Chinook National Specialty

Every year, the Chinook Owners Association (COA) hosts a National Specialty to showcase and to crown a National Best of Breed (NBOB). All UKC registered intact, altered, and crossbred Chinooks can participate in the Specialty. The Specialty is held every other year in conjunction with the UKC Premier or Gateway National show, and rotates in the other years to the East and West regions of the United States. In years when the Specialty is a single breed only show, we also host Chinook Games and a Family Reunion. These shows are a great opportunity to meet other Chinooks, and to try your hand at events such as lure coursing, sledding seminars, weight pull, obedience and more. And let’s not forget the annual banquet...

2025 Chinook National Specialty - December 15, 2025

The COA invites you to two exciting days of Chinook fun at the Winter Wonderland of the World Equestrian Center (WEC) of Ocala, FL. Starting with a Monday Fun Day, you can enjoy educational seminars, dog games, and more. The day concludes with a social, dog-friendly dinner at a local pub. Tuesday features the prestigious Chinook Specialty Show judged by Diane Price. Throughout the event, you can bid on items in the Silent Auction, and the Specialty will conclude with the auction winners announced followed by the traditional Banquet. This is always a fun time for our dogs and their owners to meet each other and to compete in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Entry deadlines are approaching fast, so if you’ve been thinking about attending, now is the time to act.

Important information

Two days of events for everyone:

Refine your skills or start your show career with a Handling class led by professional and very successful dog handler Susan Burrell.
Gain valuable knowledge in informative seminars covering Canine First Aid/Emergency and Critical Care and the Essentials of Chinook Breeding and early puppy evaluation.
Take a break with a relaxing, dog-friendly lunch at the onsite Mexican Cantina, followed by hilariously fun Chinook games like Musical Chairs, "Chinook says," and the popular peanut butter spoon eating contest.
Try out new activities with introductory workshops for the fun and challenging sport of K9 Nose Work and a practical session on Introduction to Weight Pull.
Plus, test your dog's skills with a rare opportunity to earn UKC SPOT and AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certifications.
End the day with a social, dog-friendly dinner alongside fellow Chinook enthusiasts at the Horse and Hounds Pub!
... and of course the Chinook National Specialty!

Pre-entries MUST be received no later than December 1, 2025. Pre-entries are $30 per entry. Day of show entries are $35 per entry.
Everything you need to know is in the premium catalog for the Chinook National Specialty here: 2025 Specialty Premium Catalog. Specifics on entering your Chinook or Chinook Cross into the show are on page 13.

When your entry form(s) are filled out, you can pay online by clicking on the button below.

Pay Registration Fees Online

Past Specialties

View all the past winners here (as well as some other fun pictures from Specialty and Family Reunion events:

2024
- National Best of Breed: Forever Green Hiwassee Hazel (Hazel)
  - ^∟ Champions of Champions: Forever Green Hiwassee Hazel (Hazel); Reserve: Frontier Harley Lightfoot (Harley)
  - ^∟ Best of Winners: Desert Sol Myka (Myka)
    - ^∟ Best Male: Desert Sol Zephyrus Will (Zeph)
    - ^∟ Best Female: Desert Sol Myka (Myka); Reserve: Pacific Skye Dunamis (Dunamis)
- Best of Altered Breed: Sirius Rising Samwell Tarly (Sammie)
  - ^∟ Altered Best of Winners: Sirius Rising Samwell Tarly (Sammie)
    - ^∟ Best Altered Male: Sirius Rising Samwell Tarly (Sammie)
    - ^∟ Best Altered Female: Seabreeze Tomorrow Bella Crie (Bella)
- Best of Cross Breed: Desert Sol Vitality Keelie (Keelie)
- chesterh Sweetie Award: Pacific Skye Dunamis (Dunamis)

