Little Lion Dog
Other names: Lowchen

The Little Lion Dog, commonly known as the Lowchen, is a bubbly, loving, smart, alert and intelligent small dog breed. This breed is a fantastic companion pet who thrives on human company and is extremely protective of its family (perhaps a little too much sometimes!).
While the Little Lion Dog may look small, it’s actually a tough, resilient and adaptable dog who’ll be just as happy accompanying you on a walk as curling up in your lap for a cuddle. Getting along well with children and other pets, they make a perfect family dog or companion.
Key facts about the Little Lion Dog
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Origins and history
The Lowchen is believed to have originated around 400 years ago in France, Germany or Spain - truthfully, no one knows for sure! Due to their similar looks, many believe the Little Lion Dog is closely related to the Bichon breed. For a long time, it was popular with wealthy people across Europes, often used as a foot warmer for ladies (yes, really!). However, their popularity quickly decreased after WWII - now, the Lowchen is a fairly rare breed.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 9 - Companion and Toy Dogs
Section
Section 1 : Bichons and related breeds
Physical characteristics of the Little Lion Dog
Adult size
Female : Between 10 and 13 in
Male : Between 10 and 13 in
Weight
Female : Between 11 and 15 lb
Male : Between 11 and 15 lb
Coat colour
The coat is commonly pure white but is also seen in black, chocolate, cream, black and tan, lemon and black, black and silver and many other combinations.
Type of coat
The Little Lion Dog has a long coat.
This breed boasts an amazing, long, wavy, soft and fluffy coat which is full of character and often compared to the man of a lion - hence their name!
Eye colour
The Lowchen has dark brown/black eyes.
Description
Small yet sturdy, the Little Lion Dog is one of the bigger toys breeds. Despite their petite size, the body is surprisingly strong, with straight, well-muscled legs and relaxed shoulders.
The head is small but broad with a defined stop, a strong muzzle and a long neck. Ears are dropped and beautifully feathered, while eyes are big, dark, alert and friendly looking.
Good to know
The Little Lion Dog is relatively uncommon, to the point that in 1960, the race was defined as "the rarest dog in the world". Since then, its popularity has increased slightly, but it still deserves a wider distribution.
Temperament
Behaviour of the Little Lion Dog
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Compatibility
Price
This breed isn’t widely available in the UK, but you can expect to pay around £750 for KC Registered dogs.
Looking after a dog of this size typically costs between £50 to £90 a month, including food, medical/insurance, and incidental expenses.
Grooming
The Lowchen is pretty low-maintenance in terms of grooming. You’ll need to give them a good brush over twice a week. Bathe them only when necessary - too many baths will dry out the skin. You may also want to head to a professional groomer to get the Lowchen’s wonderful hair trimmed.
As with all dogs, nails should be trimmed and ears should be checked and cleaned as often as necessary, and teeth should be cleaned multiple times a week.
Shedding
Good news for those with allergies - the Lowchen barely sheds!
Nutrition of the Little Lion Dog
The Lowchen should preferably eat once a day in the evening. It’s important to opt for a small breed food which will suit their small mouth.
Health of the Little Lion Dog
Life expectancy
This breed normally lives for around 13 years.
Strong / robust
Despite their small size, the Little Lion Dog is surprisingly strong, robust and fearless.
Withstand heat
This dog adapts well to different climates and can withstand the heat.
Withstand cold
Despite the lack of undercoat, the Lowchen is pretty resistant to bad weather. That being said, he mustn’t live outside.
Tendency to put on weight
It’s important to control portion sizes and avoid going overboard with treats.
Common illnesses
- Eye problems such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy
- Hip dysplasia
- Patellar luxation