Japanese Chin vs Hamiltonstovare - Breed Comparison

The Japanese Chin, also known as the Japanese Spaniel, has always been known for thousands of years as a dog with strong companion characteristics.

Hailing from Asia, he is also known as the Japanese Spaniel. In Japan, the Chin dogs are royalty and lapdogs, and while the exact origin of the Japanese Chin isn't quite clear, it is an ancient toy breed.

The first Japanese Chin was brought to America in 1882. The toy breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888, as a Japanese Spaniel. The AKC changed the breed name to the Japanese Chin in 1977.

Bred as a hunting hound, the Hamiltonstovare hails from Sweden, being founded in the late 1800s. He was first exhibited in Sweden in 1886.

Known also as the Hamilton or the Swedish Foxhound, the dog was developed by Count Adolf Hamilton who was also the founder of the Swedish Kennel Club. The dog’s ancestry includes some German Hounds as well as Harriers and English Foxhounds, and this has ensured he has excellent hunting instincts.

This dog breed got the name Hamiltonstovare in 1921 as a tribute to the person who created the breed and also the founder of the Swedish Kennel Club, Count A.P. Hamilton. The Hamiltonstovare isn’t recognized by the AKC but is recognized by the FCI and is also a member of the Foundation Stock Service. He is recognized by the Kennel Club in the UK as a Hound.

As a small sized dog, the oriental looking Japanese Chin stands at about 20 to 27cm in height and weighs roughly 2 to 6kg. He has a large round head with big brown eyes and a short muzzle. The ears are long and feathery and the tail is long and held up over the back.

The long silky single coat is either white and red or white and black or it can be tri-colored too – white, black and reddish-tan.

Temperament:

The Japanese Chin is a small, evenly tempered dog and the toy-size dog, according to people who have owned him as a pet, say he has some cat-like features – the ability to leap and the ability to wash himself similar to what a cat does.

He is also a typical lap dog liking nothing more than to lie in your lap and be petted. He just loves being with his human family and his smallness allows him to fit well into city- or country life.

He is an intelligent dog. He is small but strong-willed and that is why both you and him will benefit from having him trained and socialized as he becomes more amicable and obedient.

Social, jaunty and content, he is everyone’s friend and will be a suitable playmate for children, being loving and devoted to his entire family. They make great therapy dogs as he has the knack of being sensitive to the feelings of people and adjusts his mannerisms to suit the people he is with.

The Hamilton Hound is a good looking, well proportioned dog with an attractive, 2-layered, shortish, smooth, tri-colored coat of tan, black and white.

These dogs stand at about 49-61cm in height and they weigh 23 – 27kg. The eyes are brown and the ears are floppy. He is a deep chested dog with a long tail which he carries straight or which is somewhat curved. He has a longish head with a skull that is slightly arched and broad.

Temperament:

Friendly, social and amicable, the even-tempered Hamiltonstovare is a dog that loves to be with his human family. When you look at him you look at him as a friend as he has a calm, intelligent expression about him.

He is a stubborn, non-aggressive dog that is intelligent and this makes it easy to have him trained and socialized to make him obedient and to follow some easy instructions.

He is a very active dog and will love an owner who leads an active, outdoor life. Most Hamiltons love swimming too and he will be thrilled if you plunge in with him on a hot day.

He has always been a hunting dog, and while they love spending time with their human family, he loves the thrill of the hunt. He is a playful dog too, loving to entertain and be entertained, and he gets on well with children.

The Japanese Chin is just longing to be your special friend. When you treat him with the love and care he deserves, you'll discover that he is a sweet, gentle companion who will be loyal and loving to his human family.

He is a quiet pet and intelligent enough to be trained and socialized so that he is obedient and ready to please. Although he doesn't bark much, he makes quite a few other noises such as wheezing, snorting and snorting. He makes up for it by being entertaining and loving towards you so that you life is brighter just by having him in it.

Hamiltonstovares make wonderful companions simply because they’re friendly dogs with stable personalities.

He is actually an ‘all-rounder’ dog – well proportioned and good-looking and with a solid personality to match.

