The short answer is, “If you don’t know, it probably isn’t so.” Please refer to the Chinook Owners Association (USA) article "Is my dog a Chinook?" for more information.

There are 4 steps to applying for a Swiss Chinooks pup:

1) You need to check our "Upcoming Litters" page to see if we are still accepting applications for a planned litter.

2) You need to fill in our Puppy Application Form and send it to us via email or postal mail.

3) You need to meet a Chinook (you can either come and visit us in Switzerland or we can try and arrange a meeting with a Chinook owner and their dog in Europe or the US).

4) You need to meet us online for us to get to know each other and be able to ask any questions that may need clarification (this meeting usually takes up to 3 hours).

Applying for a Swiss Chinooks pup does not guarantee you will get one. Once we have assessed all the necessary criteria, we will inform you via email when you have been added to our puppy waiting list.

Yes, the Chinook is definitely a family dog and we have observed this breed to have a "sensitivity to vulnerability". Chinooks are especially good with children, the elderly, people with a disability, people who are chronically ill or in pain and those who simply need to be comforted.

Having said that, we at Swiss Chinooks put a lot of importance on education of our dogs. We expect all new owners to properly and appropriately train their puppies/dogs using only positive reinforcement training to become well-mannered, calm and confident individuals. This enables them to be welcomed members of society and great ambassadors of the Chinook breed.

The quick answer is "No". We do not require owners of our Swiss Chinooks pups to have their Chinook dog castrated/sterilized unless their vets have found a medical reason that will benefit their dog's health. We DO require all dogs to remain intact until after they reach at least 2 years of age and have completed their hip, elbow and eye examinations. Getting a Swiss Chinooks pup/dog castrated/sterilized without the breeder's permission will result in a heavy fine. If permission has been granted, we would like to point out that there are two types of sterilization available in many countries:

1) Alternative Sterilization:

In female dogs this involves snipping and tying of the fallopian tubes as a sterilization measure that is essentially the female equivalent of male dog vasectomy but a more invasive procedure. Sex organs and hormones remain intact.

In male dogs the ducts that run from the testes to the penis are cut then tied or sealed to prevent sperm from entering into the urethra. Sex organs and hormones remain intact.

2) Castration:

In both male and female dogs, this involves surgically removing all reproductive organs. Sex hormones are no longer produced and unless medically recommended by the dog's veterinarian to improve the dog's health or prevent ill health, may have adverse effects on the dog's health. We recommend alternative sterilization if there is no medical reason to castrate/neuter a dog.

Both alternative sterilization and castration have pros and cons, which owners need to inform themselves about and ask their veterinarians before they decide if either is necessary.