Lowchen - Lowchen

Lowchen Temperament

Known as the Little Lion Dog, the Lowchen is a dog with bags of character, plenty of spirit, and a lively and cheerful personality. These energetic little dogs make good family pets and companions, and are well suited to the inexperienced dog owner as well as the more experienced. This intelligent breed is quick to learn and eager to please, which makes training relatively easy. The Lowchen is a dog that is entertaining and fun to be around, but is also dignified, sensible, and peaceful. He thrives on the attention of his family, and has plenty of love and affection to shower upon his owners. Although the Lowchen loves to play and join in with all the family fun, he will also be content to simply snuggle up and relax with you.

These mild mannered dogs can sometimes lean towards timidity, and this means that early socialization is important in order to promote confidence and improve social skills. A well socialized Lowchen will get along well with children, providing that they are gentle and considerate, and will also get along well with other pets. With strangers many will be friendly and polite, although some may be timid or shy. Although the Lowchen is suitable for apartment living, he may be a keen barker and this could pose a problem in terms of noise. His tendency to announce visitors and raise the alarm makes him an effective watchdog. This is not a dog for those that have little time to devote to a pet, as he does need attention, love, and mental stimulation. His exercise requirements are low, although you should ensure that he has a safe and secured place to play or take him out for walks regularly.
Lowchen Appearance

The Lowchen is a small, sturdy, and compact dog with an appearance that has earned him the nickname of Little Lion Dog. Show dogs have the hindquarters and forelegs shaved, leaving a distinctive mane around the neck, a plumed tail, and hair around the bottom of the legs, leaving the Lowchen looking like a little lion. Pet dogs have a silky, fine coat that is slightly wavy. The coloring of the Lowchen can vary, and includes black and tan, chocolate and tan, cream, gold, white, black, and various other colors and combinations. The Lowchen is around 12-18 pounds in weight, and reaches around 12-14 inches in height.
Lowchen Grooming

The grooming requirements for the Lowchen can be high, and in order to keep his coat in good condition you will need to brush three or four times a week. In order to achieve and maintain the lion appearance, professional clipping will be required on a fairly regular basis, and for pet dogs standard clipping every six weeks should be okay. The hair around the bottom should be kept trimmed for hygiene reasons, and you should check that the ears are dry and clean to reduce the chances of infection. The Lowchen is a low shedder, and sheds into the coat, which means that he may be okay for allergy sufferers.
Lowchen Health Problems and Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of the Lowchen is around 13-16 years, and there are just a few health issues that are linked to this generally hardy, healthy breed. This includes PRA, cataract, luxating patella, and possible allergies. The parents of the Lowchen puppy should have OFA and CERF certificates.
Lowchen History

The Lowchen originates from the Mediterranean, and was once a hit amongst the nobility because of his regal and lion-like appearance once groomed. This dog became known as the rarest dog in the world in the 1960s after its popularity declined, but is now enjoying increased popularity. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1995.

# AKALittle Lion Dog
# SizeSmall
# Ease of trainingMedium/High
# GroomingMedium/High
# SheddingLow
# Exercise neededOccasional walks
# Energy levelMedium/High
# ProtectionMakes an effective watchdog
# Good with childrenYes, with gentle, older children
# Health clearancesOFA, CERF
# Popularity132/155