The Löwchen, a companion dog whose name means ‘small lion,’ has been a favorite pet among Continental Europeans for more than 500 years. The non-shedding, portable Löwchen is supposed to be as friendly, energetic, and bold as a lion. Lwchen (the same single or plural) are small dogs with large hearts. They stand a little more than a foot tall at the shoulder. The coat is customarily kept in a ‘lion clip,’ with the hindquarters and tail cropped close to the skin. The overall effect is of a miniature lion, complete with a full mane and plumed tail. The coat is available in a variety of colors and color combinations. The dog behind the coat is strong and sturdy, but attractive and artfully balanced.
Löwchen
affectionate / outgoing / positive
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.
Height
12-14 inches
Weight
15 pounds
Life Expectancy
13-15 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Affectionate With Family
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Openness To Strangers
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!
Playfulness Level
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
Adaptability Level
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.
Trainability Level
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!
Energy Level
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.
Barking Level
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.
Mental Stimulation Needs
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.
About the Breed
What To Expect When Caring For a Löwchen
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
Lowchen is generally a healthy tiny dog. Hip dysplasia, patellar luxation (slipped stifle), cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy are among the problems that responsible breeders test their animals for. Your dog's breeder should offer you copies of the parent's health-testing certifications so that you may make educated judgments about your dog's health.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Patella Evaluation
- Hip Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Grooming
The grooming requirements of the Lwchen are surprisingly simple'a good brushing every few days, followed by a thorough bath every couple of weeks, will keep him looking and feeling his best. Nails and ears should be clipped and cleaned on a regular basis. Every couple of months, the Lwchen can go to a professional groomer (or his breeder) to have his hair trimmed into a 'puppy cut' or the classic 'lion' trim.
Exercise
The Löwchen is a charming, lively companion. He loves to play in his fenced yard or accompany his owner on long walks. He is very intelligent and loves having new challenges, and he's a great candidate for obedience or agility. He won't be suited to go on long-distance runs, but he is a sturdy little dog who can be happy doing just about any activity with his people.
Training
Because of his past as a companion of royalty under continual threat, the Löwchen is an extremely alert fellow who reacts swiftly to suspicious noise or action. He should be educated as a puppy that incessant barking at every sound or move is neither essential nor appreciated. He lives to please his master, which makes training very simple as long as positive methods are used. He does not take severe criticism well.
Nutrition
The Löwchen should thrive on high-quality dog food, whether purchased commercially or produced at home with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Any diet should be tailored to the age of the dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to becoming overweight, so keep an eye on your dog's calorie intake and weight level. Treats can be a valuable training aid, but feeding too much can lead to obesity. Discover which human foods are suitable for dogs and which are not. If you have any concerns regarding your dog's weight or diet, consult with your veterinarian. At all times, clean, fresh water should be available.
History
Löwchen origins have long been debated, with historians unable to agree on the breed’s origination. Although the name is German, Löwchen have been popular among noblewomen in France, Italy, Holland, Spain, and Russia since the Middle Ages. Löwchen are descended from the same old line that produced companion breeds such as the Bichon Frise and Maltese, and we know that the Löwchen look hasn’t changed for at least 500 years because to sightings in Renaissance paintings from numerous nations.
