Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are Chinooks Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are Chinooks Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are Chinooks Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are Chinooks Afraid of Strangers?
- Are Chinooks Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do Chinooks Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do Chinooks Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are Chinooks Easy to Train?
- Do Chinooks Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do Chinooks Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do Chinooks have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are Chinooks Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are Chinooks Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are Chinooks Playful? What is the Energy Level of Chinooks
- Conclusion on Chinook Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the Chinook
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Chinook out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Chinook based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Chinook breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of Chinook by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Chinook.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the Chinook for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Chinook.
The summary table below shows the score of the Chinook for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
| Behavior | Score |
|---|---|
| Prey Drive | 42.1 percent |
| Excitability | 32.7 percent |
| Stranger Directed Fear | 29.5 percent |
| Attachment Attention Seeking | 29.4 percent |
| Energy Level | 28.0 percent |
| Separation Related Behavior | 26.9 percent |
| Dog Directed Aggression | 26.3 percent |
| Stubbornness | 23.6 percent |
| Dog Directed Fear | 22.8 percent |
| Stranger Directed Aggression | 16.0 percent |
| Touch Sensitivity | 15.8 percent |
| Nonsocial Fear | 12.9 percent |
| Owner Directed Aggression | 0.0 percent |
| Dog Rivalry | 0.0 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your Chinook`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Chinook, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Chinook.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are Chinooks Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
Chinooks are not aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the Chinook ranks very low for aggression towards strangers.
The Chinook ranks number 107 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 64 Chinook owners reported on the temperament of their Chinook in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Chinook has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 16.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are not aggressive towards strangers just like the Chinook are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 104 | Basset Hound | 17.1 % |
| 105 | Borzoi | 16.9 % |
| 106 | Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | 16.3 % |
| 107 | Chinook | 16.0 % |
| 108 | Newfoundland | 15.8 % |
| 109 | Bulldog | 15.6 % |
| 110 | English Setter | 15.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Chinooks Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
Chinooks are not aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the Chinook ranks very low for aggression towards its owner.
The Chinook ranks number 124 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 64 Chinook owners reported on the temperament of their Chinook in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Chinook has an owner-directed-aggression score of 0.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are not owner-aggressive just like the Chinook are listed in the table below
| Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 121 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 0.9 % |
| 122 | Irish Water Spaniel | 0.9 % |
| 123 | Pointer | 0.3 % |
| 124 | Chinook | 0.0 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Chinooks Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
Chinooks are not aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the Chinook ranks very low for aggression towards other dogs.
The Chinook ranks number 104 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 64 Chinook owners reported on the temperament of their Chinook in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Chinook has a dog-directed aggression score of 26.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are not dog-aggressive just like the Chinook are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 101 | Norwegian Elkhound | 27.2 % |
| 102 | Newfoundland | 27.0 % |
| 103 | Golden Retriever | 26.7 % |
| 104 | Chinook | 26.3 % |
| 105 | Brittany | 25.7 % |
| 106 | Italian Greyhound | 23.5 % |
| 107 | Basset Hound | 21.6 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Chinooks Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
Chinooks are somewhat fearful of strangers.
This is because the Chinook ranks average for fear of strangers.
The Chinook ranks number 59 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 64 Chinook owners reported on the temperament of their Chinook in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Chinook has a stranger-directed-fear score of 29.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat stranger-fearful just like the Chinook are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 30.6 % |
| 57 | Redbone Coonhound | 30.0 % |
| 58 | Beagle | 29.9 % |
| 59 | Chinook | 29.5 % |
| 60 | Weimaraner | 28.8 % |
| 61 | Australian Kelpie | 28.3 % |
| 62 | Shih Tzu | 27.9 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are Chinooks Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
Chinooks are not fearful of other dogs.
This is because the Chinook ranks very low for fear of other dogs.
The Chinook ranks number 98 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 64 Chinook owners reported on the temperament of their Chinook in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Chinook has a dog-directed-fear score of 22.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are not other-dog-fearful just like the Chinook are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 95 | Alaskan Malamute | 23.7 % |
| 96 | Akita | 23.4 % |
| 97 | English Bulldog | 23.0 % |
| 98 | Chinook | 22.8 % |
| 99 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 22.7 % |
| 100 | Chow Chow | 21.7 % |
| 101 | Old English Sheepdog | 21.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do Chinooks Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
Chinooks are not fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the Chinook ranks very low for non-social fear.
The Chinook ranks number 111 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 64 Chinook owners reported on the temperament of their Chinook in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Chinook has a nonsocial-fear score of 12.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are not nonsocial-fearful just like the Chinook are listed in the table below
| Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 108 | Doberman Pinscher | 14.9 % |
| 109 | English Springer Spaniel | 13.5 % |
| 110 | Lagotto Romagnolo | 13.4 % |
| 111 | Chinook | 12.9 % |
| 112 | Schipperke | 12.5 % |
| 113 | Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | 12.0 % |
| 114 | Rottweiler | 6.2 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do Chinooks Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
Chinooks are not competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the Chinook ranks very low on dog rivalry.