2023
- National Best of Breed: Mystique Pond Bella Luna Ila Blue (Luna)
  - ^∟ Best of Grand Champions: Mystique Pond Malina; Reserve: Mystique Pond Katyaaq (Kiana)
  - ^∟ Champions of Champions: Mountain Thunder Enya; Reserve: MountainThunder Terra Tomah (Terra)
  - ^∟ Best of Winners: Mystique Pond Bella Luna Ila Blue (Luna)
    - ^∟ Best Male: Frontier Kurt Rustle (Rustle); Reserve: Wachusett Gulbrun Brom (Chief)
      - ^∟ Puppy Male: Wachusett Gulbrun Brom (Chief)
      - ^∟ Junior Male: Frontier Kurt Rustle (Rustle)
    - ^∟ Best Female: Mystique Pond Bella Luna Ila Blue (Luna)
      - ^∟ Puppy Female: Pacific Skye Qinuk (Qinu)
      - ^∟ Junior Female: Mystique Pond Bella Luna Ila Blue (Luna)
      - ^∟ Adult Female: Aspencreek Laughing Kalia (Kalia)
- Best of Altered Breed: Frontier Still Water Runs Deep (Chelan)
  - ^∟ Altered Champion of Champions: Desert Sol Zazu’s Pride (Zazu)
  - ^∟ Altered Best of Winners: Frontier Still Water Runs Deep (Chelan)
    - ^∟ Best Altered Male: Sirius Rising Samwell Tarly (Sammie); Reserve: Gateway Juneau
      - ^∟ Altered Adult Male: Gateway Juneau (Juneau)
      - ^∟ Altered Open Male: Sirius Rising Samwell Tarly (Sammie)
    - ^∟ Best Altered Female: Frontier Holly GoLightly (Holly); Reserve: Seabreeze Tomorrow Bella Crie (Bella)
      - ^∟ Altered Junior Female: Frontier Holly GoLightly (Holly)
      - ^∟ Altered Adult Female: Frontier Still Water Runs Deep (Chelan)
- Best of Veteran: MountainThunder Terra Tomah (Terra)
  - ^∟ Veteran Male: Gateway Juneau (Juneau)
  - ^∟ Veteran Female: MountainThunder Terra Tomah (Terra)
- Best Brood Bitch: Mountain Thunder Enya
- Best of Cross Breed: Desert Sol Vitality Aelin Fireheart (Aelin)
- chesterh Sweetie Award: Pacific Skye Qinuk (Qinu)
- Parade of Titleholders: CH MountainThunder Great Kyraina (Kyra), CH Desert Sol Zazu’s Pride (Zazu)
- The Ranch in Loveland, CO
  Handling class
  Handling class
  Thea and her junior handler
  Chief being a silly pup
  Malina, Renji, Holly, and Seeley
  Sheree Sanchez was available offering a rare opportunity for all our dogs to get certified in the UKC Socialized Pet Obedience Test (SPOT) as well as the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) awards
  Dr. Greg Burns gave a talk about “Myths & Misconceptions in Canine Reproduction
  Dr. Greg Burns
  2023 National Specialty Program
  Chelan works toward her SPOT certificate with the help of Chief
  Kathe Dunscomb and Chelan
  Deb Meese, Eric Martin, and Mary Malkiel chatting as Seeley enjoys some pets
  Walt Madden and Bert Myrin with Kalia
  Lunch time!
  Ribbons soon to be in the hands of some lucky Chinook owners
  Nancy Burns and Luna working on SPOT certification
  Special artwork made for the 2023 Specialty
  Chinook Olympics game 3: "Chinook Says" (game 1 was an egg cary game and game 2 was a peanut butter licking contest)
  Chinook Olympics game 4: "Musical Chairs...with Chinooks"
  Kristy, Zazu, and Isaiah Jolly (the winners of games 3 and 4)
  Rachel Davis and Holly
  Forrest Lyons with Rustle loving on the Show Secretary, Dave Schiller
  Sarah and Dan Piano gave a sledding seminar and bikejoring demo
  Brendan and Mary Aldrich and their Chinooks
  Folks enjoying the sledding seminar
  Bikejor demo
  Cristine and Kathe showing off different Chinook shirts
  Youngsters Qinu and Quinn having a little fun on the side
  Pups trying on various sledding harnesses and soaking in the great info
  Karen and Dave Schiller
  Forest Lyons and Rustle
  Malina is under a spell! 😉
  Susan Burrell giving a fantastic Chinook Structure Seminar
  Kristy Jolly and BMD/Chinook cross Aelin
  Relaxing dinner after a long (but fun day)
  Plaques soon to go to the new winners for the next year
  Qinu (this year's chesterh Sweetie Award winner getting some love)
  Darren Michaels and his 4-month-old Chinook Appa
  Auction items
  Honorable David Kittredge working with the Junior Handlers
  Chief being his silly 7-month-old self
  Rustle
  Chief
  Qinu & Thea
  Deb Meese & Qinu
  Appa
  Quinn
  Luna & Quinn
  Kalia
  Best of Winners
  Renji
  Renji
  Terra, Enya, & Renji
  Malina & Kiana
  Malina
  Kiana
  Malina & Kiana
  Daniela Metz & Malina won the Grand Champion class!
  Malina
  Enya
  Luna
  Nancy Burns and the 2023 NBOB Luna!
  Sammie
  Brendan Aldrich & Sammie
  Juneau
  Holly
  Rachel Davis speaking with Judge Kittredge
  Seeley, Chelan, Lila, and Bella
  Seeley
  Lila
  Bella
  Seeley, Chelan, Lila, and Bella
  Sammie & Chelan in Altered Best of Winners
  Kristy Jolly & Zazu
  Zazu
  Brood Bitch
  Quinn takes a break from all the festivities of her first show
  Aelin
  Aelin
  Judge Kittredge was impressed with the BMD/Chinook Cross and felt she was "more Chinook than Berner"
  Evening banquet
  COA President Brendan Aldrich addresses the group
  Susan Burrell shows the "Leadership Reassignment" technique with her dog Clever
  We finish it off with a tasty meal!

