Japanese Chin 1098027 224334617 2008-07-08T11:44:51Z 218.102.140.30 <!-- Begin Infobox Dogbreed. The text of the article should go AFTER this section. See: --> <!-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Dog_breeds#Infobox_Dogbreed_template --> <!-- for full explanation of the syntax used in this template. --> {{Infobox Dogbreed | akcgroup = Toy Group | akcstd = http://www.akc.org/breeds/japanese_chin/index.cfm | altname = Japanese Spaniel | ankcgroup = Group 1 (Toys) | ankcstd = http://www.ankc.aust.com/japchin.html | ckcgroup = Group 5 (Toys) | ckcstd = http://www.ckc.ca/Default.aspx?tabid=137&Breed_Code=JPS | country = {{flagicon|China}} [[China]] | fcigroup = 9 | fcinum = 206 | fcisection = 8 | fcistd = http://www.fci.be/uploaded_files/206gb98_en.doc | image = | image_caption = '''One-year-old Japanese Chin'''. A fully mature Chin's coat is long and full. | kcukgroup = Toy | kcukstd = http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/190 | name = Japanese Chin | nickname = Chin | nzkcgroup = Toy | nzkcstd = http://www.nzkc.org.nz/br132.html | ukcgroup = Companion Dogs | ukcstd = http://mail.ukcdogs.com/UKCweb.nsf/80de88211ee3f2dc8525703f004ccb1e/50ac19cc412c61e685257044004f99d4?OpenDocument }} <!-- End Infobox Dogbreed info. Article Begins Here --> The '''Japanese Chin''' (狆), also known as the '''Japanese Spaniel''') is the dog of Japanese Royalty. A [[lap dog]] and [[companion dog]], this [[toy dog|toy]] [[dog breed|breed]] is a small [[spaniel]]<ref>[http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/japanesespaniel.htm Chin Information and Pictures, Japanese Spaniel, Japanese Chin<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> with a distinctive heritage. == Description == ===Appearance=== [[Image:Japanese Chin portrait.jpg|thumb|left|Japanese Chins have a distinctive face.]] [[Image:Czin japoński 554.jpg|thumb|right|Japanese Chins tend to pant a lot.]] 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 [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]]'s Thumbprint. This designation can be attributed to the [[Emperor Ming of Han China]], who owned many of these dogs. ===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. ==Health== [[Image:Japanese Chin red.jpg|thumb|A red and white Japanese Chin]] This breed's flattened face contributes to some dogs suffering from breathing and heart problems, as is common with such breeds. [[Luxating patella]]s (knees) and [[heart murmur]]s are other genetically predisposed conditions. The oversized eyes are easily scratched and corneal scratches or more serious [[corneal ulcers in animals|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. [[Image:japanese chin 6 months old.jpg|thumb|A 6 month old Japanese Chin]] ==Care== The Chin's [[coat (dog)|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 fold]]s in and around the nose and flattened facial area can trap moisture and cause [[fungus|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. ==History== [[Image:japanesechins.jpg|thumb|A Japanese Chin puppy with an adult Japanese Chin.]] 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 (dog)|Papillon]] and Long-haired [[Chihuahua (dog)|Chihuahua]] and yet another "Kitchen Midden Dog" branch to the [[Pug]] and [[Shih Tzu]]. [[Portugal|Portuguese]] sailors introduced the breed to [[Europe]] in the [[1600s]] by presenting some to [[Catherine of Braganza]], [[Queen Consort]] to [[Monarch|King]] [[Charles II of England]]. An American naval officer, [[Matthew Calbraith Perry|Commodore Perry]], helped make this dog famous in [[England]] in [[1853]] when he presented a breeding pair to [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|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]]. ==References== <references/> * Muszynski, Julie. ''Henley: A New York Tail.'' New York: Glitterati Incorporated, 2005. ISBN 1-57687-253-X ==External links== {{commons}} * [http://www.japanesechinonline.org Japanese Chin Club of America] * [http://www.japanesechinclub.co.uk Japanese Chin Club UK] * [http://www.japanesechinrescue.org Japanese Chin Care & Rescue Effort] {{Toy dogs}} {{Spaniels}} [[Category:Dog breeds]] [[Category:Dog breeds originating in Japan]] [[Category:Companion dogs]] [[Category:Toy dogs]] [[Category:Spaniels]] [[de:Japan Chin]] [[he:צ'ין יפני]] [[nl:Japanse spaniël]] [[ja:狆]] [[no:Japanese chin]] [[pl:Chin japoński]] [[sr:Јапански чин]] [[fi:Japanese chin]] [[sv:Japanese chin]] [[tr:Japon köpeği]] [[zh:日本狆]]