Fun Japanese Chin Facts For Kids

Oluwatosin Michael
Nov 18, 2022 By Oluwatosin Michael
Originally Published on Aug 05, 2021
Edited by Luca Demetriou
Fact-checked by Shreya Yadav
Japanese Chin temperament and Japanese Chin facts are interesting
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 9.1 Min

The Chin, popularly known as the Teacup Chin or Japanese Spaniel, is known for its strabismus of the eyes. Both a companion dog and a lap dog, this toy breed comes with a distinctive heritage. They are fluffy with a silky coat, and one of their greatest assets is that they can make people laugh with their head turns, and Chin spins out of happiness. Along with their cheerful attitude, they also have a little flair for mischief, creating a lot of excitement around when they get hold of something they are not supposed to. They weigh between four to nine pounds, but you do not need to worry about their small size as they can seemingly fly and hum around while taking care of themselves, often being seen as quite cat-like.

These dogs are also brilliant when it comes to training, and with a few positive reinforcement techniques, they will become more agile and obedient. While it is hard not to hold this fluff ball everywhere you go, you need to control this temptation because a bit of a walk can do good to this pup.

Enjoyed reading interesting Japanese Chin dog facts? Do check out our Peekapoo and Snorkie articles for more such fun stuff.
 

Japanese Chin Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Japanese Chin?

Chin is a dog breed from the Canidae family. These toy dog breeds are chosen for their pleasant temperament and attractive traits.

What class of animal does a Japanese Chin belong to?

The Chin Japanese is a part of the Mammalia class. This means that they are mammals in which the female of the species will have mammary glands and will produce milk for its pups post reproduction.

How many Japanese Chins are there in the world?

The Japanese Chin is still considered comparatively rare, and no data is available to determine the exact number of Japanese Chin in the world.

Where does a Japanese Chin live?

Japanese Chin is a friendly companion dog, seen in shelters and households containing large families with kids and other pets in city living conditions.

What is a Japanese Chin's habitat?

These pups do very well indoors with family members and keep themselves entertained even if they live in an apartment. As their exercise needs are significantly less compared to other dogs, they can settle with you in small spaces, except the weather should not be humid or hot.

Who do Japanese Chins live with?

As these canines are toy breeds, their preferred habitat is indoors, along with families and other dog breeds. They also seek a lot of attention and can suffer from separation anxiety if they are left home for a long time.

How long does a Japanese Chin live?

These sensitive dogs' life expectancy is between 12-14 years. The Japanese Chin adapts well to apartment life and happily live with their owners.

How do they reproduce?

The Japanese Chin dog is a rare breed. They reproduce by sexual reproduction and follow the same estrus cycles that every dog breed follows. On average, the female Japanese Chin's litter size is about three puppies at once.

What is their conservation status?

Japanese Spaniels have remained a rare breed, but the conservation status remains 'Least Concern' due to insufficient data on their breeding. If you would love to take this adorable pup home, check with your local shelters and rescue group listings.

Japanese Chins Fun Facts

What do Japanese Chins look like?

Adorable Chin puppy and Chin Japanese facts are fascinating.

With a classic oriental expression, the Japanese Spaniel has a short, broad muzzle, flattish face, V-shaped feathery ears hanging down. Out of everything, their large, wide-set eyes stand out to be the most attractive feature of this toy breed. They project elegance with a large, broad head, bright and intelligent look. While most dogs have an undercoat and overcoat, the Japanese Chin has the only overcoat making it easy maintenance. Their coat is also very fluffy and silky, so most people enjoy carrying them around. They come in various colors such as red and white, black and white with tan points.

How cute are they?

Chin is a toy dog, and most owners cannot get enough of their cuteness, so they will get settled with at least two or three adorable fluffballs. It is said that they are aware of their good looks, especially with their short, broad muzzle, large, wide-set eyes, and puffy tail. They are highly friendly and can get along very well with other dogs and children. Japanese Spaniels are also very cat-like; owners of these puppies find it very interesting to watch their behavior as it is very similar to that of cats.

How do they communicate?

Japanese Chin dogs are highly communicative and use their pleasant temperament and cuteness to trick their owners into giving them treats. As they are known to be lap-dogs, they are great companion dogs and will be the center of the group in an active household. They are usually quiet and well-mannered, only bark when they need to alert the owners. They also do a famous 'Chin spin' to show their excitement.

How big is a Japanese Chin?

Japanese Spaniel breed can grow up to height 8-11 inches to the withers. They look sturdily built with their large, broad head but are small in size overall, this teacup Japanese Chin is best suited to be indoors.

How fast can a Japanese Chin run?

The Japanese Chin dog breed can run up to 10 miles/hour. Their ability to survey their domain and reach high places is frequent. Although it looks like a small gentle dog, it can jump around the house quite a lot with full speed beyond all obstacles. It's best to keep them within fences, so it does not get lost.

How much does a Japanese Chin weigh?

This toy breed can be around 4-11 pounds in weight. This pet is almost half of any medium-sized dog breed.

What are their male and female names of the species?

There are no specific names for the male and female species. A male Chin is known as a dog and a female Chin as a bitch.

