Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Lowchen: Introduction
- Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lowchen: Overview
- Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lowchen: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen
- The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen
- Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lowchen
- Lifespan of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lowchen
- Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Flat-Coated Retriever
- Price of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Price of Lowchen
- The Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Lowchen
- Health Problems of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Lowchen
- Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lowchen
- Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Lowchens?
- Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Lowchen
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Lowchen?
- Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lowchen?
- Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Lowchens?
- Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Lowchen
- Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Lowchen?
- Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Lowchens?
- How Kid-friendly are Flat-Coated Retrievers and Lowchens?
- Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Lowchen?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lowchen
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lowchen. Which One is a Better Pet?
Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Lowchen: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Flat-Coated Retriever and for the Lowchen. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Lowchen.
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lowchen: Overview
A very important difference between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Flat-Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog while the Lowchen is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Flat-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
On the other hand, the Lowchen belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lowchen: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Flat-Coated Retriever to the Lowchen based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen
| Factor | Flat-Coated Retriever | Lowchen |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 13 to 15 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 55 to 70 pounds | 9 to 18 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1350 | $2870 |
| Price Range | $1150 – $1800 | $1642 – $4500 |
| Temperament Score | 92.0 percent | 75.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 94 | 163 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Flat-Coated Retriever in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Lowchen. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Lowchen is 85 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lowchen is a better pet than the Flat-Coated Retriever. So, you should get the Lowchen!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen
Below is a list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen are most different:
The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen
The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lowchen
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen.
Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Flat-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lowchen
The lifespan of Flat-Coated Retrievers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Flat-Coated Retrievers is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Lowchens is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lowchens is 14.0 years.
Lowchens live longer than Flat-Coated Retrievers.
Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Flat-Coated Retriever
The Flat-Coated Retriever has a better temperament than the Lowchen.
This is because the temperament score for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 92.0 percent while the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 92.0 percent, the Flat-Coated Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 75.0 percent, the Lowchen has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen by measuring the temperaments of 87 Flat-Coated Retrievers and 12 Lowchens.
Price of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Price of Lowchen
The average price of the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy is $1350. The price of the Flat-Coated Retriever typically ranges from $1150 – $1800. However, the price of a Flat-Coated Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 8 Flat-Coated Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Lowchen puppy is $2870. The price of the Lowchen typically ranges from $1642 – $4500. However, the price of the Lowchen can be as low as $300 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 7 Lowchen puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Lowchen is more expensive than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
| Flat-Coated Retriever | Lowchen | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1350 | $2870 |
| Price Range | $1150 to $1800 | $1642 to $4500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Flat-Coated Retriever and Lowchen. For different price points, the charts show how many Flat-Coated Retriever puppies or how many Lowchen puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens?
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy or the Lowchen puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Lowchen
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Flat-Coated Retriever is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 94 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever
Popularity of Lowchen
| Year | Flat-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank | Lowchen Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 94 | 154 |
| 2014 | 92 | 165 |
| 2015 | 86 | 161 |
| 2016 | 89 | 171 |
| 2017 | 96 | 169 |
| 2018 | 91 | 168 |
| 2019 | 104 | 158 |
| 2020 | 102 | 161 |
Health Problems of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Lowchen
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Lowchen is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Flat-Coated Retriever.
3 health tests are recommended for Flat-Coated Retriever while 3 tests are recommended for the Lowchen.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Flat-Coated Retrievers and in Lowchens.
Flat-Coated Retriever Health Problems
Flat-Coated Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Flat-Coated Retriever puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Flat-Coated Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Flat-Coated Retriever breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Flat-Coated Retrievers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Flat-Coated Retrievers here.
Lowchen Health Problems
Lowchens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lowchen puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Lowchen puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lowchen breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Lowchens for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lowchens here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Flat-Coated Retrievers and Lowchens
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Flat-Coated Retriever Breed is Thyroid problems.
This is because the Flat-Coated Retriever ranks 28 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 241 Flat-Coated Retrievers, 14 of them had Thyroid problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Flat-Coated Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Flat-Coated Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Lowchen Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Lowchen ranks 19 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 Lowchens, 9 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Lowchens, and how common these diseases are in Lowchens relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Flat-Coated Retriever and in Lowchen and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen:
| Disease | Flat-Coated Retriever Rank | Lowchen Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Thyroid problems | 28 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 85 out of 145 dog breeds | 19 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 129 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 129 out of 182 dog breeds | 42 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 172 out of 198 dog breeds | 163 out of 198 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lowchen
Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.
Lowchens do not like to be left alone.
Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Lowchens?
Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.
Lowchens shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Lowchen
Flat-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Lowchen?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.
Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lowchen?
Flat-Coated Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Lowchens have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Lowchens?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Lowchens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather?
Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Lowchen
Flat-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Lowchens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?
Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.
Lowchens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Lowchen?
Flat-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.
Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Lowchens?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Lowchens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Flat-Coated Retrievers and Lowchens?
Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Lowchens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Lowchen?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.
Lowchens are very easy to train.
Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Lowchen?
Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Lowchen?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Lowchens are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Flat-Coated Retriever:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lowchen
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lowchen that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Lowchen:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Flat-Coated Retriever and how the Lowchen compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever and of the Lowchen to other breeds:
Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Airedale Terrier Flat-Coated Retriever versus Puli Flat-Coated Retriever versus Bulldog Flat-Coated Retriever versus American Eskimo Dog Flat-Coated Retriever versus Jack Russell Terrier Flat-Coated Retriever versus American Pit Bull Terrier Flat-Coated Retriever versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Flat-Coated Retriever versus Clumber Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever versus Kuvasz Flat-Coated Retriever versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Flat-Coated Retriever versus Fila Brasileiro Flat-Coated Retriever versus Boykin Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever versus Briard Flat-Coated Retriever versus Chi-Poo Flat-Coated Retriever versus Alaskan Malamute Flat-Coated Retriever versus Standard Schnauzer Flat-Coated Retriever versus Clumber Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever versus Tibetan Mastiff Flat-Coated Retriever versus Australian Cattle Dog Flat-Coated Retriever versus Goldendoodle Flat-Coated Retriever versus Australian Kelpie Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lowchen Flat-Coated Retriever versus Chinook Flat-Coated Retriever versus Shichon Flat-Coated Retriever versus Boerboel
Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds
Lowchen versus Bearded Collie Lowchen versus Brittany Lowchen versus Pyrenean Mastiff Lowchen versus Shetland Sheepdog Lowchen versus Sloughi Lowchen versus Miniature Schnauzer Lowchen versus Bordoodle Lowchen versus Cocker Spaniel Lowchen versus Samoyed Lowchen versus Canaan Dog Lowchen versus Great Pyrenees Lowchen versus Carolina Dog Lowchen versus Australian Terrier Lowchen versus Coton de Tulear Lowchen versus Plott Lowchen versus English Toy Spaniel Lowchen versus Korean Jindo Dog Lowchen versus Mudi Lowchen versus German Pinscher Lowchen versus Japanese Spitz Lowchen versus Bluetick Coonhound Lowchen versus Shiranian Lowchen versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Lowchen versus Boerboel Lowchen versus Flat-Coated Retriever
Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lowchen. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lowchen better suits you and your family.