The Dam Line from Glendon's Sweetie
The dam's line traces ancestry, genetic traits, and health. Mitochondria are only passed down through the dam. Mitochondria affect health as they are vital for energy production and play roles in cell metabolism and signaling, essential for the survival and function of cells.
We began to pay more attention to this when Cheena, our first dam in a Chinook Owners Association Crossbreeding line, produced one female and one male. And that female offspring produced one female and 6 males. And the next generation we produced two females, but only one had female offspring and only one of those went on to be bred.
You can see why we spent more time thinking about this.
You'll see at the 7th generation that more female puppies were born and are moving forward in breeding. You can read this intergenerational story here.
Dog Zero: Glendon's Sweetie
Sweetie with one of her pups
Sweetie and her littermates, 1987
Glendon's Sweetie
DOB: April 1987
Dam: Glendon's Princess Kyra, AKC German Shepherd
Sire: Max, German Shepard-Labrador Retriever-Husky mix
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Sweetie's Story: Sweetie was an outstanding lead dog. Ran in Trek
for Life across Maine at age 8 months. Demonstrated she was an exceptionally smart sled dog by 10 months of age. Paul Theriault, her breeder/musher said she was the best trained lead dog he had. Paul believed that dogs pass on genetic memory for sledding and that thru breeding strong, solid sled dogs you will produce strong, solid sled dogs.
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Sweetie moved to North Down Kennels to be bred with purebred Chinooks, as part of a breeding plan that Paul helped North Down create. Sweetie was chosen because she looked like a Chinook, was an outstanding working sled dog, possessed an excellent temperament, and had no known health faults.
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While at North Down Kennel, Sweetie was bred to purebred Chinooks, including Timbermist Yukon Jack. Jack, a purebred Chinook, is one of the foundation stock registered with the United Kennel Club in 1991. Jack was also described as, "a heck of sled dog."
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Glendon's Sweetie, Dog Zero, was a proven working dog that resembled the Chinook breed, brought sledding drive into the Chinook line. This crossbreeding line was accepted into the Chinook Owner's Association Crossbreeding Program and you will meet her descendants below. ​​
Timbermist Yukon Jack
Sweetie in lead, Jack in wheel
Generation 1: North Down Cheena TT
North Down Cheena TT
Cheena with offspring Cedar (L) and Trav'ler (R)
North Down Cheena
1/14/93 - 10/1/04
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Dam: Glendon's Sweetie
Sire: Timbermist Yukon Jack
Height: 22”
Weight: 60 lbs
Hips: OFA Good
Eyes: Normal
Other: No health problems. Temperament Tested
​Cheena's Story: Cheena was 1 of 7 pups born to Sweetie in a breeding that was reported to be a dual sire litter with Timbermist Yukon Jack and Backroads Cujo. DNA concluded that Sweetie was Cheena's dam but ruled out Cujo as the sire. No DNA samples were ever collected from Jack, but Jack had produced a litter with North Wind Hoonah. Parent verification analysis used DNA samples from Hoonah and 2 of her pups to compare with Cheena's DNA and concluded that that "Timbermist Yukon Jack would qualify as the sire of North Down Cheena".
​Cheena was a tawny dog with a buff mask and a hint of black on her ears and muzzle. She had a broad head, strong neck, deep chest and a saber tail. Her ears were pricked. Her dark brown eyes had the thoughtful Chinook expression. She was lean yet possessed a heavily muscled body with powerful thighs and hindquarters. Cheena had a straight top-line and excellent movement.
People familiar with the Chinook breed often mistook Cheena for purebred. Two of her outstanding characteristics were her snowshoe paws and her amazing speed. She ran on a recreational sled team.
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Cheena was bred with Duncan, who was highly accomplished in the conformation show ring and produced many winning Chinooks. Duncan, a lead dog from the age of 10 months, led the WoodsRunner team to be the first all Chinook team in decades to complete the Sandwich Notch 30.
