The Lowchen was bred to be a loving companion, and he takes this job pretty seriously! Lowchen sport a unique cut that leaves their hind ends practically bare – a trait which has enabled them to keep royalty warm for hundreds of years. The hot skin would serve as a “hot water bottle”, so when they slept in the royal beds they would warm their masters. Oftentimes, the dogs would sleep with only their hind ends in the bed – the coated front half would serve to keep fleas out of the bed!
This happy breed loves everyone he meets which means he’s not the best guard dog. He will bark when someone first arrives… and then proceed to make friends, whether they’re a guest or an intruder! He also adores other dogs – whether it be a housemate or a friendly strange dog – and get along great with children. He loves his owners the most, however, and will never turn down a cuddle or a welcoming lap.
Lowchen are very trainable, intelligent dogs who love a good challenge. Most love to please their owners, which makes them great candidates for obedience work as well as other dog sports such as agility and frisbee. These aren’t just “poofy little foo-foo dogs”. Lowchen are muscular, agile and sturdy – physical traits that enable them to compete with the best of the big dogs! In addition, they have great memories and can retain a lot of information. When it comes training, the breed shuts down with a lot of physical force and should instead be given lots of motivation and praise. Many have exceptional play drives and are easily motivated. Lowchen also don’t bore easily (as long as the training remains fun), although they may try to throw their own spin on commands just to make you laugh!
Although this is a tiny breed, the Lowchen appreciates long walks and will gladly accompany his owners (as long as he has been conditioned to walk long distances). The breed enjoys going out to parks and other “sightseeing” opportunities, but is able to exercise in a yard as well. They are quite adaptable to many different living and exercising situations, although their size prevents them being jogging partners.
The Lowchen’s silky coat is hypoallergenic and low-shedding, although an allergic prospective owner should spend time with the breed to make sure they don’t have issues. The coat is easier to care for than some of the other longhaired companion breeds, particularly if kept partially shaved in the typical lion cut, although an owner must make sure to take care of it on a regular basis. A neglected coat will matt, so the dog must be combed and brushed (to the skin) once a week. Baths can be given either weekly or monthly, although the more often the dog is bathed the easier the coat will be to care for. Many pet owners who prefer the lion cut visit the groomer every two months, although show dogs are shaved more often. This is a skill that can be learned by the owner as well – which will save money in the long run!
Lowchen are typically very healthy and aren’t plagued by a large number of health problems. Many live long lives, often staying happy and energetic even into their teen years (13-15 is average). Responsible breeders will do health screens on the parents to diminish the chances of medical problems. Health tests commonly done for Lowchen include hips, patellas and eyes. At one time, the breed was considered to be the rarest in the world although their numbers have grown slightly since then. Although no longer in danger of becoming extinct, breeders are still few and far in between. A prospective owner may need to wait awhile for the Lowchen puppy of their dreams.
Despite their tiny stature, Lowchen are not a timid or nervous breed. They are quite courageous and sure of themselves, which means an owner must make sure they don’t get themselves into trouble! For example, they are known to voice their opinions toward a much larger dog who is coming toward them. They do this because they are quite vocal in general – a trait that may require some early behavior modification.
