English Water Spaniel vs Chinook - Breed Comparison

Chinook is originated from United States but English Water Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom. Chinook may grow 18 cm / 8 inches higher than English Water Spaniel. Chinook may weigh 21 kg / 47 pounds more than English Water Spaniel. Both Chinook and English Water Spaniel has almost same life span. Both Chinook and English Water Spaniel has almost same litter size. Chinook requires High Maintenance. But English Water Spaniel requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Sporting dog
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United States
United Kingdom
Height Male:
53 - 69 cm
20 - 28 inches
49 - 51 cm
19 - 21 inches
Height Female:
53 - 67 cm
20 - 27 inches
45 - 47 cm
17 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 41 kg
55 - 91 pounds
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 38 kg
55 - 84 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 10
4 - 8
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
Nook
Water Dog, Water Rug
Colors Available:
light brown light honey color to reddish-gold, tawny
liver and white
Coat:
plush double
dense, waterproof, doublecoated
Shedding:
Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful
Affectionate, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
High Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

chinookIn the early 20th century, in the small town of Wonalancet, New Hampshire a new breed of dog called the Chinook was born. Developed by Arthur Treadwell Walden, the breed is named after the first male ancestor who was named Chinook. The breed is a rare sled dog and the official dog of the state of New Hampshire. The Chinook was born of a cross between a large Mastiff-like street dog and huskies that were part of the Peary North Pole expedition.

Walden was an experienced slender and looking for a dog that was stronger, faster and had more stamina than his current sled dogs. Walden had years of experience including being the trainer and lead on Byrd’s 1929 Antarctic expedition and plenty of Yukon experience. Once he had the male Chinook he bred him with German Shepherds, Belgian Sheepdogs and Canadian Eskimo Dogs at the very least. He then bred those puppies back to Chinook until he had the type and traits he wanted. Following Walden, Julia Lombard and then Perry Greene took over mastery of the breed. From the 1940’s until he died in 1963, Greene was the only person who was breeding Chinooks. So, there were few left after his death. The breed neared extinction by 1981 with only 11 Chinooks available to breed. These dogs were divided between three breeders who saved the breed from becoming extinct.

In 1991, the United Kingdom recognized the Chinook and they were also registered with the UKC. At that time there were about 800 dogs in the breed. To increase the breed, there was a cross-breeding program that took Chinooks and bred them back to the breeds they considered to be apart of the original Chinook lineage. These 4th generation dogs might meet the standards of the Chinook Owners Associations Cross Breeding Program and be accepted as purebred.

In 2001 the Chinook was entered into the AKC Foundation Stock Service and added to the Miscellaneous class of the AKC in 2010. In January of 20113, the Chinook was finally granted full recognition and breed status within the AKC in the working group. He is a large working dog, rugged, patience, loyal and intelligent. He is one of the rarest breeds in the AKC.

The English Water Spaniel breed is extinct and has been since the early 1900’s. It was last seen in the 1930s. The breed was a hunting breed, diving for duck and hunting other waterfowl. Legend has it that Shakespeare was referring to this breed of dog in Macbeth when he refers to the “water rug”. Again, in Two Gentlemen of Verona one of the character states about another that “She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel.’

The English Water Spaniel came along before the Irish Water Spaniel and had a part in the development the Curly Coated Retriever, the American Water Spaniel and the Field Spaniel. The English Water Spaniel looks somewhat like a Poodle/Springer Spaniel cross or a Collie. It is not known whether the English Water Spaniel was part of the development of the Irish Water Spaniel.

When the English Water Spaniel was first developed the UKC had a “Water Spaniels other than Irish” and the English Water Spaniel had no standard written and accepted for it yet. But by 1967 the breed was extinct. Still the American Water Spaniel and the Flat Coated Retriever are believed to be descendants of the English Water Spaniel.

Description

chinook puppy - descriptionThe Chinook is a muscular dog, making him a perfect fit to be a sled dog or a hauler of any type. He has a deep chest and powerful muzzle with enduring teeth. The ears can be pricked up or bent and wind-blown. The nostrils of the Chinook are solid black and wide, while the lips are black, the eyes look like almonds and are dark with intelligence in their glance. The feet are firm and oval, the pads cushioned and with dark pigmentation. The tail should not be docked.

