Breed Priorities – The Löwchen

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296 – October, 2023

By Nikki Riggsbee

The Löwchen, also called the little lion dog, is well-documented in artwork, depicted in its characteristic lion trim in paintings dating as far back as the 1400s. While its name derives from the German, its actual origin is not known. One concept is that it is related to the Bichon family, another that it came from Asia. Wherever it developed, it was a popular companion dog of the elite and wealthy in continental Europe for centuries.

The Löwchen was recognized in England in the mid-20th century. It came to the United States by way of England and was fully recognized as part of the Non-Sporting group in 1999. FCI names France as the country of origin and calls the breed Little Lion Dog or Petit Chien Lion; it is part of the companion and toy dog group in FCI dog shows. One of the low entry breeds in the United States, the Löwchen ranked 165th in the most recent AKC registration statistics.

The Löwchen is one of only two breeds in AKC that is disqualified if not shown in the approved trim–the lion trim–the other being the Poodle. While FCI doesn’t list another presentation as a disqualification, it does say, “The lion clip is obligatory for showing.”

We found twenty-four Löwchen breed experts to invite to take a survey on the breed’s conformation requirements. Twenty-one accepted. Fifteen completed (or partially completed) surveys were returned. The group has been in the breed for over twenty years on average. Those who judge have been approved to do so for nineteen-and-one-half years on average.

Löwchen Virtues

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296 – October, 2023

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