Back
to Articles | Back to Menu
Löwchen
Articles
Lowchen
The Little Lion Dog ('Petit Chien Lion' or 'Lowchen')
by Jane Cook, New Jersey USA.
Published August 1979
The
Breed Itself
An
extremely hardy, easily cared for small personal dog. Little Lions
are loving, responsive and clever, with reasoning power beyond that
of many dogs. Small enought to dwell in a city apartment and to travel
conveniently in the car. Sturdy enough for an active, rough-and-tumble
life.
The
personality of the Little Lion Dog is outgoing - they love people.
Almost completely lacking in fear, they rush to investigate strange
objects and noises! They are not particularly aggressive towards other
dogs. Perhaps because of their stable temperament, they are eager
to learn and easily taught.
Physical
Characteristics
A
"square", we propotioned animal; size may range between
10 and 13 inches at the shoulder. Any colours, including spots, are
acceptable, but they are not often pure white. The coat is semi-harsh,
of medium length. In most, the hair grows naturally in rough "lion"
pattern with a ruff about the head and shoulders. It is usually clipped
to emphasise these lines, but unclipped, the dog is not unattractive.
The tail is carried high over the
back with a plume (not a pom-pom) at the tip. The dog is never sissored
to final perfection; a rough appearance is to be preferred. Their
elegance derives from well-bred stance and movement rather than fussy
grooming. Little Lions have an easy, careless grace!
In
the Beginning?
The
origins of the Little Lion Dogs are rooted in antiquity. Centuries
ago they came from the Mediterranean area - the southern parts of
France, Italy and Spain. Representations of the breed are found in
"The Lady and the Unicorn" tapestries in the Cluny Museum
in France (15th century) and are part of the scene in many paintings
and tapestries throughout Europe - in the Louve, the Prado, and in
the Museums of Fine Arts in Amsterdam and Brussels. We have found
Lion Dogs depicted in oil on wood in St Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent,
Belgium (16th century), and in tapestries also of the 16th century
in St Etienne's Cathedral in Toulouse, France. In comparatively modern
times, Little Lions were often painted by Goya, whose benefactress,
the Duchess of Alba, owned several of the breed.
Today,
the breed is recognised by the Federation Cynologique Internationle
as "Petite Chien Lion", and is considered by that organisation
to be of French origin. In both Germany and English, Little Lion Dogs
are known as "Lowchen".
A
few decades ago the Little Lion Dog had almost become extinct. A dog
fancier in Belgium, feeling that the breed was worthy, bought up all
the good specimens she could find and worked to perfect a new line
within the breed. She devoted herself to this task for twenty years
and succeeded in producing excellent stock. Unfortunately she died
recently, but her work is being carried on in Germany, where there
are several good breeders. "Lions" were brought into England
only a few years ago, and into the US in February, 1971. Of course,
they are not recognised by the American Kennel Club - Little Lion
Dogs are still a very rare breed.
The
Fascination with Working with a Rare Breed
Generally
conceded to be the rarest of pure-bred dogs, there are probably less
than 300 Little Lion Dogs in the world today. We now have the American
standard, modelled after that of the F.C.I. We hope to work toward
perfect conformation. It will be a long but very interesting project.
The
Little Lion Dog is no - right now - for the extrovert who must win
in the show ring. Little Lions were originally solely pets and companions
and that must be their purpose now! For those who wish to pursue
a long range program to improve the breed (and not just increase it!)
it will be a fascinating and very rewarding interest.
For
those who wish to own a pure-bred rare and different personal dog,
the Little Lion Dog is a likely candidate!
All
articles are remain copyright their author. See ©
Copyright and LowchenWorld.com
