Is the Chinook Better than the Kuvasz as a Pet? Answer…

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Chinook Versus Kuvasz: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chinook and the Kuvasz? 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 Chinook and the Kuvasz 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 Chinook and the Kuvasz.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinook and the Kuvasz 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 Chinook and for the Kuvasz. 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 Chinook and the Kuvasz.

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

Chinook versus Kuvasz

Chinook versus Kuvasz: Overview

A very important difference between the Chinook and the Kuvasz is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chinook is a large-sized dog while the Kuvasz is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Chinook and the Kuvasz are Working Dogs. This means both the Chinook and the Kuvasz 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.

Chinook versus Kuvasz: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinook to the Kuvasz 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 Chinook and the Kuvasz

Factor Chinook Kuvasz
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Height 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 1/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 70 to 115 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Price Range No Data $1438 – $1812
Average Price No Data $1630
Temperament Score 77.8 percent 78.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 177 161

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chinook 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 Kuvasz. 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 Chinook is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Kuvasz is 66 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chinook is a better pet than the Kuvasz. 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 Chinook and the Kuvasz so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chinook and the Kuvasz

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

  • Chinooks adapt well to apartment living. However, Kuvaszs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Chinooks are very friendly towards strangers. However, Kuvaszs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Chinooks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Kuvaszs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Chinooks get along well with other dogs. However, Kuvaszs do not get along well with other dogs.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Kuvasz

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

  • Both the Chinook and the Kuvasz are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kuvasz do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kuvasz have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kuvasz are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kuvasz do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kuvasz are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Chinook and the Kuvasz are very playful.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kuvasz are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kuvasz can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kuvasz are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kuvasz shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kuvasz are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Kuvasz

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

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

    On the other hand, Kuvaszs weigh 70 to 115 pounds when fully grown. Kuvaszs are 26 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chinook versus Kuvasz

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

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

    Chinooks live longer than Kuvaszs.

    Temperament of the Kuvasz Versus the Chinook

    The Kuvasz has a better temperament than the Chinook.

    This is because the temperament score for the Kuvasz is 78.4 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 77.8 percent, the Chinook has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 78.4 percent, the Kuvasz has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chinook and the Kuvasz by measuring the temperaments of 9 Chinooks and 51 Kuvaszs.

    The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of Kuvasz

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Chinook and the Kuvasz over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Kuvasz is more popular with dog owners than the Chinook. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Kuvasz is 161 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Chinook is 177 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Kuvasz

    Popularity of Kuvasz

    Year Chinook Popularity Rank Kuvasz Popularity Rank
    2013 156 150
    2014 171 161
    2015 177 150
    2016 175 165
    2017 179 157
    2018 190 163
    2019 184 166
    2020 186 177

    Health Problems of Chinook versus Health Problems of Kuvasz

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Chinook and the Kuvasz are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Kuvasz is prone to more genetic health problems than the Chinook.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Kuvasz than for the Chinook.

    3 health tests are recommended for Chinook while 7 tests are recommended for the Kuvasz.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinooks and in Kuvaszs.

    Chinook Health Problems

    Chinooks are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chinook puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Chinook puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chinook breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Chinooks for:

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinooks here.

    Kuvasz Health Problems

    Kuvaszs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Kuvasz puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Kuvasz puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Kuvasz breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Kuvaszs for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Kuvaszs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Chinooks and Kuvaszs

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Chinook Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Chinook ranks 5 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 52 Chinooks, 5 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chinooks, and how common these diseases are in Chinooks relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 5 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 63 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 82 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Kuvasz Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Kuvasz ranks 7 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 434 Kuvaszs, 51 of them had Thyroid problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Kuvaszs, and how common these diseases are in Kuvaszs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 7 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 25 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 52 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 64 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 124 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Chinook and in Kuvasz and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinook and the Kuvasz:

    Disease Chinook Rank Kuvasz Rank
    Patella problems 5 out of 145 dog breeds 124 out of 145 dog breeds
    Hips problems 63 out of 198 dog breeds 52 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 82 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems Not Common 7 out of 115 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 25 out of 70 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 64 out of 144 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chinook versus Kuvasz

    Chinooks do not like to be left alone.

    Kuvaszs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chinooks shed more than Kuvaszs?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Chinook or the Kuvasz

    Chinooks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Kuvaszs drool moderately.

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

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

    Kuvaszs are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Kuvaszs 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 Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Kuvaszs?

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

    Kuvaszs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Kuvaszs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Kuvasz

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

    Kuvaszs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kuvaszs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinooks can tolerate hot weather.

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

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

    Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.

    Kuvaszs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Kuvaszs?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Chinooks and Kuvaszs?

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

    Kuvaszs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Kuvasz?

    Chinooks are very easy to train.

    Kuvaszs are not easy to train.

    Is the Chinook Better for Apartment Owners than the Kuvasz?

    Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.

    Kuvaszs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Chinooks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Kuvaszs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chinook

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinook that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Chinook:

  • Keeshond (76 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Kuvasz vs Keeshond.
  • King Shepherd (75 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Kuvasz vs King Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kuvasz

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kuvasz that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Kuvasz:

  • Hovawart (72 percent match with Kuvasz). Here is our comparison of the Chinook vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Chinook and how the Kuvasz compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chinook and of the Kuvasz to other breeds:

    Chinook Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinook versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Chinook versus English Toy Spaniel     Chinook versus Norwich Terrier     Chinook versus Great Pyrenees     Chinook versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Chinook versus Shiba Inu     Chinook versus Great Dane     Chinook versus Cane Corso     Chinook versus American Bulldog     Chinook versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Chinook versus Newfoundland     Chinook versus Carolina Dog     Chinook versus Komondor     Chinook versus Bluetick Coonhound     Chinook versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Chinook versus Manchester Terrier     Chinook versus Italian Greyhound     Chinook versus Standard Poodle     Chinook versus Doberman Pinscher     Chinook versus Pomapoo     Chinook versus Ibizan Hound     Chinook versus Mudi     Chinook versus Pyredoodle     Chinook versus Bracco Italiano     

    Kuvasz Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kuvasz versus Cane Corso     Kuvasz versus Catahoula Bulldog     Kuvasz versus American Water Spaniel     Kuvasz versus Coton de Tulear     Kuvasz versus Chinook     Kuvasz versus Xoloitzcuintli     Kuvasz versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Kuvasz versus German Shepherd Dog     Kuvasz versus Sheepadoodle     Kuvasz versus Saint Bernard     Kuvasz versus Afador     Kuvasz versus Dutch Shepherd     Kuvasz versus Bernedoodle     Kuvasz versus Shichon     Kuvasz versus Shihpoo     Kuvasz versus Tibetan Spaniel     Kuvasz versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Kuvasz versus Valley Bulldog     Kuvasz versus Cockalier     Kuvasz versus Afghan Hound     Kuvasz versus Bullmastiff     Kuvasz versus Tibetan Spaniel     Kuvasz versus Sussex Spaniel     Kuvasz versus Cockapoo     

    Conclusion: Chinook versus Kuvasz. 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 Chinook and the Kuvasz better suits you and your family.