ORIGIN : France.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 24.03.2004.
UTILIZATION : Companion Dog.
FCI'S CLASSIFICATION : Group 9 Companions and Toys 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 at withers: 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.
TRANSLATION : Jennifer Mulholland with the collaboration of R. Triquet.