The Japanese Chin is a small breed of toy dog that is used as a lap dog, a companion dog, and pet. They sound cute and cuddly and are wonderful dogs to own. Often people think that when dogs are small, they are very easy to care for. In many cases this is true, but often it can be the opposite. In the case of the Japanese Chin, it is not necessarily true either. They may be fun to own and spend time with, but they can also be very high maintenance.
The Japanese Chin is a very loyal dog with its family, but can be very mistrusting of new people it meets. This is often difficult for the owner when they have guests in their home. As small as the Chin is, they can cause quite a ruckus when they are bothered by something. Because of their small size, many owners enjoy taking their Chin with them when they go out; however, the Chin is usually very uncomfortable in new and unfamiliar places and situations. They are particularly nippy with young children. Children, especially unfamiliar ones, should be discouraged from approaching the Japanese Chin, whether in his own home or away from home.
The Japanese Chin is a beautiful dog with a sleek and glossy coat, but it needs a lot of work to keep it that way. You will not get by with just the occasional brushing or combing. Their coat should be brushed daily to keep its nice appearance. They shed lightly, but do it all year long. They need to be groomed much more regularly than most dogs.
You need to make sure they have sufficient fiber in their daily diet or they will have to have their anal glands expressed every month or so. They also have problems with excess moisture accumulating around their nose which can cause a fungal infection. This problem is usually caused by their over-sized eyes. Their face should be wiped clean and always dried.
They are not as easy to housebreak as many dogs. Some of the Chins are not housebroken until they are at least 4 months old. Even when they are housebroken, they can only hold it for a couple of hours, due to their small size. They also cannot stand the heat or humidity, so they can't just be put outside in the heat and left there or they may suffer from heat illnesses. When taking your Japanese Chin outside for daily walks, it should be done in the mornings or evenings when the temperature is cooler.
Although many of the needs of the Japanese Chin dog indicate that it is slightly high-maintenance, there are still many owners that feel they are more than worth the extra effort. A Japanese Chin can offer you many years of dedication, love, and loyalty.
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