Boston Chin

The Boston Chin is a new hybrid that is a delightful result from crossing a Boston Terrier with a Japanese Chin. They are becoming a popular breed for families living in apartments although the dog still needs daily exercise. While not much data exists on the breeding history of the Boston Chin, it is easy to see the parent characteristics displayed in both appearance and temperament. The Boston Chin is an old toy breed that has evolved from the Tibetan spaniel. The dogs seem to have originated in Chine where dogs with similar appearance are found on ancient pottery and decorated ancient Chinese temples. The first records we have are European and they go back as far as the 1600s when Princess Catherine of Braganza was presented with some Chins as a gift from Portuguese sailors. It was in 1853 that Admiral Commodore Perry gave Queen Victoria a pair of Japanese Chins after his warships had visited Japan. The event of World War 1 and Japanese earthquakes depleted their numbers in Japan. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1977. The Boston Chins other parentage, the Boston Terrier, was a result of adjusting their breeding from the pit fighting bull and terrier type of dogs. It is hard today to accept today that the Boston Terrier had such an aggressive background, as they are such gentle and affectionate dogs. The Boston Terrier is one of the first breeds developed in the USA, having originated in Boston, Massachusetts. During 1865, coachmen of wealthy Boston businessmen began to interbreed some of the dogs owned by their employers. This experiment finally resulted in providing the foundation for the Boston Terrier. The breed was recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1893. Terrier in name only, the Boston Terrier was far removed and more mellow than the pit fighting dogs of the past. Now combined with the Japanese Chin, the result is the beautiful Boston Chin which carries the best attributes from its parent breeds.