A Lowchen is a small-sized dog, this breed may be tiny but its big with personality! Naturally sweet and loving, this dog breed is an excellent companion for singles and those with families alike. Learn more about Lowchens in this complete guideline, and then you can decide whether they’re ideal for you!
Is The Lowchen An Ideal Family Dog?
Lowchen Personality
- Playful and sweet in nature
- Needs a lot of attention
- Ideal for apartment living
- Ideal for families with children and other pets
- Needs training and control of barking
When you’re looking for a dog breed who is sweet, loving and affectionate, the Lowchen is ideal for you. They are loyal and needs a lot of attention. Consequently, they are a happy dog once their exercise and activity needs are met. They love playing around the house and at the same time, can cuddle with their owner when they feel like it.
Attention is important for Lowchens. They’re people-loving dogs. However, they need a lot of attention and interaction. Lowchens may experience separation anxiety, and they don’t want to be left alone for long periods. Hence, this dog breed is not recommended for people who leave the house and work all day.
At least, there should be someone who’ll stay in the house throughout the day. When they get bored, they might play around the house and become a little anxious, leading to property damage.
Regarding interacting with other people and pets, Lowchens are gentle with everyone. Lowchens make excellent dogs for families with either children or other pets. However, they might become a little reserved when it comes to strangers. In fact, Lowchens make excellent watchdogs, but one problem you might face is constant barking. Training early is vital to help them housebreak and to learn about obedience for their barking to be controlled.
Since Lowchens are typically small dogs, they are ideal for small houses, condominiums and even apartments. But, you need to make sure to meet their exercise and activity needs.
Size & Color
- Small-sized dog
- Variety of colors
- Dense and long coat
Lowchens are considered small dogs with sizes ranging between 12 and 14 inches tall and 9 and 18 pounds heavy. Lowchens are deemed small-sized dogs, but they are longer than they are tall.
Regarding their appearance, Lowchens wear a dense and long coat that is soft to touch. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), there are 18 color combinations and eight markings of Lowchens that are accepted by the association.
Health
- Regular exercise and mental stimulation
- Generally healthy
- Chronic allergies
- Potential health problems
Lowchens are healthy dogs. In fact, they seldom get sick depending on how the owners take care of them. One crucial health requirement of Lowchen dogs are regular exercise and mental stimulation. When they do not release their energy through activities and tasks, they may become destructive at home.
Make sure you take your dog for a 20-minute walk each day. Moreover, don’t let your dog become bored and spend long periods alone.
One of the most common illness your Lowchen may have is chronic allergies. These can make their skin extraordinarily itchy, and if they’re not treated, an infection can become a common problem, particularly when the skin becomes irritated.
Here are the potential health problems Lowchen dogs may have:
- Cataracts – This refers to the cloudiness in the crystalline lens of the eye in dogs. Usually, cataracts in dogs emerge during old age, but in some cases, they occur earlier. This condition, if left untreated, may lead to permanent blindness. Most cases of cataracts are inherited, which means they run in families.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – Another eye problem, PRA refers to a group of genetic diseases that cause the gradual loss or degeneration of the retina, leading to blindness.
- Patellar Luxation – In simple terms, this condition means kneecap dislocation. A dislocated kneecap is one of the most common knee joint abnormalities in dogs, and it’s common among small and toy dogs.
Lifespan Of A Lowchen Dog
The Little Lion dog, depending on how the owner takes care of them, may live for up to 12 to 14 years. The lifespan of this dog breed will rely on their quality of life. Moreover, some may become predisposed to health issues because of their family history.
Hence, before buying or adopting your dog from the breeder, make sure you check the health clearances of the puppy’s parents. This will help you determine if there are hereditary diseases your dog might develop. Also, communicate with reputable breeders to ensure that the puppy is in good health.
Food & Diet
The food requirements of dogs much depend on their age, size, and metabolism or activity level. The nutritional needs of the Lowchen are just essential – they need to eat an average of two meals per day, and cool fresh water should be available at all times.
The recommended amount of food you can feed your dog is about 1/2 to one cup of high-quality food a day, divided into two meals. Do not let the food out throughout the day because Lowchens have a high tendency to overeat.
Grooming Requirements
- Frequent brushing and combing
- Sheds very little
- Regular nail and oral care
- Occasional baths
Lowchens have dense and long wavy coats – frequent brushing and combing are essential. If you can’t commit to daily brushing, you need to trim their fur. Make sure to brush their fur daily, or else your dog can become a matted mess.
The good thing about Lowchens is that they’re light shedders. So, you won’t worry about their hair all over the place. Moreover, regular nail and oral care are also important. Make sure you trim your dog’s nails especially if they went outdoors to play.
Regarding baths, you don’t need to bathe your dog regularly since this breed is prone to skin allergies. Bathing can strip their skin off of natural oils that protect them from irritation and infection. It is best to clean their ears on a regular basis to ensure no ear infections will form.
You can have your Lowchen trimmed and groomed with the “Lion Trim.” This is the standard style for Lowchen dogs during shows. The hair is shortened to about 1/8 of an inch in the rib area and the legs. Cuffs of fur are left just above the feet.
Price Of A Lowchen Puppy
Did you know that Lowchen dogs are one of the most expensive breeds in the world? In the 19th century, they were virtually extinct. Today, since the breed is still scarce, the price of a puppy can range between $5,000 and $8,000. Some may cost between $3,000 and $5,000.
History
#DidYouKnow the Lowchen AKA Little Lion Dog, originated from medieval France and Germany around 1442. #pethacks #dogs pic.twitter.com/m4ewlriirU
— Edna Wong (@EdnasPetHacks) October 28, 2016
In the past, the Lowchen had a history of being a companion to the wealthy and elite. In the late 19th century, the dog was seen in countries like Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. However, the breed faced near-extinction to being revived in the modern times.
The Lowchen breed arrived in the United States in 1971. The breed name used was Little Lion Dog, but when the Lowchen Club of America was established in the same year, they eventually changed to name to Lowchen.
Fun Fact
In the 1500s, the Lowchen is seen in various paintings. In fact, it was known fact that when a knight has survived the war, a Lowchen was put in paintings at his feet. The dog became a symbol of courage and bravery.
Did you learn about Lowchen dogs? Here are more facts about this dog breed in this video by Rocadog:
If you’re looking for a small-sized dog that is good family companions, the Lowchen breed is perfect for you. They are gentle with kids and sweet in nature. Lowchens make great watchdogs too!
Do you think a Lowchen dog would be a great addition to your family? Let us know in the comments section below.
