Toy group · France/Germany
Lowchen
Also called Little Lion Dog, Petit Chien Lion.
What makes them remarkable
The “little lion dog” appears in historic paintings, but came close to disappearing in the 20th century.
- Affectionate
- Outgoing
- Positive
- Playful
- Fearless
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 5 to 7 kg10 to 15 lb
- Lives
- 13 to 15 years
- Energy
- Moderate
- Trains
- High
- Barks
- Moderate
Training
Training a Lowchen
Toy breeds. Train them like a dog, not an ornament. Small dogs skip the manners work because they can be picked up.
Eager to Please
Start here
Highly trainable breed that loves learning. Use this enthusiasm for bonding.
Prevent Small Dog Syndrome
Despite size, need consistent rules and boundaries like larger dogs.
Socialisation Important
Generally friendly but benefits from early exposure to many situations.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Lowchen and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, one step at a time.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred for company. Small in body, and often bigger in personality than the owner expected.
Gets on with
- ChildrenHigh
- Other dogsHigh
- StrangersHigh
- CatsHigh
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 30-45 minutes daily. Short walks and play sessions. Adaptable to owner lifestyle.
- Grooming
- High maintenance in show clip. Pet clip requires regular brushing and trimming.
- Drool
- Very Low
- Coat
- Long, Dense, WavyAny colour, Black, White, Lemon, Blue, Chocolate
- In a flat
- Can work, with enough exercise outside it.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Patellar Luxation
Moderate
Kneecap displacement common in small breeds
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Moderate
Inherited eye disease causing gradual vision loss
Cataracts
Mild
Eye lens opacity that may develop with age
Where they come from
History
Ancient breed appearing in Renaissance paintings. Was nearly extinct with only 65 dogs worldwide in 1973, making it the rarest breed. Now recovered but still uncommon.
- Renaissance Art Dogs · Frequently depicted in paintings by Goya, Durer, and other masters as companions of nobility
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