Breed Comparison: Keeshond Versus Lowchen

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Keeshond Versus Lowchen: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Keeshond 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 Keeshond 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 Keeshond and the Lowchen.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Keeshond 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 Keeshond 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 Keeshond 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 Keeshond or the Lowchen.

Keeshond versus Lowchen

Keeshond versus Lowchen: Overview

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

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

Keeshond versus Lowchen: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Keeshond 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 Keeshond and the Lowchen

Factor Keeshond Lowchen
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 13 to 15 years
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Weight 35 to 45 pounds 9 to 18 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
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
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1680 $2870
Price Range $1250 – $1850 $1642 – $4500
Temperament Score 81.6 percent 75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • 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 89 163

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Keeshond 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 Keeshond is 83 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 Keeshond. 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 Keeshond and the Lowchen so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Keeshond and the Lowchen

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

  • Keeshonds 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 Keeshond and the Lowchen

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

  • Both the Keeshond and the Lowchen do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Lowchen do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Lowchen adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Lowchen are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Lowchen get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Lowchen are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Lowchen gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Lowchen are very easy to train.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Lowchen are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Lowchen are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Lowchen have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Lowchen are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Lowchen get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Lowchen are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Keeshond versus Lowchen

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

    Keeshonds weigh 35 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Keeshonds are 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s 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 Keeshond versus Lowchen

    The lifespan of Keeshonds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Keeshonds is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Lowchens is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lowchens is 14.0 years.

    Lowchens live longer than Keeshonds.

    Temperament of the Keeshond Versus the Lowchen

    The Keeshond has a better temperament than the Lowchen.

    This is because the temperament score for the Keeshond is 81.6 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 81.6 percent, the Keeshond has a below-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 Keeshond and the Lowchen by measuring the temperaments of 87 Keeshonds and 12 Lowchens.

    Price of Keeshond versus Price of Lowchen

    The average price of the Keeshond puppy is $1680. The price of the Keeshond typically ranges from $1250 – $1850. However, the price of a Keeshond can be as low as $600 and as high as $5750. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 51 Keeshond 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 Keeshond.

    Keeshond Lowchen
    Average Price $1680 $2870
    Price Range $1250 to $1850 $1642 to $4500

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Keeshonds. 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 Keeshond 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 Keeshond 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 Keeshond and the Lowchen over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Keeshond is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Keeshond is 89 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Keeshond

    Popularity of Keeshond

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Year Keeshond Popularity Rank Lowchen Popularity Rank
    2013 86 154
    2014 87 165
    2015 84 161
    2016 92 171
    2017 87 169
    2018 95 168
    2019 88 158
    2020 96 161

    Health Problems of Keeshond 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 Keeshond 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 Keeshond is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lowchen.

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

    4 health tests are recommended for Keeshond while 3 tests are recommended for the Lowchen.

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

    Keeshond Health Problems

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

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Keeshonds 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 Keeshonds 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 Keeshond Breed is Primary Hyperparathyroidism problems.

    This is because the Keeshond ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Primary Hyperparathyroidism problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 457 Keeshonds, 10 of them had Primary Hyperparathyroidism problems.

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

  • Primary Hyperparathyroidism problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 47 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 47 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 63 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 107 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 146 out of 198 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 Keeshond and in Lowchen and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Keeshond and the Lowchen:

    Disease Keeshond Rank Lowchen Rank
    Primary Hyperparathyroidism problems 1 out of 1 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 47 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 47 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 63 out of 145 dog breeds 19 out of 145 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 107 out of 182 dog breeds 42 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 146 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: Keeshond versus Lowchen

    Keeshonds do not like to be left alone.

    Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

    Do Keeshonds shed more than Lowchens?

    Keeshonds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Lowchens shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Keeshond or the Lowchen

    Keeshonds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Keeshond or the Lowchen?

    Keeshonds are moderately easy to groom.

    Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Keeshond Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lowchen?

    Keeshonds 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 Keeshonds Bark and Howl? What about Lowchens?

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

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

    Can Keeshonds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Keeshonds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Keeshond vs. Lowchen

    Keeshonds 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.

    Can Keeshonds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

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

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

    Keeshonds get along very well with other dogs.

    Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Keeshonds good family dogs? What about Lowchens?

    Keeshonds 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 Keeshonds and Lowchens?

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

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

    Is the Keeshond Easier to Train than the Lowchen?

    Keeshonds are very easy to train.

    Lowchens are very easy to train.

    Is the Keeshond Better for Apartment Owners than the Lowchen?

    Keeshonds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Keeshonds are very good for new dog owners.

    Lowchens are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Keeshond

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

  • American Eskimo Dog (82 percent match with Keeshond). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs American Eskimo Dog.
  • Collie (84 percent match with Keeshond). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Collie.
  • 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 Keeshond vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (80 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Keeshond vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Keeshond Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Keeshond versus Silky Terrier     Keeshond versus Bracco Italiano     Keeshond versus Weimaraner     Keeshond versus Shiba Inu     Keeshond versus American Water Spaniel     Keeshond versus French Spaniel     Keeshond versus Border Collie     Keeshond versus Lakeland Terrier     Keeshond versus Azawakh     Keeshond versus Tibetan Terrier     Keeshond versus Norwegian Lundehund     Keeshond versus Mastiff     Keeshond versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Keeshond versus Cavachon     Keeshond versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Keeshond versus Mudi     Keeshond versus Mountain Cur     Keeshond versus Belgian Malinois     Keeshond versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Keeshond versus Kishu Ken     Keeshond versus American Eskimo Dog     Keeshond versus Basset Hound     Keeshond versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Keeshond versus German Pinscher     Keeshond versus Brittany     

    Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lowchen versus Welsh Terrier     Lowchen versus Giant Schnauzer     Lowchen versus Biewer Terrier     Lowchen versus Silky Terrier     Lowchen versus Kishu Ken     Lowchen versus Catahoula Bulldog     Lowchen versus English Cocker Spaniel     Lowchen versus Catahoula Bulldog     Lowchen versus Lhasapoo     Lowchen versus Lhasapoo     Lowchen versus Irish Wolfhound     Lowchen versus Miniature Schnauzer     Lowchen versus Catahoula Bulldog     Lowchen versus Great Pyrenees     Lowchen versus Pomsky     Lowchen versus Shiloh Shepherd     Lowchen versus Bernedoodle     Lowchen versus Finnish Spitz     Lowchen versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Lowchen versus Chihuahua     Lowchen versus Lhasa Apso     Lowchen versus Carolina Dog     Lowchen versus English Springer Spaniel     Lowchen versus Frenchton     Lowchen versus Affenpinscher     

    Conclusion: Keeshond 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 Keeshond and the Lowchen better suits you and your family.