Japanese Chin E-Book

Juliette Cunliffe

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: Comprehensive Owner's Guide
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 247

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2012

Beschreibung

From the Land of the Rising Sun comes the delightful and affectionate toy dog known as the Japanese Chin, revered for centuries as a palace treasure and today counted among the world's most beloved companion dogs. This Comprehensive Owner's Guide, written by Juliette Cunliffe, provides an entertaining portrait of the Chin's origins and history, including Commodore Perry's famous door-opening visit to Japan, the breed's rise to the favor of England's Queen Alexandra, and the Chin's introduction to the United States. In the chapter on the breed's characteristics, the author reveals her insight into this "happy little character with a down-to-earth, yet bumptious, personality." Potential owners are made aware that, despite his small size, the Chin has a larger-than-life approach to the world, and that as a home companion, the Chin demands affection and little else, being a naturally clean pet, often compared to a cat in cleanliness, sophistication, and self-awareness. In the home of a loving owner, the Chin will thrive and become a superb addition to the family, even one with children and cat or two! New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are illustrated with photographs of handsome adults and puppies. In all, there are over 135 full-color photographs in this useful and reliable volume. The author's advice on obedience training will help the reader better mold and train into the most well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive and lavishly illustrated chapter on healthcare provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, preventing and dealing with parasites, infectious diseases, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical dogs, breeders, or kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.

Leseprobe

Physical Characteristics of the Japanese Chin

(from the American Kennel Club breed standard)

Skull: Large, broad, slightly rounded between the ears but not domed.

Ears: Hanging, small, V-shaped, wide apart, set slightly below the crown of the skull.

Eyes: Set wide apart, large, round, dark in color and lustrous.

Neck: Well set on the shoulders enabling the dog to carry its head up proudly.

Stop: Deep.

Nose: Set on a level with the middle of the eyes and upturned.

Muzzle: Short and broad with well-cushioned cheeks.

Jaw: Wide and slightly undershot.

Forequarters: Legs—Straight, and fine boned, with the elbows set close to the body. Feet—Hare-shaped with feathering on the ends of the toes in the mature dog. Point straight ahead or very slightly outward.

Size: Ideal size is 8 inches to 11 inches at the highest point of the withers.

Topline: Level.

Body: Square, moderately wide in the chest with rounded ribs.

Tail: Set on high, carried arched up over the back and flowing to either side of the body.

Coat: Abundant, straight, single, and silky.

Color: Either black and white, red and white, or black and white with tan points.

Hindquarters: Legs—Straight as viewed from the rear and fine boned. Moderate bend of stifle. Feet—Point straight ahead.

Contents

History of the Japanese Chin

Enter the enchanting world of the Japanese Chin and discover the origins of this delightful Oriental wonder, from the early Toy dogs revered by the Buddhists to the 19th-century excursion of Commodore Perry. Meet the early discoverers, authors and breeders responsible for carrying the Chin from its homeland to the Western world.

Characteristics of the Japanese Chin

What virtues and attributes does the Chin possess to capture the fancy of so many dog lovers around the globe? Find out about the breed’s personality, special talents and possible drawbacks. Learn everything a new owner needs to know before deciding if the Chin is the right breed for you, including its care requirements and health considerations.

Breed Standard for the Japanese Chin

Learn the requirements of a well-bred Japanese Chin by studying the description of the breed set forth in the American Kennel Club standard. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standard.

Your Puppy Japanese Chin

Find out about how to locate a well-bred Japanese Chin puppy. Discover which questions to ask the breeder and what to expect when visiting the litter. Prepare for your puppy-accessory shopping spree. Also discussed are home safety, the first trip to the vet, socialization and tips on introducing pup to his new home.

Proper Care of Your Japanese Chin

Cover the specifics of taking care of your Japanese Chin every day: feeding for the puppy, adult and senior dog; grooming, including coat care, ears, eyes, nails and bathing; and exercise needs for your dog. Also discussed are the essentials of dog identification.

Training Your Japanese Chin

Begin with the basics of training the puppy and adult dog. Learn the principles of house-training the Japanese Chin, including the use of crates and basic scent instincts. Get started by introducing the pup to his collar and leash and progress to the basic commands. Find out about obedience classes and other activities.

