Lowchen
Toy

Group:

Toy

Size:

small

Lifespan:

13-15 years

Exercise:

very little

Grooming:

high

Trainability:

moderate

Watchdog ability:

high

Protection ability:

very low

Area of Origin:

France, Germany

Date of Origin:

1500’s

Other Names:

Little Lion Dog

Original Function:

companion

History

Löwchen (pronounced lerv-chun) means "little lion dog," and in France the breed is known as Le Petit Chien Lion. The Löwchen shares common roots with other members of the Bichon family, which includes the Bichon Frise and Havanese, among others. Germany, Russia and France have all laid claim to the breed. The exact time and place of its origin is obscure, but dogs resembling the Löwchen, sporting the distinctive lion trim, can be found in 16th-century German art. Its popularity continued through the 1800s. Goya is one of many artists to have featured the Löwchen on canvas. With the coming of the 20th century and the two World Wars, the popularity of the Löwchen waned. By 1960, they were granted the title "rarest breed" by the Guinness Book of World records. No longer, however, do they win the dubitable claim to fame as the "rarest breed."

Temperament

This is a lively, inquisitive, affectionate dog. It is a mixture of playful spirit and calm soul mate, a good companion for a quiet family. It is willing to please and responsive to commands, and it is devoted to its family. Some may bark or dig a lot.

Upkeep

The Löwchen can receive ample exercise with a short walk or active game every day. It enjoys a mental challenge. It is not a breed that should live outside, although it appreciates access to a yard during the day. Its coat needs brushing or combing about every other day. Clipping to maintain the traditional lion trim must be done every month or two. Many pet owners prefer to keep their dogs in a puppy clip.

Official Breed Standard

CHARACTERISTICS:
Intelligent, lively and affectionate.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
A strongly built, active, well balanced and alert little dog whose presentation gives the "little Lion" appearance.

Head and Skull:
Short, fairly broad skull, flat between the ears, head carried proud and high. Well defined stop. Short, strong muzzle.

Eyes:
Round, large and intelligent, dark in colour.

Ears:
Long and well fringed, set on level with the eye, close hanging.

Mouth:
The jaws should be strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Nose:
Black/brown according to coat colour.

Neck:
Good length, proudly arched.

Forequarters:
Forelegs straight and fine boned. Shoulder well laid.

Body:
Short, strong, well-proportioned. Level topline. Ribs well-sprung. Strong loin with moderate tuck up.

Hindquarters:
Hind legs well-muscled, with good turn of stifle; straight when viewed from the rear.

Feet:
Small and round.

Gait:
Free, parallel movement fore and aft, no hackneyed action.

Tail:
Of medium length, clipped with a tuft of hair to resemble a plume. Carried gaily on the move.

Coat:
Fairly long and wavy but not curly. Fine and silky. Clipped in the traditional lion clip.

Colour:
Any colour or combination of colours permissible.

Size:
Height 25-35 cm. (10-13 inches) at the withers.

Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness of the fault should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.