2021
- Susan Fletcher and the Frontier Chinooks Entourage
  Our Judge Rick Gann
  MJ Crance and Skye
  Susan Fletcher and Rain Mountain Tova of Frontier
  Heather Osborne and Forever Green Ilamaaq
  Susan Fletcher and Frontier Daybreak Halona Anika: Best Junior Female
  Tom Reynold with Barkerville Cora Anne/Adult Female
  Shelly Londer with Forever Green Iglaak Perry
  Best of Champions and National Best of Breed Line Up
  Jean Bouteiller and Spook Nook Wildwood Solo Hawkins competing in National BOB
  Bobby Kenney and Kelvin
  Bobby Kenney and Kelvin
  Todd Reed and Forever Green Hazel
  Patti Richard/Forever Green An Affair 2 Remember
  Patti Richards - Forever Greene an Affair 2 Remember
  Patti's An Affair 2 Remember wins Nat BOB
  Tom Reynold with Barkerville Cora Anne: Brood Bitch
  Tom Reynolds with Cora and Panthea Burns and Steve Kramer with Cora's puppies
  Panthea Burns and Barkerville Sweet Maple Mae
  Margaret Hughes with Desert Sol Vitality Pops in Cross Show Junior Male
  Ed Bigos with Yukon Jack competing at the Cross Show Junior male
  Desert Sol Vitality Pops and Vanguard Celestial Ankaa
  Karen Hinchy with Vanguard Celestial Ankaa wins Junior Female Best Cross in Show
  Karen Hinchy - GreatMountain Lyric Tikaani
  GreatMountain Lyric Tikaani owned by Karen Hinchy
  Penthea Burns with Sweet Maple Mae
  Penthea's Barkerville Sweet Maple Mae earns the Sweetie Award!
  Shelly Londer with Forever Green Clover and Judge Rick Gann
  Ed Bigos and Dan Brown
  Todd Reed and Forever Green Hazel
  Margaret Hughes with Desert Sol Vitality Pops
  Todd Reed and Skyland Harper of Great Mountain
  Daniela Metz with Gateway Juneau and Mystique Pond Kiana
  Heather Osborne and Tom Bogue with Forever Green Ilamaaq
  Kim Kramer/Statia and Steve Kramer/Saba, Penthea/Sweet Maple Ira Bittues/Claudia Jean Tom Reynold/Cora
  Todd and Denise Reed with Hazel and Harper
  "Chinook Says" Game
  Daniela Metz with Gateway Juneau at "Chinook Says" game
  Jean Bouteiller with Spook Nook Wildwood Solo Hawkins at the "Chinook Says" game
  Musical Chairs
  Gateway Juneau should have won a prize for staring holes into his treats!
  Beautiful Harper, owned by Denise and Todd Reed was a MASTER at 'Leave it'!!
  Sunday Group Photo

