LOWCHEN Breed Standards
The Löwchen is thought to be a predominately German breed though its exact origins are unrecorded, and the French and Russians claim to have had a hand in the breed’s development. It can be said with relative certainty that the Löwchen evolved from the ancient Bichon family of dogs, which hails from the Mediterranean, and 16th century German art – including tapestries, paintings, prints and drawings – makes a compelling case that the breed has been known at least since that time.
The most famous Löwchen was Bijou, who lived in Weilburg Castle in Germany during the late 18th century. The story goes tells that Bijou, disappointed that his master had left for the hunt without him, attempted to follow his master by jumping from a 60 foot high window into the Lahn River. Depending on who you believe, the jump either ended with Bijou being rewarded with a seat in his master’s saddle or with his untimely death. Regardless, Bijou became legendary, and his likeness still hangs in the castle today.
SKILLS: Lowchen, is a small, bright, and lively dog that originated as a companion breed in Pre-Renaissance Europe where ladies of the court groomed it in the likeness of a little lion. Breed characteristics are a compact, balanced body; a relatively short, broad topskull and muzzle; and a proud, lively gait that accentuates the lion cut with a long flowing mane. These quintessential features, combined with an outgoing and positive attitude, result in a dog of great style.
SIZE: Ideally 12" to 14" at the withers. Dogs or bitches above or below these measurements should be faulted to the degree of the variance. The body is just off-square when properly balanced. The distance from the prosternum to the point of buttocks is slightly greater than the distance from the withers to the ground in an 11 to 10 ratio. The Löwchen is strong and sturdy in bone, but never coarse.
COAT: The untrimmed coat is long, rather dense and moderately soft in texture. It has a slight to moderate wavy appearance. Wiry, woolly, curly, and flat coat textures are not correct, and are to be penalized to the degree of severity. No scissoring or shaping of the untrimmed coat is permitted. Puppies typically have a softer coat. Trim - Trimmed in the Lion Trim, the coat is clipped to about 1/8" on the following parts of the body: From the last rib back to and including the hindquarters, leaving a ruff or mane which just covers the last rib. The hindquarters are clipped to the hock joint. The front legs are clipped from the elbow to a point above the knee, which is equal to the same distance as from the ground to the hock joint leaving cuffs of hair on all four legs. The tail is clipped from the base to approximately one-half way to the tip leaving a plume at the end of the tail. The feet are clipped to the point where the dewclaws were removed. The unclipped areas must be completely natural and untrimmed. On no account should the unclipped areas be smoothed, shortened, shaped or otherwise tidied with anything other than a comb or brush. Any trim other than specified or any shaping or scissoring of the long coat are disqualifications.
All colors and color combinations are acceptable, with no preference given to any.
CARE REQUIRED: To prevent tangles from forming, the coat should be combed and brushed regularly. The Lцwchen is usually clipped in the hindquarters, the section of the tail closest to the body, and front leg areas are close-clipped, regardless of whether they are shown or not, giving them the name "Little Lion Dog," although some owners prefer to give it a puppy clip. This breed sheds little to no hair. Dead hair should be brushed out. This breed is good for allergy sufferers.
CHARACTER: The Lowchen is alert, intelligent, and affectionate with the overall qualities of a loving companion dog. It has a lively, outgoing, and inquisitive personality.
EXERCISE: The Lowchen enjoy long walks, but will adapt to your lifestyle as far as exercise goes.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: The Lowchen are good for apartment life. They are very active indoors and will do okay without a yard.
TRAINING: These dogs are fearless, but gentle and sensitive. Lowchen usually learn quickly and present little difficulty in their training.
