Japanese Chin stand about 20 to 27 cm (8 to 11 in) in height at the withers and weight can vary from a low of 3 lbs to a high of 15 lbs, with an average of 7 to 9 pounds being the most common. The American Kennel Club and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale
give no weight requirement for the Chin. The distinctive Oriental
expression is characterized by the large broad head, large wide-set
eyes, short broad muzzle, ear feathering, and the evenly patterned
facial markings.
Coat and color
The coat is low maintenance, long, and smooth/silky to the touch.
They are distinctively black & white and red & white in color
and have variations in color intensity (lemon & white, mahogany
& white, etc.). As of November 11, 2011, any color not listed in the
breed standard
is grounds for disqualification in competitions.
This breed is considered one of the most cat-like
of the dog breeds in attitude: it is alert, intelligent, and
independent, and it uses its paws to wash and wipe its face. Other
cat-like traits include their preference for resting on high surfaces
such as the backs of sofas and chairs, their ability to walk across a
coffee table without disturbing an item, and some of the surprising
places their owners often find them in. A companion dog, it is loving
and loyal to its owner and typically happy to see other people, though a
few are distrustful of strangers. Chin prefer familiar surroundings,
but do quite well in new situations and are often used as therapy dogs
because of this trait and their love of people. Very early socialization
of Chin puppies leads to a more emotionally well-balanced Chin that is
more accepting of different situations and people.
The Chin will bark for the purpose of alerting the household to the
arrival of a visitor or something out of the ordinary, but are otherwise
very quiet.
Chin were bred for the purpose of loving and entertaining their
people. While typically a calm little dog, they are well known for
performing many enjoyable antics such as the "Chin Spin", in which they
turn around in rapid circles; dancing on their hind legs while pawing
their front feet, clasped together, in the air; and, some even "sing", a
noise that can range from a low trill to a higher, almost operatic
quality noise, and which sounds much like "woooo".
Health
This breed's flattened face contributes to a few Chin suffering from breathing and heart problems, as is common with brachycephalic breeds. Because they are a brachycephalic breed, temperature extremes (particularly heat) should be avoided. Luxating patellas (knees) and heart murmurs are other genetically predisposed conditions. The oversized eyes are easily scratched and corneal scratches or more serious ulcerations can result. Mild scratches benefit from topical canine antibacterial
ointment specifically for eye application; more serious injury or
ulcerations require urgent medical care. The Chin, as with most small
breed dogs, can also have a risk of hypoglycemia
when under the age of 6 months; this concern can continue in Chin that
mature at 4 to 5 pounds or less. Some Chin do have seasonal allergies.
A UK Kennel Club survey puts their median lifespan at 9.25 years
though have been known to live into their 20s.
Care
The Chin's coat
requires nothing more than brushing or combing twice every week to
maintain its appearance, with special attention being given to the area
under the ears and legs and to the skirt; they have no coat odor and do
not require frequent bathing. Chin are single-coated and single-hair
shedders, much like people, and it is very seldom one will find a Chin
with an undercoat. Occasionally, a Chin will have a light blowing of
their coat once a year. Without fiber in the diet, they may need to have
their anal glands expressed. The oversized eye orbits contribute to moisture about the face and the skin folds in and around the nose and flattened facial area can trap moisture and cause fungal problems. The face should be occasionally wiped with a damp cloth and the folds cleaned with a cotton swab.
Diet is an important factor in the health and condition of the Chin,
with many Chin being very sensitive or allergic to corn. Maintaining a
Chin on a high quality kibble that contains no corn will do much to
avoid skin and allergy conditions.
History
The origin of the Japanese Chin is clouded in the mysticism of Far
Eastern ancient rites. Small dogs were known to have crisscrossed the Silk Road
accompanying travelers as both presentations of trade and companions on
the long journeys. Some of these dogs became the pets of Buddhist Monks,
who nurtured and mated various types in their sheltered monasteries:
eventually, gifts to traveling dignitaries. They quickly assumed their
rightful position in the Imperial palaces, where they were closely kept
and guarded for the Imperial family by private eunuchs who were charged
with looking after the little dogs' every need, every desire. Mere
peasants were not allowed to own them as the small dogs became treasures
more valuable than gold.
