Toy group · Japan
Japanese Chin
Also called Chin, Japanese Spaniel.
Tiny dog, low energy, trains well with consistency.
- Charming
- Noble
- Loving
- Cat-like
- Sensitive
- Size
- Toy
- Weight
- 3 to 5 kg7 to 11 lb
- Lives
- 10 to 12 years
- Energy
- Low
- Trains
- Moderate
- Barks
- Low
Training
Training a Japanese Chin
Toy breeds. Train them like a dog, not an ornament. Small dogs skip the manners work because they can be picked up.
Gentle Approach Required
Start here
Aristocratic nature means they do not respond to harsh treatment: reward generously, correct calmly and rarely.
Cat-Like Independence
Known for cat-like behaviour, climbing, perching, washing face. Respect their independence.
Short Sessions
Flat face limits exercise tolerance. Keep training brief and avoid overheating.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Japanese Chin and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, on video with Atlas and Shango.
Coming to iPhone first. The list hears the day it opens.
At home
Living with one
Bred for company. Small in body, and often bigger in personality than the owner expected.
Gets on with
- ChildrenLow
- Other dogsHigh
- StrangersModerate
- CatsVery High
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 15-20 minutes daily. Short walks and indoor play. Avoid heat and overexertion.
- Grooming
- Moderate maintenance. Weekly brushing. Single coat sheds less than many breeds.
- Drool
- Very Low
- Coat
- Long, Silky, Single coatBlack and White, Red and White, Lemon and White, Sable and White
- In a flat
- Can work, with enough exercise outside it.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Heart Murmurs
Moderate
Heart valve problems common in the breed
Luxating Patella
Moderate
Kneecap displacement requiring monitoring
Brachycephalic Syndrome
Moderate
Breathing issues from flat face structure
Where they come from
History
Ancient Asian breed, likely originating in China before being refined in Japan. Prized by Japanese royalty for centuries. Kept as lapdogs in imperial courts.
- Alexandra's Chins · Queen Alexandra of England helped popularise the breed in the West