Healthcare of Your Japanese Chin

By Lowell Ackerman DVM, DACVD

Become your dog’s healthcare advocate and a well-educated canine keeper. Select a skilled and able veterinarian. Discuss pet insurance, vaccinations and infectious diseases, the neuter/spay decision and parasite control. Also included is a special section on canine eye disease.

Your Senior Japanese Chin

Know when to consider your Japanese Chin a senior and what special needs he will have. Learn to recognize the signs of aging in terms of physical and behavioral traits and what your vet can do to optimize your dog’s golden years.

Showing Your Japanese Chin

Step into the center ring and find out about the world of showing pure-bred dogs. Meet the AKC and find out how to get started in AKC shows, how they are organized and what’s required for your dog to become a champion.

Behavior of Your Japanese Chin

Analyze the canine mind to understand what makes your Japanese Chin tick. The potential problems addressed include separation anxiety, sex-related behavior issues, barking, jumping up and food-related problems.

KENNEL CLUB BOOKS®JAPANESE CHIN

ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-329-7

eISBN 13: 978-1-59378-985-5

Copyright © 2005 • Kennel Club Books® • An Imprint of I-5 Press™ • A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC™

3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618 USA

Cover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 • Printed in South Korea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Photography by Mary Bloom and Carol Ann Johnson

with additional photographs by

Paulette Braun, T.J. Calhoun, Isabelle Français, Bill Jonas and Alice van Kempen.

Illustrations by Patricia Peters.

The publisher wishes to thank all of the owners of the dogs featured in this book, including Mrs. Joy Jolley, Judy Moser, Tommy & Carla Jo Ryan, Maria Shashaty and Susan Spencer.

The engaging Japanese Chin has been prized by the fairer sex for centuries. Today the Chin delights fanciers of every persuasion all over the world.

What a delightful character is the Japanese Chin, a dog that the Japanese people described as having a “butterfly head, sacred vulture-feathered feet and a chrysanthemum tail.” The Chin was never allowed to run in the streets, but instead was carried in beautiful straw baskets when taken outdoors. Some ancient sources reveal that some Chin were kept in hanging baskets, much liked caged birds. That surely is sufficient to whet the reader’s appetite to learn more about this charming little canine that hails from the Orient and was considered as royalty.

Dainty Japanese ladies decked their Chin out in cerise-colored ribbons, with frills around the neck. They were proud of their sweet little pets, which made them the envy of all their friends. These were fascinating little dogs, and affectionate to a degree. “Playful” was not thought sufficient a word to describe their temperament, for they never tired of playing games and were always graceful in their movements. Travelers to Japan described them as having “really attractive faces, almost human, especially the females.”

In 1890s, small Oriental dogs, such as the Pekingese on the far left and the two Japanese Spaniels, as our breed was called for many years, were favored by nobility in the dogs’ homelands and beyond.

In the past, the breed was known as the Japanese Pug and the Japanese Spaniel, only later acquiring the name by which it is known today. There are a number of indigenous breeds to Japan, in addition to the tiny Chin, including the diminutive Japanese Terrier, which looks rather like the Toy Fox Terrier; the Japanese Spitz, recognized in Britain, appearing much like a white German Spitz or the American Eskimo Dog; and the remarkable Shiba Inu, the smallest of the country’s spitz dogs, which also include the larger Shikoku, Kishu, Kai and the giant Akita. Japan’s great mastiff, once used in highly ritualized battles, the Tosa Inu is often classified as one of the “dangerous dogs” and is, in fact, even banned in the UK.

A veritable Chinese cousin, the Pekingese has long been associated with the Chin, so much so that combined clubs for both breeds have existed.

The Japanese Chin was known in England during the middle of the 19th century, and probably much earlier, for seamen frequently brought home such dogs for their sweethearts. While many of them were black and white, some were red and white or white with lemon-yellow patches.

Few people have met the Japanese Terrier in person, as it is very rare and not even commonly seen in its homeland.

Commodore Perry, on his famous expedition to Japan in 1857, commented that there were three articles that always formed part of an Imperial present. These were rice, dry fish and dogs. It has also been said that charcoal was also included. Four “small dogs of rare breed” were sent to the President of the United States as part of the Emperor’s gift, but it was decided that two of these dogs should be put on board Admiral Stirling’s ship for England’s Queen Victoria.

