One of
my favorite 3-dog teams: Holly in lead with
Ladybug Jones and Thunder in wheel Pardon our construction -- The Rain Mountain website is undergoing a substantial revision. Stay tuned for more information, including updates on Enatai Chinook Crosses, our participation in the exciting Chinook Breed Conservation Program.
Rain Mountain Chinooks isn't a physical place or being. Raising pups, showing in conformation or performance events, gliding over the snow on a dog sled, or rambling down a dirt trail on a rig or hike, as well as just living with Chinook dogs has been my hobby for over thirty years. Somehow, without even thinking about it, I've become the oldest (not in my age but in years breeding) still-active breeder of Chinooks in the world. Chinooks are a rare American breed originally developed in New Englad for sledding. These days, however, they are finding their place as the near-perfect suburban family pet and outdoor companion.
Rain Mountain has never had a huge kennel facility and never will. Chinooks like to be with their people. For twenty years the Chinooks and I lived in Kirkland, a suburb of Seattle, but in fall of 2008 we moved north to a gorgeous property covered with woods of old cedars -- known as the Slug Ranch -- situated equidistant between the towns of Arlington to the south, Mount Vernon to the north, and Stanwood to the west (to the east is just mountains until you run into Spokane). They do make a great suburban pet, so please don't feel that you need to move to the Great North Woods to have your own Chinook. Here, the dogs enjoy running through the woods and hunting mice under the leaves. But they did these same activities in our former suburban backyard. They think they should be allowed to sleep on my bed in the comfort of the house at night, which is why I limit the number of Chinooks I live with to no more than can fit on my bedroom floor (and bed). Typically that means four or five primary dogs and a few visitors. All pups are born here in the house and spend their first nine weeks underfoot before venturing to their own homes where they are likewise are catered to and loved. After many years of supporting the early Chinook Cross lines
and
incorporating them into my breeding program, I have become more
involved in the reinvigorated Chinook Breed Conservation Program and am
sponsoring a Chinook Cross line myself. Rest assured that you
will NEVER be sold a Chinook Cross when you are looking for a purebred
Chinook by me or any other Chinook breeder. But we have
undertaken a very controlled and highly researched program that you can
learn more about my Enatai Chinook Cross line here and the overall Chinook Breed Conservation Program on the website of
the Chinook Owners Association, the Parent Club of the Chinook with
the United Kennel Club. Hopefully you'll find the basic information you need about Chinooks here, along with links to other websites. Day-to-day info on events, breedings, and any puppies that are coming are all posted on the Rain Mountain Chinooks Facebook page so be sure to check it out as well.
Copyright © Ginger Corley, Rain Mountain Chinooks, 1988 to present. No material may be reproduced without permission, though permission is usually granted. Logo by Susan Fletcher, Frontier Chinooks, used here with permission and much appreciation of her great talent. |