Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Akbash and the Chinook.

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Akbash Versus Chinook: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Akbash and the Chinook? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Akbash and the Chinook better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Akbash and the Chinook.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Akbash and the Chinook is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Akbash and for the Chinook. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Akbash and the Chinook.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Akbash or the Chinook.

Akbash versus Chinook: Overview

Both the Akbash and the Chinook are similar in size. The Akbash and the Chinook are both large-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Akbash and the Chinook are Working Dogs. This means both the Akbash and the Chinook were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Akbash versus Chinook: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Akbash to the Chinook based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Akbash and the Chinook

Factor Akbash Chinook
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 3/5
Height 27 to 34 inches 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 1/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Weight 75 to 140 pounds 55 to 70 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $610 No Data
Price Range $500 – $800 No Data
Temperament Score 87.5 percent 77.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Akbash in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Chinook. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Akbash is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Chinook is 87 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chinook is a better pet than the Akbash. So, you should get the Chinook!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Akbash and the Chinook so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Akbash and the Chinook

    Below is a list of where the Akbash and the Chinook are most different:

    • Akbashs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Chinooks adapt well to apartment living.
    • Akbashs can be left alone for some time without problems. However, Chinooks do not like to be left alone.

    The Similarities Between the Akbash and the Chinook

    The Akbash and the Chinook are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Akbash and the Chinook are most similar:

    • Both the Akbash and the Chinook have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Akbash and the Chinook do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
    • Both the Akbash and the Chinook are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Akbash and the Chinook do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Akbash and the Chinook have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
    • Both the Akbash and the Chinook do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Both the Akbash and the Chinook have low exercise needs.
    • Both the Akbash and the Chinook can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Akbash and the Chinook get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Akbash and the Chinook shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Akbash and the Chinook are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Akbash and the Chinook gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Akbash and the Chinook are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Akbash and the Chinook are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Size Comparison of Akbash versus Chinook

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Akbash and the Chinook.

    Akbashs weigh 75 to 140 pounds when fully grown. Akbashs are 27 to 34 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Chinooks weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chinooks are 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Akbash versus Chinook

    The lifespan of Akbashs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Akbashs is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Chinooks is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Chinooks is 13.5 years.

    Chinooks live longer than Akbashs.

    Temperament of the Chinook Versus the Akbash

    The Akbash has a better temperament than the Chinook.

    This is because the temperament score for the Akbash is 87.5 percent while the temperament score for the Chinook is 77.8 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 87.5 percent, the Akbash has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 77.8 percent, the Chinook has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Akbash and the Chinook by measuring the temperaments of 16 Akbashs and 9 Chinooks.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Akbash versus Chinook

    Akbashs can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Chinooks do not like to be left alone.

    Do Akbashs shed more than Chinooks?

    Akbashs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Chinooks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Akbash or the Chinook

    Akbashs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Chinooks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Akbash or the Chinook?

    Akbashs are moderately easy to groom.

    Chinooks require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Akbash Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Chinook?

    Akbashs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Chinooks have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Akbashs Bark and Howl? What about Chinooks?

    Akbashs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Chinooks are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Akbashs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Akbashs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Akbash vs. Chinook

    Akbashs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Chinooks do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Akbashs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Akbashs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Chinooks can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Akbash or the Chinook?

    Akbashs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Akbashs good family dogs? What about Chinooks?

    Akbashs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Chinooks are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Akbashs and Chinooks?

    Akbashs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Chinooks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Akbash Easier to Train than the Chinook?

    Akbashs are fairly easy to train.

    Chinooks are very easy to train.

    Is the Akbash Better for Apartment Owners than the Chinook?

    Akbashs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Akbash or the Chinook?

    Akbashs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Chinooks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Akbash versus Chinook. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Akbash and the Chinook better suits you and your family.