Chin-Pin

7-18 lbs
7-13"
​United States
Miniature Pinscher
Japanese Chin
Chi-a-pin

The Chin-Pin is a mix between a Japanese Chin and a Miniature Pinscher. They will take on many of the characteristics of the parent breeds so colors could include black, white, red, tan, rust and chocolate. Their coats are likely to be fine and short but may be quite silky if they take after the Japanese Chin. The Chin-Pin won’t need a lot of grooming and they don’t shed much. They are good with children and don’t need a lot of exercise to stay in shape so are well suited to living in an apartment. Both parent breeds are quite strong willed, so you may need to exercise patience when it comes to training your dog.

purpose Purpose
​Companion
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Miniature Pinscher, Japanese Chin

Chin-Pin Health

Average Size
Male Chin-Pin size stats
Height: 8-14 inches Weight: 8-20 lbs
Female Chin-Pin size stats
Height: 7-13 inches Weight: 7-18 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Minor Concerns
  • Epilepsy
  • Mitral Valve Disease
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Cataracts
Occasional Tests
  • X-Rays
  • Physical Examination
  • Blood Work
  • Ophthalmic Examination

Chin-Pin Breed History

The Chin-Pin is a combination of a Miniature Pinscher and a Japanese Chin. The former was bred in Germany as a ratter and dates back around 200 years. Although similar in looks to a mini Doberman they are a different breed. The breed was originally called the Reh Pinscher as Germans thought they looked like the small red ‘roe’ deer that that lived in nearby forests. It was also bred in Scandinavia and is still popular there. It is believed that the Miniature Pinscher is most likely descended from the German Pinscher. Other ancestors may be terriers such as the Dachshund and the Italian Greyhound. German breeders formed the Pinscher Klub, later renamed the Pinscher Schnauzer Klub in 1895. The first dogs were taken to the United States around 1919 and were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1929. Despite its name, the earliest origins of the Japanese Chin are to be found in China, not Japan. Thought to have originated in the Chinese imperial court they were highly prized and often given as gifts. Some historians believe that the Pekingese, which also has his origins in China, was developed from the Japanese Chin, which are also known as Japanese Spaniels. In Japan, the dogs were restricted to those of royal blood. There is some evidence that the first Japanese Chin were given as gifts by the Emperor of Japan to an American naval officer Commodore Matthew Perry in 1853 when he sailed into Uraga Harbor near Edo — now Tokyo — and introduced Japan to international trade. He was apparently given seven dogs, two of which survived the passage back to the USA where some of the owners included President Franklin Pierce, then-Secretary- of-War Jefferson Davis, and Perry's daughter, Caroline Perry Belmont. They were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888.

Chin-Pin Breed Appearance

The Chin-Pin is a mix between a Japanese Chin and a Miniature Pinscher. They will take on many of the characteristics of the parent breeds so colors could include black, white, red, tan, rust and chocolate. Their coats are likely to be fine and short but may be quite silky if they take after the Japanese Chin. The Chin-Pin won’t need a lot of grooming and they don’t shed much. If your Chin-Pin has the facial features of the Japanese Chin parent, the eyes will be wide set, though it is typically found that this hybrid has the head shape and looks of the Miniature Pinscher, with the tan and black mask. 

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Chin-Pin eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Chin-Pin nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
black Chin-Pin coat
Black
white Chin-Pin coat
White
red Chin-Pin coat
Red
brown Chin-Pin coat
Brown
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Chin-Pin straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Chin-Pin Breed Maintenance

Neither of the parent breeds is hypoallergenic,  but your pet won’t need a lot grooming to keep looking good and he doesn’t shed much either. Like the parent breeds, your pet is unlikely to need brushing more than once a week. A nice brush over with the slicker brush will keep the coat looking smooth and shiny. The Min Pin seldom needs a bath - sometimes just a wipe down with a damp cloth if they have been playing outside and are muddy. Try to brush your dog’s teeth daily to prevent any dental issues as small dogs often have dentition issues and check the ears for dirt. Depending on whether your hybrid has a perkier ear or a folded down set, moisture accumulation could be an issue, so be watchful for that.

Brushes for Chin-Pin
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Comb
Comb
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Chin-Pin requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Chin-Pin Temperament

A Chin-Pin will take on many of the traits of their parent breeds so is likely to be a great family pet with older children preferably. They are likely to be loving and energetic like the Miniature Pinscher, often called a Min Pin, and known as the “King of Toys” for his self-assured attitude. They are very curious dogs always looking to explore and quite skilled at taking the gap when a door is opened. They are fearless and good watchdogs and are not keen on strangers. They are better with older children as they are small dogs and could be easily injured with younger children. They can be a challenge to train and are prone to chasing other dogs. Your hybrid will also love being with people and will be a playful, happy dog. They are a bit like cats in that they love to climb and groom themselves. The Chin-Pin can be trained with positive reinforcement but keep them on a leash when outdoors as they do chase other animals. They don’t need a huge amount of exercise and don’t like being left alone for too long.

Chin-Pin Activity Requirements

Your Chin-Pin won’t need a huge amount of exercise to keep happy and healthy but it will depend on which parent breed he takes after as Miniature Pinschers need more activity than Japanese Chins. This hybrid can become destructive if they get bored so regular walks and play sessions will keep him calm. Both parent breeds are excellent for people living in apartments but they do need to be taken out regularly. Neither parent breed is happy being left alone for any length of time, so best to expect to have a Chin-Pin who always wants to be by your side. Your pet should be leashed when taken outdoors as they may chase other animals and be reluctant to come when called. Your pet is likely to be sensitive to the heat and cold; don’t leave them out in extreme weather.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
7 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
30 minutes
activity minutes

Chin-Pin Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$0.80 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Chin-Pin Owner Experiences

Ozzie
4 Months
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Love them ...would buy a dozen if possible
6 years, 2 months ago
Diamond
7 Years
1 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
My chinpin is very spoiled. She loves children. It takes her a second to warm up to strangers. She has separation anxiety and tends to be a brat when I leave, shredding up her newspaper and putting her harness and my slides in the bed with her. She can't keep still most of the time. She's always sniffing and walking around. She is very sweet and lovable towards me. Inexpensive in my opinion too. Love my chinpin to pieces
4 years, 8 months ago
Cooper
3 Years
3 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Taking walks aplaying fetch
Very playful and loving very entergetic
4 years, 8 months ago
Arlo
8 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Playing with toys,
amazing experience since day one.
3 years, 11 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd