The Japanese Chin is a dainty breed somewhat resembling the spaniel
with a short, broad face, and a soft, feathered coat. A thick ruff of hair
covers the neck and chest. The forehead is quite round, with a
well-defined top. The nose is wide and the nostrils open. The Chin's
expressive eyes are dark and round in shape and lustrous.
A small amount of white showing in the inner corners
of the eyes is a breed characteristic that gives the dog a look of
astonishment. Muzzle-short and
broad with well-cushioned cheeks and rounded upper lips that cover the
teeth. The V-shaped feathered ears are pendant in shape. The body should
have about the same height as length. The front legs are straight and
fine-boned. The coat comes in white with colored patches, most often
black, but sometimes red, yellow, orange, sable or brindle. The feathered
tail curls up over the back of the body. The Japanese Chin has an elegant
high-stepping gait.
There are different theories as
to the origin of the Japanese Chin, also referred to as the Japanese
Spaniel. One theory is that the Chin breed derived from the
Pekingese "like" dog that was brought to Japan by Zen Buddhist monks in
the AD500s. The other theory is that it descended from a lap-dog
sent as a present in AD732 to the Emperor of Japan from Korea.
According to ancient documents, it is assumed that the ancestors of the
Chin were presented as a gift from the rulers of Korea during the Silla
Dynasty age 377-935 to the Japanese court in 732.
The Chin breed is similar to the
Pekingese, but the Chin is longer in the leg and lighter in weight.
Since 1868, the Chin has been favored as a lap-dog by ladies of the upper
classed, and currently is being widely introduced as a companion dog.
Whatever its
ancestry, for more than 1000 years, this little dog was a favorite of
Japanese emperors who decreed that it should be worshipped. It is said
that smaller Chins were sometimes kept in hanging cages like pet birds.
Despite his name, the Japanese Chin probably originated in Korea or China
and was later developed in Japan. The breed became a favorite of the
Japanese Court, and was often offered as a royal gift. A pair of these
dear little companion dogs was given by Commodore Perry to Queen Victoria in
1853 when he returned from his historic mission to open Japan to world
trade. The breed first made an appearance in the British show ring
in 1862 and, some 20 years later, started being exhibited in the United
States.
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