Lowchen vs Irish Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

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 Irish Bull Terrier is a variant of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and is also known as the Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrie.

The dog isn’t particularly well known outside of Ireland and it is also unrecognized by any kennel clubs, although there are some dog organizations which recognize the Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier and this includes the Dog Registry of America as well as the United National Kennel Club.

Although descended from the Irish Bulldog and the original Staffordshire Pit Terrier, the breed has also been influenced by other dog breeds such as the English White Terrier among others.

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.

Bred essentially for dog fighting, the Irish Bull Terrier, known also as the Irish Staffie, is a medium sized dog which stands at roughly 43 to 48cm and weighs in at anything from 14kg to 18kg.

The dog is muscular, lean and strong with a strong jaw, deep chest, a broad head, short muzzle with round, brown eyes. The ears are half-erect and he has a long, straight tail. The coat of the dog is short and smooth and in different shades of red, fawn, black and brindle. Sometimes there are white markings.

Temperament:

The Irish Staffie has an aggressive temperament when it comes to fighting other dogs, but he loves being with a human family, being a social dog.

Those who have owned the dog say he is a courageous, confident, strong-willed, affectionate, loyal pet who is playful and loves getting up to mischief. He is intelligent too and can be easily trained and socialized, getting on well with children in the home.

This dog seems to have a constant grin on his face and he just loves life. He loves working hard and playing hard and even though he has a history of fighting, with people he is loving and devoted.

He is boisterous and better suited to a strong-minded, active family as he tends to be stubborn, wanting his own way. He can adapt well to life in the city or the country, but wherever he lives, he will require his owners to give him a good amount of exercise.

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.

Lots of contact from his human family is what your Irish Bull Terrier will want from you. He is a loving, social dog and close human contact as well as lots of good food and exercise is what he will require from you.

With training and socialization he becomes an awesomely obedient pet, getting on well with adults and children in the home. He is such an entertaining, happy dog and once you've had an Irish Bull Terrier you will find your home empty without one.

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.

Looked after well, your Irish Bull Terrier can reach 14, 15 or 16 years of age. Just like with other dogs, he is prone to some common dog illnesses, of which eye illnesses can be one.

Glaucoma:

Production and drainage of fluid is supposed to be balanced in the eye, and Glaucoma comes about when this balance is disrupted. Symptoms include red eye, pain, increased tear production and corneal cloudiness. Your vet may recommend treatment that will decrease inflammation in the eye.

Cataracts:

The lens of the eye is usually clear but sometimes it develops a cloudy cataract which blocks light from reaching the back of the eye. The result is poor vision and even blindness. Cataract surgery is available for dogs and your vet can advise you further.

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.

Grooming:

An Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier isn't going to require you spending a lot of money on him in terms of grooming. He is a low maintenance dog and his short, smooth coat will only require a good brush once or twice a week as he isn't a heavy shedder.

Brushing him has several advantages – he loves the attention you’re giving him, its a time to check on fleas and ticks and it is excellent conditioning therapy for his coat. A damp cloth can also be used to wipe him down, and this is far better than bathing him with a shampoo that could aggravate his skin.

Exercise:

Your Irish Bull Terrier is an energetic breed and he certainly won't do well in a home where the family leaves him to his own devices day after day in the back yard.

Social and energetic, your pet will want to join you with your daily walks and he finds a ball irresistible. As a responsible dog owner, you will need to see that he gets a fair quota of exercise otherwise you should rather settle for a less active breed.

Diet:

It goes without saying that such an active dog will require a good diet so ensure he can remain happy and active. Always try and feed your pet the best quality food there is.

If its commercially manufactured food, make sure its high quality and isn’t packed with unwholesome fillers and preservatives. Your vet can always offer sound advice on this aspect.

Some homemade food such as cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables added to his kibble will do him the world of good and if you can afford it, mix in some raw meat from time to time. Make sure he has access to fresh, cool water.