Lowchen

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Lowchen originated in France and is a relative of the Bichon Frise. They are one of the most rare breeds still alive today, but are slowly becoming more popular. This little dog resembles a lion and actually has an alternate name being 'little lion dog'.

These dogs have a unique coat trim that is usually bare from the hind legs to the tail. Their front legs and chest are covered in long, fine fur and their face has hair cascading from the ears. The Lowchen has long floppy ears, a short muzzle and large circular eyes. They have a compact body and long fine boned legs with a long tail. These little dogs resemble their cousin breed the Bichon and also the Maltese.

The Lowchen is a friendly, outgoing, and clever little dog that loves attention from their owners. They make great family pets because they get along great with children and smaller animals. For the most part, this breed will interact well with other dogs but might be more aggressive towards other males. The Lowchen thrives on their owners affection and will become depressed if left alone to often.

Color

The Lowchen will come in any type of colour combination but most commonly seen is the black, lemon or white. All patterns and markings are accepted in the AKC standards.

Coat

This breed has a long loosely wavy coat that is often accompanied by a unique hair cut. Some owners prefer the breed standard haircut which is to shave the dog from the hind quarters down, and some owners prefer to have the dogs fur cut evenly but shortly. Either way they will need to be brushed at least once per week just to remove the dead coat.

Personality

TheLowchen is an energetic happy dog that is courageous and will make a great family pet. They will need to be trained in a positive yet firm manner but this should not present any problems as they are a smart breed that want to please their owners. Socialization as puppies will be needed, especially around other dogs (preferably of the same sex) and other animals to ensure they can be comfortable in various situations as adults. These little dogs, despite their size, make great watchdogs! They are constantly on guard and possess a loud bark which could alert the family and the neighbors as well. Lowchens can be a stubborn and sometimes dominant breed so their masters will need to have patience while training them. Owners would also be encouraged to have some experience or knowledge in basic obedience in order to quickly teach this breed.

Care

The Lowchen will need a moderate amount of grooming to keep their coat looking great. Brushing 2-3 times per week and bathing once per month will be great for this breeds coat. Monthly trims will be needed if the owner decides they want a show cut. The Lowchen is prone to a couple of eye ailments, such as cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy. They might be genetically prone to luxating patella's, but for the most part they are a healthy breed.

Training

The Lowchen is a bit of a stubborn breed and will need an owner who is more firm in their training techniques, but gentle. They want to please their owner but need to be taught with positive consistency in order to grasp the concept. Training sessions made enjoyable will be more motivating to these dogs as it will seem like a treat rather than a chore.

Activity

The Lowchen will need about a half an hour of exercise per day and this can be done either at an off-leash park or on a long walk. Time spent running off-leash or playing with other dogs will definitely burn their energy much quicker. These dogs will do well in an apartment because they are small and don't take up too much space. A backyard is not necessary but would be a bonus so they have an outdoor environment at home to roam around in.