

  • The Chinook is New Hampshire’s state dog.
  • Chinook sled dogs travelled with Admiral Byrd to Antarctica in 1928.
  • At one point in the 1980s, only about a dozen breedable Chinooks remained.

Library guides for Chinook owners

Similar breeds

Frequently asked questions

Are Chinooks good family dogs?
Yes — they are gentle, patient with children and adaptable to active family life.
Are Chinooks rare?
Yes, very. Expect a waiting list for a puppy.
Do Chinooks shed?
Moderately, with heavier seasonal sheds.