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Lowchen

Lifestyle needs

Lowchen

The Lowchen (‘Little Lion’) is a small, sturdy, tousle haired dog who is typically affectionate, intelligent and playful.  He will adapt to most lifestyles and would be very suitable as a family pet or companion dog.  His long, silky textured coat will need frequent grooming and should be trimmed to prevent hair from covering his eyes.  He needs daily exercise and play.

Inbreeding coefficient – COI

(should be as low as possible)

The breed average COI is 14.5% 

See A Beginners Guide to COI.

Health and welfare problems due to conformation

(body shape and physical characteristics)
  • The long, silky coat could cause welfare problems if not kept clean and well groomed

BVA/KC Health Schemes  http://www.bva.co.uk/chs

  • Hip dysplasia (abnormality of the hip joints causing pain and disability): breed mean score 17 (parents should be lower)
  • Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

DNA tests available

       None available

Unofficial (breed club) schemes

  • BAER testing for deafness

Ask the breeder to show you the certificates for the above tests/screening for both parents (or check the KC’s health test results finder). If any of the above tests have not been considered necessary by the breeder (and there may be good reasons), ask her to explain why.

Other diseases

(for which there are currently no genetic or screening tests for sire or dam)
  • Congenital deafness
  • Patellar luxation (slipping kneecap)
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (a disease of the hip joint involving degeneration of the femoral head, causing severe pain and lameness)
  • Cataract
  • Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

Ask the breeder about the medical history of the parents, grandparents and great grandparents.  Consider carefully whether to purchase a puppy if some of these or other diseases are in the family line.

Ask about the breeder’s policy in cases of serious genetic diseases occurring to your puppy in later life.  Good breeders will request to be informed of such events in order to improve future breeding decisions.  Some breeders will also agree to contribute towards medical costs or refund purchase price.

You are strongly advised to buy from a breeder who uses (or is prepared to use) the RSPCA / BVA AWF Puppy Contract and Puppy Information Pack (PIP):  www.puppycontract.org.uk

You are also advised to buy from a breeder who follows the Dog Advisory Council’s Standard for Breeders: http://www.dogbreedhealth.com/dac-breeding-standard/

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