Löwchen
Quick facts
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AKC Group: | Non-Sporting |
| Height: | Male: 12–14 inches, Female: 11–13 inches | |
| Weight: | Male: 12-18 pounds, Female: 10-15 pounds | |
| Colors: | All colors and color combinations are acceptable with no preference given to any | |
| AKC recognized in: | 1996 | |
The Löwchen is a German name for "Little Lion". As early as the 16th century many art pieces featured dogs that looked the Löwchen, though some say that these were the Bichon Frise with lion trim of hair.
The lion trim is the trademark of the Löwchen. The lion cut look is its distinct feature that tells the kind of breed a dog is. It is said that the ladies of the court during the pre-Renaissance period in Europe used the Löwchen dogs as footwear and comforters, particularly placing their feet in the exposed skin of the dogs.
This dog has the features of the lion from the head to the tail. It has a long and silky hair that goes down from the top of its head to the back forming a mane. One-third of its tail is shaved on the portion closest to the body. Its coat is brushed and groomed just flowing and not frizzy or fly-away. On its head which is short and wide skull, there is a pair of lively eyes, wide muzzle, and long hanging ears.
Temperament
| Affection |  |
| Cold Tolerance | |
| Ease of Training | |
| Energy level | |
| Exercise Requirements | |
| Friendliness : Children | |
| Friendliness: Other Animals | |
| Friendliness: Other Pets | |
| Grooming Requirements | |
| Heat Tolerance | |
| Playfulness | |
| Protection Ability | |
| Watchdog Ability | |
The Löwchen is an intelligent dog and has a happy attitude towards people. The Löwchen is a good companion dog as it shows its joy of being with its owner. It is outgoing and prefers to stay outdoors.
Just like any other dogs who display arrogance, it has the inclination to take charge when the owner does not assert its leadership. Among other dogs in the pack, it would like to be the lead although it does not have the size to show it.
The Löwchen is fairly easy to train. They are an intelligent dog, and take to training very quickly. Like many toy sized dogs, they may initially have problems with housetraining, but patience and consistency will ensure these problems are overcome. Since Löwchens can be shy around people, early socialization is a must. They generally get along well with other pets, but socialization with other dogs is important for all breeds.
Health and Exercise
Average lifespan of a Löwchen is 12-14 years which speaks of the healthy lifestyle of this dog breed. It has moderate need for regular health maintenance although responsible owners find it safe to have a veterinarian check on their dogs on a regular basis.
They can be comfortable in an apartment without a backyard. The Löwchen is suitable for a small family as it loves to stay indoors but can be adaptable to play outdoors. Patellar luxation appears as an ailment for some lines in this dog breed. Regular dog walks can be better than playing indoors. The behavior of this breed somehow changes when it is locked inside the home for a long time. If there are no big spaces for dog walks, a romp around the yard will do.
While this dog breed sheds very little hair, it needs some trimming to keep its personality as a "lion dog" maintained. The hair closest to the tail and the hindquarters is usually clipped while hair on the front leg areas is close-clipped. With the remaining long hair of the Löwchen, it needs to be combed and brushed regularly to prevent tangles.
The almost non-shedding of this dog makes it the ideal dog for allergy sufferers. The kind of breed that most owners with allergies would purchase is the one that sheds very little because allergens settle mostly on dead hair or in hair that attracts bacteria or when it has not been groomed properly.
Visitor Comments
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The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.
Samuel Butler, Higgledy-Piggledy