Lowchen

Löwchen in German means "little lion". They are a small, alert, intelligent and lively dog. They have the overall qualities if a loving companion dog with an inquisitive nature. Today, the Löwchen’s speed and agility make them well suited for obedience and agility rings.

The trademark of the breed lies in their traditional "lion" trim, where the coat is left natural and untrimmed on the forequarters and clipped close to the skin on the hindquarters. Cuffs of hair around the ankles are left on all four legs and the tail is clipped except for a plume left on the base. All colors and color combinations are acceptable.

Löwchen History:

The Löwchen breed is thought to have originated in Europe, with a likelihood of an ancestral link to the Bichon Frise family. Affectionately they are referred to as the "Little Lion Dog" due to their mane and characteristic clipped trim.

It is not known exactly when the breed first came about. However, dogs resembling the Löwchen can be seen in examples of sixteenth century German art, suggesting that the lion-trim was popular at the time.

A Löwchen fancier named Madame Bennert is credited with saving the breed through her extensive breeding efforts that began in 1945. Soon after, the breed’s numbers began to steadily increase, and during the late 1960s and early 1970s, the breed was eventually brought over to Great Britain and the United States.