The origin of the Japanese Chin is clouded in the mysticism of Far Eastern ancient rites. Small dogs were known to have crisscrossed the Silk Road accompanying travelers as both presentations of trade and companions on the long journeys. Some of these dogs became the pets of Buddhist Monks, who nurtured and mated various types in their sheltered monasteries. Eventually, these little pets were given as gifts to traveling dignitaries. They quickly assumed their rightful position in the Imperial palaces, where they were closely kept and guarded for the Imperial family by private eunuchs who were charged with looking after the little dogs' every need, every desire. Mere peasants were not allowed to own them as the small dogs became treasures more valuable than gold.

Navigating the globe by ship soon changed the way merchants traded their goods:- "During the fifteenth century, traders from the west arrived by sea using merchant ships. Looking for good will and favorable deals, they always brought gifts for members of the local nobility and government. Included as items of good will were usually a couple of dogs from the native lands - some dogs were large hunters, while others were of the small lap type. Eventually, these little dogs were crossed with the existing 'pai' dogs, whose roots rested with the caravans of the Silk Road, and other varieties emerged. Countries such as Portugal, Italy, Spain, Holland, England, and later the United States, covered the seas in search of trade and wealth changing the lives of all involved, including the little dogs.

"As relations between the various countries swayed to and fro, so did the fate of the small four-legged creatures. They were presents of peace, bounties of war and purveyors of trade. Gradually, particular types began to materialize as households specialized in one foundation aspect or another of key breed characteristics. Various toy breeds, among them the Pekingese, Tibetan Spaniel, Shih Tzu, Pug and Japanese Chin, owe their origins to cultivation in the Far East."

The name Japanese Chin is actually a misnomer for the breed owes its basic origins not to Japan, but to China. It has long been surmised that the Japanese Chin and Pekingese were once the same breed with the Pekingese having been bred out to create the short, bowed-legged, long-backed, pear-shape bodied breed of dog known today. The Chin is believed to have been kept basically pure, but in searching through Far Eastern works of art dating from the 17th to 20th Century, several patterns clearly emerge: 1) an early small Japanese dog resembled the old Continental Toy Spaniel of Europe - aristocratic in bearing, square-bodied, up-on-the leg, distinctive long muzzle and luxurious flowing silky coat; 2) the Chinese Chin was the flat-faced, straight-legged, a bit long-backed, parti-color dog called the Imperial Ch'in; and 3) these two types were blended together to bring about the Japanese Chin of today - a dainty, square-bodied, flat-faced, and richly coated, elegant toy breed.


Breed history credited to American Kennel Club.