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 The history of the Lowchen is quite uncertain as no-one is quite sure exactly where the breed originated.
It is believed that the breed may have been developed somewhere in Eastern Europe between Russia and the Mediterranean.
It was the Europeans who first embraced the breed and by the 1500s they were hugely popular in France, Germany, Italy and Spain where they were kept by the aristocracy.
It was then that shaving the dogs became popular as they were apparently used as hot water bottles. The shaved area of the dog allowed the owner to have direct contact with the skin of the animal and this provided instant warmth.
Over the centuries the breed lost popularity and the Guinness Book of Records declared the Lowchen as the rarest breed in the world in the 1960s. Today, although not common, they are no longer considered rare. In Australia the breed has been around since 1970s.
Despite its rather fragile presentation, the Lowchen is reported to make an excellent guard dog. However, due to their size and somewhat puppy like behaviour a Lowchen is more likely to bark and warn off strangers, rather than deter them.
They are friendly, bright and loyal. Training is advisable, but some dogs can be slow to learn. They are active and lively dogs that enjoy playing with the family and this kind of behaviour will continue for the duration of the dog's life.
Some owners say they can be "clowns" and are not that easy to train. Despite this, they are truly lovable and settle into a home very quickly.
Lowchens are considered part of the Bichon group, but are highly recognisable due to their unique clipped and shaved appearance.
Unclipped dogs have a long coated scruffy look. They have a short small body with a short head and dark nose and should grow no taller than about 35cm. They vary in colour from chocolate and apricot, chocolate and cream, gold, sable, black and tan, blue and cream, and parti-colours. (Chocolate are difficult to come by.) The coat is long and wavy, especially around the ears. |
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