At a glance the quick version
FCI sets no weight. Hill's gives 4-12 lb (about 1.8-5.4 kg) for both sexes.
Coat and looks how to spot one
long, silky single coat
A straight, silky, profuse coat with no undercoat covers everything but the face, with extra feathering on the ears, neck, thighs and plumed tail. The head is broad and rounded with large dark eyes and a very short muzzle, giving an alert, slightly astonished look. The full coat can take up to two years to grow in.124
Personality what they are like
A bright, amusing and graceful little dog, affectionate with its own people and a little reserved with strangers. It is famous for fastidious, feline habits and a quiet, dignified way of carrying itself.143
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Low. Around 20-30 minutes a day of short walks and indoor play is plenty.43
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush more than once a week to keep the silky coat free of tangles; despite its look, the coat is not hard to maintain.43
Home where they are happiest
Happy in a flat or small home with a small to medium garden; an indoor companion by nature.43
Company who they like around
A true companion breed that thrives on attention and company and likes being close to its people.42
The story where it all began
Small dogs of this type are recorded as gifts from Korea to the Japanese court around 732 AD, with more arriving from China. They became treasured indoor companions of the nobility, including at Edo Castle, and Western visitors brought them to Europe from the 1600s onward, with one reaching Queen Victoria after Commodore Perry's voyage.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The Royal Kennel Club notes the name Chin is linked to the idea of being cat-like.4
- 2
Many Chins have a dot or line on the forehead, traditionally called the touch of Buddha.2
- 3
Commodore Matthew Perry obtained Chins in Japan in 1853.2
- 4
The coat has no undercoat and takes up to two years to mature fully.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard No. 206, Group 9 (Companion and Toy Dogs), Section 8 (Japan Chin and Pekingese); current standard published 4 Apr 20161
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Toy Group4
- AKC
- Toy Group; recognised under the name Japanese Chin since 1977 (earlier known as Japanese Spaniel)3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Japanese Chin. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery 2 days
- Bathevery month
- HaircutTrim feathering and feet, or keep a short cutevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- Face foldsWipe and dry the skin foldsevery 2 days
- Eye wipeGently wipe around the eyesevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 206 Japan Chin fci.beused for recognition, height, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Wikipedia: Japanese Chin en.wikipedia.orgused for history, colours, coat, fun facts
- Hill's Pet: Japanese Chin hillspet.comused for weight, height, lifespan, exercise, AKC name year
- The Royal Kennel Club: Japanese Chin royalkennelclub.comused for exercise, grooming, home size, lifespan, temperament
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.