meet the...Lowchen
Breed Summary
Breed Group Group 12: Companion and Toy Breeds
Sub-group :
Origin Country France
Weight Males: 4-13 pounds. Females: 4-13 pounds.
Height Males: 8-14 inches. Females: 8-14 inches.
Other Name(s) Little Lion Dog, Petit Chien Dog
Breed Type Pure
click here for FULL BREED STANDARD
Origins
The Lowchen is a very old breed with an obscured history. For centuries images of small companion dogs have been found accompany noblemen and women throughout history. These small dogs were known as “little lion dogs.” Their origins are believed to have been similar to the other dogs of the Bichon family, coming by way of merchants from the Mediterranean areas to Europe, where they quickly became synonymous with royalty.
However, like many breeds, WWI and WWII took a toll on the little dogs, with the Lowchen’s numbers plummeting sharply, resulting in the breed being named one of the rarest in the world in the 1960s. However, thanks in part to the organized efforts of breeders, the breed’s numbers have steadily increased over the decades.Breed Characteristics
Head: Somewhat mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull is as broad (measured across the top in front of the ears) as it is long (from stop to occiput). It should be fairly flat in profile or from the front. The head is sufficiently padded with muscle to give the face substance, but it is not heavily muscled or chiseled. It is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkle.
Eyes: Moderate to somewhat large in size, open oval to round in shape, and very dark in color. Self-colored eyes of lighter shades are found in liver-based dogs. The eye rims are well fitted and well pigmented. The eyes are never rounded or bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes.
Ears: Moderately long, extending to half the length of the muzzle when held forward, and set fairly low, being level with the eyes. The inner edge of the base is equal to or slightly above eye level. The ears are drop or pendant in type.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. Upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipy or weak. It should neither appear short and brachycephalic like that of the Shih Tzu, nor long and equal to skull length like that of many terriers.
Nose: The nose is well pigmented and black (preferred), or self-colored according to the coat. The nostrils are well opened.
Neck: Moderate length allows for proud head carriage; it is strongly muscled and well-arched. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad, but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The chest is well developed with slightly prominent prosternum.
Body: Compact, solid, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined. Width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads. A very slight (almost imperceptible) outward orientation of the forefeet is permissible.
Tail: Set just below the level of the topline, but never “low.” It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried well up, arched over the back in a curve, with only the plume touching the back. It is never low or tucked. The tail is of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down.
Movement: Spry, effortless, and efficient, the characteristics of healthy structure are evident: when moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in a line with the nose. The width between the forefeet when extended should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: The Lowchen is known for its friendly, sensitive, and energetic demeanor. He is an excellent companion for families with children and other pets, and he does well in social settings, especially if socialization was started early in puppyhood. Young dogs seem to have boundless energy, and for this reason, daily exercise and companion-style obedience are highly recommended to curb any displaced energy that may turn into bad habits. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 12: Companion and Toy Breeds
Proportions: Rather square to off-square, with length of the body, measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump being equal to the height at the withers. The ideal body height (withers to ground) to length ratio (point of the forechest to the point of the rump) is approximately 1:1 to 10:9. The body is robust and well put together, with sturdy substance and medium bone.
Head
General Appearance: Somewhat mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull is as broad (measured across the top in front of the ears) as it is long (from stop to occiput). It should be fairly flat in profile or from the front. The head is sufficiently padded with muscle to give the face substance, but it is not heavily muscled or chiseled. It is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkle.
Expression: The expression is kind, happy, and watchful.
Stop: The stop is moderate.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is 2:1, with the topskull being equal to or just longer than the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel or may be slightly convergent.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. Upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipy or weak. It should neither appear short and brachycephalic like that of the Shih Tzu, nor long and equal to skull length like that of many terriers.
Lips or Flews: Lips are clean and fit tightly over the teeth and jaws.
Nose: The nose is well pigmented and black (preferred), or self-colored according to the coat. The nostrils are well opened.
Cheeks: The cheeks are smoothly muscled with some padding. They are not chiseled or coarse.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, white teeth. Bite may be level, scissor, or reverse-scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth as a result of routine work is not to be penalized. Teeth should be completely concealed when the mouth is closed.
Eyes: Moderate to somewhat large in size, open oval to round in shape, and very dark in color. Self-colored eyes of lighter shades are found in liver-based dogs. The eye rims are well fitted and well pigmented. The eyes are never rounded or bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes.
Ears: Moderately long, extending to half the length of the muzzle when held forward, and set fairly low, being level with the eyes. The inner edge of the base is equal to or slightly above eye level. The ears are drop or pendant in type.
Body and Tail
General Description: Compact, solid, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined. Width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Moderate length allows for proud head carriage; it is strongly muscled and well-arched. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad, but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The chest is well developed with slightly prominent prosternum.
Topline: Straight and level from withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is short, taut, flat, and level. The back is never elongated, swayed, or roached.
Croup: Flat and level with the back, or just slightly, almost imperceptibly, sloped.
Underline: Well-tucked up, but not wasp-waisted. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: Set just below the level of the topline, but never “low.” It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried well up, arched over the back in a curve, with only the plume touching the back. It is never low or tucked. The tail is of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: Forequarters are always in balance with the hindquarters. Forequarters are well angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. Shoulder blades are approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: Elbows are close to the body. The point of the elbows is approximately half the dog’s height at the withers.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of moderate bone, and parallel to one another.
Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: Upper thigh and lower thigh are equal in length, strong, sturdy, of moderate bone, and well-muscled. The point of the rump is somewhat prominent.
Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
Side View: Good angulation allows the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: Angulation of hindquarters is always in balance with angulation of forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads. A very slight (almost imperceptible) outward orientation of the forefeet is permissible.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: Long, silky, dense, and wavy single coat. Furnishings are fairly heavy on the head, falling over eyes with a medium-length beard and heavily furnished forequarters, traditionally featuring shaved hindquarters (except for tail tip and rear pasterns). Never rough or woolly. The Lowchen is traditionally shown in the lion clip.
Coat Color or Pattern: All colors and patterns are permissible.
Movement
Spry, effortless, and efficient, the characteristics of healthy structure are evident: when moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in a line with the nose. The width between the forefeet when extended should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
The Lowchen is known for its friendly, sensitive, and energetic demeanor. He is an excellent companion for families with children and other pets, and he does well in social settings, especially if socialization was started early in puppyhood. Young dogs seem to have boundless energy, and for this reason, daily exercise and companion-style obedience are highly recommended to curb any displaced energy that may turn into bad habits. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
