Chinooks:
A Northern New England Breed
by Bob Cottrell
Did you know that a rare and famous dog
breed was established right here in northern New England? Who are these
dogs and why are they famous?
They are called Chinooks after the original Great Chinook, the first of his breed.
While they were originally developed as sled dogs, they make great pets and
are wonderful around children.
Chinooks are one of only a few breeds created in America. They were
established in the early 20th century and their blood line can be traced to a
single individual. There are only about 500 Chinooks living today.
The Chinook breed was developed by a rough and ready adventurer named
Arthur Walden. After spending time in the Alaskan Yukon during the Gold
Rush days, Walden returned to Wonalancet, a small village in Tamworth, New
Hampshire. His goal was to create a new sled dog breed with power,
endurance, speed and a friendly nature.
Walden started with a mastiff-type dog named Kim. Kim was bred to Ningo, a
direct descendant of Admiral Peary’s famous Greenland Husky lead dog
Polaris. Three pups were born on January 17, 1917 and named Rikki, Tikki and
Tavi (after Rudyard Kipling’s characters in The Jungle Books.)
Rikki in particular demonstrated the traits Walden desired and was later
renamed Chinook in honor of a favorite lead dog Walden had owned in Alaska.
Chinook means “warm west wind.”
Chinook, the Original: Sled Dog, Good with Kids
Chinook was a “sport,” a phenomenon of nature, not resembling either of his
parents. He was known not only as a wonderful sled dog, but also for his gentle
disposition toward children. Walden was an excellent showman and promoter.
Chinook became a favorite character of the media at races, winter carnivals and
exhibitions around New England in the early 1920’s.
Chinook was also an athlete. He lead the winning team in the First International
Dog Derby in Berlin, New Hampshire in 1922 and over the next few years set
records for distance covered, loads carried and running time. Walden founded
the New England Sled Dog Club in 1924, which is still operating today. In 1926,
Chinook and Walden led the first dog sled team to the summit of Mount
Washington.
Chinook sired many pups who inherited his coloring, size and general
characteristics. The Chinook breed has been maintained through the years by a
small number of dedicated fanciers.
Byrd Antarctic Expedition
By 1927, both Chinook and Walden were not going to let age keep them from
perhaps their greatest adventure. Walden applied for the Byrd Antarctic
Expedition even though at age 56, he was over the maximum age. He was
given the duties of lead driver and trainer of all the dogs to be used on the
expedition.
During the winter months of late 1927 and early 1928, dogs and drivers were
assembled at Walden’s Wonalancet Farm, and training began. Winter survival
gear was also evaluated there, in the harsh conditions of New Hampshire’s
White Mountains. Together the drivers worked for a full year training dogs
and testing tents and supplies. Of the 100 dogs trained for the expedition, half
of them were sired by Chinook.
The Great Chinook is Lost
During the expedition in Antarctica, Chinook disappeared on his 12th birthday,
January 17, 1929. Some say that he recognized he was losing his command over
the other dogs and went off to die. Others speculated that he had an accident
and was lost in the snow. Walden had wanted to bury his friend in his harness,
but Chinook’s body was never found. Chinook’s death was written up in
newspapers around the world.
Upon Walden’s return home, the people of the area wanted to rename the road
that connected the town of Tamworth with Wonalancet to “Waldens” Road in
his honor. He asked that instead they honor Chinook, and today it still bears
the name Chinook Trail.
Chinooks at the Winter Carnival and Ice Harvesting
The Remick Museum in Tamworth, NH features an extensive display of
Chinook history and memorabilia at its annual Winter Carnival courtesy of the
Tamworth Historical Society and Perry Greene Kennel Historic Collection of
Waldoboro Maine.