Differences and Similarities between the French Bulldog and the Lowchen.

French Bulldog versus Lowchen

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French Bulldog Versus Lowchen: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the French Bulldog and the Lowchen? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the Lowchen.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog or the Lowchen

French Bulldog versus Lowchen: Overview

A very important difference between the French Bulldog and the Lowchen is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The French Bulldog is a small-sized dog while the Lowchen is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the French Bulldog and the Lowchen are Companion Dogs. This means both the French Bulldog and the Lowchen 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.

French Bulldog versus Lowchen: Comparison Table

The table below compares the French Bulldog 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.

Factor French Bulldog Lowchen
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 11 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 11 to 14 years 13 to 15 years
Weight 16 to 28 pounds 9 to 18 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $4610 $2870
Price Range $3100 – $5000 $1642 – $4500
Temperament Score 96.2 percent 75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune Thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Annual recertification recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Tracheal Hypoplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 5 163

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the French Bulldog 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 a French Bulldog is 86 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Lowchen is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the French Bulldog is a better pet than the Lowchen. So, you should get the French Bulldog!

    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 French Bulldog and the Lowchen so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the French Bulldog and the Lowchen

    Below is a list of where the French Bulldog and the Lowchen are most different:

  • French Bulldogs have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Lowchens are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • French Bulldogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Lowchens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • The Similarities Between the French Bulldog and the Lowchen

    The French Bulldog and the Lowchen are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the French Bulldog and the Lowchen are most similar:

  • Both the French Bulldog and the Lowchen do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the Lowchen do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the Lowchen cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the Lowchen get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the Lowchen get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the Lowchen are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the Lowchen gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the Lowchen are very easy to train.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the Lowchen do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the Lowchen adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the Lowchen are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the Lowchen are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the Lowchen are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of French Bulldog versus Lowchen

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the French Bulldog and the Lowchen.

    French Bulldogs weigh 16 to 28 pounds when fully grown. French Bulldogs are 11 to 12 inches 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.

    Temperament of the French Bulldog Versus the Lowchen

    The French Bulldog has a better temperament than the Lowchen.

    This is because the temperament score for the French Bulldog is 96.2 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 they 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 96.2 percent, the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the Lowchen by measuring the temperaments of 52 French Bulldogs and 12 Lowchens.

    Price of French Bulldog versus Price of Lowchen

    The average price of the French Bulldog puppy is $4610. The price of the French Bulldog typically ranges from $3100 – $5000. However, the price of a French Bulldog can be as low as $123 and as high as $40000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2308 French Bulldog 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 a 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 French Bulldog is more expensive than the Lowchen.

    French Bulldog Lowchen
    Average Price $4610 $2870
    Price Range $3100 to $5000 $1642 to $4500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the French Bulldog and Lowchen. For different price points, the charts show how many French Bulldog puppies or how many Lowchen puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of French Bulldogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of French Bulldogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens

    A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the French Bulldog 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the Lowchen over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the French Bulldog is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the French Bulldog is 5 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of French Bulldog

    Popularity of French Bulldog

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Year French Bulldog Popularity Rank Lowchen Popularity Rank
    2013 11 154
    2014 9 165
    2015 6 161
    2016 6 171
    2017 4 169
    2018 4 168
    2019 4 158
    2020 2 161

    Health Problems of French Bulldog versus Health Problems of Lowchen

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lowchen.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the French Bulldog than for the Lowchen.

    7 health tests are recommended for French Bulldog while 3 tests are recommended for the Lowchen.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in French Bulldogs and in Lowchens.

    French Bulldog Health Problems

    French Bulldogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your French Bulldog 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 French Bulldogs for:

  • Autoimmune Thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Annual recertification recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Tracheal Hypoplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for French Bulldogs 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:

  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lowchens here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in French Bulldogs 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 French Bulldog Breed is Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems.

    This is because the French Bulldog ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 55 French Bulldogs, 33 of them had Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in French Bulldogs, and how common these diseases are in French Bulldogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems: Rank 1 out of 5 Dog Breeds
  • Cystinuria problems: Rank 2 out of 6 Dog Breeds
  • Tracheal Hypoplasia problems: Rank 3 out of 4 Dog Breeds
  • Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems: Rank 4 out of 6 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 9 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 15 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 16 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 22 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 25 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 34 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 63 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 77 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 107 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • 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:

  • Patella problems: Rank 19 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 42 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 163 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in French Bulldog and in Lowchen and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the French Bulldog and the Lowchen:

    Disease French Bulldog Rank Lowchen Rank
    Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems 1 out of 5 dog breeds Not Common
    Cystinuria problems 2 out of 6 dog breeds Not Common
    Tracheal Hypoplasia problems 3 out of 4 dog breeds Not Common
    Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems 4 out of 6 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 9 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems 15 out of 40 dog breeds Not Common
    Baer Hearing Test problems 16 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 22 out of 198 dog breeds 163 out of 198 dog breeds
    Patella problems 25 out of 145 dog breeds 19 out of 145 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 34 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 63 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 77 out of 182 dog breeds 42 out of 182 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 107 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common

    *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: French Bulldog versus Lowchen

    French Bulldogs do not like to be left alone.

    Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

    Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?

    French Bulldogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Lowchens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which one drools more, the French Bulldog or the Lowchen

    French Bulldogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather?

    French Bulldogs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Does the French Bulldog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lowchen?

    French Bulldogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: French Bulldog vs. Lowchen

    French Bulldogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Lowchens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Do French Bulldogs shed more than Lowchens?

    French Bulldogs shed moderately.

    Lowchens shed moderately.

    Do French Bulldogs Bark and Howl? What about Lowchens?

    French Bulldogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Lowchens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    How Kid-friendly are French Bulldogs and Lowchens?

    French Bulldogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Lowchens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the French Bulldog or the Lowchen?

    French Bulldogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the French Bulldog Easier to Train than the Lowchen?

    French Bulldogs are very easy to train.

    Lowchens are very easy to train.

    Is the French Bulldog Better for Apartment Owners than the Lowchen?

    French Bulldogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the French Bulldog or the Lowchen?

    French Bulldogs are very good for new dog owners.

    Lowchens are very good for new dog owners.

    Are French Bulldogs good family dogs? What about Lowchens?

    French Bulldogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Lowchens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the French Bulldog or the Lowchen?

    French Bulldogs are very easy to groom.

    Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Bulldog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (75 percent match with French Bulldog). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Beaglier (74 percent match with French Bulldog). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Beaglier.
  • Chihuahua (74 percent match with French Bulldog). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Chihuahua.
  • Pug (83 percent match with French Bulldog). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Pug.
  • 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:

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the French Bulldog vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (80 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the French Bulldog vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the French Bulldog and how the Lowchen compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the French Bulldog and of the Lowchen to other breeds:

    French Bulldog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Bulldog versus German Shorthaired Pointer     French Bulldog versus Standard Poodle     French Bulldog versus Irish Setter     French Bulldog versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     French Bulldog versus Pyrenean Mastiff     French Bulldog versus Maremma Sheepdog     French Bulldog versus Pointer     French Bulldog versus Brittany     French Bulldog versus Belgian Malinois     French Bulldog versus Chow Chow     

    Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lowchen versus Australian Cattle Dog     Lowchen versus Chinese Crested     Lowchen versus Shiloh Shepherd     Lowchen versus Border Terrier     Lowchen versus Pomeranian     Lowchen versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Lowchen versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Lowchen versus Border Collie     Lowchen versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Lowchen versus Black Russian Terrier     

    Conclusion: French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the Lowchen better suits you and your family.