2017
- National Best of Breed - Cloudburst Ledgebak Kraumayok (Luna)
  Setup for show
  The registration table: Patti Richards, MJ Crance, Aliza Druzba, Cindy Mattson, Penthea Burns, John Habermehl
  John Habermehl and Doc
  Alisa Druzba and Saga win Best Puppy, Male
  Junior females strut their stuff
  Jess Maurer and Degan, Jean Boutellier and Nukka, Aliza Druzba and Saga, Debbie Crovicz and Kala
  Best female competitors
  Tom Reynolds and and Skyland Claudia Jean win Best Female, with Judge Linda Reece
  Karen Hinchy and Qaralii
  Jean Boutellier and Reine win the Champion class
  Karen and Tikaani win Grand Champion (and Altered National Best of Breed)
  Grand Champion class Patti Richards & Atka, John Habermehl & Sky, Diana Fowler & Luna
  Patti Richards and Atka
  Diana Fowler & Luna win National Best of Breed
  Impromptu Nosework competition with Karen Hinchy and Conway
  John Habermehl & Tuktu win Altered Adult Best Male
  Jackman tells Penthea Burns a secret
  Penthea Burns & Jackman win Altered Best of Winners
  Tom Reynolds & Lily Marie win Best Altered Female
  Penthea Burns and Jackman, Best Breeder/Handler Male
  Holleran & Birr gait around the ring for an Altered National Best of Breed
  Karen Hinchy and Conaway (the most interesting dog in the world)
  Steve Kramer and Saba
  Patti & Qannik, Kris & Trondek, Karen & Conaway, Kim & Nica
  Patti Richards and Qannik win Altered Champion
  Kim Kramer and Nica win Altered Reserve Altered Champion
  Kris Holleran and Birr Altered National Best of Breed
  Jesson, the Sweetness Ninja
  Caitlin Gibson and Mukki, Best Novice Puppy (noted for excellent conformation by the judge!)
  Puppy downtime
  Altered competition
  Cindy Mattson and Sky
  Debbie Crovicz and Kala
  Todd Reed handling
  Martha Bernier and Clara
  Ed Bigos and Granite Hill My Favorite Things
  Vladia Boniewski and Ari
  Kris judges chesterh Sweetie Award
  Kris judges chesterh Sweetie Award
  Bashaba Sky, chesterh Sweetie winner
  Peanut butter readiness contest
  Peanut butter contest
  Peanut butter contest
  Peanut butter contest
  Musical chairs
  Musical chairs
  Musical chairs
  High jump
  High jump
  High jump
  High jump
  Obstacle course
  Obstacle course
  Obstacle course
  Obstacle course
  Obstacle course
  Egg & spoon race
  Egg & spoon race
  Egg & spoon race
  Egg & spoon race
  Leave it
  Pen & Jackman
  Olympic winners (tie) Jean Boutellier, Reine and Nukka
  Olympic winners (tie) Steve Kramer & Atlin

2016
- Bashaba Linto Calista - National Best of Breed
  Skyland Sweet Dominica (Nica) - Champion of Champions
  Bashaba Naunbat Nashira - Best Female
  Crossing Creek Encore (Klea) - chesterh Sweetie
  Bella
  Best of Breed finalists
  Foxy & Rosie
  Grand Champions
  Harper
  Harper
  Klea
  Luna
  Nashira & Bella
  Nashira
  Rosie
  Scarlet
  Calista
  Foxy
  Harper
  Weight Pull - Harper
  Weight Pull - Harper
  Weight Pull - Harper
  Weight Pull - Harper
  Weight Pull - Harper

