The Löwchen (pronounced “low-chin”), aptly called the Little Lion Dog, is a breed with a history that is mixed in both royalty and obscurity. This interesting breed is known for its spunky character and unique looks and even sports a haircut. Read on to learn more about the lion dog!
1. This Breed Has a Unique History
While the Löwchen’s history is dazzled with European royalty (as these dogs were popular amongst wealthy elites), very little is known about the lion dog’s origins. Artworks dating from the 16th century commonly depicted Löwchen-like dogs, but whether these were the Löwchens or their ancestors themselves or similar dogs in a lion cut is debated.
The Löwchen may have descended from modern-day Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. While the Löwchen is in the bichon group (being closely related to the Bichon Frise), some hypothesize that dogs imported from Tibet were probably also involved in this breed’s confusing lineage.
The breed in its modern form appeared around the 1800s, and breed enthusiast Madame Bennert started to establish a breeding program for the Löwchen. This breed was imported into Britain around 1968, and through England, dogs were then sent over to the United States in 1971.
The Löwchen got its name in the same year, previously being called the “Little Lion Dog”, and the Löwchen Club of America was also then formed. To be fair, there isn’t much of a name change as Löwchen translates to “lion dog” in German!
2. These Dogs Are in the Bichon Family
The Löwchen is closely related to the Bichon Frise; in fact, it belongs to a group of small toy breeds known as the “bichons”. This group includes not only the Löwchen and Bichon Frise, but also breeds such as the Maltese, Bolognese, and the Havanese (along with a handful of others).
The Löwchen may have descended from the ancestral canines that also gave rise to the Bichon Frise and the Maltese. Some also suggest that the Poodle may also have connections to the Löwchen’s genetics, just like the other bichon breeds. While the Löwchen comes in multiple color variations (along with a few other bichon breeds, such as the Havanese), the resemblance to a bichon can be seen in an individual with uncut fur.
As mentioned earlier, some enthusiasts believe that the Löwchen may also have some DNA from Tibetan breeds that were brought over to Europe through trade routes. Either way, the Löwchen’s makeup is still relatively shrouded in mystery.
3. The Löwchen Is a Rare Breed
The Löwchen is among the rarest breeds of dog living today. Despite what some may say, however, the Löwchen isn’t the rarest breed in the world, but the population is still dramatically low. In the 1970s, only around 70 individuals remained. This canine already had a close call with extinction around World War II.
Fortunately, preservation efforts are being made by dedicated enthusiasts and breeders to save the wonderful little lion dog from going extinct. This involves ensuring that the breed’s genetic pool remains diverse, working on introducing new bloodlines to keep the Löwchen from becoming inbred. After all, a breed cannot continue to survive sustainably if its individuals are inbred and unhealthy.
Löwchen enthusiasts are also working to educate others about the breed, raising awareness of its existence and the potential plight of disappearing forever. While the population has slowly increased thanks to those factors, the Löwchen is still rare today. To learn more about the community surrounding the Löwchen’s preservation, visit Save the Löwchen.
4. This Dog Sports a “Lion Cut”
The Löwchen is known for its unique “lion cut”, which makes this spunky canine resemble the big cats that hail from the African savanna. Interestingly, there is a theory on both how and why this signature haircut of the Löwchen came to be. The Löwchen was used popularly by noble elites as a living hot water bottle.
Owners would hug the warm, bald hindquarters against themselves for warmth, while the fur would stave off external parasites, like mites, fleas, and ticks. Not very glamorous, is it? Though this is the theory that is proposed, this lion cut would eventually be the trademark style for the Löwchen’s breed standard in the show.
While the lion cut is the trademark style of the Löwchen, it’s not necessary to have your dog in the lion cut unless you plan on showing your dog. As it will be discussed later, many owners prefer keeping the Löwchen in a puppy cut, as it’s much easier to maintain.
