Both Japanese Chin and Shiba Inu are originated from Japan. Japanese Chin may grow 16 cm / 6 inches shorter than Shiba Inu. Both Japanese Chin and Shiba Inu are having almost same weight. Both Japanese Chin and Shiba Inu has almost same life span. Both Japanese Chin and Shiba Inu has almost same litter size. Japanese Chin requires Moderate Maintenance. But Shiba Inu requires Low Maintenance
The Japanese Chin, also known as the Japanese Spaniel, has always been known for thousands of years as a dog with strong companion characteristics.
Hailing from Asia, he is also known as the Japanese Spaniel. In Japan, the Chin dogs are royalty and lapdogs, and while the exact origin of the Japanese Chin isn't quite clear, it is an ancient toy breed.
The first Japanese Chin was brought to America in 1882. The toy breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888, as a Japanese Spaniel. The AKC changed the breed name to the Japanese Chin in 1977.
The Shiba Inu hails from Japan and was a dog bred to hunt birds and small game. The dog is one of 6 native breeds in Japan. Today he is essentially a companion dog in both Japan and the United States.
He is actually one of the smaller spitz dogs in the country but known for his boldness.
The first Shiba Inu was imported into the United States in 1954 and was recognized by their Kennel Club in the Miscellaneous Class and also the Non-Sporting Group.
As a small sized dog, the oriental looking Japanese Chin stands at about 20 to 27cm in height and weighs roughly 2 to 6kg. He has a large round head with big brown eyes and a short muzzle. The ears are long and feathery and the tail is long and held up over the back.
The long silky single coat is either white and red or white and black or it can be tri-colored too – white, black and reddish-tan.
The Japanese Chin is a small, evenly tempered dog and the toy-size dog, according to people who have owned him as a pet, say he has some cat-like features – the ability to leap and the ability to wash himself similar to what a cat does.
He is also a typical lap dog liking nothing more than to lie in your lap and be petted. He just loves being with his human family and his smallness allows him to fit well into city- or country life.
He is an intelligent dog. He is small but strong-willed and that is why both you and him will benefit from having him trained and socialized as he becomes more amicable and obedient.
Social, jaunty and content, he is everyone’s friend and will be a suitable playmate for children, being loving and devoted to his entire family. They make great therapy dogs as he has the knack of being sensitive to the feelings of people and adjusts his mannerisms to suit the people he is with.
The Shiba Inu is a medium sized, athletic dog standing at between 33cm and 43cm in height both male and female and weighing in the region of 6 to 11kg.
He is an agile dog, known for his feline agility. He has the typical spitz dog erect ears and slanted eyes with the tail curling over the back.
The coat is available in a number of colors – cream, red, sesame, black and tan.The double coat is thick and is made up of straight, stiff kind of hair.
This is an intelligent, independent, alert, strong willed dog who has a calm aura about him. He is stubborn too, so it will be best to have him trained or socialized just to make him more amicable to get along with.
As he is a dog that just loves his human family, this training helps him to get along with other dogs too. He is possessive with his human family, wanting to guard them and everything he regards as his territory.
The Japanese Chin is just longing to be your special friend. When you treat him with the love and care he deserves, you'll discover that he is a sweet, gentle companion who will be loyal and loving to his human family.
He is a quiet pet and intelligent enough to be trained and socialized so that he is obedient and ready to please. Although he doesn't bark much, he makes quite a few other noises such as wheezing, snorting and snorting. He makes up for it by being entertaining and loving towards you so that you life is brighter just by having him in it.
He is the smallest of several spitz dogs that originated in Japan. He is known for his bold, feisty personality and for being so good natured as well. Other excellent characteristics are intelligence, strong-willed, loyal and loving and he has a calm, confident dignity around him.
He will get on well with kids and other dogs he has grown up with but he can be a bit aggressive towards dogs he doesn’t know.
Always ensure good exercise. Getting outside and active is important for this dog.
You can certainly benefit from having this wonderful dog in your life as he has some excellent characteristics.
There are a few health issues with your Japanese Chin that are worth knowing about such as hypoglycemia, cataracts and heart murmurs. Allergies and dental issues also need to be checked.
Dog breeds with the flattened face always battle with dental-, eye and breathing problems. With good care however, your Japanese Chin can reach anything from 10 – 12 years of age.
Murmurs come about because of a disturbance in the blood flow and which can produce an audible noise. If your dog's murmur is associated with structural heart disease, your dog may display signs of congestive heart failure and he'll be weak for instance and be coughing.
When your dog gets to the vet, the course of treatment will be determined on the type of heart murmur. Luckily puppies with low grade murmurs often grow out of it but if you have an adult dog, routine diagnostic imaging may be recommended by your vet.
Shiba Inus are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Look out for things such as hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, bloat, cancer, eye diseases and skin allergies.
Skin allergies can come about because of being allergic to food, fleas, too much shampooing and some medications. It can be traumatic for your pet who will sometimes chew and bite to get relief. Treatment varies but get your pet to the vet.
There is pressure in the eye, and symptoms can include vision loss and pain. Glaucoma can be treated with eye drops but sometimes surgery is required.
The Japanese Chin has a single coat, and a brush once or twice a week will keep the coat silky and untangled.
Check his ears for dirt and wax and try to wipe inside the ears, being very, very careful not to go deep into the ear to avoid damage.
Clip his nails and brush his teeth as small dogs are more prone to dental disease. Periodontal disease is preventable with dental cleaning. Dental disease starts when plaque sticks to the surface of the teeth. It hardens, spreads under the gum line and cause tissue damage. It also damages the immune system.
The Japanese Chin is an energetic dog and loves a game and a walk. It isn't the kind of dog that you will take on your hikes or swimming as it tends to huff and puff after a while from too much exercise, and more specifically in hot weather.
Dog experts say that a grain-free food is best for this kind of dog. Kibble which comes with lean protein and with plenty of vitamins and minerals such as taurine and carnitine is recommended. They are good for the joints, coat, heart and eyes. Japanese Chins can be prone to heart- and eye problems and kibble rich in omega 3 fatty acids will be good for the Chin for many excellent reasons.
If you're in any way uncertain about what to feed your Japanese Chin, speak to your vet as the type of food you feed your pet will determine how healthy he will be. Always ensure he has access to fresh, cool water.
A nice long walk out and about in the neighborhood is good for this dog. Apart from a daily workout, he will love to come running with you or if you go cycling, he will run next to you. He will require exercise every day.
Brushing your Shiba Inu will be required at least twice a week as he is a dog that sheds quite a bit throughout the year. You want to get rid of those loose hairs to keep him looking nice and groomed.
Never pop sugary treats into your pets mouth and avoid feeding him spicy, toxic foods. It can drastically upset his digestion.
You can feed your Shiba Inu commercially manufactured food but it should be the best quality ones. Give him some tasty homemade food too. Simply add into one big pot chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. This food can all be chopped up, refrigerated and added warmed up and in small portions to your pets dry kibble once or twice a week.
Try and also give him some raw meat occasionally. Ensure that there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.