The Chin-Ocker is a hybrid of the Japanese Chin and the Cocker Spaniel. The mix makes a wonderful companion dog although he does not have a long and well-known history. Owners can look at the history of the breed parents to understand the background of this hybrid. The Japanese Chin is an ancient breed that most likely originated from the Chinese Imperial Court as a highly prized dog. The breed gains its name from Japan, where it was gifted to the emperor and was not looked uopn like other dogs, but as a separate being; chin in Japanese. The Japanese bred the dog Chin with small Spaniel-like dogs to achieve the modern-day look of the breed. The Japanese Chin was not known outside of the island nation until the 19th Century when Commodore Matthew Perry introduced a trading relationship between Japan and the West. Afterward, the Japanese Chin became a status symbol of wealth and nobility in the West and was known as the Japanese Spaniel until 1977. The American Kennel Club first recognized the Japanese Chin in 1888. The Cocker Spaniel is part of the much larger Spaniel family. The Spaniel family was originally divided into two groups, the Water Spaniels and the Land Spaniels. Smaller in size, Cocker Spaniels belonged to the land group. The Cocker Spaniel was bred for its excellent hunting abilities. Spaniel indicates Spain, the region all Spaniels developed in before being moved to other areas of the world. The Cocker Spaniel gained a lot of popularity in the 1800s. Popularity and showmanship of this wonderfully conformed breed turned the focus away from hunting and more towards show. Today, the Chin-Ocker is a part of the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designer Dog Kennel Club, the Dog Registry of America, and the International Designer Canine Registry. This hybrid can easily adapt to different sized living environments and makes a great addition to the family.