Navigating the globe by ship soon changed the way merchants traded
their goods: During the fifteenth century, traders from the west arrived
by sea using merchant ships. Looking for good will and favorable deals,
they always brought gifts for members of the local nobility and
government. Included as items of good will were usually a couple of dogs
from the native lands - some dogs were large hunters, while others wei
of the small lap type. Eventually, these little dogs were crossed with
the existing 'pai' dogs, whose roots rested with the caravans of the
Silk Road, and other varieties emerged. Countries such as Portugal,
Italy, Spain, Holland, England, and later the United States, covered the
seas in search of trade and wealth changing the lives of all involved,
including the little dogs.
The name Japanese Chin is actually a misnomer for the breed owes its basic origins not to Japan, but to China. It has long been surmised that the Japanese Chin and Pekingese
were once the same breed with the Pekingese having been bred out to
create the short, bowed-legged, long-back, pear-shape bodied breed of
dog known today. The Chin is believed to have been kept basically pure,
but in searching through Far Eastern works of art dating from the 17th
to 20th Century, several patterns clearly emerge:
- an early small Japanese dog resembled the old Continental Toy Spaniel of Europe - aristocratic in bearing, square-bodied, up-on-the leg, distinctive long muzzle and luxurious flowing silky coat
- the Chinese Chin was the flat-faced, straight-legged, a bit long-backed, parti-color dog called the Imperial Chin
- these two types were blended together to bring about the Japanese
Chin of today dainty, square-bodied, flat-faced, and richly coated,
elegant toy breed.
With the exception of a small Dutch trading post and limited contacts through China and Korea,
Japan closed its doors in 1636 to the outside world in an effort to
prevent foreigners from further influencing their people and culture.
This self-imposed isolationist policy lasted for more than two
centuries. It was not until Commodore Matthew C. Perry
opened Japan in the mid-1850s that Westerners again stepped foot in the
country on a regular trading basis. Perry had been sent to Japan by
United States President Franklin Pierce,
with the good wishes of Great Britain's Queen Victoria. Both countries
wanted to establish trading. posts in the closed Empire. When Perry
finally accomplished the task, his ships returned home laden with many
Imperial gifts for himself, for President Pierce and for Queen Victoria.
Among the gifts presented were three pairs of small Imperial dogs - one
pair for Perry, another for Pierce and a third for Victoria. Out of the
six, the only ones known to have survived the voyage were those given
to Perry. According to official ships' logs, Presidential and Palace
papers, the remaining dogs never reached their destinations.
Perry gave his two little canine presents to his daughter, Caroline Perry Belmont, who was married to August Belmont.
Their son, August Belmont, Jr., served as President of The American
Kennel Club from 1888-1915. According to the Belmont family, the two
Chins from Japan - one a dog and the other a bitch - were never bred and
died as beloved house pets without issue.
By 1858, a full trade treaty had been negotiated between America and
Japan. Thus opening the way for more ships, more gifts. An exodus of the
small Imperial dogs soon followed - being given as gifts or sometimes
stolen by Palace personnel and then sold to sailors. Additional trading
with China and other Asian countries meant that more little dogs soon
found their way, officially and otherwise, onto clipper ships and
steamers. The long ocean voyage was difficult, arduous and taxing to the
small frail dogs. Many perished en route. Their bodies wrapped in silk
as they were buried at sea. Those who did survive helped to establish
the breed on the Continent, in England and in America. They became not
only pets, in castles and palaces throughout the western world, but also
beloved treasures for the sailors' wives, mistresses and girlfriends.
The Japanese Chin lorded over his environment an cared not whether it
was a hundred-and-fifty room palace or a three room cottage: his concern
was only that he was considered to be the most important object within
and life catered to his every whim.
source :
wikipedia
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