The Japanese Chin, what a unique little dog they are! I am a proud owner of Japanese Chins and when people ask what kind of dog I have and I reply “Japanese Chins” I often get a blank stare or “I’ve never heard of that breed.” I often try to help people visualize what Chin look like by either saying they resemble a Pekingese or a Cavalier. Japanese Chin owe their looks to several breeds. The Pekingese is chief among these, most likely the Tibetan Spaniel, Cavalier King Charles, and some believe, the Papillion. Chin have a spaniel like personality. They are very amiable, loving, gentle, and get along with other dogs and pets.
Japanese Chin history is easy enough to find, so I won’t go into the specifics of this, however I would like to provide some insight into the personality of the Chin. Many have said that Chin have a “cat like” personality. What exactly does that mean? Chin do love to groom themselves and anyone they are close to. To a Chin, grooming is a sign of love and they don’t limit grooming to themselves or other dogs/pets, the human gets groomed to! Japanese Chin also love high places. Some of them will perch on the back of couches, chairs, or jump. All Chin personalities are different, however my small Chin, Kawaii, (she is five pounds) is independant. She will be loving on her terms and come when called on her terms! Some Chin are more Velcro dog and want to be in your lap constantly.
Chin are lapdogs in every sense of the word. They love being near you and being petted. Chin don’t require a lot of exercise, a stroll around the block is usually good enough. When walking a Chin it is best to use a harness since Chins are snub nosed and have difficulty breathing. You’ll get used to Chin noises which can include grunting, snorting, reverse sneezing, heavy breathing, and yes, they can be a bit gassy. They are all love, though. The silky coat of the Chin is not difficult to brush. They only require a quick brushing. However, if not brushed they can mat up around the ears, on their ruff, and the fringes of their legs.
Chin do tend to look different. Some look more like spaniels more lean and long legged. Other Chin look more like a Peke more heavy and stout. The thing is, each Japanese house tended to breed their Japanese Chin a little differently, hence the different looks. Japanese Chin range from five pounds to fifteen pounds. The usual weight for most Chin is 7–10 lbs. Chin are clowns and love to make their owners laugh. Most Chin owners know of the “Chin Spin” where these little guys spin in circles when they get excited or joyful. In fact, Chin fans tend to have a special name for when Chin run through the house and do these spins “the zoomies!” If a Chin finds something that makes you laugh they will repeat it. An example is my Chin, Kawaii, I mentioned earlier. She “double stacks” her dog beds. She will use her paws to stack one bed on top of the other. We find this so amusing she has no problem performing it in front of us.
Chin are not real big barkers. Some people have wondered if Chin can bark! Yes, they can bark but tend to be reserved and not too vocal. They can be good guard dogs and can alert you when they doorbell rings. Chin do tend to be reserved with new people and situations. They wait until they know what is going on and get used to the person before making friends. Chin are also sensitive souls, so harsh discipline and a home with a lot of discord is not a good match for these little cuties.
