Japanese Chin Dog

The Japanese chin dog belongs to one of the exotic dog breeds that actually originated in China. They were presented as gifts to the Empress of Japan. As such, they came to be maintained and bred by the nobility of the country, and this resulted in the development of the dog breed of different standards. As such, you may find a variation in the coat density, personality, fragility, eye set and bone structure in different Japanese chin dogs. Overall, they are small and lively dogs, that are elegant and playful. They have a thick coat, and move gracefully, almost like cats. They are related to other eastern breeds such as the Tibetan spaniel, the Shih Tzu and the Pekingese.

Appearance and Temperament

The Japanese chin dog is a small and fragile dog, with a height that may range between 8 inches to 11 inches, while weight which will be between 4 pounds to 11 pounds. Its face is flat, and has large eyes that are set wide apart, while its coat is long, soft and silky.

The Japanese chin dog makes a great companion dog, simply because of its intelligent, affectionate and playful nature. It is alert, and warms up to every family member in the house. It enjoys being with its owner, following it around, and cuddling up at every opportunity. At times they may be wary of strangers, but mostly gel well with almost anyone around, including children and other pets. Though they love to be independent, they are sensitive and enjoy being with their owners. They are very obedient and quick learners and thus, can be easily trained. As such, they would make a great option for newbies who wish to adopt a dog for a pet. However, since they are fragile, they would not make great companions for very young children, as they may not be able to deal with the rough manner in which children usually handle pets. Also, they may suffer from separation anxiety, and thus require a good amount of attention. Exposing them to different people and types of environment will make them accustomed to change without getting anxious.

Regular Care, Environment and Health

Taking care of a Japanese chin dog involves the following:

• Combing its coat at least twice a week, to keep it tangle free.
• Shampooing occasionally as it keeps itself clean.
• Keeping the eyes and ears clean at all times to prevent the occurrence of infections.
• Taking it for short walks daily, and spending 'play time' with it.
• This dog breed is prone to heavy shedding, so that is something you may have to get used to.

Though this dog breed has a low activity level, it is important to give it a daily dose of exercise, as is the case with any other dog breed. Due to its easily adaptable nature, the Japanese chin dog can be brought up and maintained in a rural or urban environment. As such, they even make good apartment dogs.

This fragile dog breed may be prone to the following dog health problems.

• Since it is a flat-nosed dog breed, it is prone to several breathing and heart problems.
• It is important to avoid extreme temperature conditions with this breed, mainly heat, as it cannot adapt to very hot and humid conditions.
• Genetically, a Japanese chin may be prone to knee problems such as dislocation.
• Since its eyes are large, they can be easily scratched that may go on to become serious ulcerations.
• This breed may have a few seasonal allergies.
• Also, as it is a small breed, it is at a higher risk of developing low sugar levels, especially as a puppy, till it matures.
• The small size also contributes to a whelping problem among this breed.

If a Japanese chin dog is well taken care of, its life span can range anywhere between 9 and 12 years. .

So if you've decided to get yourself this wonderful little companion, rush to any of the breeders in your locality, and enjoy the company of this breed of Japanese royalty!