Mini Jafox

The Mini Jafox is a designer hybrid of the Miniature Fox Terrier and the Japanese Chin; two breeds with very different outlooks on life.  The goal of crossbreeding the two parents is to produce a dog with the best qualities of both sides, which is not always the outcome.  The Mini Jafox may vary significantly in both looks and disposition, given the two parent breeds.  Little is known on the Mini Jafox, so owners can review the histories of the parent breeds to help understand their dog's history. The Miniature Fox Terrier is akin with the Toy Fox Terrier and not considered a separate breed.  However, the Miniature Fox Terrier developed in Australia whereas the Toy Fox Terrier developed in the United States.  Both dogs are closely related to the Fox Terrier of England but were crossbred with smaller dogs, such as the Manchester Terrier and the Chihuahua to reduce the Mini Fox Terrier's size.  The Mini Fox Terrier became popular in Australia as a small vermin hunter in the early 20th Century and is often referred to as the "Little Foxie."  Though a parent club exists in Australia for the promotion of the breed and preservation of its standards, the Miniature Fox Terrier is not a recognized breed of the American Kennel Club or the Australian National Kennel Club. The Japanese Chin is an ancient breed of China, despite its name.  The breed developed in the Chinese Imperial court and was often given as a gift to visiting dignitaries.  It is believed the small dog was gifted to a Japanese Emperor who dubbed the breed chin, which in Japanese, refers to separate being as is separated from inu, which is Japanese for dog.  The Japanese Chin lived in relative obscurity in the East until trade routes open with the West in the 19th Century and the small Japanese Chin was introduced to Europe and the Americas.  The Japanese Chin was first recognized by the West as the Japanese Spaniel but later had its name changed to the Japanese Chin in honor of its rich history.  The American Kennel Club recognized the Japanese Chin in 1888.