Lowchen
LUR-shen
Germany· Rhine region, also linked to France
The Lowchen, or Little Lion Dog, is a small, cheerful companion breed from continental Europe traditionally clipped in a lion trim.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Small
Exercise needs
30 minutes daily
Home size suited to
Flat or small home
Grooming frequency
Weekly brush, hand-strip a few times a year
Coat length
Wiry
Sheds
Yes, heavily when moulting
Lifespan
13-15 years
Town or country
Either, happy in town
Garden size needed
Small garden or none
Where it comes from
Origins of the Lowchen
The Lowchen's exact origins are debated between Germany and France, but it developed as a companion breed for European courts and households, valued more for charm and its distinctive trim than for working ability.
- Region
- Rhine region, also linked to France
- Climate it was bred for
- Temperate continental European
- Original job
- Lapdog and companion
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
4/5
How openly the Lowchen greets people it does not know.
Trainability
4/5
Eager to please and quick to learn simple routines.
Energy
3/5
Playful and lively without needing intense exercise.
Barking
3/5
Will alert bark but is not constantly vocal.
Grooming
4/5
The traditional lion clip needs regular trimming and brushing.
Suits a first-time owner
4/5
How forgiving the Lowchen is for someone taking on their first dog.
Sociability
4/5
Affectionate and generally happy around people it knows.
Independence
2/5
Prefers company and can dislike being left alone for long.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The Lowchen's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Colours & patterns
Recognised coats
Which coats the standard accepts — and which are simply popular.
White
Standard colour
A popular and widely seen colour.
Black
Standard colour
Solid black is accepted in the standard.
Lion gold
Standard colour
A warm gold shade that suits the lion-clip tradition.
Chocolate
Standard colour
A deep brown, less common but accepted.
Timeline
History & development
1400s
Early depictions
Small lion-clipped dogs appear in European paintings and tapestries of the period.
1960s
Near extinction
The breed becomes one of the rarest in the world, with only a handful of dogs recorded.
1973
Kennel club recognition
The Lowchen gains recognition and a revival programme begins in Europe.
1990s
Growing popularity
Numbers recover steadily as the breed gains wider companion-dog appeal.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Well-bodied and sound: a firm level topline, deep chest with well-sprung ribs and a strong, muscular loin.
- coat
- Long, wavy, fairly dense, of a soft to slightly harsh texture.
- ears
- Ear set, size and carriage follow the Lowchen standard, clean and mobile, never thickened or badly carried.
- eyes
- Set well apart, of a shade in keeping with the coat, giving an alert and intelligent expression. Light or protruding eyes are undesirable.
- head
- Short, broad skull with a well-defined stop.
- size
- Small, compact and sturdy for its size.
- tail
- Carried gaily, plumed with hair left long in the clip.
- colour
- White, Black, Lion gold, Chocolate. Colours outside this list are seen but are not accepted by the kennel clubs.
- temperament
- Typical of the breed: strongest in trainability, sociability, grooming. Nervousness or aggression are serious faults in the show ring and in the home.
- general appearance
- Small, lively and well-proportioned, traditionally shown in a lion clip.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
Patellar luxation
Screen for it
Ask breeders whether parents have been checked for loose kneecaps.
Progressive retinal atrophy
Screen for it
Request eye test results before buying a puppy.
Dental issues
Low concern
Small jaws can crowd teeth; regular brushing helps.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
Lowchens added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
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Made for the Lowchen
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Lowchen illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
Own stock — shipped by us
Framed poster
Lowchen Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Lowchen illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Lowchen Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Lowchen illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Lowchen Mug
Ceramic mug with the Lowchen illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Retractable Lead
5m retractable with one-touch brake.
Fits any dog
Pawpoint on YouTube
Watch the full Lowchen video
Breed deep-dives, history and honest ownership talk. New film every week.
Watch now