Lowchen: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em

The bright, happy little Lowchen is a moderate breed in all respects. He will romp playfully in the yard, trot gracefully beside you during walks (on-leash), then curl up in your lap to sleep.

Very people-oriented, the Lowchen (also called the "Little Lion Dog") needs a lot of attention and interaction and doesn't like to be left alone for long periods of time. This is not a dog for people who work all day.

He is peaceful and gentle with everyone (humans and animals alike), though he is also very inquisitive and likes to sit perched on the back of a sofa or chair, looking out the window so he can announce visitors. Although he might announce non-visitors, too! In other words, barking may need to be controlled.

As with most sweet-natured breeds, there is timidity in some lines. Early socialization is important to build an outgoing, confident temperament.

Attentive and responsive to cheerful training, many Lowchens do well in competitive obedience and agility. The only training area where they can be a bit slow is housebreaking.

If you want a dog who...

Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You? In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.

• You can avoid some negative traits by choosing an ADULT dog from an animal shelter or rescue group. With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult Lowchen have already proven themselves not to have negative characteristics.
• If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the right breeder and the right puppy.

More traits and characteristics of the Lowchen

If I was considering a Lowchen, I would be most concerned about...

1. Separation anxiety. Lowchen need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.
2. Providing enough socialization. Standoffish by nature, Lowchen need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution could become shyness or suspiciousness.
3. Grooming. Without frequent brushing and combing, Lowchen become a matted mess. If you can't commit to the brushing, you have to commit to frequent trimming or clipping to keep the coat short and sanitary. Personally I think they look terrific in short clips!
4. Housebreaking. Like many other toy and small breeds, the Lowchen can be a bit slow to housebreak. It is so easy for them to sneak behind a chair or under a small table, and it takes only a few seconds for the deed to be done. And the results can be hard to see. If you don't see it, you can't correct it – and so the bad habit becomes established.

   To housebreak a Lowchen, consistent crate training is mandatory. Or a doggy door that allows access to a small enclosed "potty yard" whenever the dog needs to go.

5. Barking. Lowchen are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them. Follow my free online training programs.