Unfortunately, the two dogs destined for America did not survive their long journey. They were named Sam Spooner and Madame Yeddo and were put on a steam frigate heading to Mississippi, along with some Japanese cats. The dogs were described as “of the Pug character but with beautiful long hair, black and white in color.” The two that died, along with another given to another American government official, were all buried at sea in sailor fashion, being put in shotted canvas bags.

MORE BRILLIANT THAN GOLD

Japanese Spaniels, as they were once known, were described as “not one whit behind the intelligence of the inhabitants of the island they come from.” It was also said that they frequently fetched a price far in excess of their weight in gold.

FEAST OF THE CHIN

The recommended diet for a Japanese Chin around the turn of the 20th century included rice, which agreed particularly well with this breed, fresh fish, sheep’s head, tongue, chicken livers, milk and battered pudding. Oatmeal porridge was also suitable, alternated with a little scraped raw meat as a special treat. Red meat was not considered suitable for young puppies.

Commodore Perry suggested that the small Japanese dogs may have been involved in the early breeding of the King Charles Spaniel in England (the breed we know as the English Toy Spaniel). He relates that in 1613 an English captain returned from a journey to Japan, carrying with him a letter from the Emperor and presents in return for those sent to him by His Majesty of England. It is indeed possible that dogs may have formed part of the gift and, if so, this Japanese breed may have been introduced to England at that time.

Ancestors of the Japanese Chin we know today attracted the attention of the Bishop of Victoria in 1861. He described them as lap dogs not more than 7 or 8 inches long and tells us that they were found in considerable numbers. Just two years later, Robert Fortune was commissioned by the Indian government to visit China and Japan to obtain information about the tea plant. Fortunately for us, he appears also to have had an interest in dogs. Mr. Fortune mentioned a dog that was bred by the Japanese people and dwarfed by the use of alcohol. He wrote of them as being not more than 9 or 10 inches long, with snub noses and sunken eyes, though the description of the eyes is not one that would fit the breed today. Fortune did not consider the breed in any way beautiful, but rather more curious, though he did say that the dogs were much prized by natives and foreigners alike.

The Japanese Tosa Inu, a giant breed reaching up to 200 lb, is a formidable fighting breed that is sometimes categorized as a “dangerous dog.”

A life of leisure well befits the Japanese Chin, as this portrait from the 1930s well conveys.

Soon afterward, Sir Rutherford Alcock, who was Britain’s representative at the Japanese Court, wrote of them as “little dogs, with eyes like saucers, no nose, the tongue hanging out at the side, too large for the mouth, and white and tan in color, if possible—a species of King Charles Spaniel intensified; and there is so much genuine likeness that I think it probable the Merry Monarch was indebted to his marriage with a Portuguese Princess for the original race of spaniels, as well as for the island of Bombay.”

RESPECT IN LIFE AND BEYOND

Although by the 19th century, the Japanese people seemingly paid little regard to dogs, in the 18th century, every street had to maintain a given number of dogs and provide for all of their needs. Upon death, dogs were carried up to the tops of mountains and hills, where they were given very decent burials.

The Shikoku is counted among Japan’s mid-size spitz breeds, along with the Ainu, Kai and Kishu.

The first actual pair is believed to have arrived in Britain around 1870. Chin Chin Irst was the male, and his little mate was quaintly called Wee Woo. Although the Japanese people at that time had little interest in dogs generally, they were not anxious to sell their small dogs, so there was great difficulty in obtaining them. In Japan, such dogs around that time weighed only around 2.5 lbs. Later exportations out of Japan generally weighed in the region of 7–12 pounds.

The English Toy Spaniel shares the short muzzle and upturned nose of the Chin.

Longhaired lap dogs have been treasured by the Japanese for centuries and the Japanese, like many other Asian peoples, bred their lap dogs to such a small size that they could be conveniently carried in the sleeve or held comfortably under the chin. By 1888 Dalziel, a well-known canine author, wrote that this was a breed that had seldom been found in England, except in the homes of men who had lived in the East or who had friends there. He said that because it was difficult to rear puppies, only a few small ones could be found. In Japan, he said, the larger ones were of no value, but it was difficult to find anyone who would part with the small ones, known as “sleeve dogs.”

