Japanese Chin
The Japanese Chin is a sensitive and intelligent breed whose only purpose is to serve man as a companion. Agile and playful, they can be taught to perform tricks and like to show off to an audience of friends. Their coat varies in size and length, but most are white with black markings. They can also be white and red.
Breed Profile
The Japanese Chin is a bright, alert and playful breed. An affectionate and devoted family companion, this breed loves everyone it is familiar with, but may be reserved around strangers and in unfamiliar situations. Their small size makes them ideal for an apartment, but they still enjoy the opportunity to play in an open yard. Their silky and flowing coat requires twice-weekly brushing.
Grooming
The Japanese Chin does require regular bathing and brushing. This aristocratic toy dog can be bathed as frequently as every week up to no longer than 6 weeks, depending on lifestyle, with a happy medium being somewhere in the middle. Maintaining healthy skin and coat are of primary importance. Correct product selection for your bathing program will help achieve the best possible end result.
First and foremost, do a preliminary bath to lift off and remove dirt, debris, oil, and environmental factors to bring the coat back to a neutral state. Always choose the mildest shampoo that will get the job done. The secondary bath is used to enhance the coat, whether you are wanting to hydrate the coat, enhance the color, change the texture, etc. When you do the final rinse, try to keep the water temperature a bit cooler so you do not dehydrate the skin. After the bath, apply a light conditioner to replace the natural oils lost during the bathing process. A conditioner will help seal the ends preventing damage to the coat as well as help with static electricity.
The Japanese Chin is a wash and wear dog, but a good solid bath is of utmost importance. Getting the coat squeaky clean with each individual hair separated and divided slightly standing off the body is essential. With this breed, the cleaner the coat, the less likely the coat is to mat, and the shedding will be a bit less as well.
Finishing the Dog: Tools and Finish Grooming
The coat should be light, airy, and shiny with no loose hair. Spending extra time on the comb out is a good idea making certain that the comb can easily glide through the coat. Pay particular attention to the chest and the rear as these areas tend to be thick. The Japanese Chin should be in a more “natural state”. This breed should not look sculpted. Thinning shears will give a more natural look. The only trimming should be the pads, hocks, bottom of ears, and straightening up any scraggly hair.
General Health Care
Prep work is the foundation of all grooming. Prep work includes ear cleaning, nail trimming, trimming the pads, anal glands, and proper dental hygiene. Mastering these skills sets the professional pet stylist apart from the rest. Prep work should be done before every bathing and grooming appointment. All dogs need to have their ears checked and cleaned on a regular basis. Some need to have the hair plucked from the ear canal. This allows the ear to have proper air circulation. It is not necessary to remove all of the hair in the ear, as some serves as a barrier to foreign debris. It is imperative that you are properly trained to pull ear hair before attempting this endeavor. Proper nail care is also very important. Long, unsightly nails are uncomfortable for the dog, as well as anyone they might jump on. Long nails also compromise the shape of the foot. Trimming the pads of the foot helps give the dog good traction on different surfaces and can minimize the amount of dirt the dog tracks into the house. It also affords the opportunity to treat and condition the paws from cracks and abrasions. Anal glands should also be checked and expressed if they are full. Some caring pet owners prefer to have the anal glands done by their veterinarian. Good dental hygiene is essential for a healthy pet too.
Nutritional Care
In order to maintain healthy skin and coat as well as overall health, it is important to provide good nutrition to your dog through a well–balanced diet, vitamins, and healthy treats.
Do they require a lot of grooming?
They can be a wash and wear dog. However, a bath and blow out is necessary to keep the shedding and matting under control. Keeping the skin and coat clean is the key to keeping your Japanese Chin in top condition.
What is a common problem in Japanese Chins?
As with all breeds of dogs, the Chins do have some breed-specific health concerns. Like most toy breeds, luxating patella is common in this breed. Respiratory issues and heat prostration are other issues that are common in Chins.
Do Japanese Chins shed or cause allergies?
They do shed. In order to minimize shedding, frequent baths and blowouts in addition to weekly brushing will help reduce the amount of hair you find in the house.
Are Japanese Chins good with children?
Japanese Chins are loving dogs that usually do well with children, but they are not the ideal breed for a home with busy children since they can become easily overwhelmed by the noise and excitement children make.
What if I have a show dog?
Whether you have a show dog or a companion dog, the same basic care is given regarding nutrition, socialization, and hygiene. The difference is the maintenance, conditioning, and training for the show ring. It is always helpful if your breeder is willing to mentor you to lead you in the right direction upon entering the wonderful world of showing dogs. A great place to start is with the national breed club like the Japanese Chin Club of America, www.japanesechinclub.org
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