JAPANESE CHIN Breed Survey
BRADLEY JENKINS
large dark eyes with white in the corners; open nostrils; slight upturn of underjaw; domed forehead; flat top-skull and the backward three shape (which is actually one-half of the old-fashioned figure eight—smaller bottom, longer on top) when viewed from the side. In the body, I want a flat topline (no roach), straight front legs, firm rear-end, solid body, good tail set—overall a proud dog that rules! 3. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? BJ: The eyes are having too much white. DAJ: I think the type and the amount of coat is being exag- gerated. This breed is single coated and yet most exhibits have a double coat. New breeders and uneducated indi- viduals can be easily impressed by hair. I don’t think of this breed as needing tons of coat and don’t like seeing so much volume. They need to have quality hair. The sweep- ing underjaw and deep nose is so important and it is not exaggerated. I would prefer that over the incorrect coat. SBT: The traits that are becoming exaggerated are wooly coats which has led to trimming, lacking in the proper domed forehead, weak rears and roach backs. 4. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when you first started judging? Why or why not? BJ: Yes, better. They are sounder and have better type over all. DAJ: I have had the pleasure of following this breed for decades and know that they are stronger and healthier than before in some ways and yet weaker too. Today, you have more Chins being shown and many are lovely but there are many larger, heavily-coated dogs. Breeders are working to eliminate breed specific health concerns. The very best of this breed today are some of the best examples of the breed we have seen. 5. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? BJ: They are square from the prosternum to the ischium and too much is not always better. DAJ: I think they forget that this breed should have some meat on their bones. I like them to have some substance, but remain diminutive. I believe they are impressed by the incorrect double coat. 6. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? BJ: We like the nose placed high and not be nosey. It should be slightly tilted back. You should not be able to put your thumb across the bridge of the nose. Long and low is the drag of the breed. Wall-eyed is not what we want--just a very small amount of white in the inner corner. This is truly a wonderful breed.
I live in Bono, Arkansas. I am a recently retired life- long nurse. I have been showing since 1975 and judging since 1998. DOUGLAS A. JOHNSON I live in Bloomington, Indiana. Outside of dogs I run and co-own a large skilled care medical agency and a non-medical home care business. We employee 500 people and provide care to about 700 senior clients. I started in dogs in 1984 and started judging in 2000. SARI BREWSTER TIETJEN
I live in Rhinebeck, New York. Out- side of dogs, I write, explore history, enjoy gardening and reading. I have been involved in dogs all my life having bred and shown over 12 different breeds, although Japanese Chin have always been my heart breed. I was first licensed and approved by AKC to judge in 1967.
1. Describe the breed in three words. BJ: Elegant, devoted and sweet. DAJ: Charming, catlike and imperial. SBT: Elegant, lively and determined.
2. What are your “must have” traits in this breed? BJ: Squareness; head in a reverse three shape; soundness— mentally and physically. DAJ: Leg; proper outline, never long and never low. I want them to have a layer of muscle and weight on the best exhibits. I want a correct look of astonishment and styl- ish gait. Ideally, I would like symmetry and bold mark- ings. They must have a tipped nose set in tight and in-line with the eyes and a high dome. Cushioning of the cheeks will complete the package. SBT: Everything outlined in the breed standard is a must have. I would want a fine-boned dog with elegant car- riage; untrimmed, single, silky coat; large head-piece;
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