Resources
Over the years we've learned so much and people have generously shared information and resources with us. So, we're paying it forward - sharing things that might support you and your Chinook(s).
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We'll link some information on this page about resources available to Chinook owners.
Chinook Genetics & Health
Chinook Owners Association - UKC National Breed Club for the Chinook Dog
The Chinook Owners Association is the UKC national breed club for the Chinook, founded in 1980s. The COA has many important activities related to health, genetics, and breeding, which include:
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Annual Population Assessment with recorded webinar of the 2023 Health & Genetics webinar.
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Chinook Breed Conservation Program was developed by the COA in partnership with the UKC to sustain the Chinook breed.
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Litter Badging encourages breeders to consider health, diversity, and working ability when planning their litters.
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Puppies! The COA provides information on planned Litters, Member Breeders, and Chinooks that are Breeding Dogs. Also helpful to new puppy owners is the Health FAQs which provides insight into common health related questions that arise.
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The COA's Health Resources page, provides links to studies, articles, books, websites, and other resources that are focused on Chinook-specific health issues, canine health issues, health registries, veterinary resources, general health, alternative medicine, dental care, breeding, first aid, and nutrition.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) - https://online.ofa.org/
The OFA implements a variety of activities to promote health and reduce genetic disease in companion animals. We most frequently utilize the OFA database as a way to capture health testing results for Chinooks, such as hip evaluations, eye examinations, and other health tests. Having access to this publicly available information on their database helps breeders to make more informed breeding decisions. ​
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The Advanced Search function helps to search and find health testing results that have been submitted for your dog or other Chinooks.
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OFA Online provides the chance to submit eye exams online. This requires setting up an account. After a time or two of using it, it was simple to figure out.
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Finding Health Clinics if you are seeking a health clinic for health testing of your Chinook, OFA has an easily searchable calendar for that purpose. As you browse, you'll see the variety of health testing offered in different places and at different times. I most often use this for eye exams.
The Functional Breeding Project - Karen Hinchy: The Chinook Outcross Project | The Functional Breeding Podcast (podbean.com)
In this podcast Karen Hinchy, COA Health Committee Chair describes the Chinook Breed Conservation Program
Dogs Global provides pedigree data to assist breeders in making decisions to halt genetic decline of their breed. It includes tools for creating test breedings and includes a pictorial pedigree. Some functions are free and publicly available, some require modest subscriptions.
Fun with your Chinook
Chinook Owners Association - UKC National Breed Club for the Chinook Dog
The Chinook Owners Association (COA) is the UKC national breed club for the Chinook, founded in 1980s. The COA website shares the history of the breed and the club as well as providing information on fun ways to engage your Chinook with the larger Chinook community.
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Active Chinook Program encourages owners to engage their Chinook as "working dogs." The activities are varied (draft, temperament, and titled events).
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Chinook National Specialty is held each year with a conformation dog show to select the National Best of Breed for the Chinook, as well as host fun, community activities for Chinooks and their owners.
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Chinook Quarterly Newsletter is published each quarter for club members.
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Annual Calendar Contest is a fun contest where club members can submit and vote to select Chinook photos that will become a calendar for the following year. Chinooks are beautiful and their owners capture some amazing photos of them.
Northern New England Sled Dog Trade Fair & Seminars
The Northern New England Sled Dog Trade Fair & Seminars was created by Faye Krause and her daughter Wendy DeCroteau (wonderful folks) in 1995. Currently held in Manchester, NH, each year they bring together knowledgeable speakers, demos, and events for people and their dogs. This year the dates are October 11-14, 2024.
United Kennel Club (UKC)
The UKC is an international dog registry and was the registry that first recognized the purebred Chinook in 1991. In addition to conformation shows, the UKC sanctions a variety of dog sports across the country.
All-Breed Sports | United Kennel Club (UKC) (ukcdogs.com)
Reading List
Planning for and Breeding Dogs
​​​​Canine Reproduction and Whelping: A Dog Breeder's Guide by Myra Savant-Harris
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​Everything you don’t know about canine reproduction! Canine Reproduction and Whelping brings together information that will be invaluable to today’s dog breeders because it helps to fill in the gaps in knowledge of even the most experienced breeder. Author Myra Harris combines her years of experience as a labor and delivery nurse with her passion for breeding dogs to give you practical and unusual information.​​​​
Puppy Intensive Care: A Breeder's Guide to Care of Newborn Puppies by Myra Savant-Harris
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If puppies are on the way, you want those newborns to have the best possible chance of survival and good health. Learn how to administer simple but effective measures to help puppies in distress if you cannot call upon the services of a vet in a timely manner. What you need to know when you most need to know it delivered in friendly, non-technical terns from a long-time breeder. Comes with a 32-minute DVD to better illustrate the techniques recommended.​​​​​
​Advanced Canine Reproduction and Puppy Care: The Seminar by Myra Savant-Harris​
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Answers to common questions and unusual problems encountered even by experienced breeders: Use sunlight to improve breeding results; avoiding C-sections; make AI more successful and much more from a breeder and lecturer who has "been there."
Puppy Development and Care
Puppy Culture
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All the guidance you need to raise a Puppy Culture litter, plus charts, ideas, shopping lists, and worksheets to record your experiences. You'll be amazed with this one. A companion to the original Puppy Culture film, our Workbook ties it all together!
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See bundles that include From Newborn to New Home by Jane Messineo
Another Piece of the Puzzle: Puppy Development by Pat Hastings, Erin Ann Rouse
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Another Piece of the Puzzle begins with an overview of developmental stages and moves on to selected articles by respected dog people about the contributions breeders and owners can make to their puppies' health, well-being and sure-footedness.