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History of the Japanese Chin
Japanese Chin, are one of the most ancient breeds. However, the exact history is a
little hard to determine. Much of the information has been verbally passed down,
from generation to generation. It was left to travelers of the 19th and 20th centuries
to talk to people in Japan who were very knowledgeable about the breed.
It is very likely that they arrived in Japan as most valuable gifts from China and
Korea over 1,100 years ago.
There are various theories about the origin of the breed. One theory is, a prince
from Korea went to Japan bringing a Japanese Chin as a gift for the Mikado in 732
AD. Another is that Buddhist monks brought them from China to Japan when they
went to preach as missionaries in 520 AD. They were said to symbolize the sacred
Lion of Buddha.
Regardless of their exact history, one thing is for sure. Ch’in were treated as royalty,
and were most valuable. They were a luxury for the rich. In fact, only people of
nobility were allowed to own one! In China, they were attended to by whole staffs of
personal servants. They were given daily baths and sprinkled with sweet perfume.
They ate the finest fish and rice and were given luxurious carpets for their beds.
Imperial dog cages were made from white jade and cloisonné’. They were endlessly
pampered. In Japan, dogs were referred to as “Inu yu Chins’” (dogs and Chins) as if
the latter were a distinct species. They were known for their great intelligence and
extreme loyalty.
Every palace had it’s own breeding stock, and these dogs were exclusively mated
with each other. Members of the Japanese court bred as small as possible so the
pets could be carried in the sleeves of the ladies kimonos. Out crosses with other
bloodlines were forbidden. In northern Japan, a much bigger type was bred,
weighing 15 pounds or more. There seem to have been four sizes of Chin dogs in
Japan: the Giant Chin weighing 12-40 pounds, the Classic Chin, weighing 7 to 12
pounds, the Miniature Chin, weighing 4 to 7 lbs and the Sleeve Chin, weighing 1 to 4
pounds.*
This is only a very brief history of the fascinating background of the Japanese Chin.
If you are interested in learning more, the following books will be an excellent read,
and have a much more detailed history.
The Complete Japanese Chin by Pamela Cross Stern & Tom Mather
The Japanese Chin. Dog from the Land of the Rising Sun by Elisabeth Legl
*Japanese Chin Breed History, Chin Chit Chat (Jan 1985)
little hard to determine. Much of the information has been verbally passed down,
from generation to generation. It was left to travelers of the 19th and 20th centuries
to talk to people in Japan who were very knowledgeable about the breed.
It is very likely that they arrived in Japan as most valuable gifts from China and
Korea over 1,100 years ago.
There are various theories about the origin of the breed. One theory is, a prince
from Korea went to Japan bringing a Japanese Chin as a gift for the Mikado in 732
AD. Another is that Buddhist monks brought them from China to Japan when they
went to preach as missionaries in 520 AD. They were said to symbolize the sacred
Lion of Buddha.
Regardless of their exact history, one thing is for sure. Ch’in were treated as royalty,
and were most valuable. They were a luxury for the rich. In fact, only people of
nobility were allowed to own one! In China, they were attended to by whole staffs of
personal servants. They were given daily baths and sprinkled with sweet perfume.
They ate the finest fish and rice and were given luxurious carpets for their beds.
Imperial dog cages were made from white jade and cloisonné’. They were endlessly
pampered. In Japan, dogs were referred to as “Inu yu Chins’” (dogs and Chins) as if
the latter were a distinct species. They were known for their great intelligence and
extreme loyalty.
Every palace had it’s own breeding stock, and these dogs were exclusively mated
with each other. Members of the Japanese court bred as small as possible so the
pets could be carried in the sleeves of the ladies kimonos. Out crosses with other
bloodlines were forbidden. In northern Japan, a much bigger type was bred,
weighing 15 pounds or more. There seem to have been four sizes of Chin dogs in
Japan: the Giant Chin weighing 12-40 pounds, the Classic Chin, weighing 7 to 12
pounds, the Miniature Chin, weighing 4 to 7 lbs and the Sleeve Chin, weighing 1 to 4
pounds.*
This is only a very brief history of the fascinating background of the Japanese Chin.
If you are interested in learning more, the following books will be an excellent read,
and have a much more detailed history.
The Complete Japanese Chin by Pamela Cross Stern & Tom Mather
The Japanese Chin. Dog from the Land of the Rising Sun by Elisabeth Legl
*Japanese Chin Breed History, Chin Chit Chat (Jan 1985)