Japanese Chin Picture Gallery

Japanese Chin Breeders

Japanese Chin Clubs/Associations

The Full Japanese Chin Description

The Japanese Chin is bright and alert and likes being clean and tidy. He is playful. Sometimes he'll even make up his own tricks to show off to his audience of friends.

Did you know?

In Japan, there are Inu (dogs) and there are Chin. To the Japanese the distinction needs no clarification. Chin are royalty. They are descendants of dogs that warmed the laps of Chinese aristocracy and kept court with the ladies of the Imperial Palace.

So you want to own a Japanese Chin?

He is naturally clean and makes an ideal pet who can thrive in most any climate.
A Japanese Chin is a good companion, bright and alert.
He is sensitive, though, with definite likes and dislikes, but rarely, if ever, does he forget friend or foe.

Indicative 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 and 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 characteristic look of astonishment (wrongly called squint), which
should on no account be lost.

Ears

Small, set wide apart, high on head, carried slightly forward, V-shaped, 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 1.8-3.2 kgs (4-7 lbs).