Silkin

The Japanese Chin is a small, elegant toy breed distinguished by its unique Oriental expression and aristocratic bearing. Standing between eight and eleven inches at the shoulder and typically weighing between four and nine pounds, though some larger specimens may reach up to fifteen pounds, the breed presents a distinctly square silhouette when viewed from the side. The body is compact and well-balanced with moderate bone structure, conveying an impression of stylish refinement rather than fragility. The breed moves with a characteristic light, stylish gait that reflects its noble heritage as a treasured companion of Japanese royalty. The head of the Japanese Chin is large and broad in proportion to the body, featuring a distinctively flat face with a brachycephalic skull structure. The short, wide muzzle sits well up between the large, round, dark eyes that are set wide apart, creating the breed's characteristic look of astonishment or perpetual surprise. The eyes are prominent but should not appear bulging, and ideally display a small amount of white at the inner corners, adding to the distinctive Oriental expression. Small, V-shaped ears are set wide apart and high on the skull, hanging downward and covered with long, silky feathering that frames the face beautifully. The Japanese Chin's coat is single-layered, lacking the dense undercoat found in many other breeds, which gives it a silky, flowing quality. The hair is long and straight, standing somewhat away from the body and forming an abundant mane around the neck and shoulders, with profuse feathering on the ears, legs, thighs, and the heavily plumed tail that curves gracefully over the back. The breed comes in several color patterns, all featuring white as the base color with markings of black, red, lemon, orange, sable, or combinations thereof in tricolor patterns. Facial markings are ideally symmetrical, with evenly marked patches or spots. The small, hare-shaped feet with feathering between the toes complete the breed's elegant appearance.

The Silky Terrier is a refined yet robust toy breed that stands approximately nine to ten inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between eight and ten pounds. Despite its elegant appearance, this breed possesses true terrier substance with a compact, moderately low-set body that is slightly longer than tall. The overall structure conveys strength and agility rather than fragility, with sufficient bone to suggest the breed's working terrier heritage. The body is well-muscled with a level topline, moderately sprung ribs, and a high-set tail that is customarily docked in countries where the practice remains legal, carried erect but not over the back. The head of the Silky Terrier is strong and wedge-shaped, with a flat skull of moderate width between the ears and a shallow stop. The powerful jaws contain evenly spaced teeth meeting in a scissors bite, and the small, almond-shaped eyes are dark and express keen intelligence and alertness. Small, V-shaped ears stand erect and are set high on the skull, contributing to the breed's perpetually alert expression. The neck is refined yet strong, flowing smoothly into well-laid-back shoulders that allow for free movement. The breed's most striking feature is its long, silky coat that typically reaches five to six inches in length and is parted from head to tail along the back. Unlike the similar-looking Yorkshire Terrier, the Silky Terrier's coat maintains a straight, glossy texture without the woolly or wavy tendencies sometimes seen in related breeds. The coat color at maturity is blue and tan, with the blue ranging from silver blue to slate blue. Puppies are born black and tan, with the distinctive blue coloring developing as they mature, typically by eighteen months of age. The tan markings appear on the muzzle, cheeks, around the base of the ears, legs, and feet. The compact, cat-like feet and strong pasterns complete the picture of this elegant yet athletic toy terrier.