The Lowchen (Little Lion Dog) is a small dog that is sometimes considered to be a toy dog, according to some registries. Löwchen means “little lion” in German. It was once considered the rarest breed in the whole world and today it can be said that less than a few hundreds of new registrations are made for this breed each year across the Globe.
It has been suggested that this breed has affinities with the Bichon, however its origins are actually not clearly known. It is probably a European breed and it is currently listed to originate in France, although since the 1500s it has also been considered to originate in Spain and Germany.
Its silky textured coat easily catches attention, especially due to the way in which it is commonly trimmed, so that the dog resembles a lion. The hair is usually left to be longer over the forequarters of the body, reminding of a lion mane, and it is clipped short on the hindquarters. The wavy coat can be white, black and lemon. Speckled coloring can also be found in this dog breed. The skull is broad, the muzzle is a little shorter than the back skull and is somewhat broad also and the nose is dark-colored, generally black.
A sturdy and large toy breed, the Lowchen can reach 13 inches (33 cm) in height, 18 pounds (8kg) in weight and has a well-proportioned body. Its eyes are especially noticeable, being large, round, dark and most of all expressive. The ears present feathering. The tail is medium in length and set high. Overall, it is a healthy breed of dog, but there are lines that are prone to suffering patellar luxation.
The Lowchen (Little Lion Dog) is not only an attractive dog, but also an intelligent and affectionate one. It has been successfully present in obedience and agility competitions. It is great as a family pet given its affectionate and playful nature and also its proper adapting to the urban environment. It deals well with apartment life and does well without a yard. It should be known though that it will be very active indoors and that it requires daily walks. Behavior problems can usually develop in dogs that are not regularly walked. About 30 minutes per day of exercising is recommended. Also, it requires grooming more than once a week.
It is cheerful and lively and willing to learn, therefore little difficulty is faced in training. Its sociable nature stays valid when it comes to interacting with children and also when it comes to dealing with other dogs and even non-canine pets. Although gentle in nature, it will also defend its household when it is needed, barking intensely. The owner must prove to be the pack leader from the perspective of the dog, so that the pet does not develop the Small Dog Syndrome.
The Lowchen (Little Lion Dog) is a lovely toy dog to have around as a pet.
