“IF YOU WEAR BLACK CLOTHES AROUND A CHIN, what was once a sleek shirt or sweater soon becomes covered in soft, white, Chin fur.”
I acquiredmy first Chin, I loved wear- ing black shirts and sweaters, and my den was newly decorated with a lush couch upholstered in the softest of fabrics. Little did I know that my six- pound bundle of joy would not only command my personal attention, but would also direct where thou- sands of dollars in clothes and furni- ture purchases were directed. That’s right… Chin don’t want you wearing black, and they view any upholstered piece of furniture as a personal chal- lenge to their ability to shed hair at the speed of light. If you wear black clothes around a Chin, what was once a sleek shirt or sweater soon becomes covered in soft, white, Chin fur. I’ve walked civilian (yes, non-doggy peo- ple are referred to as civilians in my home) guests to my front door and been aghast to see the back of their clothes covered in white fur. I’m sure many of them thought I was being aw- fully hands-y as I repeatedly rubbed their back and shoulders as they left my house, but what I was really do- ing was desperately trying to remove the Chin hair! And, after years of lint-brushing, vacuuming, wiping, and banging couch cushions outside, I finally gave in and bought a beautiful leather couch. Now all I have to do is wipe or blow the hair off of the cush- ions onto the floor where my Dyson Animal is waiting to vacuum it all up! IT’S TRUE—JAPANESE CHIN ARE AN ORIENTAL TREASURE On a more endearing note, I have nev- er met or owned a breed with a more unusual temperament and manner
of expression. How many times have you heard a story of a newmomor dad (of either a human or a puppy) holding their baby for the first time and hav- ing those feelings of love at first sight? And so it’s been with other breeds I’ve owned, from German Shepherds to Lhasas to Cavaliers. Each of them joined (or were born into) my house- hold and instantly wrapped my heart around their little paw. Chin, to me, are different. I’ve bought and bred Chin through the years. Every Chin I’ve bought has joined my household and been met with an honest, imme- diate, love; but, a love that grows in a most unusual way. I don’t find that Chin are typically instant bonders, or are particularly worried about im- pressing you or pleasing you. They have a quiet confidence, and while they are happy, they don’t give you all of themselves on the first day. As time passes, they become more and more enmeshed in the household and confident in their position, and that is when the real love kicks in. It’s a love borne of routine, trust, understand- ing, and tenderness. For every bit of those things you give to a Chin, you will begin to see returned tenfold. What was originally a new addition to the family is now a cherished fam- ily member with a permanent home. I think that’s why you see so few Chin breeders place their older show dogs in pet homes. They are so much a part of the family that they are hard to let go. Armed with this information, I hope you have a bit of fun insight into our special breed. The next time you see a Japanese Chin, give him or her a lov- ing pat… but don’t wear black!
the shutter closes; despite the clouds covering the sun. Or, the expression will be perfect, but just as the photo is taken they decide to twist their body, and their feet end up being splayed left and right like a ballerina’s. Woe to the show photographer who has the challenge of taking a big win photo of a Chin with a co-owner star- ing over his shoulder saying, “Please take just one more!” He or she is in for a long afternoon! It’s been said that every Japanese Chin comes equipped with his or her own personal, invisible pedometer. It numbers the total number of steps a Chin will take on a lead, usually in a ring, in its lifetime. Once it reaches that number, the Chin is done… no more steps to be had. If you’re lucky enough to get more steps after the pe- dometer expires, they are taken at the Chin’s will, pace, and pattern. Some- times, mysteriously, the number of steps can be extended… but only if the Chin is given special attention, free from all other interferences. (You know, a Chin does not like sharing your affections!) But, more often than not, every Chin will revert to its wild, unattainable, spirit-animal and will never be captured again. THE INVISIBLE PEDOMETER — EVERY STEP COUNTS CHIN ARE PERSONAL DRESSERS AND INTERIOR DESIGNERS A Japanese Chin will soon teach you that your favorite clothing color is white, and that you should only buy leather upholstered furniture. When
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