Breed Comparison: Chinook Versus Pointer

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Chinook Versus Pointer: Introduction

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

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

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 Pointer.

Chinook versus Pointer

Chinook versus Pointer: Overview

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

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 Pointer 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 Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinook to the Pointer 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 Pointer

Factor Chinook Pointer
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Height 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
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 4/5
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 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 45 to 75 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $800 – $1300
Average Price No Data $1080
Temperament Score 77.8 percent 90.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 177 115

    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 Pointer. 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 Pointer is 75 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chinook and the Pointer

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

  • Chinooks require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Pointers are very easy to groom.
  • Chinooks have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Pointers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Chinooks do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Chinooks adapt well to apartment living. However, Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Chinooks can tolerate cold weather. However, Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Pointer

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

  • Both the Chinook and the Pointer are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chinook and the Pointer do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chinook and the Pointer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chinook and the Pointer are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Chinook and the Pointer can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Chinook and the Pointer are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chinook and the Pointer are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Chinook and the Pointer are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chinook and the Pointer are very playful.
  • Both the Chinook and the Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chinook and the Pointer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Chinook and the Pointer get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chinook and the Pointer are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Pointer

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

    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, Pointers weigh 45 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Pointers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chinook versus Pointer

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

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

    Temperament of the Pointer Versus the Chinook

    The Pointer has a better temperament than the Chinook.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pointer is 90.0 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 90.0 percent, the Pointer has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chinook and the Pointer by measuring the temperaments of 9 Chinooks and 20 Pointers.

    The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of Pointer

    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 Pointer over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pointer is more popular with dog owners than the Chinook. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pointer is 115 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 Pointer

    Popularity of Pointer

    Year Chinook Popularity Rank Pointer Popularity Rank
    2013 156 114
    2014 171 119
    2015 177 114
    2016 175 117
    2017 179 113
    2018 190 114
    2019 184 115
    2020 186 116

    Health Problems of Chinook versus Health Problems of Pointer

    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 Pointer 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 Pointer is prone to more genetic health problems than the Chinook.

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

    3 health tests are recommended for Chinook while 5 tests are recommended for the Pointer.

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

    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.

    Pointer Health Problems

    Pointers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pointer 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 Pointer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pointer 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 Pointers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pointers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Chinooks and Pointers

    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 Pointer Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Pointer ranks 17 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 78 Pointers, 1 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 17 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 44 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 66 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 137 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Chinook and in Pointer and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinook and the Pointer:

    Disease Chinook Rank Pointer Rank
    Patella problems 5 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 63 out of 198 dog breeds 137 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 82 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 17 out of 159 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 44 out of 115 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 66 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 Pointer

    Chinooks do not like to be left alone.

    Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chinooks shed more than Pointers?

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

    Pointers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Chinook or the Pointer

    Chinooks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    Pointers are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Pointers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Pointers?

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

    Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Pointer

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

    Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinooks can tolerate hot weather.

    Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.

    Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Pointers?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Chinooks and Pointers?

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

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

    Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Pointer?

    Chinooks are very easy to train.

    Pointers are very easy to train.

    Is the Chinook Better for Apartment Owners than the Pointer?

    Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Chinooks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pointer 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 Pointer:

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (81 percent match with Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Chinook vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • English Springer Spaniel (75 percent match with Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Chinook vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • Field Spaniel (77 percent match with Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Chinook vs Field Spaniel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Chinook Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinook versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Chinook versus French Bulldog     Chinook versus Chinese Crested     Chinook versus Westiepoo     Chinook versus Harrier     Chinook versus Saluki     Chinook versus Goldendoodle     Chinook versus Miniature Pinscher     Chinook versus Briard     Chinook versus Japanese Chin     Chinook versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Chinook versus Lancashire Heeler     Chinook versus Brittany     Chinook versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Chinook versus Pomeranian     Chinook versus Irish Wolfhound     Chinook versus King Shepherd     Chinook versus Briard     Chinook versus Pointer     Chinook versus Italian Greyhound     Chinook versus Tibetan Terrier     Chinook versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Chinook versus Chorkie     Chinook versus Dalmatian     Chinook versus West Highland White Terrier     

    Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pointer versus Dutch Shepherd     Pointer versus Carolina Dog     Pointer versus Brittany     Pointer versus Alaskan Malamute     Pointer versus Kooikerhondje     Pointer versus Chow Chow     Pointer versus Black Russian Terrier     Pointer versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Pointer versus Bull Terrier     Pointer versus Beagle     Pointer versus Australian Cattle Dog     Pointer versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Pointer versus Azawakh     Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler     Pointer versus Welsh Terrier     Pointer versus Komondor     Pointer versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Pointer versus Westiepoo     Pointer versus Sheepadoodle     Pointer versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Pointer versus Catahoula Bulldog     Pointer versus Tibetan Mastiff     Pointer versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Pointer versus Doberman Pinscher     Pointer versus Spinone Italiano     

    Conclusion: Chinook versus Pointer. 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 Pointer better suits you and your family.