Löwchen
The Löwchen or Little Lion Dog (German: Löwchen “little lion”, French: Petit chien lion, “little lion dog “) is a breed of dog and member of the Bichon family. A small dog, they are considered by some registries as a toy dog and by the American Kennel Club as a non-sporting dog.
History
The Löwchen once had the dubious distinction, like the Portuguese Water-Dog and the Havanese, of being the rarest dog in the world. In 1973 there were only 65 registered examples of the breed Even today, the breed generally has fewer than a few hundred new registrations each year worldwide.
The breed is traceable to as far back as 1442. They are found in many old paintings, tapestries, engravings, drawings and in literature. It is an old breed type, found in many countries as far back as the 16th century. The little ‘lion dog’ is seen in many art pieces featuring dogs as far back as the 16th century, but it is unclear whether these were all dogs like the Löwchen, or simply small dogs of the Bichon type that were trimmed in a lion cut. Although this dog may be related to the Bichon Frise, the Löwchen’s history remains obscure.
The breed has a history as a companion dog to the wealthy and elite. It is possible to trace the Löwchen history to the three countries of what are now known as Belgium, Germany and Holland. It is thought the breed’s ancestors were dogs that were brought in by travellers from the far eastern lands of Tibet and mingled with local dogs such as Spitz and terrier-type dogs. Occasionally a genetic throw-back is found. The modern sources of the breed were from Belgium, France and Germany enthusiasts in the late 19th century. Madame Bennerts started a breeding program, in 1944, later with the help of veterinarian Dr. Rickert.
The Löwchen, also called the Little Lion, is a small dog whose coat is often cut to resemble the look of a lion. The head is short with a broad skull. The muzzle is the same length or slightly shorter than the back skull and is relatively broad. The nose is dark, usually black. The eyes are round, dark and set well into the skull. The ears are pendant in shape and moderate in length with feathering. The short body is well proportioned. The tail is set high and of medium length. The coat is long and wavy, but not curly. The most popular colors are white, black and lemon but it can also come in a speckled coloring. When clipped to look like a lion, the hindquarters, the section of the tail closest to the body and part of the front legs are closely clipped. When the coat is not clipped, it is long, rather dense and moderately soft in texture.
The Löwchen’s coat is long and flowing and comes in many colours. The coat should not be thin and fluffy like a Bichon Frise, but wavy with a mix of thicker hairs amongst the fine ones. This allows for a flowing coat that is not frizzy or fly-away, and a Löwchen coat should not be harsh like many terriers. The Löwchen’s long and wavy coat is presented in a lion cut. This means that the haunches, back legs, front legs (except bracelets around the ankles), and the 1/3–1/2 of the tail closest to the body are shaved, and the rest of the coat is left natural to give the dog the appearance of a male lion. The lion cut is the traditional way of presenting these dogs but it is not known where the practice comes from. Dogs in lion clip may need some protection in wintertime on the shaved parts.
The head of the Löwchen is one of its most important features, with its relatively short, wide muzzle, broad skull, lively round eyes, and pendant ears. They can come in all colours, including brown, that allow for dark eyes and nose. The head, when in proportion to the body, is neither too big nor too small, but helps to emphasize the friendly, regal, and leonine personality of the Löwchen. The litter size is usually between three and six puppies.
The Löwchen is a friendly, healthy and happy dog. Dogs of this breed are both active and playful, and very intelligent. The Löwchen is an excellent house pet. The Löwchen makes also a good pet for families with children. This breed has a history as a companion dog and the dogs need the attention of humans and they are not happy left alone for longer periods of time. The Löwchen doesn’t bark excessively, it is a rather quiet breed.
The Löwchen does not shed, and this breed has very low allergic effects, and are considered hypoallergenic. To prevent tangles from forming, the coat should be combed and brushed regularly. The Löwchen is usually clipped in the hindquarters, the section of the tail closest to the body, and front leg areas are close-clipped, regardless of whether they are shown or not, giving them the name “Little Lion Dog,” although some owners prefer to give it a puppy clip. This breed sheds little to no hair. Dead hair should be brushed out. This breed is good for allergy sufferers.
Height: 10 – 13 inches (25 – 33 cm) & Weight: 9 – 18 pounds (4 – 8 kg)
This is a generally healthy breed, although some lines are prone to patellar luxation.
The Löwchen is good for apartment life. It is very active indoors and will do okay without a yard. The Löwchen needs a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of its exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfil their primal instinct to walk. Dogs that do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behaviour problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe, open area off lead, such as a large, fenced-in yard.
The Löwchen’s life span is around 12–14 years.