Lowchen

The Lowchen’s name directly translates to “lion dog”, but their appearance is not what you would expect from a dog with this name. These little guys typically weigh between 9-18 pounds and are extremely friendly. Their name derives from their distinct full natural mane. They were developed to be companion dogs for hundreds of years and are very comfortable around people. They can sometimes be a bit shy around new faces, but they will usually warm up to them very quickly and be as playful as they come.

This purebred dog has been around for many centuries. They were depicted in many period paintings as they were common companion dogs for noblemen. Despite being very popular in their earlier days, the Lowchen is currently among the rarest dog breeds in the world. They were especially affected by WW1 and WW2, and the breed nearly went extinct at one point. The Lowchen was brought to the United States in 1971, and in 1973 there were only about 65 of them in existence. While they are growing in numbers slowly, they are still uncommon today and are highly expensive to purchase.

While it is not entirely certain where these dogs originated from, it is known that they have always been companion dogs. These pups are very affectionate with their family members and love to play. Given that they are a toy dog breed, they can do well in a home setting of any size. They will not require crazy amounts of exercise like other dogs, however they do get along very well with other dogs and will enjoy spending time at the dog park. Just make sure to keep these pups in the small dog area!

The Lowchen has an even-tempered personality and is usually very calm in the house, just as long as someone doesn’t knock at the door. Despite being small, they have an alert nature and will alert you anytime someone knocks at your door or comes near your door for that matter. Early socialization is important for these dogs, as once they become comfortable around other people, they become social and fun to be around. If you have house guests over, do not expect them to pay you any attention because they will be playing with your furry friend the whole time!

Image used under license from Shutterstock.com