Toy Manchester Terrier vs Lowchen - Breed Comparison

Known 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.

The Toy Manchester Terrier comes from Manchester and came about by breeding the Manchester Terrier with smaller dog breeds.

Looking like a Doberman Pinscher, the American Toy Manchester Terrier Club was formed in the 1930s and the dog was recognized in 1938 by the American Kennel Club.

It is believed that the Black and Tan Terrier was also possibly crossed with Whippets. The dog is categorized as a Terrier or as a Toy breed.

The 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.

Looking much like a small Doberman Pinscher, the Manchester Terrier is the miniature version of the standard Manchester.

He weighs in the region of 2 to 5kg and stands at between 25 and 30cm in height. He has a sleek, short coat which is black and tan. He is lithe and muscular, bred back in the day to kill vermin. He has large, broad erect ears which taper to a point.

Temperament:

The Toy Manchester Terrier is a gentle but energetic dog, a great choice for an active family. Throw a ball and you’ll see how he loves to give chase, and he’ll also love his walk every day.

They’re adaptable too, so if you live in the countryside or the city, he can be your friend and companion there.

Training and socialization are excellent for all dogs, particularly ones with a stubborn, independent streak such as with this dog. He is intelligent and will learn quickly. They’re alert too so you can expect him to be a good watchdog.

The 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.

The Toy Manchester Terrier is full of beans and will provide you with lots of fun. They're sociable and love being in the presence of their human family.

They get on well with kids and pets in the home and are brave, alert and feisty. He may be small, but he is full of personality and he’s just waiting to fill your home with his bright charm, promising to be a loyal, loving pet.

The 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.

The Toy Manchester Terrier is a healthy dog breed and can reach anything between 14 and 16 years of age. Good food and exercise can stave off illness, but there are some common dog illnesses that any dog can succumb to.

Some of these are cancer, bloat, ear infections, skin allergies, and parasites.

Hypothyroidism:

This occurs when there are problems with the thyroid hormone. You might find skin problems with your pet, lethargy and even hair loss. Your vet might suggest hormone replacement, but there are always natural products for dogs too.

Leggs-Calves Perthes Disease:

This is when there is degeneration of the head on the femur bone so that there is also joint inflammation.

It is thought that the condition is brought on by problems with blood supply to the femoral head. Lameness sets in and then your vet will want a medical history of your pet’s health.

Because 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.

Make sure you provide your pet with yard space and that he is well exercised and occupied. Provide him with exercise and give him attention.

Provide him with a dry, quiet resting place. If he spends time outdoors, he must have shade and sun as well as shelter from the rain.

Provide him with good food in his own special bowls. If you feed him dry kibble, make sure to give him a quality one with vitamins and minerals. The food’s labeling will guide you as to what to buy, but your vet is also a good source of useful information. Try to give him some home-made food too. Boiled chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes and spinach for instance, are excellent examples. Dont add in exotic spices and curries that can give him an upset stomach. Make sure he has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Get your Manchester to the vet if he is ill. Make sure his vaccines are up to date.

He has short hair and is a low maintenance dog. Brush him once or twice a week to keep his shiny coat healthy. Check inside his ears for redness and give him a good check-over to make sure he doesn’t have any odd looking lumps or sores on his body.