UKC GR CH, ARBA CH ‘PR’ WoodsRunner Duncan TT
Cheena, GreatMountain North Trav'ler, and WoodsRunner Allagash
Generation 2: GreatMountain North Trav'ler ELTD CGC DNA-VIP
Trav'ler with one of her pups
GreatMountain North Trav'ler ELTD CGC DNA-VIP
9/26/99 - 1/13/15
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Dam: North Down Cheena
Sire: UKC GR CH, ARBA CH ‘PR’ WoodsRunner Duncan TT
Height: 23”
Weight: 60 lbs
Hips: OFA Good
Eyes: Normal
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Other:
2001 Canine Good Citizen Award
2002 COA Chinook National Specialty, Best CrossBred Chinook
2004 COA Chinook National Specialty, Best Female CrossBred Chinook
2011 Entry Level Team Dog, COA Active Chinook Program
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Trav'ler (front) with Rainy
Trav'ler's Story: Trav'ler was 1 of 2 pups born to Cheena. Cedar was Trav'ler's brother. ​Trav'ler exhibited superior working sled dog attributes, beginning soon after her first birthday. She ran in the wheel position for 9 years, pulling hard every time she wore a harness. Soon after the COA Working Dog Program was implemented, Trav’ler took her last sled run of 5 miles and was awarded her Novice Sled Dog certificate at the age of 11 years. She did not want to retire.
Trav’ler was bred to UKC GR CH, ARBA CH ‘PR’ Saghalie’s Kaniksu Reign, a solid sled dog. Our goals for the breeding were to combine Rainy’s strengths (straight and strong rear, good bone, broad head, good hip & testicle health) with Trav’lers strengths (good bone, good hip hip health, broad chest, strong drive and sweet personality). On October 5, 2004, 7 puppies (6 males and 1 female) arrived.
Evaluations note the consistency of this litter, both in structure, temperament and health. All of the puppies are outgoing and confident. All 6 males had both testicles descend, all 7 pups are free of eye problems and six of the seven pups have had hips rated good or excellent.
Trav'ler running with the team between lead dogs
Trav'ler (center) with 4 of her offspring
Generation 3: GreatMountain Yukon Charley ELLD DNA-VIP
GreatMountain Yukon Charley ELLD DNA-VIP
10/5/2004 - 12/22/2016
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Dam: GreatMountain North Trav'ler ELTD CGC DNA-VIP
Sire: UKC GR CH, ARBA CH ‘PR’ Saghalie’s Kaniksu Reign
Height: 24”
Weight: 65 lbs
Hips: OFA Good
Eyes: Normal
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Other:
2006 COA National Specialty, Best Crossbred Chinook
2011 Entry Level Lead Dog, COA Active Chinook Program
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Yukon Charley
Charley's Story: Charley was the only surviving girl offspring in her litter, among 6 brothers. Their arrival was dramatic with a c-section and a team of vet staff expending effort to revive these pups. They were special - 3rd generation crosses, beautiful in conformation and solid in loyal companionship.
We’ve lived with a lot of legendary Chinooks – Charley was great in her own quiet, understated kind of way. She was steady on the sled team. She was a very kind soul with a low key personality. Charley was a strikingly beautiful Chinook, with a plush coat, and nice bone.
One day, walking in the woods, I asked Bob Jones, “if you could produce your perfect Chinook, what would you produce?” He pointed to Charley. In 2006, Charley was selected for the National Best Chinook Cross. While the award was lovely, Bob Jones' assessment meant much more to me.
Charley produced one litter with Litter with Hurricane Crispin’s Soul. Crispin's Soul. Crispin is an outgoing, sweet boy. The litter included 3 girls and 2 boys. All of the puppies in the litter were evaluated as breeding potential, with no structural faults noted. The puppies are incredibly uniform in appearance and type.
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Charley with puppy Redington
Charley with Hurricane Crispin's Soul
Charley with her 5 pups
Yukon Charley
Generation 4: CH GreatMountain Ningo Saba CGC DNA-VIP
CH GreatMountain Ningo Saba CGC DNA-VIP
6/14/2007 - 5/10/2024
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Dam: GreatMountain Yukon Charley ELLD DNA-VIP
Sire: Hurricane Crispin's Soul
Height: 22.5”
Weight: 55 lbs
Hips: PennHIP 80th Percentile
Eyes: Normal
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Other:
As a 4th generation cross, the COA Board approved Saba to be registered as a purebred chinook with the UKC in 2009.
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In the 2021 Chinook National Specialty Altered Class the judge asked Saba's owner/handler why she has spayed such a beautiful and well conformed Chinook. You can imagine the judge's astonishment to learn that Saba was 14 years old!​​
Saba produced two litters (2010, 2012). Saba produced five beautiful and substantial Chinooks with GR CH 'PR' Bashaba Murphy in 2007. Murphy, a purebred who descends from a cross line, is an impressive Chinook - his father’s historic size, substance, heavy bone and wonderful plush coat with his mother’s structure and movement. Murphy has a truly magnificent broad head with classic preferred Chinook markings. He also has a lovely broad chest and excellent front angulation. Most importantly, he has a wonderful temperament- happy, playful, sweet and outgoing. He is excellent with children and other dogs.
