Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs Chinook - Breed Comparison

In 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 Pont-Audemer Spaniel hails from France. The dog, known also as Epagneul Pont-Audemer is a rare breed of gun dog, and dates back to the 19th century.

There aren’t clear records on the origins of the dog, but it is thought that it was developed during the 19th century. It is also thought that the dog was bred from the English Water Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel.

When numbers of these dogs declined, the president of the Pont-Audemer breed club permitted other breeds to be crossed with the existing gene pool. In 1980, the breed club merged with the Picardy Spaniel club and the dog is recognized by the FCI as the Pont-Audemer Spaniel.

The 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.

The Pont Audemer Spaniel is a medium- to large-sized breed, standing at between 50 and 58cm in height and weighing in the region of 20 – 27kg, the Pont Audemer Spaniel has a wavy, slightly curly coat of medium length, with some long hair on the top of his head. Common coat colors include white and reddish brown although there are some solid colors too. Te Muzzle of the dog is longish and fairly pointed, the nose brown and they eyes amber or hazel. This is a deep chested dog and wile the tail is traditionally docked, these days it tends to be left long and carried with a slight curve.

Temperament:

The Pont Audemer Spaniel is an intelligent dog that will respond well to training. Training and socialization are important for making him well-rounded and obedient. This spaniel-type dog just loves having loads of fun, even to the extent of being clownish.

Because he is a working dog, and an energetic one at that, he wouldn’t do well in a tiny city property but is better suited to life in the suburbs or the countryside. He is a playful dog and will get on well with children. He can also make a great friend of other dogs, particularly if he grew up with them.

This 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.

This is truly an old breed of spaniel, loving to spend time outdoors and in marshy areas.

He is a calm, gentle breed, and passionate breeders have worked to preserve it as the dog makes a splendid pet. With an amicable look on his face which has a kind expression, he has other good characteristics to his name such as being intelligent, courageous and energetic.

Whether you’re indoors or out, the Pont-Audemer spaniel is a great companion thanks to his loyalty. Your docile, affectionate and cheerful friend will ensure you tick him off as a pet to be recommended.

For 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.

There isn’t a great deal of information on this dog as it is a fairly uncommon breed, but nonetheless a robust dog breed. He can reach 14 years or more if well cared for.

Their long, floppy ears may be a problem as dogs with long ears like this, where sunlight and air don’t reach the insides of the ear, are more prone to dampness, dirt and wax. The inside of the ears becomes a breeding place for bacteria.

Bloat:

It is the deep chest of the Pont-Audemer Spaniel that can put him at risk for developing bloat. When a dog like this becomes bloated you can actually see the swollen, hard stomach. The dog is extremely restless, he is panting and pacing. Immediate veterinary attention is required as this is a life threatening illness.

Follicular Dysplasia:

Known also as alopecia, there are a few things that can cause your pet to lose his hair. These can be hormonal issues or parasites such as worms.

Feeding

Don’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.

Exercise:

The Pont-Audemer Spaniel has always been a working breed so he is used to being active. They have high exercise requirements and will require having quite a large outdoor space to run. Ball and rope games are a must for him, lots of swimming and hikes as well as a daily walk.

Grooming:

Even though the fairly long hair of the spaniel looks as though it may require quite a bit of upkeep, the Pont Audemer Spaniel is a low maintenance dog that will require a good brush twice a week.

While you’re brushing him, feel him over for any new, unusual lumps. Look into his eyes to make sure they’re bright and alert. Check around his ears for ticks and fleas and look inside his ears for dirt and wax which could lead to bacteria and an ear infection.

Diet:

You don’t want your dog gaining weight and becoming obese as this opens up a whole lot of health issues. There are always dogs that can gain weight after they have been spayed or neutered. Remember if you’re using commercially manufactured dog food, to make sure it is high quality and also suited to your dog’s age, it’s season of life and its activity levels.

Give your canine friend some home-made food too, bearing in mind that dogs like simple, healthy food that won’t upset their stomachs, and which will be good for them too.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach all chopped up can be so beneficial for your pet. If you cook it in bulk, it can be put into portions and some of this can be added into the dry kibble occasionally. This is a great treat for your dog.

Some raw meat added in from time to time can also be hugely benefit for your pet. Avoid all spicy, exotic foods for your pet.

Make sure he always has a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.