Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chinook Versus Labrador Retriever: Introduction
- Chinook versus Labrador Retriever: Overview
- Chinook versus Labrador Retriever: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chinook and the Labrador Retriever
- The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Labrador Retriever
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Labrador Retriever
- Lifespan of Chinook versus Labrador Retriever
- Temperament of the Labrador Retriever Versus the Chinook
- The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of Labrador Retriever
- Health Problems of Chinook versus Health Problems of Labrador Retriever
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chinook versus Labrador Retriever
- Do Chinooks shed more than Labrador Retrievers?
- Which one drools more, the Chinook or the Labrador Retriever
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinook or the Labrador Retriever?
- Does the Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Labrador Retriever?
- Do Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Labrador Retrievers?
- Can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Labrador Retriever
- Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chinook or the Labrador Retriever?
- Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Labrador Retrievers?
- How Kid-friendly are Chinooks and Labrador Retrievers?
- Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Labrador Retriever?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chinook
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Labrador Retriever
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Chinook versus Labrador Retriever. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chinook Versus Labrador Retriever: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chinook and the Labrador Retriever? 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 Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinook and the Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever. 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 Labrador Retriever.
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 Labrador Retriever.
Chinook versus Labrador Retriever: Overview
Both the Chinook and the Labrador Retriever are similar in size. The Chinook and the Labrador Retriever are both large-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Chinook belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs 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.
On the other hand, the Labrador Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Chinook versus Labrador Retriever: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chinook to the Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever
| Factor | Chinook | Labrador Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder | 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 55 to 70 pounds | 55 to 80 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $850 – $1500 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1290 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 92.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 177 | 1 |
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 Labrador Retriever. 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 Labrador Retriever is 74 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chinook is a better pet than the Labrador Retriever. 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 Labrador Retriever so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chinook and the Labrador Retriever
Below is a list of where the Chinook and the Labrador Retriever are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Labrador Retriever
The Chinook and the Labrador Retriever are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chinook and the Labrador Retriever are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Labrador Retriever
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinook and the Labrador Retriever.
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, Labrador Retrievers weigh 55 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Labrador Retrievers are 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Chinook versus Labrador Retriever
The lifespan of Chinooks is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Chinooks is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Labrador Retrievers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Labrador Retrievers is 11.0 years.
Chinooks live longer than Labrador Retrievers.
Temperament of the Labrador Retriever Versus the Chinook
The Labrador Retriever has a better temperament than the Chinook.
This is because the temperament score for the Labrador Retriever is 92.2 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 92.2 percent, the Labrador Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chinook and the Labrador Retriever by measuring the temperaments of 9 Chinooks and 842 Labrador Retrievers.
The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of Labrador Retriever
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 Labrador Retriever over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Labrador Retriever is more popular with dog owners than the Chinook. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Labrador Retriever is 1 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 Labrador Retriever
| Year | Chinook Popularity Rank | Labrador Retriever Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 156 | 1 |
| 2014 | 171 | 1 |
| 2015 | 177 | 1 |
| 2016 | 175 | 1 |
| 2017 | 179 | 1 |
| 2018 | 190 | 1 |
| 2019 | 184 | 1 |
| 2020 | 186 | 1 |
Health Problems of Chinook versus Health Problems of Labrador Retriever
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 Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever is prone to more genetic health problems than the Chinook.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Labrador Retriever than for the Chinook.
3 health tests are recommended for Chinook while 8 tests are recommended for the Labrador Retriever.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinooks and in Labrador Retrievers.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinooks here.
Labrador Retriever Health Problems
Labrador Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retrievers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Labrador Retrievers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Chinooks and Labrador Retrievers
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:
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 Labrador Retriever Breed is Achromatopsia Day Blindness problems.
