Japanese Chin

The Japanese Chin is a toy breed that was bred merely as a royal companion. They were originally called the Japanese Spaniel.

Appearance
Japanese chins are characterized by their long, typically black, white, brown, or all, fur. They have a broad head and a puggish snout. Its ears are long and feathered, and their eyes small and black. They are typically 8-11 inches tall and weigh 7-9 lbs.

Behavior
Japanese chins are said to be cat-like in ways, and very happy. Japanese chins are very happy and loyal dogs. They are intelligent, lively, and very affectionate. It may be wary around strangers, but loves everyone that loves it. They do great with other pets and children. They, however, do like to be the center of attention. They do not bark very often, but rather make a singing sound, similar to "woooo". They are very tidy, agile, and playful. They lick their front paws and groom their face with them, very similar to cats. Japanese chins are said to be great guard dogs. They are known to do a "chin spin" where they balance on their hind feet, spin around in circles, and paw the air with their front paws.

History
The Japanese chin was originally named Japanese spaniel, but was changed in 1977 by AKC. Despite its name, it actually originated in China! It was later imported to Japan, and then Europe, and then the USA.