Also known as the Chinese Imperial Ch’in or the Chinese Temple Dog, this breed is a modern American recreation of one of the ancient temple dogs of China.
Despite its name, this is an American dog. A United States breeder crossed a ‘believed Temple Dog male’ with a large female Japanese Chin. Starting from this basis, the new breed was developed. It remains very similar to the Japanese Chin, but has a longer muzzle, and its body is slightly longer and lower. Its ears hang close to the head, and a plumed tail is curled up over the back. Its long cottony coat is nearly always black-andwhite. Other colours do appear, but only rarely.
There are four size classes: the Giant, the Classic, the Miniature and the Sleeve. The biggest examples are about 14 in (36 cm) in height and weigh 20 lb (9 kg). The smallest are tiny, no more than 3 in (8 cm) tall and weighing as little as 1.5 lb (700 g). This newly revived breed is said to be growing rapidly in popularity.
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