Lowchen (Little Lion Dog)

Lowchen A males normal weight would be 12-18 pounds, while their normal height would be 12-14 inches.

A females normal weight would be 10-14 pounds, with their normal height being 10-12 inches.

A Lowchen has long hair that does not shed easily but without constant care will become matted. Their fur is fine, shiny and slightly wavy with it usually being white or black. In some cases, you will find some dogs of this breed to be speckled or to be spotted and a little more yellow than normal. Many owners will shave the back half of their dog to help emphasize the 'lion' features of this dog.

Lifespan and Health

The Lowchens normal lifespan is 12-14 years although there are a few really rare cases of some living 18 years.

The Lowchen dates back to medieval days where it possibly originated in Germany or Italy. Some believe that this breed of dog goes back to the 1500's as there are paintings in which this dog appears from that time period. This breed was really common in Europe in 15th century. The first record of someone breeding this dog occurred in the 1800's in Germany. In 1960, Lowchens claimed the Guiness Book of World Records for being the World’s Rarest Dog. Since then the breed has been revived due to the activities of some of the breeders. The Lowchen became recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1999.

Lowchens tend to be loving, affectionate, clever and cautious all at the same time. Males tend to be alpha dogs as they also try to show that they are tough and proud. This breed is easy to train when it comes to housebreaking and simple commands. Ignoring this breed of dog will hurt the dogs feelings as they crave the attention of their owners. With other humans, they exhibit happiness and are friendly. Lowchens may become aggressive around larger dogs as they want to stand their ground. A small apartment would be suitable for the Lowchen, as long as they are given walks on a regular basis. Some owners have described their dog as being quite demanding when they return home from being out.

Lowchens are fairly healthy, although some have congenital problems due to being inbred which occurred due to the small population of the breed. Patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap pops out of place and surgery is almost always needed to fix it. An owner can watch when the dog is still young to see if they start to have problems walking or show signs of pain in one of their legs.