JAPANESE CHIN COMMENTS ON JUDGING & THE STANDARD
by Mike Benson Photos courtesy of “Our Dogs”
T he Japanese Chin was recog- nized by the American Kennel Club in 1888 as the Japanese Spaniel. After the opening of Japan, mid 19th century, specimens were imported to England and short- ly after to America. Most imports to America entered through the ports of New York or San Francisco. Early concentrations of the breed in Ameri- ca were in those cities. The AKCbreed standard has changed over the century plus of recognition. Perhaps the most painful change was the addition of the tri-color in the 1990s. We no longer refer to a head that is large for the body and a short thick neck. A cobby body is out and size is no longer referenced by weight. In today’s standard a more balanced, moderate dog is indicated. Surpris- ingly the look of dogs today and the historic dogs is very similar. The pres- ent AKC standard (2011) seems to de- scribe the dog we look for. My intent is not to debate the standard point by point but to take the reader through the judging process from my per- sonal point of view as a breeder and a
judge and to comment on what one is likely to see in an evaluation or in the show ring. The initial impression of a class and the individuals in it is very impor- tant. The Japanese Chin is a square dog (height at withers is equal to the distance from sternum to buttock). The correct dogs must appear square. Balance is important. The body (ribs) should reach the elbow so the height will seem to be half body and half leg. Any dog that appears low on leg or proportionately long in back or body is not what I look for, nor is it correct. The head should be up and the tail up over the back adding to the overall balance. Adults will be well coated with ample feathering as indicated in the standard. When viewing a class one may notice differences in size. Size is noted in the standard as “Ideal size is 8 inches to 11 inches at the high- est point of the withers.” Type should not suffer within this 3 inch range. Considering the dog is square, any student of plane geometry will know an 11 inch dog is twice the size of an 8 inch dog. Most entries will be close to
the middle of the ideal range but a big difference in size may be noticed and still be correct. During the first look at a class, color and coat condition are also noticed. The Japanese Chin is a parti-colored breed being most often black and white. There may also be “shades of red” and white and even black and white with tan points (tri-color). The tri-color dogs may appear to be black and white until examined more closely. The only disqualification in the AKC standard concerns color. The coat in adults should be profuse with a heavy mane or ruff about the neck, chest and shoulders and long furnishings on the ears, toes, backs of legs and tail and heavily coated rump and thighs. The Japanese Chin is a flat-faced breed. This should be evident when walking down the line-up. These days most Japanese Chin are “free- baited” in the show ring. Expression should be viewed when the dog is looking straight ahead. The expres- sion is often distorted when the dog is looking up as if trying to spot birds or
“THE JAPANESE CHIN IS A PARTI-COLORED BREED BE- ING MOST OFTEN BLACK AND WHITE. THERE MAY ALSO BE “SHADES OF RED” AND WHITE AND EVEN BLACK AND WHITE WITH TAN POINTS (TRI-COLOR).” 60 • T op N otch T oys , A ugust 2019
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