NOTE: The pictures on this page are all from the beginning of what we now call the Chinook. Arthur Walden established a line of dogs known as Walden's Dogs. Many years later, his line became known as Chinook dogs, being named after his famous lead dog, Chinook. These pictures are all from period post cards that I have collected over the years. Please have a good time looking at the beginnings of our breed.

The Arthur Walden era started in 1917 with the birth of Chinook and ran into the 1940s. Toward the last part of this era, Julia Lombard also paticipated in developing the breed with Arthur Walden.

Chinook was known for his great sledding ability as a team leader. He led Walden's team to break both speed and weight hauling records. Notably, he also had a wonderful temperament and easily made many friends of people who were previously skeptical about being around dogs.




Arthur Walden and 16 of his Chinooks accompanied Admiral Richard Byrd on the first Byrd Antarctic Expedition. Although Chinook was quite old at the time, Walden took him on the expedition because of his experience and strength as a leader. Because of Chinooks's age, Walden only used him when the going got real tough. Chinook provided the extra experience and determination that Walden sometimes needed.

Unfortunately, Chinook was lost on the expedition to unknown causes. He was thought to have wandered off and died somewhere in Antarctica. Quimbo, pictured to the right, was a part of the team that Walden took. During the expedition, Admiral Byrd noted that Walden's team was the backbone of the transport.

Walden built his entire line based on Chinook's bloodline. He would breed Chinook to females outside his line, then breed the progeny back to Chinook, obtaining some puppies whose blood was 7/8 from Chinook himself. This produced many fine quality sled dogs.

Arthur Walden and Julia Lombard were not alone in their work with Chinooks. Eva "Short" Seeley, the individual who is largely responsible for charting the course of the Siberian Husky in the United States, was also involved in Chinooks.