What would you call a baby Japanese Chin?

A Japanese Chin puppy, the female parent, is referred to as a dam, and the male parent is called a sire. In general, any dog breed tends to take the common name of puppy for their little one. Hence a baby Japanese Chin will be referred to as a puppy, teacup Chin dogs.

What do they eat?

As a puppy, this dog needs little food to keep up the high energy level, and the food changes can be done as they grow in age. Good high-quality dry dog food or kibble diet up to a quarter or half a cup twice daily depending on their age and weight is recommended; do consult your vet to control your Spaniel's dietary needs to avoid common health and weight-related problems.

Are they hypoallergenic?

As they come with a single coat, they shed much less than other fluffy pet breeds, and Japanese Chin puppies are not hypoallergenic. However, one can easily manage Japanese Chin shedding and dander at home with regular coat brushing. As we know, there is no dog that is 100% hypoallergenic and devoid of dander and shedding; but, this pooch makes an excellent choice for families who do not want to deal with severe allergies. The overcoat is the reason your Chin's shed less than others, and it also provides them with the comfort they need under fluctuating weather conditions. They cannot take hot and humid weather but will do well in moderate to cold temperatures.

Would they make a good pet?

There is no doubt that the Japanese Chin puppy will make an excellent companion for everyone in your home. They are lively, smart, and fun to watch when they indulge in doing some silly tasks. Easily trainable and needing little maintenance and grooming, this pet brings home a lot of happiness and fits well with both experienced and new owners with large families, kids, and other pets at home. They are extremely friendly, and they get along well with strangers.

If you are looking for activities like swimming with your pet, be mindful that they can encounter breathing issues in water due to their unusual small nose, and the weight of their long hair can bring them down. You will not find a better fur friend than the Chin for other outdoor activities and dog sports. Special attention is needed towards early detection of their health problems and regular check-ups with your vet to keep their health in good condition.

Did you know...

In Japan, the Japanese Chin dog breed is considered a higher being than other dog breeds because, as we know it today, the Japanese nobles nurtured this breed. One of the mysteries is why the Japanese Chin is still rare. One of the most ancient breeds whose exact history is undetermined, their ancestors can be traced back more than 1100 years ago, to Korea and China. Contrary to its name, Japanese Chin appears to have originated from China. According to a famous story, a Chinese Emperor gave a couple of Chin to the Japanese Emperor. In the 1600s, sailors from Portugal gifted Chins to Princess Catherine of Braganza, which is an insight into their European records. In 1853, Queen Victoria received a few Chins from admiral Commodore Perry. There are no apparent records of when the United States got their first Chin, but the American Kennel Club recognized the Japanese chins in 1977.

Having your own Japanese Chin

A Chin's temperament is the best of its features, after their obvious good looks. They are obedient and willing to please its owners with their attractive traits. This breed can light up your home with very minimum exercise needs and can get accustomed to your cats and dogs pretty quickly. They are very active with their cat-like personality and rabbit legs and jump around cheerfully. They cannot handle separation anxiety well, so it is advised not to leave them home alone for a long time. They require adequate socialization early to avoid making them shy in front of strangers.

They are also a rare breed, and the Japanese Chin life expectancy is around 12 years on average with the weight of 4-11 pounds. Remember to research the breeders and practices to get a purebred. Japanese Chin dog price may range somewhere between $900 - $1500.

Caring for your Japanese Chin

This Spaniel breed is an energetic and easy to manage pet breed. When you get this puppy home, start the training as early as possible to keep them engaged with dog sports, and they may also get bored quickly, so changing activities is advised. They do not require heavy exercises; just a short walk in a day will suffice. As moderate seasonal shedders, they will need coat combing at least twice a week to avoid tangling the coat.

Key things to note regarding this pooch's common health problems throughout the Japanese Chin lifespan are that they are prone to health problems such as patellar luxation, cataract, and heart murmurs. They may also be affected by Corneal abrasions and cannot withstand anesthesia or heat. Regular eye and knee tests are highly recommended for this breed to keep their health in check.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including dorgi, or Brazilian terrier.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Japanese chin coloring pages.

Japanese Chin Facts

What Did They Prey On?

N/A

What Type of Animal were they?

Omnivore

Average Litter Size?

3

How Much Did They Weigh?

4-11 lb

What habitat Do they Live In?

homes, streets, shelter homes

Where Do They Live?

asia

How Long Were They?

N/A

How Tall Were They?

8-11 in

Class

Mammalia

Genus

Canis

Family

Canidae

Scientific Name

Canis lupus familiaris

What Do They Look Like?

Red and white, black and white, or black and white with tan points

Skin Type

Soft, silky coat

What Are Their Main Threats?

n/a

What is their Conservation Status?

Least Concern
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Written by Oluwatosin Michael

Bachelor of Science specializing in Microbiology

Oluwatosin Michael picture

Oluwatosin MichaelBachelor of Science specializing in Microbiology

With a Bachelor's in Microbiology from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Oluwatosin has honed his skills as an SEO content writer, editor, and growth manager. He has written articles, conducted extensive research, and optimized content for search engines. His expertise extends to leading link-building efforts and revising onboarding strategies. 

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