Japanese Chin: temperament, size, care and health

About the Japanese Chin

The Japanese Chin is a small, square, refined dog with a broad flat face, a short muzzle, large dark wide-set eyes and small V-shaped ears covered with long hair. The coat is long and silky, with a plume of a tail curled over the back and a ruff around the neck. It is always parti-colored, in black and white, red and white or black and white with tan points. The expression is wide-eyed and slightly quizzical.

It is a pure companion, bred as a lap dog, and people choose it for its quiet, graceful presence.

Temperament and family life

A Chin is a gentle, affectionate and often cat-like dog. It is known for perching on furniture, washing its face with a paw and spinning in happy circles when excited, a behavior called the Chin spin. It is usually quiet and observant, keen to be near its family and reserved with strangers.

It tends to be sensitive and does not like loud homes. Children should be calm and careful, since the dog is small and its protruding eyes are easily injured. Most Chins get on well with other gentle pets and with cats. They are not demanding in terms of activity but dislike being left alone for long periods.

Exercise and training

Chins need little exercise. A couple of short walks and some play indoors are enough, and they spend much of the day dozing near their owners. They overheat quickly, so activity in hot weather should be avoided, and a harness is a better choice than a collar.

The breed is intelligent and can learn many commands, though it can be stubborn. Training should be gentle, short and rewarding. House training may take time, as with many toy breeds. The dog enjoys learning tricks and entertaining its owners, and it often enjoys therapy-dog work because of its quiet manner.

Grooming and shedding

The silky single coat has no thick undercoat, and it sheds moderately, with a heavier loss of hair once or twice a year. Brushing twice a week keeps it from tangling, especially behind the ears, in the pants and under the tail. Bathing every few weeks keeps it clean.

The face needs daily wiping to remove tears and food, and the large eyes should be checked for irritation. Trim nails, keep the hair between the toes tidy, check the ears and brush the teeth, since dental disease is common.

Health

As a flat-faced toy, the Chin can suffer from narrowed airways, which cause noisy breathing and heat intolerance. The large eyes are prone to scratches, ulcers and dry eye, and cataracts occur. Mitral valve disease is common in older dogs, and patellar luxation and an inherited storage disease affecting the nervous system have been described. The breed can be sensitive to anesthesia.

Responsible breeders have hearts, knees and eyes examined and use DNA testing where available. This is general information about the Japanese Chin, and a veterinarian is the person to ask about a particular dog.

History

Ancestors of the Chin are believed to have come to Japan from China or Korea centuries ago, where they became companions of the imperial court and the nobility. They were treated as treasured gifts and bred in the palaces. In the nineteenth century dogs left Japan for Europe and America. A popular account credits an American naval expedition led by Commodore Perry in the 1850s with bringing some home, though the details are uncertain. The breed is also known as the Japanese Spaniel, and the American Kennel Club recognized it in 1888.

Is the Japanese Chin right for you?

A Chin suits a quiet adult household that wants a graceful, undemanding lap dog and can keep it cool in summer. It is easy to accommodate in an apartment and can be a good first dog for a gentle owner.

It is a poor choice for homes with small or rowdy children, for those who want a sturdy outdoor dog or for owners who cannot afford veterinary care for a flat-faced breed. The Pekingese has a similar face with a more stubborn attitude, the English Toy Spaniel is comparable in calm, and the Shih Tzu is sturdier and more outgoing.