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"Small Dog Breed Catalog"
Small Dog Breed Catalog: Page 28
of 56
Lowchen Dog Breed
The Lowchen is a member of the Bichon family and shares the title of
'the little lion dog' with the imperial Pekingese. He has been well
known and popular in Europe for several centuries. The little lion
dog came from the practice of clipping the breed in the traditional
poodle exhibition cut, the lion clip, which, complete with mane and
tufted tail, gives him the look of a miniature lion. Though he may
appear to be delicate, the Lowchen is a robust dog that is full of
energy. He is an affectionate, intelligent, healthy small dog with a
happy disposition and makes for a good show dog.
Size: A healthy adult Lowchen stands at about 10-13in and weighs
between 4-9lb.
History: This breed is believed to be a French dog. He is registered
with the FCI as of native origin under the title 'petit chien lion.'
He has definitely been well known in both France and Spain from the
late 1500s and is believed to have been a favorite by the charming
Duchess of Alba. In fact, a dog that possesses a strong similarity to
the Lowchen appears in a portrait of the Duchess painted by the
Spanish artist Francisco Goya (1746-1828). The Lowchen was said to
have evolved in the Mediterranean area about the same time as the
Bichon Frise, the Bichon Bolognese, and the Maltese. Nowadays, this
breed is steadily becoming a frequent contender in the show ring in
many countries.
Feeding: Recommended feeding for the Lowchen is 1/3 -1/2 can of high
quality meat product (13.30z size) with added biscuit of equal amount
in volume or 1-1 ' cupfuls of a complete dry food. Just like all
breeds, make sure that he is getting unlimited supply of drinking
water.
Exercise: This breed is suitable for country as well as town living.
He requires regular exercise such as a brisk walk or a good run in
the park.
Grooming: Daily brushing is necessary in order to maintain the
breed's coat in good condition. Most owners prefer to take this dog
to a professional groomer to get the ideal clipping, especially for
show dogs.
Copyright 2006 by Jay Jennings. All rights reserved.
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