Mary Allen
The Lowchen is an old French dog breed, formerly known as the Bichon Little Lion. The four-legged friend got this because of his appearance, or because the back was shaved bald, while the tail, paws, and front were left hairy. As a result, the little dog of the French nobility looked like a male lion with a matching mane.
General
- FCI Group 9: Companion Dogs and Companion Dogs
- Section 1: Bichons and related breeds / 1.3 Petit chien lion
- Size: from 25 to 33 centimeters
- Colors: Any colors and color options are possible.
Lowchen Already Existed in the Middle Ages
How exactly the breed arose is no longer known today, but it is known from the Amiens Cathedral that the Lowchens existed in the Middle Ages. Because in the cathedral, built in the 13th century, there are two dogs carved in stone, which outwardly resemble today’s breed.
“Buffon Löwchen” is first mentioned and described in writing in the 18th century, but its trendy phase ended with the decline of the French nobility and Lowchen almost completely disappeared from the scene.
Around 1965, only a few specimens remained in the world, but dedicated breeders slowly increased the population again, and today the little lion is a popular companion dog.
Activity
While the Lowchen needs a bit less exercise than some large dogs, regular walks are nonetheless important to keep your four-legged friend in shape.
Also, Lowchen – although they sometimes look like they want to lie on a golden pillow all day – are quite persistent. So it can often be a long tour – even a bike ride is not a problem for companion dogs.
Because little four-legged friends love to let off steam. And preferably in a playful way. Whether with people or with their own kind: these dogs enjoy any company with which they can gently fight or even cuddle.
Features of the Breed
Among other things, Lowchen is well suited for families with children. Because the little lion is almost always ready, lively, and good-natured playmate. But the dog from France has even more positive character traits. He is generally seen as intelligent, affectionate, and in need of closeness. In addition, Lowchens are generally easier to train than many other dog breeds.
Recommendations
For this reason, Lowchen is also recommended for people who have not yet had experience with dogs. It goes without saying that it is important to obtain comprehensive information about the breed in advance, as well as about the appropriate maintenance and training for it.
A dog with a maximum size of 33 centimeters is also suitable for a family because he loves children and is playful – it does not matter to him whether he is kept in an apartment or in a house, as long as it has enough space to mess around and it gets enough exercise.