Lowchen is a very old breed of dog that dates back to the 1500s where they were developed in parts of Europe. They have a haircut that gives them the look of a lion. For a while, the Lowchen became almost extinct around the time of World War II. In the 19th century, they were almost completely gone. For quite some time, they were very rare. In fact, by the year 1960 they were given the title in the Guinness Book of World Records as the rarest breed around.
They are no longer listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the rarest breed, although they are still somewhat rare and uncommon. They are listed in an organization called American Rare Breeds of America, which has all dogs that are considered rare. They are also registered in the rare breed network. The dog "freeway" which starred in the American television series "Hart to Hart" is an example of an untrimmed Lowchen.
The Lowchen has a short head with a wide skull and round, dark eyes. It has hanging, feathered ears. Its body is short and well proportioned, with a medium-sized tail. Its hair is long and wavy, but should not be curly. The most frequent colors are white, black, and golden, but speckled dogs are also acceptable. Lowchen will grow as large as 10-13 inches tall, and will weigh anywhere from 9-18 pounds. Its "lion-cut" coat gives it a fragile almost undignified appearance, although the Lowchen is neither of these things.
Character
Lowchen is a toy breed that was developed as a companion dog and still finds itself in this role today. Lowchen is a dog with bags of character, plenty of spirit, and a lively and cheerful personality, and they do very well in dog competitions. Lowchen is alert, intelligent, and affectionate with the overall qualities of a loving companion dog, and is well suited to the inexperienced dog owner as well as the more experienced. Lowchen is very rarely angry and only shows aggression when trying to assert him or herself over larger dogs. The Lowchen is sturdy and tough; the males in particular can be strong-willed and arrogant. They have a strong desire to be the alpha dog in the house, even if they are significantly smaller than their housemates.
Their behavior towards humans is almost always friendly and happy. Lowchen is the ideal pet dog for a calm family that likes having a lovable and exuberant small dog in the home. With their liveliness and friendly demeanor towards humans and other animals, this pet is a lot of fun and always willing to please its owner. Best of all it is easily trainable. Additionally, the Lowchen makes a great watchdog, comparable to most small dog breeds.
The Lowchen is a dog that is entertaining and fun to be around, but is also dignified, sensible, and peaceful. He thrives on the attention of his family, and has plenty of love and affection to shower upon his owners. Although the Lowchen loves to play and join in with all the family fun, he will also be content to simply snuggle up and relax with you. These mild mannered dogs can sometimes lean towards timidity, and this means that early socialization is important in order to promote confidence and improve social skills. A well-socialized Lowchen will get along well with children, providing that they are gentle and considerate, and will also get along well with other pets. With strangers many will be friendly and polite, although some may be timid or shy. Although the Lowchen is suitable for apartment living, he may be a keen barker and this could pose a problem in terms of noise. His tendency to announce visitors and raise the alarm makes him an effective watchdog.
It tends to be a rather healthy dog, but due to such a tiny population in the mid-20th century, the population remains somewhat severely inbred. There are a few lines with specific congenital problems. A condition that occurs when the kneecap keeps popping out of place is also known as patellar luxation. Also watch for hip dysplasia. Life expectancy: 13 - 15 years
Taking Care of Your Lowchen
Because of this dog's size, the Lowchen can have its exercise necessities taken care of by a short stroll or brief play sessions on a day-to-day basis. He should always be on a leash while walking, since he is fond of chasing squirrels. These dogs simply crave mental stimulation and fun games, so they are not a dog that likes to be left alone for long periods of time. If your family is away from the house for long periods during the day it is often preferable to consider having two pets, so that they can keep each other company during their family's absence. However, Lowchen aren't meant to live on the outside but it does love having the freedom to wander around in a fenced yard if at all possible. He can dig if left alone in a yard.
The coat does require a little work, with a thorough brushing every other day to keep it knot-free and to remove the dead hairs. Lowchens are usually clipped in the 'lion' style regardless of whether they are to be shown. To keep its traditional lion trim, Lowchen dogs will need clipping every couple of months. The 'lion clip' involves closely clipping the hindquarters, the root of the tail and the middle part of the front legs. When clipped, the dog will easily sunburn so precautions need to be taken. An advantage with Lowchens is that they don't shed dead hairs; they are considered a hypoallergenic dog.
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