Why a Chin?

This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, January 2014 issue.

Why a Chin?

I cannot tell you how many times I have been asked that when I walk up to the line in agility or obedience. “Why a Chin?” Tere are many other toys that are easier to train, easier to work with, easier to groom….or so people think.

I first “stumbled” onto the breed while working in an animal hospital. I met a breeder who introduced me to these adorable little black and white dogs running around her yard amid the sunlight. They seemed so happy and came right up for love and attention. But there was one in particular that caught my eye. He was climbing up the pool ladder and walking around the pool. He seemed so agile, so confident; I just couldn’t take my eye off of him.

At the time, I was getting very involved in the sport of agility and had two German Shepherds and a Border Collie. I never saw myself as a small dog person, but a few months later, that particular dog that was walking around the pool was offered to me on a co-ownership to do agility with. I took him on “trial” and after he taught himself a few obstacles on his own, he never left! Tony-O is the foundation for my kennel and my love for the breed.

Tony-O was a finished champion that wanted a job. He learned agility very quickly and within one year he had both novice titles. I couldn’t believe how quickly he learned. He started in obedience and did the same, earning his CD title in only a few shows. Of course, when he didn’t qualify he did it with humor and common sense! At one show, on the long sit and down, they had the dogs in the sun. Tony did his long sit and down but gingerly got up out of the sun and walked to the shade where he sat and waited. He got a very big laugh from the judge!

The next Chin in my life was a Tony-O daughter. Kazi took my love of the breed to the next level. She was willing to learn new things, on her terms of course. She finished her breed championship in only a few months of showing and once she started showing in agility, there was no stopping her. She is the first and only Master Agility Champion Japanese Chin, doing it 3 times. She continues to be the number 1 Chin in agility, followed by one of her sons, Desi.

So, why a Chin? You can see that I stumbled across them, they weren’t a choice based on research. It was based on a friendship and a need to try something new. I now have 9 Chin, many of them Tony-O progeny. I have trained many of them and with each one, they keep me laughing and smiling. So the question for me should be, why more?

Chins are clowns. They are smart and endearing. They know what they want and when they want it. The key is to figure out what that is! They spin when they are happy and will walk away from you without regret when you are trying to get them to do something they don’t feel like doing. That is the key to training them. Making them think they are doing what they want. Short training sessions with lots of yummy treats work best. They learn quickly, and don’t forget, so don’t train them the wrong thing!

This breed is wonderful for apartment living to lots of land. They love to run and frolic but are just as happy laying on the top of your couch. Grooming is minimal. Brushing once a week, especially behind the ears, is about all you have to do. They do clean themselves, like a cat, so keeping clean is very important to them. This is why it is quite easy to housetrain a Chin. Showing them where to go is all you have to do, but pay attention! They will tell you they need to go out (and each Chin tells you differently), but you have a 2-minute window to get them out there! I litter box train all my puppies as soon as they can walk.

They can be a bit temperamental, so children are fine but need to be gentle. Most children want to grab and carry them, and most Chins will just walk away from the situation. Chins believe they are kings and queens, and we are there just to serve them. Many times you will see them laying in high places, like the backs of couches or perches. They love attention but on their terms. If you are looking for a dog that needs attention all the time, this is not the dog for you. They are more independent and catlike. (It is in their standard!) They do love to be with you, but in their own spot. When watching TV, it is not uncommon to have them all around on the couch and pillows, but not touching each other!

The health problems for Chins are what are most common in toy breeds: eyes (cataracts), hearts (murmurs and congestive heart failure), and knees (luxating patellas). I do want to bring up the dental issues with Chins. Due to their flat faces, they can start having periodontal disease very early. I recommend putting them on a dental regimen as puppies. Dental disease leads to heart disease, which in Chins is common, so cleaning their teeth can extend their life!

Chins are wonderfully endearing, teaching themselves tricks to entertain you as they love to be the center of attention. Keep them clean and loved, and you will have a loyal companion for life. They only bark when they need something or to tell you something, so barking usually isn’t an issue. They do make great watch dogs and they tell you when someone is near. They spin when they are happy; Chin fanciers call it the “Chin spin” and use their paws like hands when eating. Most Chin owners have more than one as they are like potato chips!

“Why a Chin?” How could you not have one?!