Lowchen

also known as Little Lion Dog, Little Lion, Petit Chien Lion, Lowchen

Pros History


The Lowchen, also known as the Little Lion Dog, is a small breed of dog that has a long and rich history dating back to the 14th century. The breed is believed to have originated in medieval Europe, specifically in the area of present-day Belgium and Germany. The name "Lowchen" is German and translates to "little lion", which is a reference to the breed's distinctive lion-like haircut.

The Lowchen's origins can be traced back to the 14th century, when they were popular among the nobility and upper classes as a lapdog. They were also used as companion dogs for children and as hunting dogs for small game. The breed's small size and friendly disposition made them a popular choice for ladies' companions. They were also highly prized for their intelligence and trainability.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Lowchen's popularity spread throughout Europe and they were often depicted in artwork and literature of the time. However, the breed's popularity began to decline in the 18th and 19th centuries as larger dog breeds became more popular. By the early 20th century, the Lowchen was considered a rare breed and was on the verge of extinction.

Efforts to revive the breed began in the 1950s, led by a group of dedicated breeders in Europe. The first Lowchen was imported to the United States in 1965 and the breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1971. The Lowchen is recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1971, and the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1995.

Breed Information


Type

Is Lowchen a purebred?

Purebred

Pronunciation

How do you pronounce the Lowchen name? How do you say Lowchens?

lerv-chun

Purpose

What were Lowchens originally used for?

Companion

Lifespan

How Long Do Lowchens Live? What is average life expectancy for a Lowchen? How long can Lowchens live?

13-15 years

The average Lowchen lifespan is somewhere between 13-15 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Lowchen Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Lowchen?

What is the average height of a Lowchen? How big is a Purebred Lowchen height? Lowchen dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 12-14 inches (30.5 - 35.6 cm) 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) 11.0 inches (27.9 cm) 13.0 inches (33 cm)
Female 12-14 inches (30.5 - 35.6 cm) 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) 11.0 inches (27.9 cm) 13.0 inches (33 cm)
What is the average weight of a Lowchen? How much should Lowchens weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 8-18 pounds (4 - 8 kg) 8.5 pounds (4 kg) 11.0 pounds (5 kg) 13.0 pounds (6 kg)
Female 8-18 pounds (4 - 8 kg) 8.5 pounds (4 kg) 11.0 pounds (5 kg) 13.0 pounds (6 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Lowchens get fat easily?

The Lowchen is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Hypoallergenic

Are Lowchens Hypoallergenic?

Yes

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Lowchens are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Temperament

What is a Lowchen personality? What are Lowchen dogs best known for?

Active
Friendly
Playful
Familiar
Happy

Shedding Level

Are Lowchens heavy shedders? How Much Does a Lowchen Shed?

Lowchen will shed a negligible amount of hair. Some owners say that they do not shed, but that is not true. But the amount of shedding can be rather light than other dog breeds. If you do not want to deal with the hairs flying around in your home, then this breed is a perfect choice for you.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Lowchen dog?

The Lowchen dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, this breed will alert their owner.

Breed History


Ancestry

What are Lowchens descended from?

Bichon Frise, Bolognese, Maltese, Havanese

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Lowchen breed?

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club

Date of Birth

When were Lowchens first bred? How old is the Lowchen breed?

1500s

Breed Group

What Breed Group is a Lowchen?

Non Sporting (AKC:1996)
Companion Breeds (UKC)

Lowchen Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Lowchen eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Lowchen nose be naturally?

Black
Brown

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Lowchen coat be naturally?

Black
White
Brown
Fawn
Silver
Brindle
Sable
Red

Coat Length

How long is a Lowchens coat?

The coat of a Lowchen falls in the medium length category.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Lowchen Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Lowchen?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Lowchen have in a litter? How many puppies can a Lowchen have in her first litter?

13-15 puppies per pregnancy

A Lowchen can have a litter of 13-15 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Lowchens are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Lowchen Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Lowchens have a lot of health problems?

The Lowchen is a breed of dog that is known to have a higher frequency of health issues compared to other breeds. These issues can range from minor to serious, and regular check-ups with a veterinarian are essential in order to identify and address any potential problems as early as possible.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Lowchen?

