Lowchen vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Lowchen vs Kuvasz - Breed ComparisonLowchen is originated from Germany but Kuvasz is originated from Hungary. Lowchen may grow 43 cm / 16 inches shorter than Kuvasz. Lowchen may weigh 44 kg / 97 pounds lesser than Kuvasz. Both Lowchen and Kuvasz has almost same life span. Both Lowchen and Kuvasz has almost same litter size. Both Lowchen and Kuvasz requires Moderate maintenance.

History

lowchen - historyKnown 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.

kuvasz - historyThe Kuvasz is an ancient dog breed from Hungary. It is believed that the dog is the oldest of the ancient Hungarian dog breeds, and in fact a fossilized skeleton dating back to the 9th century, and almost identical to the modern Kuvasz, was found near Keszthely.

During the 15th century the Kuvasz became very sought after, being found in royal courts. Puppies were given as royal gifts. Later the popularity of the breed waned and then it was found in its traditional role of guarding livestock.

As Kuvasz numbers dwindled, breeding efforts were started but it is believed that other large dogs such as the Great Pyrenees were used with the Kuvasz to continue with the breeding programs.

In 1884, the first Hungarian standard for the breed was written. It was in 1966 that the Kuvasz Club of America was established.

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.

kuvasz puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Kuvasz is a large, muscled dog standing at 65 – 76cm in height and weighing 35 – 52kg. He has a double coat of dense white hair which can be straight or wavy.

It is natural for the dog to lose most of the long coat during the Summer months. In other words this dog has a seasonal coat.

The nose is black, the eyes brown and alert, the ears are of medium length and floppy and the tail is carried long and low.

Temperament:

The Kuvasz is an intelligent dog who will benefit from training and socialization. It is always wise to have large dogs like this trained because just his size can cause problems if he isn’t obedient.

He is also described as a clownish type of dog which means he’ll entertain and amuse you. Certainly he is playful as a puppy but he calms down quite a bit as he grows into maturity. He is independent, and those who have owned such a dog report that he can be loving and loyal with his human family, wanting to guard and protect them. Others will say that he tended to be aloof, even with his human family.

Used as working dogs, the Kuvasz has learned to be independent and they will need a firm, strong owner who is also fair with them, otherwise they just do their own thing. They’re active dogs and because of their size they won’t suit city living where there is a tiny garden.

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.

kuvasz dog - characteristicsKuvasz are guarding dogs, they’re intelligent and loyal, making them excellent family dogs with the right training and socialization.

They’re able to get on well with other pets in the home as well as children. He is a beautiful dog and another bonus is that he isn’t particularly high maintenance.

As is common with many other large-breed dogs, he will have a shorter lifespan than what you’d get with a smaller dog breed, but if you feed him high quality food, exercise him and involve him in your activities, this large dog can become a wonderful friend and protector for you.

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.

kuvasz puppies - health problemsThe large Kuvasz is a healthy dog breed that with good care can reach 12–14 years of age. Being the large dog that he is, he may well be prone to bone and joint problems. It is why good nutrition is so important for this dog - feeding him the best food with vitamins and minerals.

You know the saying ...you are what you eat... and this applies to dogs too. Good food can help to ward off serious illnesses. Big dogs like this often have to contend with hip dysplasia which can be both painful and debilitating as well as eye diseases.

Entropion:

This is where the eyelid of the dog rolls inwards, causing irritation and pain for the dog. There is also Ectropion, where the eyelid rolls outwards.If you see your pet has a red eye which is watery and which has pus, visit your vet. Entropion surgery will correct and repair and condition.

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.

Grooming:

kuvasz dogs - caringThe coat may be fairly long and thick but it doesn’t require any special kind of grooming. A good brush twice a week will be adequate and will help with getting rid of stubborn knots and matting.

He is a seasonal shedder and this frequent brushing will make sure the coat remains groomed and shiny.

General Care:

The Kuvasz is a hardy breed who just loves the outdoors. He is a dog that doesn’t do well in the heat. Make absolutely sure that he has a cool, sheltered spot where he can lie down. Ensure that there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.

Diet:

There is quite a bit of conflict and controversy regarding nutrition in dogs. The idea is to keep it simple. If you buy a commercially manufactured dog food, check the ingredients on the packaging.

You want to be sure your pet is getting vitamins and minerals in instead of preservatives, fillers and colorants. Try and give him some home made food too such as some chicken, brown rice or pasta and some vegetables. You can mix this into his dry kibble occasionally with a little bit of raw meat too when you have.

Avoid feeding your dog things such as chocolates, nuts, onions, sweets and chips.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Working dog
Origin:
Germany
Hungary
Height Male:
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
65 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
Height Female:
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
65 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 8 kg
8 - 18 pounds
35 - 52 kg
77 - 115 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 8 kg
8 - 18 pounds
35 - 52 kg
77 - 115 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 6
6 - 8
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Little Lion Dog
Hungarian Kuvasz
Colors Available:
cream, grey, black, silver - bi-colored, All colors - white
White
Coat:
Long and wavy
Medium length to long, wavy or straight
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pomeranian vs Lowchen - Breed Comparison
  2. Maltese vs Lowchen - Breed Comparison
  3. Pug vs Lowchen - Breed Comparison
  4. Maltipoo vs Lowchen - Breed Comparison
  5. Papillon vs Lowchen - Breed Comparison
  6. Miniature English Bulldog vs Lowchen - Breed Comparison
  7. Miniature Pinscher vs Lowchen - Breed Comparison
  8. Lowchen vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  9. Lowchen vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  10. Lowchen vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  11. Lowchen vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  12. Lowchen vs Japanese Chin - Breed Comparison
  13. Lowchen vs Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  14. Lowchen vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  15. Lowchen vs Jug - Breed Comparison
  16. Lowchen vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Lowchen vs Dorgi - Breed Comparison
  18. Lowchen vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  19. Lowchen vs Carlin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  20. Lowchen vs Dorkie - Breed Comparison
  21. Lowchen vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison
  22. Lowchen vs Doxiepoo - Breed Comparison
  23. Lowchen vs Bospin - Breed Comparison
  24. Lowchen vs Bantam Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  25. Lowchen vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  27. Presa Canario vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  28. Labrador Husky vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  29. Mackenzie River Husky vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  30. Pyredoodle vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  31. Lurcher vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  32. Maremma Sheepdog vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  33. Sarplaninac vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  34. Mountain View Cur vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  35. Native American Indian Dog vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  36. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  37. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  38. Mucuchies vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  39. Shepherd Husky vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  40. Slovak Cuvac vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  41. Southern Hound vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  42. Taigan vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  43. St. John's Water Dog vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  44. Tornjak vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  45. Kuvasz vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  46. Kuvasz vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  47. Kuvasz vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  48. Kuvasz vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  49. Kuvasz vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  50. Kuvasz vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds