How long do Lowchens live?

The median lifespan of the Lowchen is 13.9 years, based on the 2024 McMillan et al. study of 584,734 UK dogs.

Is the Lowchen a healthy breed?

On the Breed Health Score the Lowchen scores 87 out of 100 (grade A), compared with an average of 71 across 155 breeds.

87/ 100

Lowchen Grade A

Q: What health problems do Lowchens have?

Commonly reported conditions in the Lowchen include Patellar luxation, Progressive retinal atrophy, Hip dysplasia, Cataracts, Heart murmurs.

Median lifespani 13.9 yr · small · 4-8 kg

⇆ Compare Lowchen

The Lowchen is a small breed with a median lifespan of 13.9 years, which places it among the longest-lived third of the 155 breeds we rank for longevity. Commonly reported health conditions include Patellar luxation, Progressive retinal atrophy, Hip dysplasia, Cataracts. Its overall Breed Health Score is 87/100 (grade A), against an average of 71/100 across all breeds.

Score breakdown

Longevityi 65%

Conformationi 20%

100

Hereditary burdeni 15%

Higher is healthier. See methodology.

Common & hereditary conditions

Patellar luxation Progressive retinal atrophy Hip dysplasia Cataracts Heart murmurs

Red marks a life-threatening or major-welfare condition. Click a condition to see which breeds it affects. This list reflects commonly reported conditions, so better-studied breeds may show more; hereditary burden is the lightest-weighted part of the score. Source: RVC VetCompass / AKC / PDSA (indicative).

Thinking of a Lowchen? A breed's health profile affects insurance cost. Comparing pet insurance early, before any conditions become pre-existing, usually gets the best cover.

Compare with similar-size breeds

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Data & citation. Median lifespan: McMillan, K.M. et al. (2024) "Longevity of companion dog breeds", Scientific Reports (584,734 UK dogs). Data CC-BY 4.0. Source. Machine-readable: developer API. These are independent estimates for comparing breeds, not veterinary advice. Photo: Abhishek Biradar via Pexels.