| Japanese Chin: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Japanese Chin personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Japanese Chin, including these excerpts:
"Perky, proud, and playful, the elegant Japanese Chin is less yappy than other toy breeds.
Though he does love to play in the yard, he doesn't need much more exercise than that. The yard must be fenced, for he has a spaniel heritage with just enough hunting instincts to chase birds or butterflies into the street.
A lover of comfort, the Japanese Chin enjoys cuddling on laps and snuggling into soft pillows, his soulful eyes inviting pampering, which he accepts graciously. However, you're just as apt to find him perched high on the back of the sofa, for he is an agile climber, light and graceful on his feet, much like a cat.
This gentle yet merry breed insists on attention and interaction and is a terrific pet for senior citizens. At the other end of the spectrum, he is easily overwhelmed by small children and cannot take rough handling or mischief.
Most Japanese Chin are polite with strangers, though some are standoffish or timid, so socialization is important. He is peaceful with other pets.
Though he has an aristocratic demeanor and definite likes and dislikes, he is also bright, sensitive, and responsive. The little obedience training he needs will go well if you rely on consistency, praise, and food rewards."
History
In Japan, there are Inu (dogs) and there are Chin (royalty). The Japanese Chin once warmed the laps of Chinese aristocracy and kept court with the ladies of the Japanese Imperial Palace.
Size
8-11 inches and about 7 lbs, though larger individuals are common and make sturdy pets |
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Japanese Chin
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is small and pretty, with a short face, large expressive eyes, and a lovely feathered coat
- Is perky and playful
- Adores comfort, cuddling, and snuggling
- Doesn't need much exercise
- Is polite with strangers
- Is peaceful with other pets
A Japanese Chin may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- The fragility of toy breeds (see full decription below)
- A dependent personality that must have companionship most of the day to avoid "separation anxiety" and destructiveness
- Suspiciousness or timidity when not socialized enough
- Frequent brushing and combing
- Heavy shedding
- Health problems
A Japanese Chin may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Japanese Chin... |
My major concerns would be:
- Fragility. Too many people acquire a toy breed puppy without understanding how incredibly fragile a toy breed is. You can seriously injure or kill a Japanese Chin puppy by stepping on him or by sitting on him when he's curled under a blanket or pillow, where he frequently likes to sleep. And Japanese Chin puppies can seriously injure or kill THEMSELVES by leaping from your arms or off the back of your sofa. Owning a toy breed means constant supervision and surveillance of what's going on around your small dog. Japanese Chins must always be kept indoors, in a safely fenced yard, or on-leash -- they are just too easy to injure when not under your complete control.
| If you have small children, I do not recommend Japanese Chin puppies, no matter how well-meaning the child. Small children cannot help being clumsy, and that a child meant well is little solace to a Japanese Chin puppy who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. Even Japanese Chin adults may feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and shyness may be the result. |
- Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Japanese Chins need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They become anxious, which they express through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.
- Providing enough socialization. Japanese Chins need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds so that their natural caution doesn't become suspiciousness or shyness, which are very difficult to live with.
- Grooming. To keep their silky coat short and free of mats, Japanese Chins require regular brushing and combing, and occasional trimming.
- Shedding. The Japanese Chin sheds a lot. You'll find hair all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life.
- Health problems. Because of their short face, Japanese Chins suffer more than their share of health problems.
| Not all Japanese Chin are alike! |
- There are energetic Japanese Chins, and placid Japanese Chins.
- Hard-headed Chins, and sweet-natured Chins.
- Serious Japanese Chins, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Japanese Chins, and Chins who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Japanese Chin puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Japanese Chin... |
There are plenty of adult Japanese Chin who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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