The greater love is a mother's, then comes a dog's, then a sweetheart's.
- Polish Proverb

Often referred to as the "Little Lion Dog", the ancient Lowchen is a member of the Bichon family of dogs and originated in France. He is related to the Bichon Frise, the Havanese, and the Maltese. 

He has been featured in art since the 1500s and was popular throughout the Middle Ages with European nobility. Bred to be a companion and watch dog, the Lowchen fits well into both city and country life.

The Lowchen stands up to 13 inches tall at the shoulder. His long, silky hair is typically cut to resemble the lion, from which he takes his name. The unclipped areas of the coat are left in their natural, shaggy state. The Lowchen's coat may be any colour and does need regular grooming.

With a spunky, high-spirited, and lively personality, the Lowchen makes a wonderful family pet. He is active, affectionate, and loves curling up on a convenient lap. As a companion dog, he is not happy if left alone. The Lowchen gets along well with other household pets.

 A good watchdog, the Lowchen will sound the alert when necessary. He takes well to obedience training and should start both training and socialization early. Training should discourage a tendency to bark and dig. His exercise needs can be met with short walks or active play in the garden.