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muscular with a slight arch, having enough length to be athletic. The underline has a moderate tuck-up. The croup is muscular, slightly sloping, broad and without exaggeration. Tail - The saber tail is set just below the level of the topline and is well coated with distinct but moderate fringing. It is broad at the base, tapering to the end and reaches to the hock with a slight curve at the tip when relaxed. When alert or moving, the tail is carried in a graceful sickle curve, neither curling to the side of the body nor touching the back. Forequarters: The shoulders are moderately laid back, with the shoulder blade and upper arm being equal in length. The forelegs are straight, well-muscled, with moderate, oval bone. When viewed from the front, the legs are parallel, and straight. The elbows turn neither in nor out. The pasterns are flexible, moderate in length, strong, and slightly sloping when viewed from the side. Dewclaws may be removed. The feet are tight, oval in shape, with arched toes, webbing between the toes, and with strong nails. The pads are thick, tough, and darkly pigmented. The front feet may turn slightly outward when standing allowing the dog to push off from the center toes. Hindquarters: The hindquarters are muscular and strong, moderately angulated, and in balance with the forequarters. The upper and lower thigh muscles are well-defined. The rear pasterns are parallel to each other, and perpendicular to the ground when viewed from any angle. The rear feet point straight ahead. Coat: The Chinook has a thick double coat lying close to the body. The outer coat is straight, strong, and coarse. The length of the outer coat is longer over the ruff, shoulder blades, withers, breeches, and along the underline and the underside of the tail but is never so long as to obscure the clean-cut outline of the dog. The undercoat is short and dense, downy in texture, providing insulation. The groin and inside of the rear legs are protected by coat. A Chinook in full coat feels soft and plush with coarser hair following the topline. A coat in seasonal shedding may be thinner, feel coarser, and should not be penalized. The tail is well-furred with feathering starting about four to five inches from the root. There is slight feathering along the back of the forelegs. The Chinook is shown naturally and trimming is not acceptable. Faults - Excessively short coat, long, rough, or shaggy coat. Trimming of the coat, including whiskers, is to be severely penalized. Color: Tawny coloration, ranging from honey to a deep reddish-gold, is a distinguishing characteristic of the Chinook and is preferred. Dilute tawny, and its associated diluted pigmentation of muzzle, nose, lips, pads, and eye rims, is acceptable. It is desirable for the ears and muzzle to have darker coloring than the body. This darker ear and muzzle coloring runs from a tawny that is darker than the body to a black shading, with some black shading being the most preferred. A black mark at and just above the inner corner of each eye is desirable. Symmetrical white or cream to pale gold markings are acceptable on the cheeks, throat, chest, breeches, and underside. Any other white markings are undesirable including blazes, socks, and scarves. Disqualification - Any color other than tawny as described. Gait: The Chinookâs gait is smooth, easy, balanced front to rear and seemingly tireless. The back is strong and level when gaiting. When viewed from the side, as speed increases, the head and neck lower, the front feet reach out strongly to a line directly below the nose, the rear drives forward with power, covering ground with minimal effort. When viewed from behind, the rear pads are fully visible. As speed increases, the feet tend to converge toward a center line of gravity. Temperament: The Chinook is an affectionate and playful family companion with a special devotion toward children. The Chinook is a dignified dog; some Chinooks may be reserved with
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