Kaya is a rare breed called a Chinook.
The Chinook owes its existence to one man,
Arthur Treadwell Walden of Wonalancet, New Hampshire.
The breed derives principally from one male ancestor born in 1917, named
"Chinook", who was Walden's lead dog and stud. "Chinook" derived from a crossbreeding of husky stock from the
Peary North Pole expedition with a large, tawny Mastiff-like male.
Arthur Walden was an experienced dog driver with years of experience in the Yukon;
He was the lead driver and trainer on Byrd's 1929 Antarctic expedition.
He is credited with bringing sled dog sports to New England and with founding the New England Sled Dog Club in 1924.