Japanese Chin

Chin, Japanese Spaniel

Family: CanidaeCanis lupus familiarisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Justin Brough

A toy spaniel breed, the adorable Japanese Chin is a small indoor dog!

The Japanese Chin, also known as the Japanese Spaniel, is one of those lovely little toy dogs that don't need much activity. That makes the Chin dog a great companion animal for people who live in apartments, as well as those with a more sedentary lifestyles. It is beloved for its mild-mannered and affectionate temperament.

The Chin is very loyal to its owner, but it also tends to get along with everyone in the household. This includes not only other people, but dogs and other pets as well. There are some Japanese Chin health concerns to be aware of. These small dog breeds are prone to genetic knee and heart problems. When choosing a Chin, it is wise to check its bloodlines and medical records to help identify possible problems.

Common Name(s) Japanese Chin, Chin, Japanese Spaniel

Breed Type The Japanese Chin is a toy spaniel breed. This breed makes a great companion, and is best suited to areas with moderate climates. The Chin is sensitive to extremes in temperature.

Background The Chin is thought to have originated in China or Korea. It was, however, developed in Japan and became a favorite of the country's royalty. The breed became very popular in 1853, when Queen Victoria received a pair of them as a gift from Commodore Perry. The Chin is divided into two classes by weight: Under 7 pounds and over 7 pounds.

Description The Japanese Chin is 7-11 inches tall and weighs 4-15 pounds. Its long hair is white with patches of black, red, lemon, orange, sable, or brindle. The nose is short and wide, and its color matches the dog's markings. The Chin's eyes are large, protruding and dark, and its ears upside-down and V-shaped.

Care and Feeding A Chin's diet should ideally consist of foods that contain fish, poultry, white rice, corn, and soy. They need an adequate amount of fiber in their diets. Teeth cleaning chews are also good for their dental health. This breed needs daily brushing to keep its coat in good condition. Dry shampoo is usually sufficient, and the dog should be bathed only when necessary. Its eyes and ears should be checked regularly for infection.
The regular vaccination schedule is as follows; however, since some lines of Chins are prone to distemper, your veterinarian may choose to adjust the schedule:

• 6-8 weeks: Distemper, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo, and Corona virus (DHLPPC)
• 10-12 weeks: Second DHLPPC
• 14-16 weeks: Third DHLPPC and rabies
• Annually: DHLPPC and rabies booster
  

The Japanese Chin sheds year round, and blows its coat twice a year. Therefore, regular vacuuming is necessary.

Housing Your Dog Chins are indoor dogs, and they do not require a lot of space. They are content in a house or an apartment, and with or without a yard. They require moderate temperatures.

Social Behaviors Japanese Chins do well with other dogs and all sorts of other pets. They are also gentle with children, but are not recommended for smaller children who may not be as gentle with them.

Handling and Training Housetraining may go slowly with the Chin at first, up to about 4 months of age. After that they usually do well. They are also good at learning obedience and tricks.

Activities Chins do not need much exercise. Just a daily walk and normal play should suffice.

Breeding/Reproduction When considering a mate for your Chin, it is important to check the potential mate's bloodlines for heart and knee problems. As with any small dog, females may need Cesarean sections when giving birth if the puppies are large.

Common Health Problems Because of its large and protruding eyes, the Japanese Chin often suffers from eye problems. Corneal scratches and ulcerations are not uncommon, and depending on their severity may require emergency care. This breed often suffers from breathing problems due to the shape of its nose.

Availability Japanese Chins are fairly easy to find from breeders. Prices average around $500.

