LöwchenCharacteristics, history, training and care

The FCI standard says that in Amiens Cathedral, whose construction dates from the 13th century, two Löwchen are carved in stone that represent the breed perfectly. In the 15th century, its silhouette often appeared on tapestries, and the ladies of the Burgundian court were very fond of it.

In the 17th century, the breed appears mainly in paintings by the old masters. The naturalist Buffon describes it in his “Histoire naturelle”, stressing how rare it is, and Linnaeus mentions it too. The French breed club was founded on 18 November 1947. Wikipedia says that in 1973 only 65 dogs were registered.

How the breed developed

• 13th century – Two Löwchen are carved at Amiens Cathedral.
• 15th century – It appears on tapestries and is loved at the Burgundian court.
• 17th century – It appears in paintings; Buffon describes it as rare.
• 18 November 1947 – The French breed club is founded.
• 1973 – Only 65 dogs are registered.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. It is based on the ratings the American Kennel Club gives the breed and on the FCI standard.

The standard describes it as a small, intelligent and cheerful dog with a lively, alert expression, sturdy, with good bones, a short, well-proportioned body and the head carried high.

General appearance

The coat is silky, long, wavy and dense, with no undercoat. The AKC says it is traditionally kept in the “lion clip”: most of the hindquarters and the tail are clipped short, and the result looks like a miniature lion, with a full mane and a plumed tail.

All colours and colour combinations are permitted.

The standard describes it as very affectionate and obedient with its owners, alert and responsive, at ease in any situation, able to be calm and discreet on command. Its frank, gentle look tries to understand what is expected of it.

The AKC says that, as it was once the companion of nobles, it is very alert and reacts quickly to suspicious noises, so it must learn from an early age that it does not need to bark at everything. It lives to please its owner, so it is fairly easy to train.

Tips for effective training

• Teach it early not to bark at everything. It is very alert to noises.
• Use rewards. It wants to please you.
• Give it new challenges. The AKC says it enjoys them.
• Try obedience or agility. It is a good candidate.

The AKC says it enjoys playing in a fenced yard or accompanying its owner on long walks. It is not suited to long-distance running, but it is a small, sturdy dog, happy with almost any activity alongside its owner.

Tips for a balanced life

• It suits an apartment.
• Do not take it on long runs.
• Spend plenty of time with it.

Coat and skin care

The AKC says grooming takes surprisingly little: a good brush every few days and a bath every few weeks. The nails should be trimmed and the ears cleaned regularly. A visit to the groomer every few months keeps the clip in shape.

Common health problems

The AKC says most Löwchen are healthy, and responsible breeders screen their dogs for:

Other care

• Clean the ears regularly.
• Trim the nails regularly.
• Brush its teeth often.

The AKC says some dogs gain weight easily, so calories and weight should be watched.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

• Give it its food in two meals a day.
• Treats count towards the daily portion.
• Choose small kibble suited to small breeds.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Small breeds become adults faster than large ones, usually at around one year.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In small breeds, a litter has 3–4 puppies on average. The puppies are very small and fragile in the first weeks, so they must be kept warm and handled with care. Socialisation starts early: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

• Carved in a cathedral. Two Löwchen appear in stone at Amiens Cathedral.
• A miniature lion. The traditional clip makes it look like a lion.
• Once very rare. In 1973 only 65 dogs were registered.
• The same in the plural. The AKC says “Löwchen” is the same in the singular and the plural.
• Described by Buffon. The French naturalist wrote about it and its rarity.

Amiens Cathedral

The FCI standard says that in Amiens Cathedral, built from the 13th century onwards, two Löwchen are carved in stone. In the 15th century, its silhouette often appears on tapestries, and in the 17th century in paintings by the old masters.

What does “Löwchen” mean?

“Little lion”, in German.

Why is it clipped like that?

The traditional “lion clip” makes it look like a miniature lion.

How big does it get?

It measures 26–32 cm and weighs about 6 kg.

How long does it live?

The AKC gives 13–15 years.