Lowchen

There are several theories about how these dogs were developed and nobody knows for sure what theory is correct. However, we do know that these dogs served as companions from the start and that Löwchen dogs were part of many arts around the world. By the end of the 19^th century, this dog breed was so unpopular that only a few dogs remain. Because of the hard effort of one breeder – Madelaine Bennert breed was saved from extinction.

FUN FACT: Löwchen dogs were recognized by the American kennel club in 1999 and they are still rare today

FCI Standard

• Group 9 Companion and toy dogs. Section 1. 3 Bichons and related breeds. Without working trial.
• Height: 10-12.5 in (26- 32 cm) at the withers
• Weight: 13 lb (6 kg) approximately

Grooming

Löwchens have a dense coat that can come in all color combinations. You may think that these dogs require daily grooming but in fact, they are low maintenance dogs. Brush every few days will do the trick and keep hair looking good. This is a non-shedding dog breed and because of that Löwchen dogs are also hypoallergenic.

To keep the looks of this dog at its best it is advised that you let a professional groomer every few months to trim their hair.

The rest is basic care. Trim their nails when needed (if they don't wear them down naturally), brush their teeth weekly to prevent tartar buildup and bacteria development. Regularly check their ears for any sign of redness or a bad odor that can indicate an infection. You can wipe their ears with the cotton ball dipped into an ear cleaner. The key to your dog to get used to all things above is to start early with them. Make a positive experience for the dog full of praises and rewards and you can be sure that your dog will enjoy all these things when he grows up.

Exercise

Little lion dogs are medium active and don’t require a lot of daily activities. Only a few daily walks will be enough for this dog to be happy and healthy. Löwchen dogs will love to play in a fenced area and will be more than happy to accompany you in many different activities.

Training

Little Lion Dogs are eager to please which makes training a bit easier. If you are interested in properly training your Löwchen and are unsure where to start, you can always ask professionals for help. Most dog breeds do not take well harsh training methods and techniques, and Löwchen is one of them. You should make training sessions exciting, and you will start noticing great results in a matter of hours.

Like any other dog breed, the Little Lion Dogs should start the socialization process as soon as possible. Dogs that are not well socialized are prone to behavioral problems and might react badly to situations they are not familiar with. 

There are many ways you can socialize your Little Lion Dogs, and the most important thing to do is to get your dog familiar with different situations they can find themselves in. Take your dog to dog parks where they can meet other dogs and people. They can learn to react accordingly and understand that they don’t need to be scared of strangers and other dogs.

Löwchen and children

These dogs are an excellent family member that will love to spend their time with children in the family. They can play with them for hours. Since this is a tiny dog they are best suited for older kids who how to properly interact with a dog. However, you should always supervise your kids and dog during playtime so any unwanted behavior wouldn’t emerge.

Little lion dogs and other pets

Löwchens gets along excellent with other dogs and animals and especially if they are raised together in the same household. You must be careful outside because these dogs have a tendency to challenge much bigger dogs since they are unaware of their size.

Health problems

Like any other dog breed, the Löwchen can potentially develop health problems. If you are buying a dog, make sure the breeder can provide you with the necessary health tests and guarantees. Always ask to see the results of tests from the puppy’s parents. The health problems these dogs are associated with are: 

The Löwchen is generally considered a very healthy breed that can live 12-14 years. 

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy - Group of diseases that affect the retina and cause it to deteriorate over time.
• Cataracts - Cloudy spots on the lens of the eye
• Hip dysplasia - Genetic problem affecting hips resulting from an improperly formed hip joint.
• Patellar luxation – when the patella is not properly lined up.

Löwchen Breeders

If this breed is a good fit for you and/or your family, make sure that you find a registered and reputable Löwchen breeder that can provide you with a great dog that will be physically and mentally healthy. Ask the breeder to show you the health certificates of his breeding dogs and if you can try and see what the puppy’s parents look like.

Buying a dog from a responsible breeder will cost you more money but you can be sure that you will get a healthy puppy. If you don't have money we advise you to search for local animal shelters because there is a chance you can find Löwchen dog in it.

These are still rare dogs in the world and if you are interested in getting one you must be prepared that you will be put on the waiting list.

SEARCH LOWCHEN BREEDERS

World Dog Finder team