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The Chinook Dog - FAQs
Do Chinook Dogs Shed?
Yes! They shed seasonally, losing almost their entire undercoat in the spring, and again in the fall. (This is called "blowing coat" and it can be a fun hobby to pull tufts of hair off your Chinook.) They also shed moderately on a continual basis. A good vacuum cleaner (we have an Oreck) and regular brushing will help some. There is a new product available called Furminator that can help reduce the amount of shedding. Check eBay or your local pet supply.
Do Chinooks Make Good House Dogs?
Absolutely. Chinooks are very social and want to be part of your "pack." They are an intelligent dog and will often attempt to create their own rules while learning what you feel is important. If you are consistent with your rules and training you and your dog will be much happier.
Do Chinooks Make Good Guard Dogs?
Absolutely NOT. Chinooks are people oriented and would not be considered a traditional guard dog breed. They will bark at strangers which alerts you that someone is there.
Are Chinooks Good With Children?
Our Chinooks have been good with the children they have been exposed to. Even the pups have been good with children. As with any pet and children, supervision and training -- for both the dog and the children -- is crucial as you don't want either party be injured or mistreated.
Do Chinooks Have Many Health Problems?
There are health problems common to the breed and responsible breeders will screen for and seek to avoid these issues. This is a large breed and the most common problem is hip dysplasia, with hereditary eye disease, seizures and allergies/sensitivities as additional concerns. Ask your breeder if they health screen for hip dysplasia, CERF the eyes and if they have had any problems with seizures or allergies and sensitivities.
What is Hip Dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia is an hereditary condition which effects the way the hip joints fit together and bear weight. Responsible breeders and owners should do X-rays of hips at 2 years of age, and send these on for diagnosis and to be registered with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or OFA. Only unaffected animals should be bred, and those dogs should have as many ancestral generations as possible that also have hips that have passed OFA or another certifying organization. Making certain your potential dog comes from dogs that have been certified is highly desirable. The OFA maintains an open registry enabling anyone to verify the hip certifications of any given dog. (For more information access the OFA site via my Links page).
Do Chinooks Have Eye Problems?
Many eye problems can be detected at an early age. In addition, some problems are detected later in life, so yearly eye screenings need to be done on all dogs used for breeding, to determine the continued health of the eyes. There has been some concern about Juvenile Cataracts in Chinooks so ask your breeder if their breeding dogs are screened regularly. You can learn more about eyes at the Canine Eye Registration Foundation or CERF.
What About Epilepsy in Chinooks?
At this time, there is no conclusive evidence about what the seizure disorder results from. We had one dog that only seizured after eating potatoes and the multiple veterinarians that we visited could find nothing to substantiate epilepsy in our dog. Some Chinooks may actually have epilepsy, unfortunately, no tests exist to screen for epilepsy in dogs. You will have to take a breeder's word for it that their breeding stock is not affected. (This is where it is critical to trust your breeder.)
Do Chinooks Have Allergies?
Lots of people think their companions have allergies, when in reality it is more likely to be a sensitivity to something rather than a true allergy. Things that can trigger sensitivities in your home are cleaning products, laundry soap, air fresheners and shake on carpet deodorizers. New furniture and new carpet can also cause your pets to have a reaction. Outside, be aware of fertilizers, weed killers and other convenience products that make our lives easier but may wreak havoc on our companions.
Can a Breeder Guarantee that a Chinook Puppy Won't Have Health Problems?
NO. The breeder makes the best selection they can, choosing to breed from lines that are as "clean" as possible. But there may be health problems in the past of all lines. Remember that X-ray technology is a fairly recent development, so in the early days of the breed hip dysplasia went undiagnosed. Many breeders offer guarantees, usually to replace the dog with another dog if a disabling hereditary problem develops.
Do Chinooks Need Lots of Exercise?
Chinooks benefit from consistent moderate exercise and that will improve the behavior of dogs (and humans) in the house. A dog who has access to a fenced backyard will likely trot around the yard and lightly exercise itself, but even better if you can throw the ball for it each day. Chinooks love going for walks -- ideally 45 minutes per day, some like to swim, and most just like to participate in exercise that involves you being with them. Remember a tired dog is a good dog.
How Much Do Chinooks Eat?
How much your dog eats will depends on many factors. What type of food you feed, how active the dogs is, the dog's age, the weather and more. We use an 8-ounce measuring scoop to measure out the rations so we can control portions. Our dogs are fed in the morning and again in the late afternoon or early evening. If you feed a high quality premium dog food your dog will likely eat less than a lower end food, and you will have less stool to clean up and less hair to vacuum in the house. For more information about pet food, go the Articles page.
Are Chinooks Hard to Train?
Chinooks can be challenging because they are highly intelligent. You will have more success if your training sessions are frequent, short and fun. They love to learn, and delight in getting it right and hearing your praise, especially if there is a small food reward involved. You probably won't have complete success training if you use 100% positive training as Chinooks need to understand the boundaries of living with you. Know before you acquire a dog what you intend to use for corrections and discipline. If you are looking for a push button dog, Chinooks are probably not the right dog for you.
Where Can I Find a Well Bred Chinook Puppy?
NOT in a pet store. Responsible breeders will not sell puppies for resale. Talk to people you meet or found on the Internet who have Chinooks, and try to get on the waiting list of a breeder who is active in dogs, part of a dog club and/or breeders associations. Such breeders are accountable not only to you but also to their peer groups. Expect to wait for a promising litter to be ready. Chinook Owner's Association