Generation 5: CH Skyland Claudia Jean DNA-VIP
CH Skyland Claudia Jean DNA-VIP (CJ)
12/19/2012 - 5/1/2025
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Dam: CH GreatMountain Ningo Saba CGC DNA-VIP
Height: 23”
Weight: 65 lbs
Hips: OFA Good
Eyes: Normal
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CJ has beautiful Chinook conformation - a big, blocky head, a broad chest with a straight front. She is slightly longer than tall with a level topline. CJ has nice heavy bone like her great grandmother, Nokomis. She has a strong rear with well-muscled thighs.
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Sire: Granite Hill Howlet DNA-VIP (Huck)
Height: 23.5”
Weight: 65 lbs
Hips: OFA Excellent
Eyes: Normal
CJ is reminiscent of her great grandmother, Nokomis, in both physical appearance and her sweet, goofy, innocent spirit.
CJ is a good-hearted dog, who loves to play and spend time with her pack and humans. All delight in watching CJ greet her breeders, Kim and Steve, with love and abandon, no matter how long since she has last seen them. She taught the puppies a lot about play and the pure pleasure of laying belly up!​
Generation 6: Barkerville Cora Anne
Barkerville Cora Anne
DOB: 6/7/2016
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Dam: CH Skyland Claudia Jean DNA-VIP
Sire: Granite Hill Howlet (Huck)
Height: 23”
Weight: 60 lbs
Hips: OFA Excellent
Eyes: Normal
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Genetics: Clear of MRD1 and dwarfism. Increased risk of IVDD.
COI: 43%​​​​
Cora was the only remaining breedable female Chinook descending through each of the females from Glendon’s Sweetie.
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Cora, a purebred Chinook, is six generations from non-Chinook crossbreeding founder, Sweetie. In Cora you can see the influence of her ancestors and what you hope to see in a working sled dog—a strong chest and rear and nice balance in a body that is slightly longer than tall. Running, Cora moves with efficiency, strength, and speed.
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Brud has endearing mismatched ears, lovely movement and balance. Brud has a strong, athletic body. He is a sight to behold running free on the trails and turns on an impressive speed.
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Both Brud and Cora bring strong hip health from their respective pedigrees.
Generation 7: When Things Changed
Since Cora was the only remaining breedable female Chinook descending through each of the females from Sweetie, her breeders (Barkerville Chinooks) gave careful consideration on stud selections. In the end, Cora was bred twice and produced 14 puppies. Ten of those puppies were female and eight of those females remain open for breeding.
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Vanguard North Brother Mtn
DOB: 8/22/17
Dam: NBOB U-WP GR CH ‘PR’ Bashaba Linto Calista CGC HIC DNA-VIP
Sire: J&J Devil of Piru
Height: 24.5”
Weight: 65 lbs
Hips: OFA Good
Eyes: Normal
Genetics: Clear of MRD1, IVDD, carries for dwarfism
COI: 3%
Cora's first breeding was with Vanguard North Brother Mtn in 2021. Brother is a pup from the Chinook Breed Conservation Program (CBCP). The CBCP’s goal is to “maintain a healthy, genetically sustainable Chinook population, with the breed’s historical temperament, working ability, structure, and appearance.”
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Cora and Brud produced 9 puppies - 7 girls and 2 boys. Five of those 7 girls remained open for breeding. Two have been bred so far with plans developing for additional breeding.​
Barkerville X Sweet Maple Mae
​DOB: 5/3/2021
COI: 26%
Hips: OFA Excellent
Eyes: Normal
Height: 22.5"
Weight: 57 lbs
Genetics: Clear - MRD1 Increased risk - CDDY/IVDD, Carries 1 gene - dwarfism
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Breeding Status: Bred with Desert Sol Arlo Baci and whelped 6 puppies (3 female, 3 male) in December 2024. A second breeding is planned 2026.
Barkerville X Harriet Blue
​DOB: 5/3/2021
COI: 18%
Hips: OFA Excellent
Eyes: Normal
Height: 24"
Weight: 65 lbs
Genetics: Clear - MRD1, IVDD, dwarfism
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Breeding Status: Bred with Ferncroft Tormund Evan and whelped 7 puppies in May 2025. One puppy was stillborn, six survived.
