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FCI-Standard
N 233 / 02. 04. 2004 / GB
LOWCHEN
(LITTLE LION DOG)
(Petit Chien Lion)
TRANSLATION : Jennifer Mulholland with the
collaboration of R. Triquet.
ORIGIN : France.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 24.03.2004.
UTILIZATION : Companion dog. 
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 9 Companion and toy dogs. Section
1. 3 Bichons and related breeds. Without working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : In the Amiens Cathedral, the
construction of which dates back to the XIII century, one can see,
carved in stone, two Lowchen which perfectly represent the breed. In
the XV century its distinctive silhouette was often depicted in
tapestries. The breed was cherished by the ladies of the court of
Burgundy. It was especially in the 17th century that the breed was
represented in old masterpieces. Buffon describes it very precisely
in his "Histoire Naturelle", stressing its rarity. At the same
period the Swedish naturalist, Linne also mentions it. The Lowchen
was once called "Bichon Little Lion Dog". The French Breed Club was
founded November 18th, 1947.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : A small intelligent dog, gay with a lively
and alert expression; overall robust with good bone- short and well
proportioned body- head carried high - pronounced tuck-up. The
movement is proud and determined, accentuated by the floating mane
from the lion clip; the unclipped areas should be completely natural
and on no account should they be shaped.
The lion clip is obligatory for showing.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : The body is square. The length of the
body (point of shoulder to point of buttock) is equal to the height
at the withers. The length of the muzzle represents approximately
2/3 of the skull.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Very affectionate and obedient with its
masters, attentive and receptive, at ease in all circumstances;
capable of being calm and discreet on command. His forthright and
tender look tries to understand what is expected of him.
HEAD : Relatively short and quite broad from the top of the skull
to the muzzle; carried high.
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Relatively flat : as broad as it is long.
Stop : Moderately marked.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Black (total pigmentation is obligatory), except for brown
coats and derivatives. In the latter case, the nose is dark brown
(total pigmentation obligatory). The nose is well in line with the
topline of the muzzle.
Muzzle : Rather broad, straight.
Lips : Tight and black, except for brown coats and derivatives,
in which case, the lips are dark brown.
Jaws/Teeth : Strong teeth, complete dentition with scissor bite.
Absence of the PM1 is tolerated.
Eyes : Set well forward, the eyes are large, very dark, round and
well spaced; must be forward looking. The lids are totally
pigmented.
Ears : Set low (level with eyes). Moderately long, capable of
almost reaching, if pulled, half the length of the muzzle; pendant,
well fringed. The fringes can reach, at least, to the end of the
nose.
NECK : Of good length, slightly arched, merging smoothly into the
shoulders and withers.
BODY :
Topline : Straight.
Loin : Short, broad and muscled.
Chest : Well developed, down to elbow.
Tuck-up : Well defined.
TAIL : Set on slightly below the topline. Carried elegantly
arched over the back without touching the latter. Only the plume
touches the back either when standing or in action.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS : Upright.
Shoulders : Well inclined, mobile, well muscled.
Elbows : Close to the body.
Metacarpus (Pastern) : Short and straight viewed from front;
slightly sloping viewed from the side.
Forefeet : Small and round, toes tight and well arched.
HINDQUARTERS :Upright.
Upper & lower thigh : Well muscled, the tibia is the same length
as the femur. The point of buttock is slightly prominent.
Hock : Relatively strong, the point is at approximately of the
height at the withers, normal angulation.
Metatarsus (Rear pastern) : Robust, perpendicular to the ground.
Hind feet : Small and round, toes tight and well arched.
GAIT / MOVEMENT : Lively, energetic and with good reach; legs
parallel in action, head carried proudly.
COAT
HAIR : The coat is silky, long, wavy, dense; without undercoat.
COLOUR : All colours and combinations of colours are permitted.
SIZE AND WEIGHT :
Height : 26 to 32 cm [10.2"-12.6] at the withers, with a
tolerance of +/- 1 cm.
Weight : 6 kgs [13.2 lbs] approximately.
FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be
considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should
be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
ELIMINATING FAULTS :
Aggressive or overly shy.
Total or partial depigmentation of the nose, lips and eyelids
or other colour than black, or other colour than dark brown for
brown coats and derivatives.
Turned up nose.
Absence of one or more incisives or canines.
Non consecutive absence of more than two teeth (PM2, PM3, lower
PM4).
Consecutive absence of two teeth (PM2, PM3, lower PM4).
Absence of a carnassial tooth (upper PM4, lower M1) or of
another molar except for M3.
Overshot or undershot.
Eyes : small, almond shaped, protruding, too light or wall.
Entropion, ectropion.
Ears : not long enough or without fringe.
Tail curled in a ring.
Coat : curly, too short, lack of waves.
Severe anatomical malformation.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities
shall be disqualified.
N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles
fully descended into the scrotum.
This amended breed standard will become effective from September
2004.
Ps. I am looking for Lowchen photos for this page.
If you have one to share, please email it to
me. Thanks. :o)
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