Lowchen (Little Lion Dog)

A happy, playful, affectionate dog, as you'd expect of a companion breed, sometimes the Lowchen can be protective of his loved ones and so early socialisation is particularly important. He is alert to his surroundings and has a tendency to be vocal, so needs to be trained not to bark at the slightest noise.

Known as the Little Lion Dog because of his traditional coat trim, the Lowchen dog breed's origins are not known. It has long been considered one of the Bichon family of breeds that originated in the Mediterranean, and was found in the south of France, in the Lyon region. Another theory suggests that the Lowchen is actually from Germany and possibly derived from a Tibetan Terrier type of dog. What is known is that a similar dog has been in Europe since the 1500s. Once the rarest dog in the world – in 1969 just 40 dogs were in existence – the Lowchen is no longer on the brink of extinction though is still fairly rare.

Small dogs have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate, although their small stomachs mean that they must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion.

The Lowchen dog doesn’t require daily exercise, though half an hour will keep him happy. He is capable of more if you offer it. This is a clever dog who also enjoys training.

Health and common issues

Like many small breeds, the Lowchen can suffer from kneecaps that may temporarily slip out of place (luxating patellas).

Best family dog breeds

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children , all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.