Patellar Luxation
Diabetes

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Lowchens?

Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Cataracts
Hip Dysplasia
Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Lowchen breed?

Eye
Heart
Hips
Blood And Urine Protein Screens
X-Rays
Eye Examination

Lowchen Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Lowchens have a lot of energy?

For those who lead a balanced lifestyle, Lowchens may be a good choice as they have an average energy level.

Social Needs

Do Lowchens need socialization? How social are Lowchens?

Lowchen have very high social needs. These needs include regular mental and physical stimulation, a job or purpose, and companionship. They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Lowchens get?

The Lowchen dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Lowchen have? Do Lowchens sleep a lot?

The Lowchen breed is known for its moderate energy levels and normal sleep patterns, typically sleeping around 12-14 hours per day.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Lowchen drool a lot?

The Lowchen is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Lowchen dogs bark and howl frequently, they are not a good fit for quiet homes.

Territorial

Do Lowchens exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

These dogs are known for their strong territorial instinct and protective nature. They will fiercely defend their territory and are highly alert and vigilant against any perceived threat to their home and family.

Mouthiness

Are Lowchens mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Lowchen running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Lowchen dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Lowchens enjoy doing? How do I keep my Lowchen busy?

Walking, Petting, Walk, Play

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Lowchen? How much energy does a Lowchen have?

Medium

Lowchens are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Lowchen walk each week? How many miles should a Lowchen walk every week?

6 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Lowchen, it's at least 6 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Lowchen should exercise a day? How much activity does a Lowchen need?

30 minutes

In general most Lowchens usually need at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Lowchen?

This breed is known for having high grooming needs.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Lowchen?

Weekly

Lowchen should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Lowchens?

Pin Brush
Comb
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Lowchen eat?

1.2 cups

For an average 8-18 pound (4 - 8 kg) Lowchen feed 1.2 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Lowchen Cost Daily?

$1.70 - $2.00 / day

The average cost of a Lowchen is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Lowchen Cost Per Month?

$48 - $63 / month

The average per month expenses of a Lowchen is between $48 - $63. This makes an average of $576 - $756 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Lowchen Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Lowchen?

The Lowchen have below the average degree of obedience intelligence among other breeds. However, calling them “dumb dogs” is unfair. Where Lowchens lack in obedience & working intelligence, they make up for it with their keen ability to understand human emotions.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Lowchen dog?

Lowchen dogs have average emotions and are adaptable to different situations, not requiring extra care like sensitive breeds do.

Affection Dependance

Are Lowchen dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Lowchen do well in apartments? Are Lowchens good indoor dogs?

Lowchens are known for being excellent apartment dogs. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Child Friendly

Are Lowchens good with kids? Are Lowchens good around children?

Lowchens are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are Lowchens good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Lowchens good with cats? How friendly Lowchens are toward cats?

Lowchens are very cat friendly dogs. They generally make good companions for cats.

Dog Friendly

Do Lowchen dogs get along with other dogs? Are Lowchens OK with other dogs?

Lowchens are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Lowchen dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Lowchens friendly with strangers?

Lowchens are very friendly around strangers.

Playfulness

Do Lowchens like to play? Are Lowchens playful?

Lowchens have an average level of playfulness. The Lowchens, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Lowchen easily trained?

Lowchen dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Compact Size
    Lowchen are a small breed, making them a good choice for people with limited space.
  • Hypoallergenic
    If you have allergies, a Lowchen may be a suitable breed for you as they cause fewer allergic reactions.
  • Apartment Friendly
    Lowchen are perfect pets for apartment living.
  • Lack of odor
    The Lowchen's chance of emitting a foul odor is low.
  • Friendly and Affectionate
    Lowchen are known for being friendly and affectionate, making them great companion dogs.
  • Cat Friendly
    Cats and Lowchens make a great mix.
  • Intelligence
    Lowchen are intelligent dogs, which can make them easy to train.

Cons

  • Barking
    Lowchens are particularly loud in terms of their barking.
  • Not suitable for office environment
    Lowchens may not thrive in an office setting
  • Exercise Needs
    Lowchen have high energy levels and need regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.
  • Grooming Needs
    Lowchen have a long, silky coat that requires regular grooming to maintain its appearance.