After AKC Recognition

By Joan Harrigan

The Cesky Terrier gained full AKC recognition in 2011, and the Chinook two years later.   Though the breeds are very different, both are personable, friendly dogs well suited to life as companions and family pets.  It’s often thought that when a breed becomes recognized by the AKC and is subsequently seen in televised coverage of prestigious shows like Westminster, a boost in popularity may result that that adversely affects the breed by encouraging indiscriminate breeding.

That hasn’t been the case with either the Chinook or the Cesky—for one thing, there just aren’t enough of them around.  Patti Richards and her husband, Perry, have been involved in Chinooks for more than three decades.  They now live in West Haven, VT, but Perry grew up in Waldoboro, Maine, at the Chinook kennels established by his great-grandfather, Perry Greene. Those kennels are now empty, and the property is for sale. Patti Richards explains that there are only about 1,300 Chinooks in the world, and only about 400 of them are capable of being bred.  Each year, 100 or fewer puppies are whelped.

While the puppies readily find pet homes—“they are great with kids, and unlike most sled dogs, they’ll come right back to you if they get away,” Richards explains that it is difficult to find people interested in continuing the breed.  “We simply can’t find owners willing to show their Chinooks, and willing to consider breeding them,” she says.  Richards has an owner in Switzerland who would like her Chinook bred, but only if she can send the dog back to Richards for breeding, whelping, and puppy rearing.

Cesky Terrier breeder Loren Marino of Manchester, NJ, sees similar problems with her breed.  “Cesky litters are small—often only one or two puppies,” she says.  “And last year, only two Cesky litters were born in the U.S.” Echoing Richard’s experiences, Marino says that she gets a lot of inquiries about puppies, but few from people interested in continuing the breed.  “We had some people get into the breed who decided to get out again,” she says.  “That makes it difficult.”

Both Marino and Richards look forward to Tuesday evening’s groups with eager anticipation.  Richards took the breed with her Ch Forever Greene Tagluk CGC, a large and extremely friendly 3-year old male.  Marino won with her 11-year old dog, GCh Milenka’s Hector In Act Four.  Hector stays in condition with an hour of ball playing every morning and evening, and welcomes pats from strangers while relaxing on his grooming table.  It’s easy to envision either as a lifelong companion!

When asked where she sees the Chinook in five years, Richards says “I hope it will be thriving.”  Marino shares her commitment and hopes.  With luck, some of the viewers this evening will be inspired by Hector and Tagluk, and the determination and commitment of their owners.

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Posted by chesliepickett on Feb 19 2015. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.