Description

The Japanese Chin is an ancient, lively, and dainty toy  dog who loves to cavort and play. The Chin has a compact carriage and profuse coat (Grooming). His movement is light and stylish, as he lifts his feet high when in action while carrying his tail proudly curved or plumed over his back. A gentle and affectionate breed, he is meticulously clean and very easy to house break. If you enjoy an affectionate, playful lapdog then a Japanese Chin would make an excellent companion.

While the Chin is devoted to his master and friendly and playful with those he knows, he can be reserved around strangers.  Chins range in color usually black and white, sable and white, lemon yellow and white, or red and white. Japanese Chins stand about 8 to 11 inches in height at the withers and average between 7 to 11 pounds.  (AKC Standard).

The Chin is considered one of the most cat-like of the dog breeds.  Cat-like characteristics were purposely bred into the Chin by the Japanese.  In fact, the Japanese did not consider Chins to be dogs and thus defined them as Chins.  It is believed that a pair of Chins was presented by the Emperor of China to the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese bred to their taste to produce the varying  characteristics in size and style we see in the Chin today (History).  They are alert, intelligent, and independent.  Like cats, they use their paws to wash their face or clean other parts of their body or other Chin members of the family. Some prefer to rest on high surfaces such as the backs of sofas and chairs or hide in the strangest locations.

The tiny parti-colored, long-haired Japanese Chin enjoys a relatively healthy life and it's sole purpose is to bring comfort and joy to those with whom they share their home (Health).  Formerly called the Japanese Spaniel his name was changed to the Japanese Chin in 1977. In 1888, the first Japanese Spaniel was accepted in the AKC Stud Books.