CONNECTIONS WITH OTHER BREEDS

Early evidence shows that Chinese Toy dogs were frequently sent to Japan, possibly as far back as 1,500 years ago when Japan began to adopt Buddhism. Chinese teachers went to Japan and it is believed that some of them took along their small dogs. In 824 AD, two pai dogs (small, short-faced, short-legged dogs) were recorded as having been sent from China as a tribute to the Emperor of Japan. The sleeve dogs, so well regarded in China, became very popular in Japan. It was said that at one time such great numbers of these dogs were taken to Japan from China that what they termed “supplies” came to an end.

We also know from Dr. Lockhart, writing in 1867, that in China there were “two kinds of Pug.” One of these was a small, black and white dog that was long-legged and pug-nosed, and had prominent eyes. The other, of course, is the Pug breed with which we are familiar today.

A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

In 1900, Charles Henry Lane wrote of the breed, “…at the present time, I think, it enjoys the most popularity, and is kept by ladies of high rank, as well as by their humbler fellow-creatures.” He also tells his readers that they had a “very quaint, old-fashioned look about them, even when puppies…” He noted that among imported specimens, the mortality rate was very high.

PROTECTED BY THE STATE

Kempfer’s History of Japan tells readers that in 1727 dogs were treated with exaggerated concern. Huts were built in every street for dogs that grew old or infirm. If a dog did damage to anyone or anything, no one dared touch it, except the public executioner, and only then if given a direct order from the governors.

The Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison, who imported to Britain many foreign breeds and whose opinions commanded respect, believed that the Japanese Chin was related to the short-nosed spaniel of Tibet, now known to us as the Tibetan Spaniel. She also thought the English Toy Spaniels (King Charles Spaniels in Britain) had similar origins.

BREED REQUIREMENTS IN JAPAN 100 YEARS AGO

In turn-of-the century Japan, particular importance was attached to markings seen in the Chin. The Japanese Chin breed standard contained five principal points. Firstly, the dog had to have what was called a “butterfly head,” the white blaze representing the body of a butterfly and the other color, in combination with the ears, resembling the wings.

Secondly, the upper blaze of the face, that is to say the body of the butterfly, was to form the sacred “V.” Thirdly, there was to be a “bump of knowledge,” in the shape of a round, black or colored spot, on top of the head. The fourth requirement was that the Chin should be possessed of “vultures’ feet,” represented by their profuse feathering. Finally, the tail, when properly curled, was to display a marked similarity to the chrysanthemum, the sacred flower of Japan.

The solid white Japanese Spitz has begun to attract admirers outside Japan, though it remains far less known than the Chin, the Akita and the Shiba Inu.

The Ainu Dog, also known as the Hokkaido Dog, represents a mid-size spitz breed of Japan. Of the Japanese spitz breeds, the Akita is the largest and the Shiba Inu is the smallest.

A ROYAL FAVORITE

Before Princess Alexandra became queen, she was painted with her favorite little Japanese Chin on her lap. This portrait was exhibited, bringing great attention to the breed, which was for a while considered the “craze of the day,” as indeed were many Japanese artistic works at that time. When she became queen, Alexandra still retained her affection for the breed. Visiting the Ladies’ Kennel Association Show in 1903, she singled out the Japanese Chin for special notice from the parade of around 100 champions, a highly flattering tribute to the breed.

The Princess of Wales, later to become Queen Alexandra, is revealed here in the company of her pets, two of which were Japanese Chin.

There is an amusing story of the artist Gertrude Massey painting two of Queen Alexandra’s Japanese Chin. Mrs. Massey visited Buckingham Palace, where the dogs were placed in an armchair in the queen’s blue and gold sitting room. The queen fluttered around, arranging the way they were to be painted, while the artist looked on. The dogs had what she described as little button noses, on one of which was a tiny lump. But the queen instructed Mrs. Massey not to include the lump in the painting. “Poor little fellow,” she said, “he has had an accident. My nephew ran over him with a bicycle.”

THE JAPANESE CHIN IN THE UNITED STATES

Interest in the Japanese Chin as a show dog was apparent in America before the breed became a favorite in England. At a New York show in 1882, there were nine entries of the breed. However, it was another, called Chico, that was considered by far the “best of the breed,” but this dog had been entered in the Miscellaneous Class as a “Pekingese (China) spaniel.” This dog had a wealth of coat, and his conformation was apparently of such high quality that the three judges decided to recognize the dog’s merits by giving him a special prize.