This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Achromatopsia Day Blindness problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 87 Labrador Retrievers, 0 of them had Achromatopsia Day Blindness problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Labrador Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Labrador Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Chinook and in Labrador Retriever and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinook and the Labrador Retriever:
| Disease | Chinook Rank | Labrador Retriever Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 5 out of 145 dog breeds | 78 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 63 out of 198 dog breeds | 103 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 82 out of 182 dog breeds | 119 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Achromatopsia Day Blindness problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| D Locus problems | Not Common | 1 out of 3 dog breeds |
| Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Copper Toxicosis problems | Not Common | 2 out of 2 dog breeds |
| Exercise Induced Collapse problems | Not Common | 3 out of 6 dog breeds |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | Not Common | 8 out of 40 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | Not Common | 13 out of 22 dog breeds |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | Not Common | 16 out of 32 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 25 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 29 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 39 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 41 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 66 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 76 out of 115 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 Labrador Retriever
Chinooks do not like to be left alone.
Labrador Retrievers do not like to be left alone.
Do Chinooks shed more than Labrador Retrievers?
Chinooks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Labrador Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Chinook or the Labrador Retriever
Chinooks do have a very low tendency to drool.
Labrador Retrievers drool moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinook or the Labrador Retriever?
Chinooks require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Labrador Retrievers are very easy to groom.
Does the Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Labrador Retriever?
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.
Labrador Retrievers 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 Labrador Retrievers?
Chinooks are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Labrador Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.
Labrador Retrievers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Labrador Retriever
Chinooks do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Labrador Retrievers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chinooks can tolerate hot weather.
Labrador Retrievers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chinook or the Labrador Retriever?
Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.
Labrador Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Labrador Retrievers?
Chinooks are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Labrador Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Chinooks and Labrador Retrievers?
Chinooks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Labrador Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Labrador Retriever?
Chinooks are very easy to train.
Labrador Retrievers are very easy to train.
Is the Chinook Better for Apartment Owners than the Labrador Retriever?
Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.
Labrador Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chinook or the Labrador Retriever?
Chinooks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Labrador Retrievers are OK 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Labrador Retriever
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Chinook and how the Labrador Retriever compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chinook and of the Labrador Retriever to other breeds:
Chinook Versus Other Dog Breeds
Chinook versus Vizsla Chinook versus Boerboel Chinook versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Chinook versus Shiranian Chinook versus Basset Hound Chinook versus Bordoodle Chinook versus Bulldog Chinook versus Labrador Retriever Chinook versus Irish Water Spaniel Chinook versus Bich Poo Chinook versus Chinese Shar-Pei Chinook versus Bull Terrier Chinook versus Karelian Bear Dog Chinook versus Affenhuahua Chinook versus Sheepadoodle Chinook versus Cairn Terrier Chinook versus Frenchton Chinook versus Irish Setter Chinook versus Black and Tan Coonhound Chinook versus Kuvasz Chinook versus Bouvier des Flandres Chinook versus Barbet Chinook versus Bluetick Coonhound Chinook versus American Foxhound Chinook versus Azawakh
Labrador Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds
Labrador Retriever versus Doberman Pinscher Labrador Retriever versus Black Mouth Cur Labrador Retriever versus Portuguese Pointer Labrador Retriever versus Bernese Mountain Dog Labrador Retriever versus Airedale Terrier Labrador Retriever versus Barbet Labrador Retriever versus Bulldog Labrador Retriever versus Harrier Labrador Retriever versus Kai Ken Labrador Retriever versus Kuvasz Labrador Retriever versus Manchester Terrier Labrador Retriever versus Borzoi Labrador Retriever versus Australian Terrier Labrador Retriever versus Kooikerhondje Labrador Retriever versus King Shepherd Labrador Retriever versus Black Mouth Cur Labrador Retriever versus Coton de Tulear Labrador Retriever versus Whippet Labrador Retriever versus Sealyham Terrier Labrador Retriever versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Labrador Retriever versus Giant Schnauzer Labrador Retriever versus Canaan Dog Labrador Retriever versus American Eskimo Dog Labrador Retriever versus Belgian Sheepdog Labrador Retriever versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Conclusion: Chinook versus Labrador Retriever. 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 Labrador Retriever better suits you and your family.