A Detailed Comparison of the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher.

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Lowchen Versus Miniature Pinscher: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher 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 Lowchen and for the Miniature Pinscher. 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 Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Lowchen or the Miniature Pinscher.

Lowchen versus Miniature Pinscher

Lowchen versus Miniature Pinscher: Overview

Both the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher are similar in size. The Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher are both tiny-sized dogs.

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

Lowchen versus Miniature Pinscher: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lowchen to the Miniature Pinscher 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 Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher

Factor Lowchen Miniature Pinscher
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 13 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 9 to 18 pounds 8 to 11 pounds
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $2870 $1470
Price Range $1642 – $4500 $825 – $1500
Temperament Score 75.0 percent 82.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PENNGEN
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 163 67

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lowchen 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 Miniature Pinscher. 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 Lowchen is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Miniature Pinscher is 73 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lowchen is a better pet than the Miniature Pinscher. 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 Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher

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

  • Both the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lowchen versus Miniature Pinscher

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

    Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Miniature Pinschers weigh 8 to 11 pounds when fully grown. Miniature Pinschers are 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lowchen versus Miniature Pinscher

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

    The lifespan of Miniature Pinschers is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Miniature Pinschers is 12.0 years.

    Lowchens live longer than Miniature Pinschers.

    Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Miniature Pinscher

    The Miniature Pinscher has a better temperament than the Lowchen.

    This is because the temperament score for the Miniature Pinscher is 82.5 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 75.0 percent, the Lowchen has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 82.5 percent, the Miniature Pinscher has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher by measuring the temperaments of 12 Lowchens and 57 Miniature Pinschers.

    Price of Lowchen versus Price of Miniature Pinscher

    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 reviewing the prices of 7 Lowchen puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Miniature Pinscher puppy is $1470. The price of the Miniature Pinscher typically ranges from $825 – $1500. However, the price of the Miniature Pinscher can be as low as $100 and as high as $50000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 159 Miniature Pinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lowchen is more expensive than the Miniature Pinscher.

    Lowchen Miniature Pinscher
    Average Price $2870 $1470
    Price Range $1642 to $4500 $825 to $1500

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Pinschers

    A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Pinschers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Lowchen puppy or the Miniature Pinscher 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 Lowchen versus Popularity of Miniature Pinscher

    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 Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Miniature Pinscher is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Miniature Pinscher is 67 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Miniature Pinscher

    Popularity of Miniature Pinscher

    Year Lowchen Popularity Rank Miniature Pinscher Popularity Rank
    2013 154 53
    2014 165 61
    2015 161 64
    2016 171 68
    2017 169 71
    2018 168 70
    2019 158 74
    2020 161 77

    Health Problems of Lowchen versus Health Problems of Miniature Pinscher

    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 Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Lowchen.

    3 health tests are recommended for Lowchen while 3 tests are recommended for the Miniature Pinscher.

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

    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.

    Miniature Pinscher Health Problems

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

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PENNGEN
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Miniature Pinschers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Lowchens and Miniature Pinschers

    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
  • 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 Miniature Pinscher Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

    This is because the Miniature Pinscher ranks 7 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 169 Miniature Pinschers, 2 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

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

  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 7 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 39 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 68 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 190 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Lowchen and in Miniature Pinscher and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher:

    Disease Lowchen Rank Miniature Pinscher Rank
    Patella problems 19 out of 145 dog breeds 68 out of 145 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 42 out of 182 dog breeds 39 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 163 out of 198 dog breeds 190 out of 198 dog breeds
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems Not Common 7 out of 40 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: Lowchen versus Miniature Pinscher

    Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

    Miniature Pinschers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lowchens shed more than Miniature Pinschers?

    Lowchens shed moderately.

    Miniature Pinschers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Lowchen or the Miniature Pinscher

    Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Miniature Pinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lowchen or the Miniature Pinscher?

    Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

    Miniature Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Lowchen Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Miniature Pinscher?

    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.

    Miniature Pinschers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Lowchens Bark and Howl? What about Miniature Pinschers?

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

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

    Can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Miniature Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Miniature Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lowchen vs. Miniature Pinscher

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

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

    Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Miniature Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Miniature Pinschers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

    Miniature Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Lowchens good family dogs? What about Miniature Pinschers?

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

    Miniature Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lowchens and Miniature Pinschers?

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

    Miniature Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Lowchen Easier to Train than the Miniature Pinscher?

    Lowchens are very easy to train.

    Miniature Pinschers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Lowchen Better for Apartment Owners than the Miniature Pinscher?

    Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

    Miniature Pinschers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Lowchens are very good for new dog owners.

    Miniature Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

    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 Miniature Pinscher vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (80 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Miniature Pinscher vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Miniature Pinscher

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

  • American Hairless Terrier (75 percent match with Miniature Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs American Hairless Terrier.
  • Manchester Terrier (79 percent match with Miniature Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Schipperke (75 percent match with Miniature Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Schipperke.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lowchen versus Japanese Spitz     Lowchen versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Lowchen versus Bulldog     Lowchen versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Lowchen versus Scottish Deerhound     Lowchen versus Fila Brasileiro     Lowchen versus Ibizan Hound     Lowchen versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Lowchen versus Sussex Spaniel     Lowchen versus Papipoo     Lowchen versus Boerboel     Lowchen versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Lowchen versus Toy Poodle     Lowchen versus Chi-Poo     Lowchen versus Berger Picard     Lowchen versus Dogo Argentino     Lowchen versus Dogo Argentino     Lowchen versus Shiloh Shepherd     Lowchen versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Lowchen versus Samoyed     Lowchen versus Pomchi     Lowchen versus Border Collie     Lowchen versus Pomsky     Lowchen versus Irish Setter     Lowchen versus Jack Russell Terrier     

    Miniature Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Miniature Pinscher versus Bullmastiff     Miniature Pinscher versus Cavachon     Miniature Pinscher versus Chihuahua     Miniature Pinscher versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Miniature Pinscher versus Keeshond     Miniature Pinscher versus Clumber Spaniel     Miniature Pinscher versus Mudi     Miniature Pinscher versus Golden Retriever     Miniature Pinscher versus Miniature Schnauzer     Miniature Pinscher versus Maltese     Miniature Pinscher versus Irish Water Spaniel     Miniature Pinscher versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Miniature Pinscher versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Miniature Pinscher versus Samoyed     Miniature Pinscher versus Field Spaniel     Miniature Pinscher versus Dalmatian     Miniature Pinscher versus Great Pyrenees     Miniature Pinscher versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Miniature Pinscher versus Boxerdoodle     Miniature Pinscher versus Bluetick Coonhound     Miniature Pinscher versus Akita     Miniature Pinscher versus Lancashire Heeler     Miniature Pinscher versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Miniature Pinscher versus Xoloitzcuintli     Miniature Pinscher versus American Bulldog     

    Conclusion: Lowchen versus Miniature Pinscher. 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 Lowchen and the Miniature Pinscher better suits you and your family.