The Chinook ranks number 124 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 64 Chinook owners reported on the temperament of their Chinook in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Chinook has a dog-rivalry score of 0.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are not competition-driven just like the Chinook are listed in the table below
| Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
|---|---|---|
| 121 | Italian Greyhound | 6.8 % |
| 122 | Norwegian Elkhound | 5.9 % |
| 123 | Saint Bernard | 5.9 % |
| 124 | Chinook | 0.0 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are Chinooks Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
Chinooks are quite a bit easy to train.
This is because the Chinook ranks high for trainability.
The Chinook ranks number 36 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 64 Chinook owners reported on the trainability of their Chinook in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Chinook has a trainability score of 76.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit easy to train just like the Chinook are listed in the table below
| Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Labrador Retriever | 78.8 % |
| 34 | Weimaraner | 78.8 % |
| 35 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 78.1 % |
| 36 | Chinook | 76.4 % |
| 37 | Poodle (Miniature) | 76.4 % |
| 38 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 76.3 % |
| 39 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 76.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Do Chinooks Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
Chinooks are a little bit into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the Chinook ranks low for small-pet-chasing.
The Chinook ranks number 80 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 64 Chinook owners reported on the temperament of their Chinook in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Chinook has a chasing score of 42.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit into chasing after smaller pets just like the Chinook are listed in the table below
| Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
|---|---|---|
| 77 | Rottweiler | 44.3 % |
| 78 | Yorkshire Terrier | 43.5 % |
| 79 | Norwegian Elkhound | 42.8 % |
| 80 | Chinook | 42.1 % |
| 81 | Kuvasz | 41.6 % |
| 82 | Bearded Collie | 41.0 % |
| 83 | Pomeranian | 40.8 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do Chinooks Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
Chinooks are not attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the Chinook ranks very low for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The Chinook ranks number 104 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 64 Chinook owners reported on the temperament of their Chinook in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Chinook has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 29.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are not attachment/attention-seeking just like the Chinook are listed in the table below
| Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
|---|---|---|
| 101 | Alaskan Malamute | 31.9 % |
| 102 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 31.7 % |
| 103 | Ibizan Hound | 29.4 % |
| 104 | Chinook | 29.4 % |
| 105 | Airedale Terrier | 28.8 % |
| 106 | Tibetan Terrier | 28.3 % |
| 107 | Black and Tan Coonhound | 27.9 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do Chinooks have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
Chinooks are a little bit prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the Chinook ranks low for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The Chinook ranks number 89 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 64 Chinook owners reported on the temperament of their Chinook in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Chinook has a separation anxiety score of 26.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Chinook are listed in the table below
| Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
|---|---|---|
| 86 | Mastiff (English) | 28.6 % |
| 87 | Siberian Husky | 28.5 % |
| 88 | Border Terrier | 27.3 % |
| 89 | Chinook | 26.9 % |
| 90 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 26.2 % |
| 91 | Akita | 26.1 % |
| 92 | Saint Bernard | 26.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are Chinooks Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
Chinooks are not touch-sensitive.
This is because the Chinook ranks very low for touch sensitivity.
The Chinook ranks number 111 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 64 Chinook owners reported on the temperament of their Chinook in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Chinook has a touch-sensitivity score of 15.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are not touch-sensitive just like the Chinook are listed in the table below
| Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 108 | Irish Wolfhound | 16.6 % |
| 109 | Akita | 16.4 % |
| 110 | Airedale Terrier | 16.2 % |
| 111 | Chinook | 15.8 % |
| 112 | Boxer | 15.4 % |
| 113 | Poodle (Standard) | 15.4 % |
| 114 | English Setter | 15.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are Chinooks Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
Chinooks are not hyper (excitable).
This is because the Chinook ranks very low for excitability.
The Chinook ranks number 97 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 64 Chinook owners reported on the temperament of their Chinook in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Chinook has an excitability score of 32.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are not excitable just like the Chinook are listed in the table below
| Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 94 | Treeing Walker Coonhound | 35.0 % |
| 95 | Shih Tzu | 34.2 % |
| 96 | Great Dane | 33.0 % |
| 97 | Chinook | 32.7 % |
| 98 | Rottweiler | 32.1 % |
| 99 | Alaskan Husky | 32.0 % |
| 100 | Chow Chow | 31.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are Chinooks Playful? What is the Energy Level of Chinooks
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
Chinooks are not energetic.
This is because the Chinook ranks very low for energy level.
The Chinook ranks number 112 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 64 Chinook owners reported on the temperament of their Chinook in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Chinook has an energy-level score of 28.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are not energetic just like the Chinook are listed in the table below
| Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| 109 | Irish Wolfhound | 30.0 % |
| 110 | Basset Hound | 29.2 % |
| 111 | Mastiff (English) | 29.0 % |
| 112 | Chinook | 28.0 % |
| 113 | Newfoundland | 27.6 % |
| 114 | Whippet | 26.2 % |
| 115 | Chow Chow | 23.9 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on Chinook Temperament
The temperament of your Chinook comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Chinook is exposed to.
You cannot change your Chinook`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Chinook to.
Exposing your Chinook to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Chinook to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your Chinook`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Chinook.
If you think the Chinook is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Chinooks cost and Chinook puppy buying guide.
Also, see our list of reputable Chinook breeders in the United States and the prices of their Chinook puppies.