Japanese Chin
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| Japanese Chin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other names | Japanese Spaniel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country of origin |  Japan |
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| Nicknames | Chin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Japanese Chin (狆), also known as the Japanese Spaniel) is the dog of Japanese Royalty. A lap dog and companion dog, this toy breed is a small spaniel[1] with a distinctive heritage.
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[edit] Description
[edit] Appearance
Japanese Chins stand about 20 to 27 cm (8 to 11 in) in height at the withers and weigh 4 to 12 lbs. They have straight, silky, profuse long hair that is most often black and white, lemon and white, red and white, or rarely black and white with tan points. They have feathered tails that curl up over their backs. Their faces have an "oriental" appearance, with a short, upturned muzzle and large, wide-set eyes that have white visible in the inner corners, creating an astonished expression.
These dogs commonly have a black spot or blaze in the middle of the white fur on their heads known as Buddha's Thumbprint. This designation can be attributed to the Emperor Ming of Han China, who owned many of these dogs.
[edit] Temperament
This breed is considered one of the most cat-like of the dog breeds in attitude: it is alert, intelligent, and often independent, and it uses its paws to wash its face. A companion dog, it is loving and loyal to its owner, yet some are distrustful of new people. Chins prefer familiar surroundings, but do fine in uncomfortable in unfamiliar areas and with new situations.
[edit] Health
This breed's flattened face contributes to some dogs suffering from breathing and heart problems, as is common with such breeds. 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 also has a risk of hypoglycemia under the age of 6 months.
[edit] Care
The Chin's coat needs more than average brushing or combing to maintain its appearance. They shed lightly year-round, and blow their coat twice a year before Winter and end of spring. Without fiber in the diet, they may need to have their anal glands expressed bimonthly. 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. This breed has little or no odor.
Due to low exercise requirements, the Chin makes a perfect condominium or apartment pet. The use of "housetraining pads" is recommended. The Chin is difficult to housetrain during the first 4 months of life, but they become quick studies.
[edit] History
These dogs originated from China's Sichuan Province. The ancestors of these dogs first appeared in Japan around the year 732, as gifts from the rulers of Korea.
Professor Ludvic von Schulmuth studied canine origins by studying the skeletal remains of dogs found in human settlements as long as ten thousand years ago. The Professor created a genealogical tree of Tibetan dogs that shows the "Gobi Desert Kitchen Midden Dog", a scavenger, evolved into the "Small Soft-Coated Drop-Eared Hunting Dog". From this dog evolved the Tibetan Spaniel, Pekingese, and Japanese Chin`. Another branch coming down from the "Kitchen Midden Dog" gave rise to the Papillon and Long-haired Chihuahua and yet another "Kitchen Midden Dog" branch to the Pug and Shih Tzu.
Portuguese sailors introduced the breed to Europe in the 1600s by presenting some to Catherine of Braganza, Queen Consort to King Charles II of England.
An American naval officer, Commodore Perry, helped make this dog famous in England in 1853 when he presented a breeding pair to Queen Victoria after returning from Japan. This was the first canine gift given to the royal family. He is also credited with this breed's appearance in America when he later gave a pair to the President of the United States.
[edit] References
- Muszynski, Julie. Henley: A New York Tail. New York: Glitterati Incorporated, 2005. ISBN 1-57687-253-X
[edit] External links
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