Learn More About Lowchen

Summary

The Löwchen, also known as the Little Lion, is a small, compact dog that impresses with its lively and cheerful nature. His characteristic, long, silky fur, which is often arranged in a "lion's mane" is cut, gives it an eye-catching appearance. The lack of undercoat means the Löwchen sheds less than some other breeds. The breed belongs to FCI Group 9, the group of companion and companion dogs. The Löwchen is not differentiated into performance and show lines, but is uniform in its type.

Character

If you are looking for a cheerful, lively and affectionate companion, the Löwchen could be just the thing for you. With their charming and playful nature, they wrap everyone around their finger and enrich family life with their unbridled joy. Her name, which translates to “Little Lion,” means, indicates her courageous and self-confident demeanor. But don't be fooled, despite their lion-like appearance, they are loving and affectionate dogs. The Löwchen is an intelligent and docile dog that likes to be kept busy. They are ideal for dog sports such as agility or obedience. Their need for mental stimulation makes them enthusiastic learners, and they are always ready to learn new tricks and commands. They bring a good dose of curiosity and ingenuity with them. Löwchens make excellent family dogs and get along well with children. They are also very people-oriented and form close bonds with their owners. Their friendly and open nature also makes them excellent companion dogs. Although they were not bred to be guard dogs, Löwchens are still alert and will let you know if something is going on around them. However, their alertness coupled with their courage can sometimes cause them to be louder than you would expect from such a small dog. It is therefore important to teach them when it is appropriate to bark and when it is not. When it comes to being alone, the Löwchen shows a fairly good tolerance, provided it is used to it from an early age. However, it should be noted that, as dogs that are very people-oriented, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. In such cases, it can be helpful to provide suitable activity to avoid boredom and associated undesirable behavior. The Löwchen does not tend to exhibit strong hunting or prey-catching behavior, but like most dogs, there may be some interest in small animals or moving objects. Early socialization and practicing commands such as retrieval are important here. In conclusion, the Löwchen is a wonderful companion that will enrich your life thanks to its cheerful and loving nature, combined with intelligence and willingness to learn. Their size and temperament make them ideal dogs for different living conditions, be it in the city or in the country. With enough activity, love and consistent training, you will have a loyal friend at your side with the Löwchen.

What to Expect

Care

Löwchens make excellent city dogs because they don't require a lot of space. They are active and need regular exercise, but also do well in an apartment. Small children are usually not a problem, but as with all dogs, it is important to monitor interactions and ensure that both children and dog are respectful of one another. Löwchens can also get along well with cats and other pets, especially if they are used to them from an early age.

Training & Education

Löwchens are intelligent and docile dogs, which makes training easier. They are often good at dog sports such as agility, obedience and even rally obedience. Since they have high activity levels, it is important to provide them with enough mental and physical stimulation. However, care should be taken not to “over-busy” the dog. It is also important that the Löwchen learns frustration tolerance and impulse control in order to cope well in everyday life and in society. Training should be positive and reward based. Löwchen don't tend to be "ball junkies." but it is always good to have variation in play and training to ensure the dog develops a balanced behavior. With Löwchens, it is especially important to start training early to ensure that they grow into well-behaved and happy dogs.

Nutrition & Grooming

Your Löwchen's diet should be balanced and high quality. Dry or wet food should contain a good source of protein and fat and be free of artificial additives. Some Löwchen owners prefer raw feeding. It is important to keep an eye on your Löwchen's weight as small dogs are sometimes prone to being overweight. When it comes to grooming, Löwchens have long, silky fur without an undercoat. They don't shed much but require regular brushing to prevent tangles. Löwchens cope well with the climate in Germany, but do not like being outside in extremely cold weather.