History of occurrence
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."
General form
A strongly built, active, well balanced and alert little dog whose presentation gives the "little Lion" appearance.
Отличительная особенность породы Lowchen (Little Lion Dog)
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.
Body: short, strong, well-proportioned.
Ribs: well-sprung.
Forelegs: straight and fine boned. Shoulder well laid.
Hind legs: well-muscled, with good turn of stifle; straight when viewed from the rear.
Feet: small and round.
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.
Free, parallel movement fore and aft, no hackneyed action.
Character
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.
Maintenance care
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.
Lifespan — 13-15 years.
Dignity
The Löwchen is small, elegant, agile, and light on his feet.
Has a long coat that comes in many colors and doesn't shed much.
The Löwchen is bright, lively, and playful, yet not hyperactive.
The Löwchen is polite with strangers and other pets.
Doesn't need a lot of exercise.
The Löwchen is responsive to training.
Tends to be long-lived.
Difficulty keeping
Shyness or suspiciousness when not socialized enough.
Slowness to housebreak.
Potential for barking.
Frequent brushing and combing (or clipping the coat short).
Diseases
The Löwchen may suffer from minor health problems like patellar luxation or be prone to serious heart conditions. To identify some of these issues early, a veterinarian may recommend knee and cardiac exams for dogs of this breed.
