The ‘fabulous’ little lion dog is Crufts’ mane attraction
THERE has been a rise in popularity of the lowchen, known as the “little lion dog”, at Crufts with a nine-fold increase in competitors.
With the revival of the rare breed following a publicity campaign the number being shown at the world-renowned show yesterday had soared 96 per cent.
Forty six of the animals with lion-like mane, shaven rump and plumed tail, were put through their paces – compared to a handful at the previous show at the NEC in Birmingham in 2020.
Breeders of the lowchen are working tirelessly to make sure the animals don’t become extinct, with one saying: “They make fabulous family dogs and we can’t lose them.”
Mary Pascoe, a breeder and Secretary of the Lowchen Little Lion Dog Club, said: “They are wonderful, happy family dogs and are suddenly becoming more popular as a show breed.
“They have good construction and movement and beautiful big eyes and look at those perfect white teeth – they’re better than mine.”
Mrs Pascoe, 64, a retired dog groomer from Southport, Merseyside, won the Limit Dog class with her three-year-old Jade Char Flashback Hero, nicknamed Flash. She said: “It’s his first Crufts and we’ve worked damn hard so we’re delighted to have won.”