GreatMountain Chinooks Breeding
Barkerville Sweet Maple Mae x Desert Sol Makani Kai
7 Puppies - August 11, 2026
GreatMountain Chinooks welcomed 7 crossbred Chinook puppies into the world on 8/11/26. Their parents are Barkerville Sweet Maple Mae (dam) and Desert Sol Makani Kai (sire).
Week 8 arrived, ushered in by final vet appointments, lots of outdoor play, details with families and puppies going home. I will add the updates as puppies depart so you can see who the puppies will be in charge of next. Leo was the first to arrive and the first to leave. In fact, the first five left in the chronological order of their birth. It's been nice to visit with their people during the pick-up process. Three left yesterday. It's quiet right now. Two puppies are snoozing with full bellies and after a play session with Maple.
So many people helped along the way. Many thanks to Jon & Kristy at Desert Sol Chinooks for creating the wonderful Kai and getting him to Tara & family - a beautiful match. Maple and I took a road trip to NJ to meet Kai and Tara and accomplish the breeding. When Kai arrived for the breeding Tara (his person) said, “I just drove past Maple Street and thought, ‘that’s a good sign.’” We saw more good signs as we traveled to the reproductive vet and drove on Lover’s Lane and Great Road then taking a left onto Mountain Road. All the puppies’ temporary names refer to things that have been considered good signs.
A million thanks to all the helping hands during the first 2 weeks, puppy evals, everyone who helped in all kinds of ways over the past 8 weeks - bringing food, washing dishes, sitting with puppies, offering encouragement, visiting. Thanks to great veterinary care from breeding planning to reproductive support and the care for Maple and her puppies. Community is a beautiful thing and instills deep hope, especially in troubled times. Thank you all.
The “Good Signs” Litter
Meet Maple's and Kai's Puppies
%20front2_edited.jpg)
GreatMountain Pup Leo (M)
Location: Maine
Puppy Name: Leo
Genetics: COI - 23%; Clear - IVDD, MRD1, VWF, SOD1A
Open for breeding.
Leo found a home with Larry & Becky, who got their first Chinook (Sabre) from GreatMountain in 2012. Sabre crossed the bridge in July. Leo won't replace Sabre, but will bring a comforting presence to the people who miss Sabre. He will be popular with the many neighbor children who await his arrival
Leo met Lily, the Rat Terrier, when he got home. They became fast friends. Larry and Becky's grandpuppy will enjoy and playmate!
GreatMountain Goose (M)
Location: New Hampshire
Puppy Name - Clover
Genetics: COI - 27%; Clear - Chondrodysplasia, MRD1, VWF, SOD1A
Open for breeding.
Goose will live with Ralph and daughter, Rachel. Goose will have a chance to join Ralph at work and enjoy hiking and fun in the snow. Maybe get a chance to work in harness. He'll meet up with older dog friends, too.
Goose is settling, working on crate training, car rides, and having fun.
.jpeg)
GreatMountain Sol Dog Ludopie's Acorn (M)
Call Name: BeBout (bay-boo)
Location: South Carolina
Puppy Name: Acorn
Genetics: COI - 22%; Clear - MRD1, VWF, SOD1A
Open for breeding.
Acorn will be heading south. Brent was looking for a companion and Acorn will become sweet company and a loyal friend. They will share adventures with hiking, camping, walks and just hanging out. Acorn will have dog and cat friends at home, which will be a blast.
Photo credit: Brent Riddle
GreatMountain Sweet River (F)
Location: Massachusetts
Puppy Name: Olive
Genetics: COI - 25%; Clear - MRD1, VWF, SOD1A
Open for breeding.
Al and daughter, Nicole, picked-up River to join Al and his family. Her arrival has been long awaited. They enjoy long daily walks on a municipal trail that runs right past their home. And occasionally, they will head out for a hike. River is a perfect walking and hiking companion!
GreatMountain Misha (M)
Location: Massachusetts
Puppy Name: Eagle
Genetics: COI - 26%; Clear - IVDD, Chondrodysplasia, MRD1, VWF, SOD1A
Open for breeding.
Misha means "small cute bear" in Russian. He is small (for now) and most definitely cute! Misha now lives with Yury, Jane, and son Mark. Together they will enjoy hiking, running, long walks, exploring the woods, family outings, and the stuff of daily life. He had a good first night and is getting used to his new home.