2015
- Bashaba Linto Calista - National Best of Breed
  Laughing Mountain (Moonshadow) - Champion of Champions
  MountainThunder Thorny Rose (Rosie) - Best of Winners
  Cloudburst Ledgebak Eclipse (Tiber) - Best Male
  Forever Greene Barrow Kenai - Altered Best of Breed
  Laughing Mountain Zympo - Altered Grand Champion
  Intervale Perpetual Motion (Zirks) - Best Altered Female
  Bashaba Naunbat Nashira - Best Cross of Breed
  MountainThunder Great Kyraina (Kyra) - chesterh Sweetie
  Intervale Perpetual Motion (Zirks) & Forever Greene Qiviut (Qivi) - Brace
  Hurricane Finnegan (Finn) - Parade of Titleholders
  Hurricane Freyja Rain - Parade of Titleholders
  Calista
  Cannon
  Cannon
  Finn
  Finn
  Freyja
  Freyja
  Kenai
  Kenai & Zirks
  Kyra
  Kyra & Zazu
  Laughing Mountain Kiska Nikita
  Moonshadow
  Moonshadow
  Moonshadow
  Nashira
  Nashira
  Nashira
  Nukka
  Qivi
  Qivi & Zirks
  Rosie
  Rosie
  Rosie, Zazu, & Bella
  Storm
  Tiber
  Tiber
  Tiber
  Zazu & Bella
  Zazu & Kyra
  Zirks & Qivi - Brace
  2015 Specialty Group Photo
  Zirks
  Zirks & Qivi - Brace
  Zympo
  Zympo
  Zympo
  Pulling Seminar
  Pulling Seminar - Bella
  Pulling Seminar - Bella
  Pulling Seminar - Calista & Toby
  Pulling Seminar - Hawkeye
  Pulling Seminar - Jagger
  Pulling Seminar - Jagger
  Pulling Seminar - Nashira & Calista
  Pulling Seminar - Nashira & Calista
  Pulling Seminar - Nukka
  Pulling Seminar - Nukka
  Pulling Seminar - Storm
  Pulling Seminar - Toby
  Pulling Seminar - Zirks
  Pulling Seminar - Qivi
  Pulling Seminar
  Chinooknic - Mochi & Zuzu
  Chinooknic Mochi & Freyja
  Chinooknic - Taka

2014
- Bashaba Sky - National Best of Breed
  Laughing Mountain Moonshadow - Champion of Champions
  Skyland Sweet Dominica (Nica) - Best of Winners
  MountainThunder Doc Holliday (Doc) - Best Male
  GreatMountain Ningo Saba - Altered Best of Breed
  MountainThunder Scarlet Begonia (Scarlet) - Brood Bitch (center) with Doc (left) and Rosie (right)
  Bashaba Naunbat Nashira - Best Cross of Breed & chesterh Sweetie
  Seabreeze Tomorrow Bella Crie (Bella) - Best Novice Puppy
  Sakari
  Rosie

2013
- Lakeside Run's Little Bear (Birr) - National Best of Breed
  Forever Greene Tagluk - Champion of Champions
  Forever Greene Atka - Best of Winners
  MountainThunder Terra Tomah (Terra) - Best Female
  Lighthouse Mystic Seaport Doonerak - Altered Best of Breed
  Granite Hill x Pink Diamond
  GreatMountain x North Trav'ler - Parade of Titleholders
  Wachusett Gulbrun Finley - Best Male Puppy
  Bashaba Jesson - Best Female Puppy
  Sky
  Berik
  Reine

2025 Chinook National Specialty - December 15, 2025

Important information

Past Specialties

Regular Classes

Altered Classes

Non-Licensed Classes

Regular Classes

Altered Classes

Non-Licensed Classes

Regular Classes

Altered Classes

Non-Licensed Classes