| Just where exactly did this sweet and | | | | author of this article is about my little |
| adorable little lap toy dog, the Japanese | | | | Danny Boy, who is not Japanese Chin, but is |
| Chin originate? As with many of our toy dog | | | | Shih Tzu. Of all the Shih Tzu I have owned, |
| breeds, there are several theories for us to | | | | he is the only one who stands on his hind |
| remember as the history of this toy dog | | | | legs before me. Danny and I are very, very |
| breed. | | | | close. I wonder if this is a characteristic |
| | | | he inherited from the Imperial line of dogs |
| There is plenty of evidence that the Japanese | | | | in China. None of my other Shih Tzu exhibits |
| Chin can be traced back to the dogs that | | | | this trait. I thought he was begging for |
| arrived in Japan as precious gifts from China | | | | something. He does it quite often and he |
| and Korea over 1,100 years ago. The Japanese | | | | looks as if he is just standing up on his |
| Chin is one of the most ancient breeds of | | | | hind legs like a human and his front legs are |
| dogs. | | | | like his human arms and hands. It is so cute; |
| | | | I really enjoy seeing this little trick in my |
| The exact history of the Japanese Chin is | | | | Danny Boy. I am also wondering if the little |
| difficult to determine, however, evidence | | | | dogs owned by the last Empress of China lined |
| exists that at the end of the first century | | | | up from door to throne, standing on their |
| A.D., the Chinese had a type of dog known as | | | | hind legs was out of "respect, love and honor |
| 'Pai'. Canine breed authorities say the 'Pai' | | | | for her." |
| was a very small, short-headed and | | | | |
| short-legged dog. One canine breed writer, | | | | It has been said, however, that because the |
| Collier, tells us there is little doubt the | | | | Japanese Chin is not the easiest of dogs to |
| Japanese race of small dogs originated from | | | | train, the thought of 50 of them doing this |
| China. It is fact that trade and association | | | | in perfect unison was a bit too much to |
| between the two nations date back as far as | | | | believe. And.......it is only one of mine, |
| the fifth century. During the period of Tein | | | | out of all I ever had, who does this. |
| Wu Ti (A.D. 673-686) and Ch'ih T'ung Ti (A.D. | | | | Incidentally, my Danny Boy received no |
| 690-696), Korea and China constantly gave | | | | training for this. The only real thing |
| small pet dogs to Japan. | | | | different is my relationship with Danny Boy. |
| | | | He is my absolute favorite of all time Shih |
| As with many of our toy dog breeds there are | | | | Tzu I ever owned and I have in many ways told |
| various theories about the origin of the | | | | him this. He does have one bad trait I think |
| Japanese Chin. Some suggest they come from | | | | is cute, but is dangerous for him. He sees |
| Korea and that a Korean prince went to Japan | | | | himself as rough and tough and loves to try |
| taking gifts for the Mikado in A.D. 732. The | | | | and prove this to all the dogs, big and |
| gifts included tiny dogs with flat noses | | | | small. I have to many times rescue him, which |
| which resemble our present day Japanese Chin. | | | | may add to the beauty and love of our |
| In those days they were called Shoku-Ken. | | | | relationship also. He stands to his feet when |
| They were definitely different from the dogs | | | | I am around because I suppose in his mind, I |
| in Japan at that time which was of the Spitz | | | | am his "Empress." |
| type. | | | | |
| | | | Other relatives of the Chinese Imperial Ch'in |
| Another theory of the origin of our Japanese | | | | were the Chinese Temple Dog, the Japanese |
| Chin states that as early as 520 A.D., | | | | Spaniel, the Pekingese and the Chow. They |
| Buddish monks took Shoku-Ken from China to | | | | resemble each other in my opinion. |
| Japan when they went to preach as | | | | |
| missionaries. The dogs were said to be a | | | | With all we know about the Japanese Chin |
| symbol of the sacred Lion of Buddha. | | | | today I believe it is reasonable to assume |
| | | | that at least in the very beginning was an |
| Other people believe the Japanese Chin were | | | | Oriental breed. We also know the early days |
| of the Imperial Ch'in that supposedly | | | | of the Japanese Chin were spent with people |
| originated in China. The Imperial Ch'in dogs | | | | of nobility or very high rank and were |
| were only owned by Chinese royalty. This | | | | considered as something very valuable and |
| seems to be the case of several of our | | | | precious. It is my opinion as well that this |
| purebred toy dogs. We are so very fortunate | | | | "precious look" that seems to glow from the |
| now that not only the wealthy have access and | | | | faces of the Japanese Chin is the result of |
| the companionship of the purebred toy dog. | | | | some of that pampering and adoration. The |
| | | | Japanese Chin is a delightful little lap toy |
| It has also been said that the last Empress | | | | dog companion for us today, and is still |
| of China kept 50 of these dogs in the throne | | | | considered valuable and precious for all who |
| room. When the Empress entered the room story | | | | truly love this breed. |
| goes that these little dogs would line up | | | | |
| from door to throne, standing on their hind | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the |
| legs and bowing until she was seated. Of | | | | resource box. |
| particular note, I would like to add as the | | | | |