FCI-Standard N° 233
/ 02. 04. 2004 / GB
LOWCHEN (LITTLE LION DOG)
(Petit Chien Lion)
TRANSLATION : Jennifer Mulholland with the
collaboration of R. Triquet.
ORIGIN : France.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID
STANDARD : 24.03.2004.
UTILIZATION : Companion dog.
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 9 Companion
and toy dogs. Section 1. 3 Bichons and related breeds.
Without working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : In the Amiens
Cathedral, the construction of which dates back to the XIII° century,
one can see, carved in stone, two Lowchen which perfectly represent the
breed. In the XV° century
its distinctive silhouette was often depicted in tapestries.
The breed was cherished by the ladies of the court of Burgundy.
It was especially in the 17th century that the breed was
represented in old masterpieces.
Buffon describes it very precisely in his “Histoire Naturelle”,
stressing its rarity. At the
same period the Swedish naturalist, Linné also mentions it.
The Lowchen was once called “Bichon Little Lion Dog”.
The French Breed Club was founded November 18th, 1947.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : A small intelligent
dog, gay with a lively and alert expression; overall robust with good
bone- short and well proportioned body- head carried high – pronounced
tuck-up. The movement is
proud and determined, accentuated by the floating mane from the lion
clip; the unclipped areas should be completely natural and on no account
should they be shaped.
The lion clip is obligatory for showing.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : The body is square.
The length of the body (point of shoulder to point of buttock) is
equal to the height at the withers.
The length of the muzzle represents approximately 2/3 of the
skull.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Very affectionate
and obedient with its masters, attentive and receptive, at ease in all
circumstances; capable of being calm and discreet on command.
His forthright and tender look tries to understand what is
expected of him.
HEAD : Relatively short and quite broad from
the top of the skull to the muzzle; carried high.
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Relatively flat : as broad as it is
long.
Stop : Moderately marked.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Black (total pigmentation is
obligatory), except for brown coats and derivatives.
In the latter case, the nose is dark brown (total pigmentation
obligatory). The nose is
well in line with the topline of the muzzle.
Muzzle : Rather broad, straight.
Lips : Tight and black, except for brown
coats and derivatives, in which case, the lips are dark brown.
Jaws/Teeth : Strong teeth, complete
dentition with scissor bite.
Absence of the PM1 is tolerated.
Eyes : Set well forward, the eyes are large,
very dark, round and well spaced; must be forward looking.
The lids are totally pigmented.
Ears : Set low (level with eyes).
Moderately long, capable of almost reaching, if pulled, half the
length of the muzzle; pendant, well fringed.
The fringes can reach, at least, to the end of the nose.
NECK : Of good length, slightly arched,
merging smoothly into the shoulders and withers.
BODY :
Topline : Straight.
Loin : Short, broad and muscled.
Chest : Well developed, down to elbow.
Tuck-up : Well defined.
TAIL : Set on slightly below the topline.
Carried elegantly arched over the back without touching the latter.
Only the plume touches the back either when standing or in
action.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS : Upright.
Shoulders : Well inclined, mobile, well
muscled.
Elbows : Close to the body.
Metacarpus (Pastern) : Short and straight
viewed from front; slightly sloping viewed from the side.
Forefeet : Small and round, toes tight and
well arched.
HINDQUARTERS :Upright.
Upper & lower thigh : Well muscled, the
tibia is the same length as the femur.
The point of buttock is slightly prominent.
Hock : Relatively strong, the point is at
approximately ¼ of the height at the withers, normal angulation.
Metatarsus (Rear pastern) : Robust,
perpendicular to the ground.
Hind feet : Small and round, toes tight and
well arched.
GAIT / MOVEMENT
: Lively, energetic and with good
reach; legs parallel in action, head carried proudly.
COAT
HAIR : The coat is silky, long, wavy, dense;
without undercoat.
COLOUR : All colours and combinations of
colours are permitted.
SIZE AND WEIGHT
:
Height :
26 to 32 cm at the withers, with a tolerance of +/- 1 cm.
Weight : 6 kgs approximately.
FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing
points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the
fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
ELIMINATING FAULTS :
Aggressive or overly shy.
Total or partial depigmentation of the nose,
lips and eyelids or other colour than black, or other colour than dark
brown for brown coats and derivatives.
Turned up nose.
Absence of one or more incisives or canines.
Non consecutive absence of more than two
teeth (PM2, PM3, lower PM4).
Consecutive absence of two teeth (PM2, PM3,
lower PM4).
Absence of a carnassial tooth (upper PM4,
lower M1) or of another molar except for M3.
Overshot or undershot.
Eyes : small, almond shaped, protruding, too
light or wall.
Entropion, ectropion.
Ears : not long enough or without fringe.
Tail curled in a ring.
Coat : curly, too short, lack of waves.
Severe anatomical malformation.
Any dog clearly showing physical or
behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B. : Male animals should have two
apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
This amended breed standard will become
effective from September 2004.
