The Japanese Chin is a sweet, loyal and happy dog, getting along not just with its owners but also with everyone, although it can be shy around new people in the beginning. It builds a strong bond with its family and would want to be always part of household activities. It is gentle and patient toward kids of all ages but it is better off to a family with older children. Since it is a tiny dog, it could easily be hurt or dropped by an over excited child, which can be dangerous. Getting along with other pets is not a problem at all.
Chins are sensitive dogs that can pick up its owner’s emotions, meaning if the household is quiet, it will settle down and laze around, and if everyone is lively, it will gladly join in. It is not a frequent barker; instead, it is known to be a talkative breed, creating unique sounds as if chatting with people. This sound temperament is another reason more people want to own this breed and why it is recommended for new owners.
The Japanese Chin is an intelligent breed that is willing to please, making it highly trainable. However, owners need to understand that even though it is an easy-going breed, early training and socialisation are important for it to be happy and well rounded. It needs to learn who the alpha in the household is so it knows whom it can take direction and guidance from. Believe it or not, it can act dominant if the roles in the pack are not defined. It is easy to spoil this dog too much, which could cause it to acquire unwanted behaviour and become difficult to live with. While showering your dog with love is great, remember not to overdo it and set boundaries and be firm about them. More often than not, Chins get away from things larger dogs would not be permitted to do.