Barkerville X Tallulah
​DOB: 5/3/2021
COI: 23%
Hips: OFA Good
Eyes: Normal
Height: 22.5"
Weight: 55 lbs
Genetics: Clear - MRD1, IVDD, Carries 1 gene - dwarfism
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Breeding Status: Breeding planned for Spring 2026. Stud TBD
Barkerville X Ruby Jean
​DOB: 5/3/2021
COI: 23%
Hips: pending
Eyes: pending
Height: 22"
Weight: 55 lbs
Genetics: Clear - MRD1, IVDD, dwarfism
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Breeding Status: Intact
Barkerville X Statia
​DOB: 5/3/2021
COI: 25%
Hips: pending
Eyes: pending
Height: 22.5"
Weight: 55 lbs
Genetics: Clear - MRD1 Increased risk - CDDY/IVDD, Carries 1 gene - dwarfism
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Breeding Status: Intact
Bashaba Mackenzie Bryson
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Dam: NBOB U-WP GR CH ‘PR’ Bashaba Linto Calista CGC HIC DNA-VIP
Sire: Downdog Baron of Lighthouse
Height: 28”
Weight: 80 lbs
Hips: OFA Good, PennHIP 85%
Eyes: Normal
Genetics: Clear of MRD1, IVDD, carries for dwarfism
COI: 38%
Cora's second breeding was with a purebred Chinook, Bashaba Mackenzie Bryson (Bryson) in 2023. This breeding produced 5 healthy pups through vaginal birth without vet intervention. There were 3 females and 2 males in this litter. All three females remain open for breeding.
Barkerville Penny from Heaven
​DOB: 9/11/23
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Hips: pending
Eyes: pending
Height: 24.5"
Weight: 50 lbs
Genetics: Clear - MRD1, IVDD, dwarfism
COI: 38%
Breeding Status: Intact
Barkerville Rune
​DOB: 9/11/23
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Hips: pending
Eyes: pending
Height:
Weight:
Genetics: Clear - MRD1, dwarfism. Increased risk - IVDD.
COI: 44%
Breeding Status: Intact
Barkerville Walker
​DOB: 9/11/23
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Hips: pending
Eyes: pending
Height: 24.5"
Weight: 55 lbs
Genetics: Clear - MRD1, IVDD, dwarfism
COI: 41%
Breeding Status: Intact
Generation 8: Breeding Females from the Sweetie Dam Line
GreatMountain Lovely Juniper
Puppy Name: Lovely
DOB:12/10/2024
Dam: Barkerville Sweet Maple Mae
Sire: Desert Sol Arlo Baci
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COI: 33%
Height: 20"
Weight: 36 lbs
Hips: TBD
Eyes: TBD
Genetics: Clear - MRD1; Increased risk - IVDD, Carries - dwarfism
Breeding Status: Intact
GreatMountain Sylvie Sol
Puppy Name: Daisy Jane
​DOB: 12/9/2024
Dam: Barkerville Sweet Maple Mae
Sire: Desert Sol Arlo Baci
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COI: 37%
Height: TBD
Weight: 41 lbs
Hips: TBD
Eyes: TBD
Genetics: Clear - MRD1, dwarfism, Increased risk - IVDD
Breeding Status: Intact
Barkerville Chocorua ("Cora")
Puppy Name: Joey Lucas
DOB: 5/4/2025
Dam: Barkerville Harriet Blue
Sire: Ferncroft's Tormund Evan
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Birthweight: 1 lb. 0.5 oz
Week 8 Weight: 15.6 lbs.
COI: 31%
Genetics: Clear MRD1, dwarfism, IVDD
Breeding Status: Intact
Barkerville Balashi
Puppy Name: Amy Gardiner
DOB: 5/5/2025
Dam: Barkerville Harriet Blue
Sire: Ferncroft's Tormund Evan
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Birthweight: 13.7 oz
Week 8 Weight: 15.2 lb
COI: 27%
Genetics: Clear MRD1, dwarfism, IVDD
Breeding Status: Intact
Barkerville Ferncroft's Kate
Puppy Name: Margaret Hooper
DOB: 5/5/2025
Dam: Barkerville Harriet Blue
Sire: Ferncroft's Tormund Evan
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Birthweight: 1 lb. 2.5 oz
Week 8 Weight: 14.8 lbs.
COI: 27%
Genetics: Clear MRD1, dwarfism, IVDD
Breeding Status: Intact
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Barkerville Scotia
Puppy Name: Nancy McNally
DOB: 5/5/2025
Dam: Barkerville Harriet Blue
Sire: Ferncroft's Tormund Evan
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Birthweight: 1 lb. 3.7 oz
Week 8 Weight: 14.8 lbs.
COI: 29%
Genetics: Clear MRD1, dwarfism, IVDD
Breeding Status: Intact