He is lithe and muscled and as a multi-purpose dog, he has been used to follow scents and hunt down prey. These skills as well as his loyal characteristics have made him a versatile, sought after pet.

Another bonus when you own a dog like this is that he is also a low maintenance dog, shedding very little. He is intelligent too and easy to train, and all these qualities make him a wonderful pet to own.

There are a few health issues with your Japanese Chin that are worth knowing about such as hypoglycemia, cataracts and heart murmurs. Allergies and dental issues also need to be checked.

Dog breeds with the flattened face always battle with dental-, eye and breathing problems. With good care however, your Japanese Chin can reach anything from 10 – 12 years of age.

Heart Murmurs:

Murmurs come about because of a disturbance in the blood flow and which can produce an audible noise. If your dog's murmur is associated with structural heart disease, your dog may display signs of congestive heart failure and he'll be weak for instance and be coughing.

When your dog gets to the vet, the course of treatment will be determined on the type of heart murmur. Luckily puppies with low grade murmurs often grow out of it but if you have an adult dog, routine diagnostic imaging may be recommended by your vet.

Every dog has different genetic make ups that affect them and they have different susceptibilities to illnesses. The average life expectancy of a Hamiltonstovare is between 10 and 13 years when he is looked after and well nourished with top quality food.

Some things to look out for are hip dysplasia, cancer, bloat and obesity.

Obesity:

Look out for obesity in your pet because just like with people, obesity leads to other diseases and complications in dogs such as diabetes, respiratory disorders, osteoarthritis and hypertension.

If your dog needs to lose weight, and you just don’t know how you’re going to deny him the treats he loves, speak to your vet who can even work out a weight management program for him.

Cancer:

Cancer is a formidable threat to all dog breeds. The most obvious sign that your dog could have cancer is abnormal swelling that gets larger under the skin. The idea is get get the lump removed and biopsied as soon as possible. Loss of appetite, weight loss, sores that don’t heal and bleeding or discharge are all signs of cancer.

Grooming:

The Japanese Chin has a single coat, and a brush once or twice a week will keep the coat silky and untangled.

Check his ears for dirt and wax and try to wipe inside the ears, being very, very careful not to go deep into the ear to avoid damage.

Clip his nails and brush his teeth as small dogs are more prone to dental disease. Periodontal disease is preventable with dental cleaning. Dental disease starts when plaque sticks to the surface of the teeth. It hardens, spreads under the gum line and cause tissue damage. It also damages the immune system.

Exercise:

The Japanese Chin is an energetic dog and loves a game and a walk. It isn't the kind of dog that you will take on your hikes or swimming as it tends to huff and puff after a while from too much exercise, and more specifically in hot weather.

Diet:

Dog experts say that a grain-free food is best for this kind of dog. Kibble which comes with lean protein and with plenty of vitamins and minerals such as taurine and carnitine is recommended. They are good for the joints, coat, heart and eyes. Japanese Chins can be prone to heart- and eye problems and kibble rich in omega 3 fatty acids will be good for the Chin for many excellent reasons.

If you're in any way uncertain about what to feed your Japanese Chin, speak to your vet as the type of food you feed your pet will determine how healthy he will be. Always ensure he has access to fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

The Hamiltonstovare has a double coat but even so, he is a low maintenance breed that will simply require a brush twice a week to remove dead and loose hair.

Because he has floppy ears, it is important to check his ears because too much wax and debris can lead to a painful infection.

Exercise:

This is a high energy dog who will need the right amount of exercise as well as mental stimulation to be at his best. A nice walk every day will be excellent for him as well as the usual ball games in the garden.

Feeding:

If you get your Hamilton puppy from a breeder, it would be wise to stick to the same food they were feeding your puppy with. Suddenly changing his good could cause digestive upsets.

Every Hamilton requires top quality food that meets all his nutritional requirements. If you give him commercially manufactured food, make sure to follow the instructions with regards to the amount of food you give him as he can put on too much weight.

These dogs are known to suffer with bloat, so rather give him smaller meals than one large meal a day. Your Hamilton should never be exercised immediately after eating a meal. Remember to always ensure a bowl of fresh, cool water is always available.