AJCs Dog Lovers Gift Store
Breed Boutique & Gift
|
JAPANESE CHIN HISTORY AND INFORMATION If you are interested in raising one of our puppies or just interested in the Japanese Chin dog breed then we ask you to read the following information and advice. If you purchase one of our puppies you will receive an entire packet of information because we want you to be well informed and have the knowledge necessary to raise a healthy happy Japanese Chin.
|
 |
The Japanese Chin, as a family pet is unrivaled. Intelligence is just one of the reasons Chins make great companions. If you have chosen a Japanese Chin then your choice has been a wise one, and you will have a true friend who will share your joys and sorrows with the understanding of a human being and a dog’s never-failing love. He is an aristocrat who must rule and will soon position himself as the head of any household. He will command the love and affection of every member of the household including all other pets. Chins love anyone who loves them and are extremely loyal to their owner. They have some cat-like features in the way they lightly prance around and will often cross their paws in front of them in a dainty little pose. They will also use their front paws to scoop food and other objects, which is not known of any other dog breed. Few breeds are so quick to read your thoughts and adapt their own behavior to the mood of the moment. They have almost human thoughts and actions and are very people oriented. They will act as you act, if you’re excited they will get excited and start doing their infamous ‘chin-spins’. If you’re quietly sitting around reading a book, they will curl up next to you and sit content just to be near you. Full of courage, even tempered and above all a quiet dog.
There is undoubtedly a close relationship between the Japanese Chin and the other small short-faced eastern breeds – the Tibetan Spaniel, Shih tzu and the Pekingese. Some have confused the Japanese Chin as a longhaired Pug. More than likely all of these dogs evolved from a common ancestor. It is believed however that the Japanese Chin is the best preserved descendent of the old Chinese dog.
The name “Chin” has a debated origin, some believe it derived from “China”. Some say that it came from the Japanese meaning of chin which is “order to sit down” “to give a reward” or “to do a lot of tricks”. Some believe the breed at one time was called “Makura Tsin” (makura=cushion) a name that suggest a pampered, existence sitting on a tasseled cushion. The Japanese Chin has been called many things from the Japanese Pug and to Japanese Terrier. In Holland it is sometimes called “the child of royalty” and in Scandinavian countries was once referred to as the “Sun Dog”.
Although named the "Japanese" Chin this breed was actually developed in an area close to Peking, China. In the first century A.D. they were know as the ‘Lion Dog’ and the prized companion of Emperor Ming Ti who abandoned his faith and converted to Buddhism. He believed these Lion Dogs were touched by Buddha and hence the white spot on the forehead is named “Buddha’s Thumbprint”. In his Imperial Palace the highest honors of the land were bestowed upon these dogs. They were attended to by numerous personnel. When taken outside for exercise they were carried in luxurious palanquins and given daily baths and sprinkled with perfume. They were fed the daintiest of foods and petted and pampered constantly. The precious Lion Dogs were forbidden to be taken outside the Palace and torturous deaths came to those who attempted the horrible crime.
With the arrival of the Buddhist philosophy to Japan, the cult of the lion dog spread to that country as well. The Chin was taken to the island empire of Japan in the 10th Century where it became a favorite of the Emperor. It was often given as a ceremonial gift to royalty or visiting dignitaries. They were ruling class companions, developed for their beauty, intelligence and affection. They were greatly prized and carefully guarded.
Sometime during the late 16th Century, a Dutch Trader named Kaempfer was permitted a "limited" visit to Japan. He wrote of the Japanese passion for the Royal Japanese Chins, noting that to kill a Chin was considered equivalent to murdering a human and was dealt with equally. He also wrote of Japanese ladies carrying Japanese Chins in silk lined baskets. When Commodore Perry Arrived in Japan several centuries later he was given several Chins. In turn he gave his queen a breeding pair. She helped make this breed popular in England. Queen Alexandria was often painted with Chins in her lap. It is believed he also gave the President of the United States one of the pairs, which is how they first came to America.
These gifts caused the Chin to become the most sought after pet to such an extent that pups were recklessly bought, or as often stolen, from the Japanese. In the years between 1900 and World War 1, Japanese Chins were enormously popular until after the war when interest in the breed steadily declined. The survival of the Japanese Chin in Japan itself is due to the devotion of the people who concealed their dogs, risking imprisonment in doing so. Around 1964, the breed was honored as one of the country's national symbols and has appeared on numerous Japanese postage stamps. *
Raising and Caring for Your New Japanese Chin Puppy
We consider the purchase of our puppies to be an 'adoption' because our puppies are members of our family. Each puppy is brought to life and raised with tender-loving care in our homes, we are not a kennel. Adopting one of our puppies is a life-long commitment that must be taken seriously. We have put together a list of advice, recipes and tips, as well as an Agreement that we feel is vital to our puppies’ well beings. By purchasing one of our puppies you are agreeing to raise a member of our family as a member of your family. We hope that you will stay in contact with us by email and photo’s are always loved and appreciated. We will always be here to offer advice and assistance for the entire life of your Chin, please never hesitate to ask if you ever have any questions. We take pride in the care and raising of our Chins and we hope that you will find our suggestions and advice helpful.
When you have decided on your puppy we will send you an entire packet of information on care and raising of the Japanese Chin but if you would like to learn more NOW about the care and raising of a Japanese Chin
please click here
Traditional Asian Names
If you are looking for a Japanese, Buddhist or Chinese name for your puppy we have put together all of the resources we found for names and their meanings. Click on any of the links below.
Japanese Names by Japanorama
Japanese Baby Names
Japanese Names by BabyNetwork
Japanese Names by BabyNameWorld
More Japanese Names
Zen Buddhist Names
Buddhist Baby Names
Chinese Baby Names
Chinese Name Conversion - Change English name to Chinese
Chinese Names
|
|
|
FOR PUPPY AVAILABILITY UPDATES SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAILING LIST
|
Created and Published January 2003
All Images are property of and copyrighted by AJC Online - Not For Public or Private Use
THIS WEBSITE IS BEST VIEWED AT 1024 X 768 SCREEN RESOLUTION WITH INTERNET EXPLORER 5.0 or HIGHER
|
