Lowchen
About the Lowchen
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 12-14" |
| Weight | 15-18 lbs |
| Coat Type | Long |
| Coat Length | Long |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
30 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Regular - 2-3x/week
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $2,000-$5,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,200/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Lowchens may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Lowchen
The story behind the Lowchen
The Lowchen belongs to the bichon family of small European companion dogs and has a documented presence in continental Europe, particularly France and Germany, stretching back several centuries, with dogs clipped in the lion style appearing in Renaissance and later paintings and tapestries. Its role was always companionship among the well-off, and stories that clipped dogs served as bed warmers or living hot-water bottles are traditional rather than verifiable. The breed nearly disappeared in the twentieth century and was rebuilt from a very small number of dogs by dedicated European breeders, notably in Belgium and Germany, before spreading to Britain and North America. It is recognised by the FCI, the Kennel Club and the AKC, and while no longer at the brink it remains an uncommon breed with modest annual registrations.
Originally bred for: Companion dog, Lapdog, Household pet. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Lowchen
A small but genuinely active companion suits a rich small-breed food across two servings, with treats counted inside the daily allowance. Enough quality fat keeps the long coat glossy and less prone to tangling. Watch for gradual weight gain in less active adults.
Watch for: No breed-specific sensitivity pattern is documented. Small companion dogs sometimes develop upset digestion when offered frequent table scraps or rich treats, which is easily mistaken for allergy. Take persistent scratching or loose stools to a veterinarian instead of trialling foods at random.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Lowchen
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.