Lowchen

General Information - Lowchen

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History

Lowchen (pronounced lerv-chun) means "little lion dog," and in France the breed is known as Le Petit Chien Lion. The Lowchen shares common roots with other members of the Bichon family, which includes the Bichon Frise and Havanese, among others. Germany, Russia and France have all laid claim to the breed. The exact time and place of its origin is obscure, but dogs resembling the Lowchen, sporting the distinctive lion trim, can be found in 16th-century German art. Its popularity continued through the 1800s. Goya is one of many artists to have featured the Lowchen on canvas. With the coming of the 20th century and the two World Wars, the popularity of the Lowchen waned. By 1960, they were granted the title "rarest breed" by the Guinness Book of World records. No longer, however, do they win the dubitable claim to fame as the "rarest breed.

Temperament

This is a lively, inquisitive, affectionate dog. It is a mixture of playful spirit and calm soul mate, a good companion for a quiet family. It is willing to please and responsive to commands, and it is devoted to its family. Some may bark or dig a lot.

Upkeep

The Lowchen can receive ample exercise with a short walk or active game every day. It enjoys a mental challenge. It is not a breed that should live outside, although it appreciates access to a yard during the day. Its coat needs brushing or combing about every other day. Clipping to maintain the traditional lion trim must be done every month or two. Many pet owners prefer to keep their dogs in a puppy clip.

Lowchen

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Breed Standard - Lowchen

Characteristics: Intelligent, lively and affectionate.

General Appearance: A strongly built, active, well balanced and alert little dog whose presentation gives the “little Lion” appearance.

Head and Skull: Short, fairly broad skull, flat between the ears, head carried proud and high. Well defined stop. Short, strong muzzle.

Eyes: Round, large and intelligent, dark in colour.

Ears: Long and well fringed, set on level with the eye, close hanging.

Mouth: The jaws should be strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Nose: Black/brown according to coat colour.

Neck: Good length, proudly arched.

Forequarters: Forelegs straight and fine boned. Shoulder well laid.

Body: Short, strong, well-proportioned. Level topline. Ribs well-sprung. Strong loin with moderate tuck up.

Hindquarters: Hind legs well-muscled, with good turn of stifle; straight when viewed from the rear.

Feet: Small and round.

Gait: Free, parallel movement fore and aft, no hackneyed action.

Tail: Of medium length, clipped with a tuft of hair to resemble a plume. Carried gaily on the move.

Coat: Fairly long and wavy but not curly. Fine and silky. Clipped in the traditional lion clip.

Colour: Any colour or combination of colours permissible.

Size: Height 25 - 33 cm. (10 - 13 inches) at the withers.

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness of the fault should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.