07/31/11

The most reliable source of information for the standards of the Japanese Chin Breed cay be found by visiting the American Kennel Club of the JCCA website. It is our recommendation that anyone interested in purchasing a Japanese Chin should research the breed thoroughly before making their purchase. Chins can vary greatly depending on the breeding of the individual lines. Studying various web sites is a good source of research on the Chin breed.

However, studying the standards as presented at the web site for The American Kennel Club is the most reliable source of information for the Japanese Chin breed.
www.akc.org
JCCA

The Japanese Chin (AKC Toy Group) basic breed History!
For the exact standards of the breed, please visit the AKC website or the JCCA website

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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