References "Japanese Spaniel", Dog Breed Info Center, Copyright 1998-2008
"Japanese Chin", Wikipedia, Copyright 2008
Cusick, William D., "What to Feed a Japanese Chin", Referenced online, 2008
"Japanese Chin Puppies for Sale", Copyright PuppyFind.com, LLC, Referenced online, 2008

Lastest Animal Stories on Japanese Chin View all 13 Animal Stories on Japanese Chin Add Your Animal Story

Janet - 2011-01-17 I have a 5 year old Japanese chin she has gone blind overnight and I need some help I took her to the vet and she was put on steroids she is completely blind in one eye and almost all in the other, I cry all day don't know what to do for her can someone tell me what to do? brandy - 2011-06-27 Love your puppy a lot. If it was the other way around he'd still love you and take care of you if you were the blind one. brandy - 2011-06-27 Love your puppy a lot. If it was the other way around he'd still love you and take care of you if you were the blind one. Charlie Roche - 2011-06-28 I know you feel terrible and I know this is hard but it is much harder for you than the pup. I have seen blind dogs (dogs that could not see anything at all) and I had a totally blind cat. They had no problem at all. They do not know they have a problem. They adjust. You obviously can't let your dog out to go running around the neighborhood but you didn't before. Your pup will be on his leash and just walk right beside you like hehas always done making even better use of his sence of smell and hearing. He will find you in the home and find his way around the home. Maybe sometimes you will hear him bark because he is in a room and forgot where he was but just call his name and he will come to you. You know there is a problem and for us humans it is a very difficult problem. However, for your pup, with your love, he will be the same wonderful little creature he has always been. Don't cry - give him a hug. donna - 2011-10-16 Hi, Please dont panic. There is a site called www.blinddogs.com. You might have to register on yahoo. They have so much info. I have raised a blind from birth pug pup who lived for 7 years and it was the best 7 years of my life. Your girl will adjust. Eyesight is as important to a dogs as the sense of hearing and smell. The website will give you tons on info. good luck donna Reply

Jonathan Seer - 2009-09-18 A Chin's diet should ideally consist of foods that contain fish, poultry, white rice, corn, and soy. WHAT, this is NONSENSE - and straight from a Dog Food product! Gee no wonder Chins don't live very long!!! Soy is a huge reason why dogs in general have so many skin conditions and infections 0 and Japanese Chins are particularly susceptible. Soy isoflavins are "estrogen precursors" and dog food companies KNOW this, but don't care, because it's a super cheap way to bulk up dog food. Isoflavens, being estrogen related compounds, play havoc with a Japanese Chin's reproductive system, and help make them far more suseptable to reproductive illnesses, because they're hormones are always way out of balance thanks to SOY! Corn, gluten? Gee if millions of humans suffer from the horrible condition known as ciliac disease from eating this, what do you think it does to a Japanese Chin? I mean we're omnivores and eat plant and animals. Japanese Chins no matter what they eat have a digestive tract designed to process animal products ONLY. If Corn and the often included gluten are so bad for us humans, it's can be toxic, life-threatening to Japanese Chins - thus they're much shorter than usual lifespan. IDEALLY, being a carnivore, Japanese Chins should have a diet consisting of meat by products, bone by products, bones, meat, animal organs. They'll eat lots of other things, but unless it's animal based, they won't be able to digest it, and quite often be hypersensative to plant compounds that are perfectly fine for humans. I'm an owner of many chins for several years, and NONE of mine EVER get sick. The only reason they've ever gone to the vet is for shots. They do NOT have skin problems, NO breathing problems, NO knee problems and so on and so on - and it's because I feed them the way carnivores should be fed. Kelly - 2010-02-26 Your comments make a lot of sense. I have a japanese chin and dont want to feed him processed pet food. What do you recomend a good homemade "carnivores" diet should be? Kiyo - 2010-11-26 So what do carnivores eat or what do you exactly feed them, I have a 6 years old chin and I am trying to figure out what exactly to feed him. raven - 2013-03-29 I have a chin mix, who will not eat dog food.When she was younger it was real hard to keep her sugar and weight up. But her vet said to feed her fish. She is thriving now. :) but she still will not touch dog food or store bought dog treats. Helen - 2013-04-22 Can you tell me what you feed your chins we have a 5 month old pup and have been feeding him eukanuba small breed puppy food as recommended by the breeder but he has become bored of this so we have given him chicken ,salmon ,mackerel,sardines and turkey but feel he needs a high quality cibble to achieve a balanced diet and healthy coat please help Reply

carolyn - 2012-02-05 Hi I bought my dog Roscoe 2 years ago..breader said it was a pekingese ..but I starting to think he is a Jap. chin ..I can't tell the differnce ..I have a picture if anyone could help Clarice Brough - 2012-02-16 I would suggest you check with your breeder. Possibly it didn't demonstrate enough of the show qualities of a perfect Pekingese, so was sold as a pet. That could account for some of the variability in its traits. robin - 2013-02-06 I know that you posted awhile ago, but I can help you. send me a picture and I will help Reply

