Lowchen (Small Lion Dog)
The Löwchen, or Small Lion Dog, is a toy dog breed with very ancient origins. It was probably developed in France in the 12th or 13th century. The Löwchen is a wonderful companion: intelligent, obedient, and friendly, moderately active and playful. It requires clipping and simple but regular grooming.
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History of origin
Very little is known about the origins of the small lion dog. The breed's history is primarily traced through paintings, tapestries, and other art objects. For example, in the Amiens Cathedral, built in the late 13th century, a stone carving depicts two typical representatives of the Löwchen breed. Images of these dogs appear on tapestries and paintings from the 15th to 17th centuries. It is known that Löwchens were much loved by the ladies of the Burgundian court in the 18th century. The breed is mentioned in the works of Carl Linnaeus and Georges-Louis Leclerc, Count of Buffon. Naturalists describe it very accurately and emphasize the rarity of small lion dogs. Cynologists believe that the Löwchen originated from crossbreeding between various breeds existing at the time. These could have been poodles, lapdogs, barbettes, terriers, and others. The breed's popularity declined sharply in the 19th and 20th centuries.
In 1960, the Petit Chien Lion was listed as one of the rarest breeds in the world. Since then, its popularity has increased slightly, but the breed remains little-known and unpopular. Only a few hundred new puppies are registered annually worldwide. A national breed club was established in France in 1971. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) only recognized the Lowchen in 2004.
Appearance
The Lyokhin is a small, sturdy dog with good bone structure and a compact, harmonious build. Its head is carried high, enhancing its overall elegance. Its gait is proud. Its height at the withers is 26-32 cm; its weight is approximately 6 kg.
The head is relatively short and quite wide. The length of the muzzle is approximately 2/3 the length of the skull. The skull is flat. The stop is moderately pronounced. The muzzle is straight and fairly wide. The nose is black, brown only in dogs of the corresponding color. The bridge of the nose is straight. The lips are tightly fitting, black or brown (in brown dogs). The teeth are strong, complete, and have a scissor bite. The eyes are set straight, very dark, round, large, set wide apart, and look directly forward. The eyelids are pigmented. The ears are set at eye level, moderately long, hanging, with well-developed fringe that can reach the tip of the nose.
The "Lion" hairstyle is mandatory for showing a dog at a show.
The neck is slightly arched and of good length. The body is square. The topline is straight. The loin is broad and short. The chest is well developed, reaching down to the elbows. The belly is well tucked up. The tail is set slightly below the topline and carried elegantly curved over the back. The limbs are strong-boned, vertical and parallel, and strong. The paws are small and rounded, with tightly knit, well-arched toes.
The coat is single-layered, long, silky, dense, slightly wavy, and without an undercoat. Any color is acceptable: all colors and combinations are allowed.
Character and behavior
The Lowchen (a small lion-like dog) is a companion by nature and vocation. He is cheerful, intelligent, active, always affectionate, friendly, and playful. He loves attention and becomes upset or even offended if he doesn't get it. He becomes very attached to his owner and dislikes intrusive attention from strangers.
Lowchens get along well with other pets, from small hamsters to large dogs. They enjoy playing with other dogs on walks, but some dogs prefer the company of their owner. They are good with children, eager to join in games and tolerate minor pranks. They can be intolerant of intrusiveness, so for a family with children, a dog should be well-socialized and trained, or raised with children.
Lowchen owners note that these are very obedient, attentive, and sensitive dogs that are able to restrain themselves and calm down quickly on command, strive to understand what is expected of them, and strive to bring joy to their owners and share their hobbies.
In everyday life, the Lowchen is quiet and reserved. It has a very pleasant personality, thanks to its ability to adapt to the family lifestyle and quickly understand its owner's needs during training. With strangers, it is cautious or friendly, and trusting. While a Lowchen cannot protect its owner or property in case of danger, it is a good watchdog, alert to any outside noises or the arrival of guests. It is not overly talkative in everyday life, barking only when truly necessary, during play or when very excited.
Interestingly, the Lowchen has a fairly well-developed hunting instinct, but it's somewhat modified. For example, if the dog sees a squirrel, it will run after it, but once it catches it, it won't know what to do with it.
Education and training
Like many other toy dogs, the Lowchen does not require special training. With training, it learns basic commands on its own, such as "come," "stay," "sit," and others. If desired, owners can teach their Mini Löwchen many other commands, including simple ones. circus tricksLwechens are very intelligent and capable. In Europe and America, they can be seen competing in agility, flyball, and freestyle.
Content Features
The Small Lion Dog is ideal for keeping even in a small apartment. It requires moderate exercise. A daily walk of about 30 minutes is sufficient. During cold weather and inclement weather, walks can be kept to a minimum, or even indoors if the dog is potty trained. A pleasant surprise is that the Lowchen sheds virtually nothing. At home, it is neat and rarely causes mischief or damages. Owners and breeders recommend providing the dog with its own private space, including a bed and a few toys.
During warmer months, dogs with traditional haircuts should be protected from direct sunlight, or sunscreen should be applied to shaved areas during long walks. In winter, Lowchens require additional warmth with appropriate clothing for the weather.
Care
To maintain the cleanliness and natural beauty of a dog's coat, brushing it several times a week and bathing it with shampoo and conditioner every 7-10 days is sufficient. Ears and teeth should be cleaned occasionally, and nails should be trimmed. Eyes should be wiped daily, ensuring they remain dry and clean.
If the Lowchen's coat is not brushed regularly, it will inevitably become matted.
Lowchen haircut
The highly complex lion cut is mandatory only for show dogs. It is trimmed every two months and a few days before the show. Non-show dogs can wear any style, whether very short or long.
The traditional lion cut of the Löwchen resembles a hairstyle Portuguese Water Dog With some differences. The hair on the head, muzzle, chest, and forelimbs is left long, down to the last rib. The hindquarters, as well as the hair on the hind legs above the hocks, are shaved. Only the outer half of the tail and the paws are left untouched. The front legs are shaved from the shoulder joint to the pastern.
Health and life expectancy
In general, Lowchens are considered healthy dogs. Life expectancy is 12-14 years. Little is known about hereditary diseases. The breed is known to be predisposed to the following diseases:
- cataract;
- progressive retinal atrophy;
- dislocation of the patella;
- hip dysplasia;
- atopic dermatitis.
Where to buy a Lowchen puppy
Buying a Lowchen puppy can be very difficult. Not only because they are very expensive, but also because very few puppies are available for sale. Good breeders reserve puppies in advance, and those wishing to purchase a pet lion have to line up. The majority of these dogs are concentrated in France and the United States. Large breeders can be found in Canada, Germany, Spain, and Finland. In the CIS countries, there are a few representatives of the breed, but there are no breeders or kennels yet. Advice on choosing and purchasing a dog is no different from that for buying a puppy of any other breed. It's important to choose a reputable breeder whose stock has been vetted for health, character, and conformation. The puppies should be healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations. Their conformation to the standard and their temperament are assessed.
According to some sources, there are only two representatives of the Lowchen breed in Russia.
Price
In Europe, the average price of a Lowchen puppy is 2,500 euros. There is no data for Russia or the CIS countries.
Photos and videos
This gallery is dedicated to the Löwchen (Little Lion Dog) dog breed. The photos show what representatives of this breed, with such a resonant name, look like with and without a haircut, and the various colors available.
Video about the Löwchen (Little Lion Dog) dog breed
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