the President of the American Ken- nel Club in 1888), and one Chin was given to the fleet purser’s son. The two Chin gifted to Queen Victoria began her life-long love of the breed. She, along with her daughter-in-law, Queen Alexandra, became one of the breed’s cherished admirers. Russia also sent a delegation to protect their interests in Japan. It was speculated that Chin may also have been sent to Russia as gifts as well, since the Chin has remained a popular breed in that country to this day. Japan’s custom of presenting dogs as part of their Impe- rial gift to foreign visitors persisted through the mid-19th Century. Fortunately, from the late 1880s on, we have much information about the Japanese Spaniel (Chin). As to the Chin in America, nine Japanese were entered at the New York dog show of 1882. In 1888, the American Ken- nel Club admitted the breed, and the first Chin named “Jap,” owned by Fred Senn, was registered. Ameri- ca’s first Chin champion was named Nanki Poo, a black and white owned by Charles E. Lewis. In 1883, the first American breed club was established; the Japanese Spaniel Club. It has evolved into the Japanese Chin Club of America today. Due to distemper and WWII, the Chin breed struggled around the world. A few breeders who worked at keeping the breed going, during and after the war, included Mrs. Ineko Shimogawa, born in America but liv- ing in Japan from childhood on, and Mrs. Berendsohn of Brooklyn, New York, as well as Catherine Cross from California. Likely, there were others whose names time has forgotten. For- tunately for later generations, they were so dedicated to this lovely breed. Over the decades since WWII, the breed has grown in popularity world- wide, but still remains one of the best- kept secrets of the dog world. The AKC Breed Standard’s description states: “The Japanese Chin is a small, well balanced, lively, aristocratic toy dog with a distinctive Oriental ex- pression.” One could use these same words to describe a Chin from the
What we do know is Chin-like dogs existed beginning in the 5th Cen- tury in China, Korea, and perhaps, Tibet. Early art forms from these countries often depicted dogs closely resembling our modern-day Chin. It was well-documented that China and Korea often presented gifts of small dogs to Japan. The Japanese Royalty treasured these small, cat- like creatures and kept them in their palaces. The very small ones (around 3-lbs.) were said to have been kept in elegant bird cages! They even had their own servants. According to the American Kennel Club’s history of the breed, the servants hand-fed ice chips to them. They were pampered royalty that lived in the palace with the royal family. Since the Japanese considered the Chin royalty, the com- mon person could not own them and Westerners very seldom were allowed to see them. The Chin was bred and refined by the Emperors of Japan as unique treasures. If an important foreign visitor came to the palace, the Chin might be given as gifts. Often, a small dog or pair of dogs was gifted. In that manner, the Japanese Chin was introduced to other countries. There were reports that the Chin might have come first to Europe via England in the 16th century via the East India Company. One expedition was in 1614 by Cap- tain John Saris, and dogs were likely a part of the gifts with which he re- turned home. The custom of dogs as gifts continued until 1633 when the Sakoku policy to close Japan to al- most all foreign influence and trade was enacted. For 220 years, Japan was basically a closed nation. However, America desired to renew trade to the Far East, and so, in 1853, Commodore Matthew Calbraith Per- ry was sent to Japan to open it to trade with the West. Perry brought gifts for the Japanese and they gave gifts in return. Of prime interest to Chin fan- ciers was the gift of seven Japanese Chin: Two for Queen Victoria, two for President Millard Fillmore, two were given to Perry’s daughter, Mrs. Augusta Belmont (whose son became
ancient past. How wonderful! Chin have remained true to their histori- cal roots. Yes, Japanese Chin are a unique breed with a unique history. Anyone who owns a Chin knows that they will never be without one—and one is never enough! Sources for this Article: The Complete Japanese Chin by Pa- mela Cross Stern and Tom Mather 1997 Ringpress Books, Howell Book House, Macmillian Company The Japanese Chin: Dog from the Land of the Rising Sun, Revised Edi- tion by Elisabeth Legl 2002, 2008 Alpine Publications The Lion-Dog of Buddhist Asia by Elsie P. Mitchell 1991 Fugaisha New York, NY Japanese Chin, American Champions Vol. One by Michael and Carole Ben- son 1987 Self-Published
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jennifer Baumer is a life- long dog lover. She entered the world of Japanese Chin in 2002 and chose Megumi (which means “blessings” in Japanese) as her kennel name. As an active member of the JCCA, Jennifer has served on the Board of Directors, chaired a National Specialty, served as Health Chair, and is currently the parent club’s Historian.
52 • T op N otch T oys , S eptember /O ctober 2022
Powered by FlippingBook