Japanese Chin
Group: Toy
Size: Small
Coat length: Medium
Grooming required: More than once a week
Coat sheds: No
Home size: Flat, Small or Large House
Garden size: Not required
Lifespan: Over 10 Years
Exercise: Up to 30 minutes per day
They are a toy dog with a broad head, large eyes and short muzzle. They have a very long coat which is white with markings in one colour e.g. black, lemon, sable, red etc. Officially, the nose should match the coloured patch on the coat.
Although called the Japanese Chin, they actually come from China and were bred as a companion dog. They are naturally lively, loyal and affectionate to their owners and are very intelligent. They can be good at learning tricks. They may need to be taught not to be wary of strangers and in turn, children should be taught not to play rough with them but they generally get on well with other animals. They are an active dog indoors and although not in need of a lot of exercise, appreciate a daily walk too.
The coat needs to be brushed regularly and the eyes and ears checked for signs of infection. They are prone to eye and breathing problems and are sensitive to extremes of temperature.