Keri - 2012-07-11 I recently bought a japanese chin and he does well until he gets really tired then if you touch him he goes crazy and bites and growls at you. But that is the only time he is usually really calm and quiet. Does anyone know why? Charlie Roche - 2012-07-11 Many companion pets have similar traits.  They are 1000% fine but if they are tired or sleeping and you disrupt them, they can get a little ticked off.  Many humans have this trait as well.  I don't think it is that your puppy is overly agressive - just that it wants to sleep or rest.  Reply

Joan Adleman - 2011-05-24 I have a one year old Japanese Chin that gives me lots of love and laughter. She loves her toys and plays a lot. Only problem with her is I can't find food that she likes and eats. BY HERSELF. I gave her and still do wet food and if I sit and hand feed her she will eat most of it. If I am with her and put hard food on the floor (not in a dish) she will play around eating it. I really need help as I am afraid she will get sick. What kind of food should I give her or as some tell me let her go a day or two and she will eat but that is so hard to do. She likes her doggy treats and bones but only gets 2 little bones a day and 2 treats a day. Any ideas I'd appreciate. Charlie Roche - 2011-05-24 OK been there and done that. I had two Great Pyrenes (two sisters) one named Sugar and one named Shack. I got them when they were about 3 months old. Well Sugar ate just fine but Shack just wouldn't eat unless I sat in the floor and fed her. Sugar weighed more and would gobble everything down and Shack and I would still be sitting on the floor while I fed Shack. Great Pyrenes are not small. After many weeks, I am now sitting on the floor after mixing in hot dogs, soup, ground meat etc into Shacks food to get her to eat because she was 15 pounds lighter than Sugar but weighed 60 pounds, I am still feeding Shack by hand sitting on the floor. My daughter finally says "Mom, are you nuts?" I taught the dog to not eat unless I hand fed her or improved whatever her diet was via soup, hotdogs, broth, hamberger etc. Now why she did not weigh as much as Sugar, I don't know. Possibly she got bored cuz it took me so long to feed her. I do know I did stop and it took a couple of days of Shack begging and me being firm before Shack finally ate on her own without problems. She caught up to Sugar in weight. Thank goodness because they weighed about 100 pounds apiece. Now a Japanese Chin is a little fella and I am sure you are worried but possibly he has you trained like mine trained me. Enjoy and they can always make you laugh. Good luck. Pam - 2011-11-24 My Jap Chin loves Iams small bites. I think its in a blue bag. He even eats the cats food. Paul Yip - 2011-12-30 First of all, an hungry dog is an healthy dog. So, I'm suggesting to cut off all treats, these 6 lb dogs can not eat too much a day, and do not hand feed, every meal give a little more than quarter cup with high quality food, 2 meals a day. At first few days, to give the food only 10-15 minutes, and then take the food away to make her hungry. Later she will eat herself. I have a Japanese Chin from a championship breeder, (please check it out from my facebook) I feed him a little than 1/4 cup dry food at mornings and a medium scoop of fresh raw ground beef mixed up veggie and rice (actually, the raw beef is the best food for dog). If you would like to know how to make raw beef dog food, please let me know. sol barket - 2012-01-18 I have two Japanese Chins. Brother and sister, two years old. I have tried the better foods and my dogs seems to like Fromm. I think they make a good food. I would stay away from beef based foods. I just got a new blend. Fromms, Game Bird Receipe for Dogs, grain free. I bought a bag of the Pure Vita, they did not like it. I started them out on Wysong as pups and they did well on that food. The Fromm is easily available, where the Wysong I had to mail order from the company. Chins can be picky about their food. I hope this helps. Reply

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