Many people scratch their heads when they hear the name Löwchen and would be forgiven for doing so. Löwchen are not very popular in the United States, but they are extremely popular in Europe. These tiny dogs are bundles of joy; Löwchen are definitely dogs that embody a big dog spirit in a little dog body. Löwchen can make an excellent companion for anyone who loves small dogs or for someone looking for a unique dog that is a little out of the ordinary.

Breed Overview

Löwchen is a German name meaning “little lion,” and that name has stuck for centuries. These dogs are often called “little lion dogs.” The name is derived from both the appearance of the Löwchen and the personality. Löwchen get along with almost anyone. They can fit into large families or be quiet companions for single people. Löwchen also get along with other pets and will be more than happy doing almost anything as long as they are doing it with their owners, whom they typically adore.

Löwchen Characteristics

Löwchen Puppies

The best way to find a Löwchen puppy is to contact a reputable or registered breeder. Since Löwchen are not popular in the United States, finding one can be a little tricky. There are usually breeders in large metropolitan areas, but if you live in a small town, you might struggle to find a Löwchen breeder. Löwchen puppies are incredibly cute. They are tiny balls of fuzz and love, and many people have fallen in love with a Löwchen with one glance at a puppy.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Löwchen 🧠

The Löwchen is a very upbeat and positive dog. These dogs are always happy, and they don’t seem to be scared of anything. The Germans used to say that the Löwchen had the heart of a lion despite their diminutive size. These dogs are easygoing, friendly, and adaptable. Most people decide to keep the Löwchen in a lion cut as a nod to this heart. Löwchen are of average intelligence, but they adore their people and can make up for most intelligence gaps with loyalty and a willingness to listen and please their owners.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏠

Yes. Löwchen makes amazing family dogs. Löwchen scores perfectly when it comes to friendliness and affection. These dogs get very attached to their families and absolutely adore their owners. Löwchen also get along well with kids of all ages, including small children. Löwchen will easily fit into large households or busy homes and will usually put themselves right in the middle of the action. There are very few families where a Löwchen would not fit in some capacity.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

Yes. Löwchen are very friendly, and they will get along with almost any other pet. Löwchen do not have strong prey drives, and they weren’t bred to hunt or herd anything, which makes them more likely to get along with a variety of pets. Some Löwchen can be attached to their owners, which can make them jealous or possessive in multi-dog households, but they are rarely aggressive or ornery.

Things to Know When Owning a Löwchen

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Löwchen do not have any special dietary needs. However, due to their small size and low exercise needs, these dogs are at risk of becoming obese. The easiest way to avoid obesity in Löwchen is to follow feeding guidelines and portion sizes. Löwchen do not need extra or excessive calories. Keeping their portion sizes at the proper levels is key to heading off obesity in this breed. Löwchen respond well to treats during training, but like the food, you have to be careful not to overfeed them and add to the risk of obesity. Following the feeding guidelines on the bag is the best way to make sure you are feeding them the proper amount.

Exercise 🐕

Löwchen do not need large amounts of exercise. They can get by with two moderate walks per day. Löwchen also love outdoor playtime in the yard or a structured activity with an owner to increase bonding. Löwchen do not need intensive exercise, and they do not have the energy to go on long adventures like some other breeds. Regular walks and some basic doggy playtime will be plenty for most Löwchen.

Training 🦮

Löwchen are people pleasers, which means basic training comes very easily to them. A combination of treats and positive affirmation can do wonders for a Löwchen. One of the biggest issues people have with Löwchen is barking. Löwchen were trained and bred to be alert dogs for hundreds of years, so it is in their nature to bark anytime they see something unfamiliar. This can be mitigated with training, but it might not be something that can be eliminated completely. Löwchen respond extremely well to positive reinforcement, so be sure to use positive reinforcement such as praise or treats during your training (rather than negative reinforcement such as a harsh tone).

Grooming ✂️

Löwchen look like they have a lot of hair, but they don’t need as much grooming as they look like they do at first glance. Löwchen will need to be brushed a few times per week, and they will need a good bath once every 2 to 3 weeks. A monthly trip to a professional groomer might be a good idea in some cases, but it is not always necessary. You do need to make sure to keep the Löwchen’s ears clean because the hair plus the floppy ears can trap debris, which leads to ear infections.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Löwchen are considered to be very healthy dogs with generous lifespans. Löwchen do not suffer from any major or concerning health conditions. The biggest worries are hip dysplasia, which a responsible breeder should be able to remove through careful breeding, and progressive retinal atrophy. Progressive retinal atrophy can cause vision problems in older Löwchen, but hampered vision does not affect them in the same way it does a human. Other conditions to be aware of are luxating patella (minor knee issue) and cataracts. But overall, the Löwchen is very healthy and can live a long and healthy life with the proper care.

Male vs Female

The Löwchen is unique in that there are almost no differences between males and females in looks or personality. Löwchens have a very small size spread. Males and females typically weigh the same and stand about the same height. If you have a preference, you can choose the sex you want without any real changes in care or personality. No matter which sex you get, it is important to spay or neuter your dog when they are old enough to reduce the risk of undesirable mating behaviors and certain types of cancers.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Löwchen

1. A Dog to the Nobility

The Löwchen has been a staple breed in Europe for centuries. During the Medieval Period and the Renaissance, the Löwchen was a popular dog for the noble families of Europe. Löwchen were kept by nobility from Spain to Russia and everywhere in between. Today, the Löwchen is a popular companion for Europeans of all stripes, but the dog got its start in castle halls and manorial estates.

2. Löwchen Are Closely Related to Maltese and Bichon Frise

Two of the closest relatives to the Löwchen are other small European companion dogs. The Löwchen is related to the Maltese and Bichon Frise. Maltese dogs have become incredibly popular around the world and have far outstripped both the Löwchen and Bichon Frise in terms of popularity, but they are all very closely related. If you like the Maltese or Bichon Frise, you will likely also like the Löwchen.

3. The Löwchen Has Looked the Same for 500 Years

Interestingly enough, Löwchen have not changed in appearance in over 500 years. How do we know this? Because Löwchen dogs appear in Renaissance paintings from over 500 years ago. All over Europe, stashed in old manors and castles, there are grand paintings featuring Löwchen. The Löwchen in these paintings look identical to how they look today. This means that the breed has not undergone any serious changes in over five centuries, which is incredible.

Final Thoughts

There is a lot to love about the Löwchen with very little downsides. Löwchen are healthy, spunky, friendly, cute, and loving. Anyone who likes cute or small dogs will find something to love about the Löwchen. Löwchen can be great additions to families, or they can be companions for solo people. The only things about the Löwchen that might turn someone off are their size (some people don’t like small dogs) and their grooming requirements. Otherwise, almost anyone who loves dogs will love the Löwchen.

Featured Image Credit: Sue Thatcher, Shutterstock