Queen Alexandra, shortly after her ascension to the British throne, is depicted holding her devoted companion Japanese Chin.

As the years moved on, Japanese Chin became more of a rarity, but early in the 20th century they were once again holding their own. Because of the steady demand for the breed by New York fanciers, there were continuous imports into Pacific Coast ports until there became a scarcity of better-quality dogs. Employees on English steamers that plied between Japan and ports on the Pacific Coast brought over such dogs to sell in bulk to local fanciers at a set price per dog. Many of these, however, were of poor quality, but there were few good ones in each lot. The early American breed standard incidentally allowed for solid-black dogs as well as the more universally recognized colors.

The Japanese Spaniel, as the breed was then called, was one of the early breeds accepted by the American Kennel Club. In 1888, the first member of the breed, named Jap, was entered in the AKC Stud Book. The first champion in the breed in the USA is believed to have been Ch. Nanki Poo. A breed club was formed around this time, but later became inactive, and the Japanese Spaniel (Chin) Club of America we know today was founded in 1912. The breed was known as the Japanese Spaniel until 1977, when its name was officially changed to Japanese Chin. Today the Japanese Chin ranks in the top half of dog breeds as per AKC registration statistics, with over 1,200 dogs registered annually.

SLEEVE DOGS

Probably the popular Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Mikado familiarized the Western public with the capacity and cut of the Japanese sleeve. So large was it that it might comfortably have entertained a medium-sized Poodle; hence, so-called “sleeve dogs” need not necessarily have been so small as at first imagined.

Eng. Ch. Mr. Weejum, owned by Mrs. Stuart Rogers, won 14 Challenge Certificates during his six-year show career, having earned retirement in 1930.

Eng. Ch. Hokusai Nippon of Hove, owned by Mrs. B. A. R. Harris, was the winner of 30 first prizes during the 1930s.

THE CHIN IN THE UK

Around 1890, the number of Japanese Chin entered at any show could be counted on one hand, but interest in the breed quickly increased its popularity. By 1895, there was sufficient interest in the breed for a club to be formed, breeders of Japanese Chin joining with Pekingese fanciers to form the Japanese Chin and Pekingese Club. They remained together for ten years, during which time both breeds achieved more popularity, enabling separate clubs to be established. By 1903, there were over 60 entries at England’s Kennel Club shows. In terms of entries, they eclipsed many other small breeds, including the Yorkshire Terrier, the King Charles Spaniel and the Blenheim Spaniel. By 1904, it was considered that the delightful Japanese Chin had successfully and securely established itself in the dog-lover’s favor, gaining a position of popularity only surpassed among “drawing-room dogs” by the ever-popular Pomeranian and Pug. The Japanese Chin Club was registered with the English Kennel Club in 1905 and grew steadily stronger until the advent of WWI.

During the war years, there was hardly any breeding, and by 1918 the breed had again become scarce. Following the war, several new kennels sprang up and the Japanese Chin Club tried hard to encourage interest in the breed, but unfortunately WWII intervened, and it was not until 1964 that England’s Kennel Club annual registration figures surpassed the 100 mark. However, it was in 1946 that the first post-war Championship Show was held for the breed, this in conjunction with the Papillon, Brussels Griffon and Maltese clubs. Notably, one of the Challenge Certificates (awards needed to become an English champion) was won by Oriental Chrysanthemum, a red and white Chin bitch who went on to become the breed’s first post-war champion. To add to the poignancy of this win, her sire was the last dog to gain the title of champion before war had broken out.

From then on, the breed in Britain has gone from strength to strength, although Kennel Club registrations still only range around 200, far below some of the other breeds in the Toy Group that regularly have well in excess of four figures. But provided there is a substantial gene pool, keeping litters relatively few can be far better for a breed than having numbers soar into the thousands. The Japanese Chin is certainly here to stay, and the breed’s well-being is in the capable hands of the Japanese Chin Club.

Mrs. Addis with Eng. Ch. Dai Butzu II, winner of the Rotherham Cup in 1895.

