Your pet should be taken in for a health checkup once a year. If you get a 16 week old or younger puppy they will need to have vaccination shots on schedule. After that a yearly health checkup is recommended. How often you give vaccination boosters is up to you. A lot of people advocate the once a year booster shot, and quite a few also say that's over vaccination and boosters should only be given every 2 to 3 years. Consult with your vet and decide what's best for your Japanese Chin.

When you take your dog into the vet for their annual checkup, be prepared to answer questions from your vet. Things like are they eating and drinking normally, are their stools firm or loose, and have they been bright eyed and energetic. Knowing your pets habits and keeping a close eye on them will be a great help to your vet when your dog is sick or goes in for his regular checkups. As with grooming, visits to the veterinarian should be a part of your dog's life starting at a young age. Going to the vet is not usually something dogs enjoy. Take treats along and pet and praise your puppy when you take him to the vet to help create a normal atmosphere. Annual health checkups are part of a responsible pet owner's duties and will help diagnose and prevent health problems as your dog gets older.