Japanese Chins, also known as Japanese Spaniels, have a long history dating back thousands of years. They are small in size and belong to the long-haired toy dog breed. Due to their charming appearance, they were greatly favored by the Japanese Imperial f
However, strictly speaking, this dog belongs to the Chinese breed. It is a descendant of the Tibetan Spaniel, just like the Pekingese and the Shih Tzu. Its coat is white with black or chestnut patches, with the ideal patches being the most vibrant in color. Symmetrical patches on the ears, body, face, and tail base are the best.
Japanese Chins originated in Japan and are a miniature long-haired toy dog breed with a history dating back thousands of years. They were once cherished pets of the Japanese Imperial family. In the mid-19th century, they were brought to Europe by sailors and became popular due to their small size. However, they have delicate health and require special care, making them difficult to raise, so they are not very common. But it is this rarity that makes them especially precious, and they are not commonly kept by ordinary families, which has hindered their development and spread.
It is believed that this dog was brought to Japan from China around the year 732, during the reign of Emperor Shōmu in the 4th year of the Tempyō era. The Japanese Imperial family and the privileged upper class in Japan highly favored this exotic small dog breed. It was not until 1853, when Admiral Perry brought several Japanese Chins back to his country, that people in Western countries had a chance to witness such an elegant and delicate small dog.
After Japanese Chins arrived in the United States, they faced the risk of being extinct due to viral infections. However, today the population of Japanese Chins in the Atlantic region is showing signs of growth. Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom had a great appreciation for various dog breeds, and she owned two Japanese Chins among them.
These dogs have beautiful appearances and are very clean, so it is best to groom their fur and keep their bodies clean every day if kept as pets. They like to bark and are not suitable for living in crowded apartments as it may disturb people nearby. However, it can be trained not to bark when it is young or undergo vocal cord removal surgery so as not to disturb family members and neighbors' rest.
1. Heart disease
Dogs with heart disease are often related to obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, they mainly show symptoms such as easy fatigue and difficulty breathing. Heart disease in dogs is difficult to detect and often the owner realizes it when it is already too late.
2. Infectious diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common and highly lethal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that are not vaccinated in a timely manner are prone to these two infectious diseases. Once infected, symptoms may include listlessness, decreased appetite, high body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney disease
Speaking about common diseases and symptoms in dogs, we have to mention kidney disease. The alarming thing about canine kidney disease is that the onset is often unnoticed, and when the owner realizes it, the dog's renal cells have already been damaged by more than 75%. When dogs have kidney problems, common symptoms are blood in urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal worms such as roundworms and hookworms, as well as heartworms, are common parasites that infect dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, main symptoms include emaciation, lethargy, diarrhea, passing worms in stool, and pale gum mucosa. Heartworm is a parasite that lives in the dog's heart. After dogs are infected, symptoms may include decreased vitality, coughing, anemia, panting, and ascites.
5. Canine pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it is often a complication of other diseases. It commonly occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infection, canine distemper infection, viral flu, impaired lung function, and heartworm infection. Coughing, nasal discharge, and increased body temperature are the main symptoms of pneumonia in dogs.
1. The feeding amount of Japanese Chins should be kept stable, and they should not be fed with uneven meal portions. This can easily lead to stomach diseases, which is extremely detrimental to their health.
2. The feeding time should be fixed every day and should not be advanced or delayed. In this way, when it's mealtime, the secretion of stomach acid and the function of the stomach and intestines will be strengthened regularly, intensifying the feeling of hunger. This will stimulate their appetite, helping with active eating and digestion.
3. It is important to ensure their daily activity level. It is recommended to take them for a walk 2-3 times a day, preferably in the morning or in the evening. If they are always kept indoors for a long time without exercise, they will become restless, mentally unwell, and even appear dull or develop illnesses.
4. Their fur should be frequently brushed, especially the long and dense fur on their chest, abdomen, and legs, which easily drags on the ground and attracts dust and dirt. Failure to groom in a timely manner can lead to tangled knots, affecting their appearance and increasing the risk of bacterial infections and illnesses.
5. Regular bathing is necessary, whether it's with water or dry cleaning. It is also important to periodically clean their dental and ear plaque, and use diluted saltwater to clean their eyes, maintaining cleanliness of their facial features. This can minimize the probability of disease outbreaks.
1. Do not bathe frequently
Bathing your dog should not be done too frequently. The frequency of bathing depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, you can bathe your dog one or two more times, while in winter, you can reduce it by one or two times. But in general, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush regularly
Dogs shed almost every day, especially during spring and autumn seasons when seasonal shedding is more severe. To maintain good hair growth, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use dedicated pet brushes to help the dog clean naturally shed hair and prevent tangling. Brushing once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial for the dog's hair growth as it not only makes the fur more lustrous but also helps with sterilization. While sunbathing, you can also let the dog exercise a bit, which can improve its physical fitness and promote blood circulation for healthier hair growth.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving it of nourishment. Therefore, deworming is essential. It is recommended to deworm internally and externally. Also, deworming medications can cause great harm to the dog's digestive system, so it is advisable to feed it with probiotics regularly to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order to have beautiful fur, dogs must have a good nutritional foundation. Pay attention to their daily diet. On the one hand, feed your dog with nutritious and healthy dog food that is suitable and sufficient for their needs. On the other hand, you can also give them a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil.