History Of The Japanese Chin

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. For a successive 100 years, there appears to have been a large number of Chins coming into Japan. Historical records also indicate that envoys sent to China (during the Tung Dynasty age 618-910) and north Korea (during the Po H'ai Dynasty age 698-926) brought back dogs of this breed directly. during the reign of the Shogunate Tsunayoshi Tokugawa (1680-1709) the breed was raised as an indoor toy dog in the Castle of Edo.

In 1613 a British, Captain Searles, brought a Chin to England and in 1853 Commodore Perry from the U.S. brought several to the U.S. of which two were presented to Queen Victoria of England.

Since 1868, the Chin has been favored as a lapdog by ladies of the upper classed, and currently is being widely spread as a companion dog.

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Breed Standard

General Appearance: 

Elegant and aristocratic, smart, compact with profuse coat.

Characteristics:

  Intelligent, happy, lively little dog, who has 'look of astonishment' peculiar to this breed.

Temperament:

  Gay, happy, gentle and good-natured.

Head and Skull: 

Large in proportion to size of dog, broad skull, rounded in front, and between ears, but never domed. Nostrils large, black, except in 'Red & Whites' where the colour can be appropriate to markings. Muzzle very short, wide, well cushioned, i.e. upper lips rounded on each side of nostrils, Jaws level.

Eyes:

  Large, dark, set far apart. Most desirable that white shows in the inner corners, giving the characteristic 'look of astonishment' wrongly called 'squint'), which should on no account be lost.

Ears:

  Small, set wide apart, high on the head, carried slightly forward, •• V-shaped, and well feathered.

Mouth:

  Bite preferably level or slightly undershot; wry mouth or tongue showing highly undesirable.

Neck:

  Moderate length, carried proudly.

Forequarters:

  Legs straight, fine bone, giving slender appearance, well feathered down to the feet.

Body:

  Square and compactly built, wide in chest, 'cobby'. Length of body equal to height at withers.

Hindquarters:

  Straight, viewed from behind, good turn of stifle, profusely feathered from the back of thighs.

Feet: 

Slender, Hare-footed, feathered at tips, pointing neither in nor out.

Tail:

  Set high on level back, profusely feathered, closely curved or plumed over back.

Gait/Movement:

  Stylish, straight in movement, lifting the feet high when in motion, no plaiting, and showing no weakness in hind movement.

Coat:

  Profuse, long, soft, straight, of silky texture. Absolutely free from curl or wave, not too flat, having a tendency to stand out especially at frill of neck.

Colour:

  Black and White, or Red and White. Never tricolour. (Red includes all shades of Sable, Lemon or Orange. The brighter and clearer the red the better. Colour evenly distributed on cheeks and ears and as Patches on body. White should be clear, not flecked.

Size: 

Daintier the better, providing type, quality and soundness are not sacrificed. Ideal weight 1.8-3.2kgs. (4-7lbs.).

Faults:

  Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note:

  Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.