The Japanese Chin is a wonderful breed but it is NOT the breed for everyone. Like everything in life, there is some work involved. Owning a Japanese Chin is no different. Please research the breed and spend time with a Japanese Chin to determine if this is the right breed for you? Do you have a secure fenced yard (we do not consider invisible fencing "secure") or are you willing to take the dog on walks several times a day ALWAYS on a leash? Your Chin can be run over, killed by a larger dog, lost or stolen by not being kept on a leash when outside of a secure fence. The smaller ones can also be picked up by a hawk or an owl when unsupervised.
 
If you are considering breeding your pet Chin please ask yourself how you will feel if your bitch dies during a difficult whelping. I have personally lost a much loved bitch just after an emergency c-section. 2 of her 3 pups also died. I hand raised her remaining puppy, bottle feeding her every two hours around the clock. How will you be able to hand raise a litter if you work outside your home and your boss is not sympathetic to your situation?
There are also several health concerns that you should be aware of and test your dogs for before breeding. We test eyes, hearts & patella's on all breeding dogs and watch carefully for any signs of seizures. Testing can be expensive but is absolutely necessary if you want to breed healthy dogs.
Food
I feed a mixture of Pro Plan and Bil Jac. I do not feed canned food or soak the dry food. Toy breeds are notorious about having bad teeth and I feel that feeding dry food helps to keep their teeth cleaner.
 Off  the Furniture????
Japanese Chin are said to be part cat. They love to jump and climb on furniture. They love to sit by you on the couch and to sleep with you. They are a very affectionate breed and love to lay either beside you or in your lap. If you don't want to share you seat and bed with a dog, you should probably choose another breed that is more independant. If you don't allow dogs on your furniture, then you might do better choosing another breed.  It is very hard to teach these loving, affectionate dogs to stay off the furniture because of their desire to be with you.
Potty training
Like many toy breeds, the Japanese Chin can be diffucult to housetrain, but it can be done. It takes patience, praise, and consistency. The use of a crate is also recommended. Your breeder can instruct you on the PROPER way to use a crate.
Harsh punishment does NOT work with Japanese Chins. They are far too sensitive for that and a firm voice is usually more than enough. Don't hit, yell or scream at your puppy. This will just teach him to be afraid of you.
Fleas & Ticks
I use Frontline Plus on all of my dogs. I have tried other brands but they either didn't work as well (or at all) or caused reactions ranging from just drooling to exibitiong severe toxic reactions. I have never seen a reaction to Frontline.
Heartworm Preventative
Your new puppy is on Liquid Ivomec on the first of each month for the prevention of heartworms, a disease that can kill your dog. Even the treatment can kill instead of curing your dog, so prevention is best. Your puppy will come with a shot record and the date he needs his preventative. This has to be given once every month. Even if your dog lives indoors, he still needs to be on preventative. He could still be bit by a mosquito in the short time he is outdoors. Mosquitoes also come indoors so can bite your puppy inside your home too. We give heartworm preventative year round here in the south.

Breathing
Being a bracyecephyalic breed (short nosed), you will notice several things about Chin and their breathing. They will snort and sneeze. We call it snoting, as they will blow a fine spray all over your face. These dogs are more succeptible to hot weather and over heating than other breeds. Chin are not a breed that does well being left outside all day. They should be in your house when you are away from home, especially in hot or cold weather. NEVER leave your Chin in a car unattended. They will overheat and die VERY quickly.
Short nosed dogs will sometimes make a strange sound called a backwards sneeze or backwards hiccup. It sounds like they can't pull in enough air, kind of like an asthma attack. It's difficult to describe but you will know it when you hear it. It is nothing to worry about but is very scary if you don't know what it is. Sometimes it is a reaction to nervousness or fear. Rubbing the underside of their neck sometimes helps, and sometimes you can wrap your hands around their ribcage and gently apply pressure and they will stop. Make sure you don't squeeze hard. You have to be firm but gentle at the same time.
Bathing
For regular grooming with a dog that I'm not showing, I use Panteen Pro-V or Tresseme shampoo. Always use a good condtioner and make sure you rinse well. Not only will it keep the coat in good condition, it will also prevent static, which will cause the coat to break. Always rinse well so as not to leave anything on the coat that will irritate the skin.
For dogs that I'm showing I use Pet Silk and #1 All Systems products.
Shedding
I've been told that Chin don't shed, but my dogs havn't heard it yet.
They will shed their winter coat in the spring just like all other dogs but they also shed some year round. Give a warm bath and brush daily and you will help him get his yearly shed over with sooner.
Your puppy will start losing his puppy coat at about 5 months old. This will soon be replaced with his first adult coat. He will also go through major shedding after he is spayed or neutered, or  any other type of surgery. This is a side effect of the anethesia and he will grow it back. If you can't stand hair on your furniture, you might do better with another breed. With just one or a few Chins, it isn't as noticable as with many.
Teething
Like all babies, human or animal, Chin puppies have to lose their baby teeth to make room for their adult teeth to come in.  During this time provide your puppy with plenty to chew on.  Your puppy may not feel good some of the time, his mouth may be sore, and he will want to chew on everything. Sometimes the baby teeth will not come out and will have to be pulled so the adult teeth can come in. Check your puppy's mouth often during teething to make sure there is no problem and the adult teeth have plenty of room.
Distructive behaviour
Chin are really not that distructive. They do chew but don't do that much damage.
Hernias
A lot of Chin have unbilical hernias. Small ones don't need surgery and a lot of times will go away on it's own, but if it is larger it may need to be repaired. I recommend that it be done at the same time as his neutering.
Spaying & Neutering
Spaying your bitch or neutering your male will prevent certain health problems from occuring. It will also keep from bringing into this world more pets where too many are being put to sleep simply because they are unwanted and unloved. If you purchased your puppy from me as a pet, he/she is required to be neutered or spayed.
Temperament
Japanese Chin are extremely sensitive. Their feelings are hurt and they DO POUT! They also hold a grudge and may stay mad at you for days at a time. Because of their sensitive personality, a verbal correction is more than sufficient.
The Japanese Chin is loving and affectionate with those he knows and loves, but can be reserved with strangers or in new situations. They are not like labs or goldens so if it is important to you for your dog to love meeting strangers, then you may want to choose another breed that is more outgoing.

Chin usually get along well with other breeds but if you have a large breed dog, please make sure they are gentle with the Chin and ALWAYS supervise them.

Manners
A lot of people mistakenly believe that toy dogs do not need obedience training, and that because of their small size they can't do much damage. I believe they still need to be taught manners and to at least stand for examination. This will come in handy at the vet. The dog needs to be taught not to jump on people, chew furniture, etc. If you choose to go to an obedience class with your Chin, please make sure the instructor is familiar with toys breeds and particularly the sensitive nature of Chin.

Other Information On Japanese Chin