Purebred Dogs vs. Mixed Breed Dogs Which Dog Breed Is Best For You? 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy Advice You Can Trust: 180 Dog Breed Reviews Teach Your Dog 100 English Words How To Buy a Good Dog

Lowchen (Little Lion Dogs): the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Lowchen personality and behavior. main page breed review faq health training adopting/buying links My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Lowchen, including these excerpts: "The bright, happy little Lowchen is lively and playful, yet sensible and low-key. A moderate breed in all respects and easy to care for, he will romp vigorously in the yard, trot gracefully beside you during walks (on-leash), then curl up in your lap to sleep. Very people-oriented and inquisitive, the Lowchen (also called Little Lion Dog) needs a good amount of attention and interaction and doesn't like to be left alone for long periods of time. He is peaceful and gentle with everyone (humans and animals alike), though he often likes to sit perched on the back of a sofa or chair, looking out the window so he can announce visitors. 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 nonforceful obedience training, many Lowchens do well in competitive obedience and agility." History Originating in the Mediterranean, the Lowchen was the household pet of Florentine nobility, groomed by the ladies of the court into the likeness of a small lion. He has been portrayed in old tapestries, oil paintings, and woodcuttings. Size 10-14 inches and 10-18 lbs

Lowchen (Little Lion Dogs) What's good about 'em What's bad about 'em If you want a dog who... Is small, elegant, agile, and light on his feet Has a long coat that comes in many colors and doesn't shed much Is bright, lively, and playful, yet also sensible and low-key Is polite with strangers and other pets Doesn't need a lot of exercise Is quite responsive to training Is healthy and long-lived A Lowchen may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with... "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much Shyness or suspiciousness when not socialized enough Housebreaking difficulties Barking Frequent brushing and combing Very high price tag A Lowchen may not be right for you. If I were considering a Lowchen... My major concerns would be: Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, 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. 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, which are difficult to live with. Lowchen puppies are NOT suited to small children, no matter how well-meaning the child. Children cannot help being clumsy, and that a child meant well is little solace to a Lowchen puppy who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. Even Lowchen adults may feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and shyness (even defensive biting) may be the result. 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 to keep the coat short, neat, and healthy. Housebreaking. Small breeds are frequently 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. The results can be hard to see. When you don't see it, you don't correct it -- and so the bad habit becomes established. If you hope to housebreak a small breed, consistent crate training is mandatory. Lowchen should not be loosed in the house for many months, until their small internal organs become strong enough for reliable control. 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. To teach your Lowchen to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Lowchen Training Page discusses the program you need. High price tag. Though the Lowchen is becoming more common, many breeders are still charging over $1000. Not all Lowchen are alike! There are energetic Lowchen, and placid Lowchen. Hard-headed Lowchen, and sweet-natured Lowchen. Serious Lowchen, and good-natured goofballs. Introverted Lowchen, and Lowchen who love everyone. If you acquire a Lowchen puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." If you're considering an adult Lowchen... There are plenty of adult Lowchen who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS. If you would like to link to this review, here is the HTML code: <a href="http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/lowchen.html">Lowchen: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em</a> Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author.