shop


The Furry Critter Network

Little Lion Dog Breed Description

Back to Canine Breed Menu


thm-img


Breed Organization

The Lowchen Club of America

Native Country
France

Other Names
Lowchen, Little Chien Dog, Petit Chien Lion, Little Lion

Life Expectancy
Approximately 13-15 Years

Litter Size
Average 3-5 Puppies

Breed Group
AKC Non-Sporting

General Description

The Lowchen is a compact companion breed with slightly off square proportions and balanced moderate angles in the front and rear. The silhouette of the breed calls for a long mane in the front with a flat topline. The Lowchen tail should be set coming off the topline and be over the back in the shape of a tea cup handle in movement.

The Lowchen's coat is long and flowing and comes in many colors. The coat should not be thin and fluffy like a Bichon Frise, but fairly straight with waves. It is a multi-texture coat with a 50/50 mix of silkier thicker hairs and softer hair. This allows for an easy to maintain coat that is silky to the touch. Lowchen coat should not be harsh, wooly or cottony. The Lowchen does not shed, and this breed has very low allergic effects, and are considered hypoallergenic. It is important to note, however, that there is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog. The saliva and skin or dander, of a dog can still trigger an allergic event in sensitive people.


Breed Standard

Head: Short. Fairly broad skull. Black nose.
Ears: Long, pendulous, with feathering.
Eyes: Round, dark.
Body: Short, well-proportioned.
Tail: Medium in length, clipped. Tuft at the tip forming a plume.
Hair: Fairly long, wavy but not curly.
Coat: All colors, solid or spotted, are allowed except shades of brown (chocolate, liver).
Size: 25 to 32 cm.
Weight: 4 to 8 kg.

History

The breed is found in many countries as far back as the sixteenth century. The little "lion dog" is seen in many art pieces featuring dogs as far back as the sixteenth century, but it is unclear whether these were all dogs like the Lowchen, or simply small dogs of the Bichon type that were trimmed in a lion cut. Although this dog may be related to the Bichon Frise, the Lowchen's history remains obscure.

The Lowchen has a history as a companion dog to the wealthy and elite. It is possible to trace the modern history of the breed to late-19th-century enthusiasts in what are now Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. It is thought the breed's ancestors were dogs that were brought in by travelers from the far eastern lands of Tibet and mingled with local dogs such as Spitz and terrier-type dogs. Occasionally a genetic throw-back is found. Madame Bennerts started a breeding program in 1944, later with the help of veterinarian Dr. Rickert.

Lowchen were imported into Britain in 1968 and the breed was accorded Kennel Club (UK) recognition in 1971. The Lowchen would finally make an appearance in America in 1971, by way of England. At this time, the Lowchen was still known as the “Little Lion Dog”. Also in 1971, The Lowchen Club of America (LCA) was formed and the breed's name was officially changed to “Lowchen ”. The Lowchen was accepted into the American Kennel Club Miscellaneous class in 1996, and then fully recognized into the non-sporting group in 1999.

The number of Lowchen worldwide continues to fall with the breed being listed as at risk for extinction. An effort to keep the breed from becoming extinct was started along with efforts across other rare breeds.

Behavior

The Lowchen is a friendly, healthy, and happy dog. Dogs of this breed are both active and playful, and very intelligent. The Lowchen is an excellent house pet. The Lowchen makes also a good pet for families with children. This breed has a history as a companion dog and the dogs need the attention of humans and they are not happy left alone for longer periods of time. The Lowchen can be vocal in excitement or demands, though some can be quiet.

He adapts well to apartment life, as long as he is walked daily. He also needs daily brushing. For shows, he should be groomed every two months with a Continental (or Lion) clip like that of the Poodle. Sporting this clip, he truly lives up to the name Lowchen, meaning "little lion".

Function

Pet.

Health

The Lowchen is a robust breed with few health issues that impact the dog. Yearly eye exams, patella evaluation, and hip conformation evaluations are recommending for breeding stock. The breed can be impacted by Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and luxating patellas, however the frequency is low. Other issues tend to be issues related to old age.


Back to Canine Breed Menu

Featured Rescues

"Don't Shop ... Please Adopt"

laptop pro

ASPCA

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) was the first humane society to be established in North America and is, today, one of the largest in the world.

Our organization was founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans and must be protected under the law. Headquartered in New York City, the ASPCA maintains a strong local presence, and with programs that extend our anti-cruelty mission across the country, we are recognized as a national animal welfare organization. We are a privately funded 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, and are proud to boast more than 2 million supporters across the country.

The ASPCA’s mission, as stated by founder Henry Bergh in 1866, is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”


laptop pro

Petfinder

If you can’t find the pet you’re looking for on Petfinder, don’t give up. Some shelters maintain waiting lists for specific breeds, so don’t be afraid to ask! There are also breed-specific rescues for just about every breed, and most of them post their pets on Petfinder. (Petfinder can even e-mail you when a pet that fits your criteria is posted — just click “Save this Search” at the top of your search results page.)


laptop pro

Rescue Me

Jeff Gold, Founder, Rescue Me! Animal Rescue Network

Jeff Gold lives in Watkinsville, Georgia on the same property as Rescue Me's Animal Rehabilitation Center, with 18 rescue animals. Shown with him in the photo to the left are Maggie, Izzie and Cortez. In 2003, after learning there was nobody doing boxer rescue work in Georgia, Gold founded Boxertown, an organization which helped find homes for over 500 boxers during its first two years. Based upon this success, Gold came up with the vision for Rescue Me! ― a network which helps all breeds of dogs, cats and other animals find good homes, anywhere in the world. RescueShelter.com is also a free service of Rescue Me! and provides the world's largest and most up-to-date directory of animal rescue organizations for all breeds of dogs, cats and other animals, including a comprehensive directory of wildlife rehabilitators in over 150 countries.



Top