Japanese Chin Dog Guide: A Royal Companion for Any Home

Do you want a small dog with a big personality? Well, if that is the case, this tiny aristocratic puppy might be the right choice for you. Looking at the Chin dog overview, the fluffy companion has a distinctive heritage.

In Japan, the Japanese Chin is also known as the Japanese spaniel. The toy dog breed has a long history of being a lap dog. Do you think it is the right for you? Let’s find out.

History of the Breed

There are several theories about the history of the Japanese Chin. Some believe the dog originated in China. According to one theory, the dogs were given to the Japanese royalty in AD 732 as gifts by Kim Jangson, an envoy from the kingdom of Silla on the Korean peninsula.

Another theory is that they were given as gifts to the Empress of Japan as early as the middle of the sixth or seventh century.

One thing is certain, the dog arrived in England in 1613, and since then, its popularity has grown. In 1853, the American naval officer Matthew Calbraith Perry acquired the dog, and he brought it to the United States. Since then, these puppies have grown in popularity as lap dogs to ladies of the upper class.

Japanese Chin Dog Overview – Appearance

The Japanese Chin is a relatively tiny dog, growing up to 10 inches in height. Males are slightly taller, like in any other dog breed. There is no weight standard, but they are fluffier than they look. Their distinctive expression is their large rounded broad head, with large and wide-set dark eyes. They have a short broad muzzle and evenly patterned facial markings.

Some experts say this dog is cat-like in both appearance and personality traits. Like many fluffy breeds, the Japanese Chin has only an over coat. Their color markings are black and white, red and white, or black and white with reddish tan points.

Temperament

As we said before, experts compare these dogs to cats. Despite their small size, they pack a lot of personality. These puppies are alert, intelligent, and independent. Like cats, they often use their paws to wash and wipe their face.

Another similarity to cats is that these dogs love resting on high surfaces and have a great sense of balance.

While usually quiet, they will bark to alert the arrival of a visitor. They were bred to entertain their owners. So, while they are calm when they rest, they can perform plenty of small tricks.

Training a Japanese Chin

We talked about the Chin dog overview, now let’s take a look at how to train a Japanese Chin dog breed. This intelligent puppy has a reputation for being stubborn. You will need plenty of patience and perseverance to train a Japanese chin breed. Potty training can be an issue with female dogs, but the male will quickly mark their territory.

One of the best tricks they can perform is the Chin spin. When these dogs are excited, they spin several times in a row.

Caring for a Japanese Chin

These extremely affectionate and fun-loving dogs need as much attention as they give you. While they have a cat-like personality and will lounge on the back of the couch for most of the day, they are still canines.

Japanese chin dogs need a walk around the park just like any other dog. Just because they are lap dogs, it doesn’t mean they will not relish a nice walk. You need to walk them twice per day for 15 minutes. Use a harness because a collar and a leash can strain their delicate neck area. Another thing to pay attention to is this puppy is a brachycephalic breed. Do not take them out in hot weather.

Grooming is the bigger challenge. Their delicate, long, and soft silky coat requires combing two to three times per week.

Health Issues

As a brachycephalic dog breed, the Japanese chin is prone to several health conditions. Generally, these small dogs are healthy, but they are not tolerant to heat during exercise. Other conditions to pay attention to include epilepsy, luxating patella, ophthalmic problems, heart murmur, and brachycephalic syndrome.

Do not fall into the habit of free-feeding or spoiling your Japanese chin puppy with table scraps. They are fluffy, but can easily become obese with overfeeding.

Fun Facts about Japanese Chin Dog

Here are some fun facts about this amazing dog breed.

• Their history can be found within the royal courts of both China and Japan as they traveled the Silk Road with traders centuries ago.
• Some experts believe that the Pekingese dog breed was developed from the Japanese chin.
• They were guarded as treasures in palaces. Only royal families could own them, not peasants.
• Among the many similarities with cats, they are adept climbers and enjoy being on top of things.
• They can snizzle, which is blowing their nose hard out. It is not a sign of a respiratory infection, it is just a matter of the shape of their face.
• Buddhist monks accepted these puppies as pets and developed them within the monastery walls.
• The adult coat of the Japanese Chin doesn’t come out until the dog is more than one year old. Puppies will lose most of their coat between 5 and 12 months of age.

How Much Does a Japanese Chin Cost?

After going through the Chin dog overview, if you feel this puppy is right for you, the next step is finding one. You might never find one of these puppies in a shelter. They are considered royalty and very few people are lucky to have them.

Getting one from a reputable breeder will cost you between $1,500 and $2,500. Make sure to do your research before getting a Japanese chin puppy.