GROUP 1 - TOYS

Brief History
Despite having a name that means, ‘Little Lion’ in German, there has been long debate between historians and breed aficionados on the birthplace of the Löwchen. In spite of his Germanic name, some believe he hails from around the Mediterranean where dogs of Maltese and Bichon Frise ancestry also emanate. He has been traced back as far as the Middle Ages as a favourite of the ladies of the Royal Courts as bedwarmers. Ancestral portraits from the Renaissance depicts these little dogs in the arms of noblewomen from many Continental European Empires. Would you believe his look has not changed for 500 years?

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.
The average life span is 12 to 16 years.

Temperament
The Lowchen is referred to as a ‘little clown’, whose greatest intent in life is to entertain anyone willing to watch and play. The Lowchen is a friendly, healthy and happy dog. He is active, playful and highly intelligent.

General Breed Description
The Lowchen is a small, bright, and lively dog, from pre-Renaissance Europe where ladies of the court groomed him in the likeness of a little lion. His breed characteristics are a compact short balanced body, animated face accentuated with large dark eyes and he possesses a proud carriage and a lively gait that accentuates the lion trim along with a long flowing mane. He comes in a coat of many colours. These quintessential attributes topped off with a tail carried as a plume, result in a dog of great style.

Coat and Care Requirements
Lowchen are a low shedding breed, but their coat requires significant and continuous care. Show dogs have long coats with hindquarters and a portion of their tail clipped as well as the forelegs and toes. If you would prefer a charming pet clip, you can have your Lowchen trimmed short all over approximately every 8 weeks. You still need to run a brush through any long hair (ears and tail) most days to keep them free of tangles. It is recommended to keep a Lowchen in a fully enclosed yard and always walk him on a lead rather than to free range. Although a small dog, a Lowchen is capable of great speed, thus obedience training is recommended.

Size
Height: 25 to 33cms (10 to 13ins).

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about the breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Lowchen is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), hip dysplasia, patella luxation (slipping kneecap), cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy

Suitability
The Lowchen is a friendly happy dog who is good with all family members and other dogs. They love walks, toys, car rides and being the centre of attention. Lowchens make an excellent house pet and can live in any type of accommodation from pad to palace.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.
Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.
Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/27