St. John's Water Dog vs Lowchen - Breed Comparison

St. John's Water Dog vs Lowchen - Breed ComparisonLowchen is originated from Germany but St. John's Water Dog is originated from Canada. Lowchen may grow 20 cm / 7 inches shorter than St. John's Water Dog. Lowchen may weigh 33 kg / 72 pounds lesser than St. John's Water Dog. Both Lowchen and St. John's Water Dog has almost same life span. Both Lowchen and St. John's Water Dog has same litter size. Lowchen requires Moderate Maintenance. But St. John's Water Dog requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Working dog
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Germany
Canada
Height Male:
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
48 - 53 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
47 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 8 kg
8 - 18 pounds
25 - 41 kg
55 - 91 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 8 kg
8 - 18 pounds
16 - 35 kg
35 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 6
4 - 6
Size:
Small
Large
Other Names:
Little Lion Dog
St. Johns Dog, Lesser Newfoundland, St. John’s Newfoundland
Colors Available:
cream, grey, black, silver - bi-colored, All colors - white
black
Coat:
Long and wavy
short, thick coats
Shedding:
Minimal
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Intelligent, Loving, Responsive
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

lowchenKnown as the Little Lion Dog, the Lowchen is considered by some registries as a toy dog and by the American Kennel Club as a non-sporting dog.

Nobody seems too certain about the true origin of the dog but most records seem to suggest it originates from Germany, France or Holland.

He was bred to catch rats and mice and his history goes way back to 1442, with images of him being found in engravings and paintings. People think he may be related to the Bichon Frise.

His history shows that apart from being used to catch vermin he was also a companion dog to the wealthy. A breeding program for the dog was started in 1944 and they were later imported to Britain in the late 1960s. The dog was given Kennel Club recognition in the UK in 1971, also appearing in America in 1971 with The Lowchen Club of America being formed.

st john s water dogThe breed known as the St. John’s water dog is an extinct landrace breed. They were domestic dogs found in Newfoundland and at times were called the lesser Newfoundland. There is not much information available about the other breeds that went into its development. Hypothetically it is believed they are a mix of the Irish, Old English and Portuguese dogs bred to work.

It is also thought that other breeds in their family tree, descending from them, include the Golden Retriever, the Flat-Coated Retriever, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the Labrador and the Curly-Coated Retriever. The Newfoundland is also related to the St. Johns Water Dog through the line of Rafeirio do Alenteios that Portuguese fisherman brought to the island.

The breed was exported to England in the 19th century and early 20th. There the breeds of retrievers were developed. In Canada during this time frame restrictions were placed on dog ownership in order to encourage people to raise sheep. At the same time England imposed a long quarantine on all animals coming into the country in order to get rid of rabies. These two factors contributed greatly to the extinction of the breed. It seems the last two dogs were seen in a remote area in the 1980’s. All attempts to save the breed failed.

Description

lowchen puppy - descriptionThe Lowchen is a small dog but robustly built and stands at between 25 – 33 cm in height and weighs anything from 4 – 8 kg.

He has a long coat which is available in a number of colors - cream, white, grey, black, silver and bi-colored. The single coat isn’t like that of the Bichon Frise, thin and fluffy, but is much thicker, silky and wavy and sheds minimally. People love snipping the long coat cut so that the dog looks like a small lion, short over the body and with a mane, with some hair left around the ‘ankle’ parts of the legs.

The tail is also sheared and left with a pom-pom look. People look at him as an ideal pet as he doesn’t shed much and is looked upon as being a hypoallergenic dog.

He has a wide muzzle and broad, flat skull. The ears are floppy with fringing, the eyes dark, round and intelligent looking. The litter size of this dog is is usually between 3 and 6 puppies.

Temperament:

Intelligent, bright, outgoing and affectionate, you won’t find any aggression in this cute little dog unless the owners have treated him so badly that he wants to be aggressive.

He is such an amicable little pet that he won’t cause you any trouble – he just wants to be your friend. He is a social dog, but can be quite timid when introduced to new people.Socialization and training will do wonders for him and give him some confidence.

He just loves receiving attention and is also prepared to give a lot of attention too. Although he can adapt easily to life in the city or the countryside, he wouldn’t like his owners being at work all day and leaving him alone hour after hour. He is gentle with his human family and sees to it that he gets on well with children as well as pets in the home.

st john s water dog puppy - descriptionSt. John’s Water Dog is strong, medium sized and stocky. They looked more like English Labs than American Labs. They had a thick, short coat, loved swimming, had a lot of endurance and rudder tail. It was also described as a thin, black dog with short hair. They had white patches on their chest and feet. His nose was thin and tapered, his legs powerful, his chest muscular. The breed is quick, swims, runs quickly and is a fighter as well.