A very famous dog, Ch. Royal Yama Hito, admired for his profuse coat, was ideal for the standard in his day.

The Japanese Chin is a small, friendly and affectionate companion, one who is alert, spirited and naturally clean. Added to this, the breed is enormously good-looking, with little or no “doggy odor,” provided, of course, that the coat is maintained in good condition.

It has been said that in creating the Japanese Chin, the Japanese people tried to blend both dog and cat, and there may indeed be some merit in this myth, for the breed does have fastidious cleaning habits. They often also use their front feet to “bat” and to explore, much as a cat would do. Many also have the ability to climb well and can sometimes be found in the most unlikely of places. People go so far as to say that the Japanese did not even consider the Chin to be a dog at all, but that is stretching the imagination a little too far!

Come what may, the Japanese Chin is a very special little dog, a gentle breed that gets along well with all creatures, and one that has understandably won its way into many people’s hearts.

PERSONALITY

The AKC breed standard describes the breed’s temperament as “sensitive and intelligent” and “responsive and affectionate.” The English breed standard refers to the breed’s temperament as gay, happy and gentle, as well as good-natured, but perhaps one should add to that the words used in the standard of Japan: “Clever, mild and lovely.” There are undoubtedly many more words that could be selected to describe the personality of the Chin, but “impish and delightful” spring most immediately to the author’s mind.

The breed indeed uses a high degree of intelligence in relation to the big wide world that surrounds it. Although small, the Chin generally seems happy to encounter anyone or anything that he comes across. He needs, though, to be socialized, for the dog can be shy or can even display fear among other dogs if not brought up to mix and mingle. Socializing a Japanese Chin, however, is not difficult to do, provided that an owner uses common sense in supervising introductions. When a Chin is allowed off-lead, an owner must also take the breed’s small size into consideration, for it is sometimes easier for one of these little tots to get more confused by his surroundings than it is for larger dogs. Owners should also keep in mind that a Chin may not realize that every dog he encounters will not turn out to be his best friend!

CHIN AS CHILDREN

Giving his views on the breed in 1904, Mr. George Liddell said, “Japanese Chin are the cleanest and nicest dogs I have ever known. Mine eat, drink and sleep with me, and I never find any offensive smell from them. They appear to thrive better when treated as children, and mine are very sensitive when scolded, and most affectionate—particularly the bitches.”

Chin are certainly not as temperamental as many of the other Toy breeds, but are happy little characters with a down-to-earth, yet bumptious personality, making good companion dogs. Chin seem to have very individual personalities and are quite capable of showing their particular likes and dislikes.

The Japanese Chin seems destined to live inside the home, for emotional needs are high and the breed demands affection. Chin like to keep their owners in sight, and many are prone to following their owners from room to room. They are normally patient enough to wait quietly while their owners are out for a short while, but can suffer emotionally if left alone for long periods. They do enjoy their comforts around the home, and make a very endearing sight curled up in a comfortable armchair.

SELF-TAUGHT WONDERS

Many Japanese Chin owners would agree that their dogs train them, rather than the other way around! Many Chin seem to have the ability to learn tricks and to teach themselves “on their own,” so to speak. This often seems to come about by their careful observation of other dogs.

In terms of canine companionship, Chin seem to thoroughly enjoy being among other Chin, often in preference to other breeds. They are said to be “self aware.” Having said that, they can certainly get along well with other breeds of dog, and with their alter-egos, cats, too.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The Japanese Chin is an elegant and aristocratic little dog, smart in appearance and compact in balance. Its head is somewhat large in proportion to the breed’s small stature, with a broad skull that is rounded both in front and between the ears. The wonderful large, dark eyes are set wide apart and the white in the inner corners of the eyes gives that characteristic look of eternal astonishment! The short, wide muzzle is well cushioned, and at the sides of the large nostrils are rounded upper lips. The well-feathered ears that frame the face so beautifully are actually V-shaped and small, but they are set high on the head and carried slightly forward.

Square in build and wide in chest, the Chin should have straight forelegs, with a good turn of stifle at the rear. Feet are rather different from those of many other breeds, being slender and shaped like the feet of a hare, so they are more elongated in shape than the more common “cat” foot found in so many dogs. Another highly attractive characteristic of this breed is the high-set tail, which is closely curved or plumed over the back in proud Japanese style.

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