The Silkin is a hybrid dog that resulted from crossing a
Silky Terrier with a Japanese Chin. In the 1890’s the Silky Terrier, initially
called the Sydney Silky, was developed in Australia, where breeders crossed Australian
Terriers with Yorkshire Terriers. Eventually these dogs got the particular
Silky’s features and were recognized as a breed in 1906 in New South Wales, and
in 1909 in Victoria. These two standards had a few differences, especially
regarding the weight and ear type. Finally, in 1926 a revised standard was
adopted. After World War II, the breed arrived in the United States, thanks to
American servicemen and women who returned home and took the Silky Terrier with them. The Silky Terrier was acknowledged
by the American Kennel Club in 1959, as a member of the Toy Group. The Japanese
Chin is believed to have originated in the Chinese imperial court. Since these
dogs were greatly valued, they were often given as gifts to foreign ambassadors.
General belief is that the emperor of Japan received a Chin as a gift, this being the beginning of these dogs in the country after which the breed got
their name. In Japan, these dogs were considered a separate being (chin)
different from dogs (inu). Eventually the Chin was mixed with other breeds, probably
with small Spaniels, giving him the appearance he currently has. The
Japanese Chin was finally known in other countries in 1853, thanks to Matthew
Perry who brought the concept of International Trade to Japan. These dogs rapidly became popular and were imported into the United States and Great
Britain. President Franklin Pierce and Jefferson Davis were known to have
Japanese Chins as beloved pets. The American Kennel Club recognized the Japanese Chin in 1888.