5. The Löwchen Is a Generally Healthy Breed
The Löwchen is generally a healthy breed of dog, but as with all canines, there are some health issues to know about. Hip dysplasia is one condition that occurs when a dog’s hip joints grow out of place, causing discomfort, and if left untreated, it can lead to arthritic pain.
Though usually manageable with a proper treatment plan, severe cases may require surgical intervention. Another issue, common in most small breeds, are luxating patellas, also known as floating kneecaps. This occurs when your dog’s kneecaps don’t fully align within the joints, causing slippage and overall discomfort. While also usually manageable, like hip dysplasia, this condition may require surgery to be fixed in serious cases.
Eye problems, such as progressive retinal atrophy, are also seen in some Löwchens. This occurs when your dog’s rods and cones in its eyes deteriorate over time, causing blindness. The Löwchen is also prone to dental disease, which can be prevented by everyday tooth brushing.
As with all dogs, your Löwchen should be examined by a veterinarian annually to ensure that signs of illness are targeted early on before they progress.
6. This Small Dog Loves Exercise!
The Löwchen, like all other dog breeds, needs to be exercised daily to maintain both its physical and mental health. The Löwchen doesn’t need an intensive exercise routine like some breeds, but playtime in a secure area or long walks is highly appreciated by this fun-loving dog. Games such as fetch are enjoyed.
While they love to work out, this breed isn’t suited for long runs or hikes, so keep that in mind! Provided there’s enough space, a Löwchen’s exercise requirements can even be satisfied indoors. Either or, it is recommended that this canine gets around an hour of exercise every day, and the Löwchen is typically easy to satisfy.
The Löwchen’s intelligence and moderate energy levels make them ideal for some breed-specific sports competitions, notably agility trials. In an agility trial, your dog has to tread through an obstacle course in a certain amount of time; these obstacles can range from weave poles and hurdles to tunnels and seesaws. Other competitions, such as obedience and tracking, are also other great ways to allow your Löwchen to exercise its mental capabilities.
7. Grooming Is Easy but Requires Attention
The Löwchen’s coat, no matter what cut it has, isn’t too difficult to maintain; however, it does require attention to keep it nice and healthy. This breed rarely sheds, but its coat still needs to be maintained to prevent mats and tangles. Brushing your dog’s coat should be done every few days, and a bath every few weeks will keep your dog clean.
The fur of a Löwchen, as mentioned earlier, can be trimmed and clipped to two main styles: the lion cut and the puppy cut. The signature lion cut is one way to maintain a Löwchen’s coat, though care should be taken to ensure that your dog’s shaved side is kept warm in colder temperatures.
The puppy cut is the other common style, which is also typically used in other breeds, including Maltese and Shih Tzu. This cut maintains one length throughout its body, keeping its fur more equalized than not. Either way, it is recommended to give your Löwchen a trim every few months to keep its coat from becoming unruly.
8. The Löwchen Makes an Affectionate Companion
The Löwchen is a companion that is full of character and sparks joy around those fortunate enough to encounter one. While affectionate, training and socialization both must begin early in puppyhood to curb any unwanted behaviors.
The Löwchen strives to please its owner, making them easy to train. This canine responds well to positive reinforcement and like all dogs, the Löwchen fares poorly with harsh treatment. Like the ferocious lion it resembles, the Löwchen is known to be brave at heart. The Löwchen is known to be relatively alert, and while this makes them an ideal watchdog, this breed tends to bark excessively. This should be corrected early in puppyhood.
Löwchens are known to be very clever dogs, so this should be kept in mind as this breed needs to be mentally stimulated. A bored dog is a destructive one, and the Löwchen is no exception to this rule. While the Löwchen is known for its bold personality, this breed is also known to be gentle and typically gets along well with children. As with all dogs, however, supervision is very important. Provided its needs are met, the Löwchen can make a great companion for both families or those living alone.
As this dog is very rare, obtaining a Löwchen may be very difficult. Obtaining your dog from a reputable breeder is of utmost importance. To find one up for adoption, contacting the Löwchen Club of America is a great way to increase your chances of finding and bringing the wonderful lion dog into your life.
