The Löwchen - The Little Lion

The Löwchen Dog Breed in Brief:

Origin: Germany

Height: 12-14 inches at the shoulder

Weight: Ideal weight is about 15 pounds as an adult

Exercise Needs: Low

Grooming Needs: High

Life Expectancy: 15-17 years

Good With Kids: Yes

Trainability: Easy

A happy and bright little dog, the Lowchen was a favorite pet of the ladies in Pre-Renaissance Europe, where he was cut into a fashionable style, resembling a small lion. Today, he is still cut in the same fashion and remains a favorite companion animal. Valued for his intelligence and a personality that is both friendly and outgoing, the Lowchen continues to gain popularity in the United States and throughout the world.

The History of the Löwchen

No one can say, for sure, where the Lowchen breed originated. Some believe it was originally a northern European creation, quite possibly from Germany (and a relative of the Poodle), though others argue that he stemmed from the breeds of the Mediterranean and is a relative of the Bichon Frise dog. Regardless of his origins, however, it’s well known that this unique little dog has been around for more than 400 years. Considered the dog of royalty, they were often destroyed in great numbers when invading forces met and clashed.

During World War II, many breeds were threatened. With many pets dying from starvation, being killed in acts of kindness, or being destroyed by the invading armies, the Lowchen was nearly wiped out. Fortunately, in 1945, a woman by the name of Madame Bennert began a search to find and preserve the few remaining Löwchen dogs. All Lowchen in the world, today, trace back to these wonderful dogs that she rescued. The Lowchen became recognized by the American Kennel club in January of 1999.

The Löwchen Appearance

The Lowchen is a relatively small dog, standing 12-14 inches tall at the shoulder and possessing a very free-flowing and easy gait. Their bodies are quite compact and balanced, only slightly longer than they all tall. Sturdy in frame, the Lowchen is surprisingly strong for his small size and he has a very prominent head, sporting large dark eyes that are more round than almond-shaped.

The word Löwchen actually means “little lion,” and describes this unique dog well; cut in the classic lion style, the Lowchen sports a large mane and furry front quarters, tufted feet and a tufted tail, which the rest of the dog is clipped close. Lowchen can be found in every conceivable color and pattern in the dog world, with no preference for one over the other.

The Lowchen Temperament

Known as a very friendly and affectionate little dog, the Lowchen is usually well-behaved with people and animals alike. They were bred strictly as lap dogs and pampered pets; jobs which they take quite seriously, and seem to believe that they exist simply to get treats and goodies. While the Lowchen might sound an alarm at a stranger entering the home, he’s quick to make friends and offer to lend a helping hand (scritching a dog behind the ears helps lower your blood pressure, you know).

The Löwchen Exercise Needs

Bred simply as a lap dog, with the sole purpose of being pampered to and petted, the Lowchen is not known as an extremely active or energetic dog. While he will benefit from a couple of short walks each day, they do not require heavy duty exercise and can get much of what they need from playing fetch or a little bit of tug-o-war in the living room. Dog parks are a good avenue for exercising the Lowchen, though care must be taken that they don’t run into problems with larger breeds - while the Lowchen may look like a sturdy and tough little dog, he really is a softy.

Löwchen Grooming Requirements

While considered a hypoallergenic dog, the Lowchen still requires a fair amount of brushing and maintenance, in order to keep him looking beautiful. Combing the Lowchen puppy should begin at an early age and should be done a couple of times each week, to ensure that your Lowchen stays soft and relatively mat-free. Many people also opt to keep their dog in the Lowchen puppy clip, as opposed to the popular Lion’s clip, due to the fact that it’s much easier to take care of.

In addition to his coat, the Lowchen should also have his ears checked regularly and toenails clipped to a comfortable length. Lowchen can get by with one to two baths, per month, unless the individual does something to get them dirty. Aside from that, the key word is simply “brush.” Maintaining a Lowchen is relatively simple, provided you use a routine and comb him on a daily basis. Failing to do so can mean a bunch of mats and a whole lot of headaches.

Training Your Lowchen

The Löwchen is an incredibly intelligent and attentive little dog that loves to please. Capable of learning obedience and various tricks with ease, they excel in both obedience as well as agility courses and are referred to as “one of the best kept secrets,” in companion eventing. Possessing a great sense of humor and delighting in every chance he can get to make his master happy, the Lowchen loves to please and is a delight to watch.

As with most breeds of dog, the Lowchen should be taught basic manners and obedience at a young age and puppy kindergarten is a good opportunity to start socializing him with other dogs and people. The Lowchen also enjoys occasional visits to the dark park and he’s more than happy to welcome each and every person he passes when he goes for his nightly walk.

Löwchen Health Concerns

Like any breed of dog, the Löwchen is subject to genetic health concerns. Your best bet is, when deciding to choose a new Löwchen puppy, check around with several breeders and ask about the various health issues that can affect these beautiful little dogs. A reputable breeder should be well-versed in the health concerns and should be able to give you more details, as well as showing you the sire and dam of your potential puppy. Some of the more common health problems that can affect Löwchen include:

• Patellar luxation
• Cataract
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

Is the Löwchen the Right Breed For You?

The Lowchen is a very charming and affectionate dog, though he is not the dog for everyone. First and foremost, these dogs are very much companion animals and they are prone to a variety of behavioral problems when left alone for long periods of time. Additionally, they are not a very common breed, so tend to have a heftier price tag than many of your more popular breeds.

Also important to take into consideration is the amount of grooming and upkeep that goes into taking care of a dog like this; while they make excellent family pets, it’s fairly exhausting to take care of the kids, without having to think about spending time to brush the beloved pet. Before inviting any pet into your home, always make sure to weigh out the pros and cons. Doing so will make the experience much more enjoyable for yourself and your Löwchen puppy as well.

Shawna L. Krautheim

2007