The Lowchen Club of America was formed in 1972 by people who had discovered the breed in Austria and Germany and brought them to the states, but it wasn’t until 1996 that they were accepted into the AKC and entered into the miscellaneous class and then added to the non-sporting group in 1999.
Victor Helu loves these little dogs and shares what type of person is a good fit for the breed.
"Every person, every dog, every animal has their own personality. However, as a general rule, they have a lot of energy, and they like to play and play hard. I don't see much of a problem with having them with kids," said Helu.
As for appearance, the Lowchen can come with 18 different color markings, are small less than 20 pounds and have a naturally flowing hairstyle. Because they do not shed they are good dogs for people with allergies to fur.
The Lowchen means “little lion” in German and comes from their obvious resemblance to the king of the jungle and their bold temperament. The breed has a strong heritage in Germany but some also believe it’s ancestry likely has roots in the Mediterranean.
Remember, never choose a dog based on appearance but on your lifestyle and their personality. The Lowchen has been seen in paintings and talked of in literature since the 15th century but it took a while for their distinct qualities to be recognized as a breed.