Buying or Adopting a Chinook
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Don't set your sights on the Chinook until you read my advice in these posts.
Should You Even Get a Dog? Are You Sure?
Important – I've been helping people choose and find dogs for nearly 40 years, and honestly, some people who decide to get a dog are making a big mistake... [read more]
The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)
The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)
The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)
Is a Chinook the right breed for you?
Chinook Review
I'll tell you what's good about 'em, and what's bad about 'em... most honest review you'll ever find
Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You? In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family. |
Are YOU the right owner for a Chinook?
Can you provide what this breed needs?
- Someone home most of the day
- Fenced yard (6-8 feet high, not an electronic/underground fence)
- Restricted exercise when young – until maturity (at least 18 months old), exercise restricted to multiple short (20 minute) walks, fetch games, and playing with other dogs – no forced running (beside a jogger or bicyclist), no long-distance treks, minimal jumping
- Ample exercise after maturity – enough ongoing exercise that your Chinook stays slim and is tired enough to sleep contentedly and not get into mischief
- "Mental exercise" – interesting activities that keep the mind stimulated, such as a challenging dog sport (agility, rally obedience, musical freestyle, tracking, carting, sledding); challenging dog toys; a homemade obstacle course; tricks and games such as Musical Toys and Hide 'n Seek; instructions in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words
- An indoor lifestyle, except for exercise and bathroom breaks
- A meat-heavy diet, either homemade or commercial – meat is expensive, so people with less money should opt for a small dog
- An owner with enough money to treat the health problems Chinooks are prone to (pet health insurance can really help here!)
- An owner who is okay with heavy shedding
- Commitment to provide thorough socialization – introducing your Chinook to lots of people and other animals, diligently correcting any signs of misbehavior
- Commitment to establish the right Leader-Follower relationship with your Chinook, teaching him to listen to you and do what you say
Which sex? What age?
Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?
Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Should you get a young puppy, an older puppy, or an adult dog?
Where can you buy or adopt a Chinook?
Chinook dogs are rare in the United States. Out of 189 breeds in the American Kennel Club, where 1 is most popular and 189 is least popular, Chinooks rank 172nd. It's very hard to find this breed.
Adopting From Dog Rescue Organizations
I don't know of any Chinooks available from a Dog Rescue group. You would need to contact the national breed club to inquire.
Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
I've never heard of anyone adopting a Chinook from a shelter. Sometimes people think they've found one simply because the dog they adopt resembles a Chinook. But the Chinook has a rather normal appearance that's shared by many crossbred and mixed breed dogs, so 99.9% of the time, those dogs will be crosses or mixes without any Chinook genes at all.
Buying From a Dog Breeder
You can buy a Chinook from a show breeder, who breeds Chinooks to match a detailed standard of appearance for the dog show ring. Or you can buy a Chinook from a performance breeder, who emphasizes their dogs' trainability and enthusiasm for dog sports such as sledding, carting, and dog agility. To their credit, many Chinook breeders are a combination of show/performance, though how they prioritize those two goals can vary greatly.
Here's one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder – BOTH PARENTS of a Chinook puppy should have:
- a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America's CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) – dated within the past year – certifying the dog to be free of eye diseases
- a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) or PennHip certifying the dog to have normal hips
If a seller can't show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. You might choose to accept that risk. But then you need to be willing (and able) to pay a couple thousand bucks for future surgeries and lifelong meds if your Chinook ends up with cataracts and hip dysplasia.
Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
I have never seen a Chinook in a pet shop. Which is good, because I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!
Which puppy?
Choosing the Right Chinook Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of Chinook puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.
AKC Registered Puppies: Are AKC Papers Important?
Should you buy only an AKC registered Chinook puppy? Do AKC papers and pedigrees really matter?
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