GreatMountain Porter (M)
Location: Tennessee
Puppy Name: Dove
Genetics: COI - 35%; Clear - IVDD, Chondrodysplasia, MRD1, VWF, SOD1A
Porter will head south to live with Janice, Steve, and GreatMountain Leeloo, Dirigo's daughter. Leeloo and Porter share the same birthday, 8 years apart. Leeloo's sister, Moon, has been an auntie to this litter. We look forward to hearing about their adventures. Janice and Steve brought home their first Chinook, Atticus, in 2001. Atticus was Baxter's son, from our 2nd litter.
GreatMountain Half Moon Cookie (F)
Location: North Carolina
Puppy Name: Crocus
Genetics: COI - 27%; Clear - IVDD, Chondrodysplasia, MRD1, VWF, SOD1A
Open for breeding.
Cookie will be joining Brandy and Sean in a dog-loving household. Cookie is their 2nd Chinook and Cookie will have 3 other dog friends in her new home. Kinda like here. They will enjoy play and walks. There may be a Canine Good Citizen in her future.
Going home. Their adventures are
just beginning.
Sire & Dam
Desert Sol Makani Kai
Home: NJ
DOB: 1/21/2024
Sire: Lake Time Bailey (Purebred Chinook)
Dam: Desert Sol Vitality Aelin Fireheart (1st generation CBCP Cross)
Height: 24.5"
Weight: 82 lbs
Hips: OFA Good
Eyes: CAER Normal (2026)
Genetics:
Clear: MRD1, CDDY/IVDD, Chondrodysplasia, SOD1A, VWF
COI: 18%
Kai is smart and resilient. He is very vocal and good with kids. Kai likes to play in water. He is very attached to one person in the family who is a dog trainer and engages Kai in helping with the training classes. Kai was the mellowest, even-keeled pup in his litter.
Barkerville Sweet Maple Mae
Home: ME
DOB: 5/3/2021
Sire: Vanguard North Brother Mtn (1st generation CBCP Cross)
Dam: Barkerville Cora Anne (Purebred Chinook)
Height: 22.5"
Weight: 52 lbs
Hips: OFA Excellent
Eyes: CAER Normal (2024, 2026)
Genetics:
Clear: MRD1, VWF, SOD1A.
Increased risk-CDDY/IVDD.
Carries-Chondrodysplasia
COI: 26%
2022: ChesterH Sweetie Award, 2021 COA Chinook National Specialty.
Maple whelped her first litter of 6 puppies (3 female, 3 male) in December 2025. Those pups are healthy and living their best lives in different locations around the country.
Kai's pictorial pedigree from Dogs Global
Maple's pictorial pedigree from Dogs Global
Maple is a 2nd generation Chinook x Tamaskan cross. Kai is a 2nd generation Chinook x Bernese Mountain Dog cross - both in the Chinook Breed Conservation Program (CBCP). Their offspring will also be registered as crossbred and if bred with a purebred Chinook in the years ahead they will produce puppies who are eligible for United Kennel Club purebred registration.
Maple and Kai bring strong health and genetics. Maple and Kai have strong hip ratings as do their relatives. Maple’s COI is 26% and Kai’s is 18%. Kai is clear of MRD1, CDDY/IVDD, and dwarfism. Maple is a proven bitch who bred and whelped naturally, cared well for her pups, and recuperated from breeding quickly. All 3 males in her previous litter had testicles descend in their first 3 months.
We love Kai and Maple’s personalities. Maple is sweet and adores her people. She likes new people but needs a moment to get used to them. She could use a bit more confidence. Kai is a laid back and confident dog, who serves as a demonstration dog in obedience classes. They are both loveable companions. And they really liked each other.
Both Maple and Kai have wonderful conformation. Maple has strong conformation with lovely balance and movement. Kai has heavy bone, a broad head, a balanced body, level topline, and nice substance.
We are interested in seeing what benefit is gained through breeding these 2nd generation crosses with one another, combining their Tamaskan, Bernese, and Chinook ancestry.
Many thanks to Barkerville Chinooks and Desert Sol Chinooks for producing these two wonderful dogs. Gratitude also to the breeders and Chinooks behind these dogs - we aim to keep your stories alive.
We are taking applications for puppies, particularly from breeding potential applicants.
To make an inquiry, email greatmtnchinooks@gmail.com.
