Japanese Chin
A court dog in Japan for centuries, and it behaves like a cat: it climbs, it grooms with a paw, and it spins on the spot when it is pleased.
Photo by Alex Archambault, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The Japanese Chin is a Chinese dog by origin, given to the Japanese court as a gift and kept there for centuries as a companion to nobility. In Japan it was regarded as a distinct animal from a dog, which is reflected in how catlike it behaves.
It washes its face with its paws, climbs to high places, and moves with a light footed precision that is unlike other toy breeds.
Temperament
Quiet, dignified and affectionate. Chins are devoted to their people, reserved with strangers, and among the calmest toy breeds.
They are sensitive to household atmosphere and they mirror the mood of the room. They are not demanding, they are not noisy, and they do best in a settled quiet home. They are also famous for the Chin spin, a rapid turning dance when excited.
Care and grooming
The long single silky coat needs brushing two or three times a week and does not mat as readily as a double coat. Moderate shedding.
The short muzzle brings brachycephalic airway problems and heat intolerance, and the prominent eyes are vulnerable to injury and ulceration. Patellar luxation and heart murmurs occur. Ten to twelve years.
Living and exercise
Twenty to thirty minutes a day plus play, in cool weather only.
They suit flats and quiet households well and they are a poor match for boisterous small children, being both delicate and easily overwhelmed.
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