Löwchen
Also called Little Lion Dog, Petit Chien Lion, Lowchen
From France (country of origin per FCI); the type has been known across Europe since at least the 16th century, and the German name means 'little lion'.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
The FCI standard gives about 6 kg for the breed; the ranges come from Wikipedia.
Coat and looks how to spot one
long, silky, wavy single coat
A small, compact bichon-type dog with a long, wavy, silky coat that has no undercoat. For the show ring it wears the traditional lion clip: the hindquarters are clipped short while the mane, leg cuffs and tail plume are left natural.324
Personality what they are like
A cheerful, loving little companion that bonds closely with its family. It is playful and clever, adapts easily to new situations, and can settle down calmly when asked. Good with children and happiest with company around.324
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate: up to about an hour of exercise a day.4
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Needs brushing more than once a week to keep the long coat free of tangles. The lion clip is traditional and required for showing; pet dogs are often kept in an easier trim.43
Home where they are happiest
Fits well in a town flat or a country home; a small to medium garden is plenty.4
Company who they like around
Very people-oriented and prefers not to be left alone for long stretches.2
The story where it all began
Little lion-clipped dogs appear in European church carvings from the 13th century and in tapestries and paintings from the following centuries. The French breed club was set up in 1947, and the FCI accepted the breed in 1961. Numbers were once so low that it was counted among the rarest breeds in the world.312
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 233, Group 9 (Companion and Toy Dogs), Section 1 Bichons and related breeds; recognised definitively on 30 October 1961; current standard 24 March 2004.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Toy Group; recognised in 1971.4
- AKC
- Non-Sporting Group; Miscellaneous Class 1996, fully recognised 1999.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Löwchen. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery 2 days
- Bathevery month
- HaircutTrim feathering and feet, or keep a short cutevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- Face foldsWipe and dry the skin foldsevery 2 days
- Eye wipeGently wipe around the eyesevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FCI nomenclature: Petit Chien Lion (233) fci.beused for recognition, origin
- Löwchen - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for recognition dates, size ranges, lifespan, colours, history, fun facts
- FCI Standard No. 233 Little Lion Dog fci.beused for size, coat, colours, temperament, history, clip
- Lowchen (Little Lion Dog) - The Royal Kennel Club royalkennelclub.comused for group, exercise, grooming, habitat
- Löwchen - AKC akc.orgused for general description (checked)
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.