The breed has a double coat and hair of medium length The undercoat is soft and thick while the outercoat is close to the body and coarse. The Chinook is usually a tawny, reddish color.

Resembling the Springer Spaniel, poodle, collie and setter the English Water Spaniel has very little in common with the Irish Water Spaniel in respect to looks. The English has a narrow and somewhat longer head their than other spaniels and they have long furry ears. Their body is stout, and they are shaped like a barrel – more like a Clumber. With long legs and large feet, it is ready to take to the hunt. There coat was waterproof, and their toes were webbed.

Characteristics

chinook dog - characteristicsThis is a playful, affectionate and loyal breed. They have a special love for kids and always want to learn and please you. They are intelligent and very trainable. The Chinook is good with other dogs and as a sled dog they love to work in packs. They can be reserved but they are never aggressive or shy.

The English Water Spaniel was aloof with strangers but loyal with his hunter. He was a little stubborn and an excellent water dog. They loved being in the water and could enter it without making any noise so as not to frighten his prey. He was highly intelligent and trainable. He also was very affectionate with his people.

Health Problems

chinook puppies - health problemsFor the most part, the Chinook is a healthy dog. There are however some issues they do have to contend with including:

Epilepsy

Sometimes know as Chinook seizures this is really a movement disorder and perhaps not a true epilepsy.

Atopy

This dermatitis may be hereditary. It causes itchy skin and is actual an immune system issue.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Chinook are known for a variety of gastrointestinal disorders manifested by diarrhea and vomiting.

The English Water Spaniel is a fairly healthy breed given to some fairly common disorders such as:

Hip Dysplasia

Can lead to lameness and arthritis

Cardiac abnormalities

Arterial fib and flutter and other problems that could lead to death.

Degenerative Myelopathy

This is a disease seem in several “Dwarf” breeds such as Corgis, as well as in many spaniels. This is the canine version of Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS and it is fatal.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

chinook dogs - caringDon’t overfeed your dog. Based on how hard he is working for you feed twice a day. Dividing 3 to 5 cups into two meals.

Health issues

In addition to the health issues mentioned above, the Chinook might be prone to:

Hip Dysplasia

Can cause arthritis or lameness

Crytorchism

Only affects males as this is the absence of the testes in the scrotum.

Allergies

Ears should be washed on a regular basis to prevent allergies and infections.

Exercise and games

Although the Chinook is still active in recreational sledding, he is mostly a family pet these days. Given this the Chinook need a good deal of exercise and competition. They are great at search and rescue, dog packing, agility, obedience, herding, carting and skijoring. They need some form of solid exercise for 30 to 60 minutes every day.

Feeding

The English Water Spaniel is not an overly energetic dog and has a tendency to over eat. Feed him 1 to 1.5 cups of high quality dry dog food over two meals each day.

Health issues

In addition to the health issues mentioned earlier, the English Water Spaniel is also prone to:

Baldness

Pattern baldness – is genetic and occurs on the neck and back of the hind legs.

Cataracts

English Water Spaniels can have these in old age like most other breeds.

Retinal Dysplasia

Clumps form in the retinal tissue and can lead to blindness

Exercise and games

The English Water Spaniel was a worker and an outdoor athlete at a time before organized canine games and activities such as agility and flyball. They loved to swim, and they loved to hunt. Without a job to do they could become barky and destructive.

Comparison with other breeds

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  29. English Water Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. English Water Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. English Water Spaniel vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  34. English Water Spaniel vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. English Water Spaniel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. English Water Spaniel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. English Water Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. English Water Spaniel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. English Water Spaniel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. English Water Spaniel vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. English Water Spaniel vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. English Water Spaniel vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. English Water Spaniel vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. English Water Spaniel vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. English Water Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. English Water Spaniel vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. English Water Spaniel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. English Water Spaniel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. English Water Spaniel vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. English Water Spaniel vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison