Welcome to Wickenfen Japanese Spaniels.
Beyond Canadian borders they are known as Japanese Chins.
Born with a love of animals, dogs have always been my passion. My first "job" was working at a veterinary clinic and I’ve been working with dogs ever since. I saved my first three paychecks to buy my first pure bred dog, a Collie named Pasha. It was about that time I also attended my first dog show, the United Kennel Club show at Place Bonaventure in Montreal, and that’s when I caught the 'bug' and such was the beginning of my interest in showing for conformation and breeding .
Fifteen years ago I got my first Bullmastiff, a majestic breed that drew my interest and we had two great girls. They proved to be loyal and loving and, as their show careers wound down and they approached their senior years, I rethought my direction and decided to revisit a love I always had for a Toy breed, the Japanese Chin.
During my years of showing I always admired these charming little dogs. They were certainly not abundant and the ones I did see always belonged to the same breeder. I researched the breed and contacted Ms. Jean Whitford of Sutton, Quebec. I developed a tremendous respect for her passion and dedication to the breed. I visited Jean and her Chins at her home and was impressed when I arrived in her driveway and was met by 15 or 20 Chins standing with two feet on the run fence and wagging wildly with their silly little Chin grins and not a single one barked! Some were snacking on cherry tomatoes that they picked directly off the plants Jean had growing along the fence! I knew I had found my breed.
Jean, on the other hand, was quite horrified at the thought of allowing me a dog, after learning I still had one remaining Bullmastiff in the house, though Uma (Ch. Lioncourt’s Scarlett Storm)was quite senior by then.
Over the course of the next several months I also realized I had a kindred spirit
with whom I shared the same belief that the health and well being of these little
dogs is an integral part of a sound breeding program. We selected my first
Japanese Chin, Angie (Valleja’s Angelina), and she immediately became a part
of our family. She was everything I thought she would be and more. She was
dainty, funny, charming, snooty, and very cuddly, when it suited her. She
befriended Uma and took it upon herself to become her personal groomer,
cleaning her ears, face, jowls…
We showed Angelina and got a few points, but she was not impressed by the show ring. She proved to be a wonderful mother, and our first Wickenfen Chin was born, Tuk Tuk (Ch. Wickenfen Valleja Happi TukTuk), a beautiful red/sable male.
Her second litter gave us two girls, a tiny red/sable,
Boogie, and a black and white, Lei Lu.
We don’t have many dogs as we don’t have an actual kennel. Our dogs live in our home with us. We breed occasionally and carefully. Health and temperament are most important to us. As we often hold back puppies to see their show potential, we occasionally have puppies and young adults we are willing to part with if the perfect, forever home becomes available. Our dogs are CkC registered and have a health guarantee. We enjoy showing our Chins, but first and foremost our Chins are part of our family.
Thanks for taking the time to find out about me and how I came to enjoy this breed. If I can help you with your decision, should you be considering a Chin, please send me an email or call and I’ll be happy to help you make a decision.
Sandra
Her second litter gave us two girls, a tiny red/sable,
Boogie, and a black and white, Lei Lu.
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