Never accepted by any major kennel club except as a foundation breed. They became extinct.

Characteristics

lowchen dog - characteristicsThe Lowchen is sure to make anyone a splendid pet as he is friendly, playful, loving and loyal. He is such a good natured pet and will make a wonderful companion, being able to get on well with children and pets in the home.

He is energetic too and will love to be outside playing games or joining you on a walk. Those who have had the Lowchen as a pet haven’t been disappointed as they all agree that he makes the most amazing family companion.

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness - yes they are good with children.

2.Special talents swimming is their best talent

st john s water dog dog - characteristics3.Adaptability large need fence, they are not large dogs but they need outdoor space

4.Learning ability – very smart and eager to learn

Health Problems

lowchen puppies - health problemsThe Lowchen is a healthy dog breed so you aren’t going to be spending too much money with him at the vet. Some health concerns with this particular dog breed are cataracts and patellar luxation.

Cataracts:

It can be so sad witnessing your dog’s bright, alert eyes clouding over. Dogs have clear lens, but cataracts, while not painful, can impair vision and actually lead to complete vision loss. As the eye disease progresses, the lens can become completely opaque.

Patellar Luxation:

This occurs when the kneecap of the dog is dislocated from its normal position. You’ll see your dog holding up his hind leg every now and then. It can only be returned to its normal position once the quadriceps muscles of the dog relax.

This is a common knee joint problem in dogs and it can lead to arthritis. He will need to get to the vet.

st john s water dog puppies - health problemsThere is no documented history of any genetic or hereditary illnesses in the breed. However, it seems rational to believe they suffered from ailments similar to Labradors and newfoundland though they are smaller dogs.

No history like Labs and Newfoundlands .

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis.
  • PRA – progressive retinal atrophy – can cause blindness.
  • Cancer – in their later years.
  • Infectious diseases – not as serious as prior to vaccinations.
  • Myopathy hereditary – affects the muscles.
  • Ear infections.

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Caring The Pet

lowchen dogs - caringBecause your Lowchen is a bright, happy companion dog you want to ensure that you look after him well to ensure his ongoing wellbeing.

The single coat is long and you will need to brush him regularly to keep it looking good. If brushing becomes too hectic, you can have him sheared at a professional dog groomer.

Check him over for fleas and ticks while brushing him.

Feel all over his body for the emergence of new lumps.

Clip his nails to ensure they don’t grow long so that they hook on things and tear his flesh.

Check the inside of his ears to make sure there is no sign of redness and ear infection. This can drive your pet mad with the itching. The ears need to be kept clean, as do the teeth and both these can be done for you at professional dog groomers.

Every dog requires exercise and your Lowchen will need games and walks to keep him fit, to ward off obesity and to provide him with something to look forward to.

Make sure to feed your pet wholesome food as good quality food promotes good health and longevity. Give your Lowchen the best quality kibble there is and try and mix in some homemade cooked chicken, brown rice, pasta and cooked or raw vegetables every now and then just to add some tasty variety to your pets diet. Make sure he always has access to fresh, cool water.

Make sure your Lowchen has a warm, dry comfy spot to sleep, and ensue that when he’s outside he has shade to lie down in.

st john s water dog dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy – Don’t overfeed – they have a propensity toward obesity. Feed high quality, high protein 3 x a day.

2.Feeding the adult – Don’t overfeed. Feed a high quality, high protein 1-2 x a day.

3.Points for Good Health - stamina

4. Games and Exercises – They need space to run and they love to explore. They would also love to be near water where they could swim. Good at dock diving, field trials, flyball and frisbee.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Lowchen vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Lowchen vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Lowchen vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Lowchen vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Lowchen vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Lowchen vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Lowchen vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Lowchen vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Lowchen vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Lowchen vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Lowchen vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Lowchen vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Lowchen vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Lowchen vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Lowchen vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Lowchen vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Lowchen vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Lowchen vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Lowchen vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Lowchen vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Lowchen vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Lowchen vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Lowchen vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Lowchen vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Lowchen vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. St. John's Water Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. St. John's Water Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. St. John's Water Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. St. John's Water Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. St. John's Water Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. St. John's Water Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. St. John's Water Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. St. John's Water Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. St. John's Water Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. St. John's Water Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. St. John's Water Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. St. John's Water Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. St. John's Water Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. St. John's Water Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. St. John's Water Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. St. John's Water Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. St. John's Water Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. St. John's Water Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. St. John's Water Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. St. John's Water Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. St. John's Water Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. St. John's Water Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. St. John's Water Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. St. John's Water Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. St. John's Water Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison