Lion
Temperament:
Lionesses do not belong to the typical domestic dogs in our country. They are rather unknown and rarely encountered. Nevertheless, they should not be underestimated. Contrary to their name, they are small and extremely easy to care for dogs. Frenchies were bred at the time to entertain their owners. They are also perfect for beginners and families with children.
Characteristics
Löwchen are medium-small dogs with a maximum height at the withers of 32 cm. They weigh about 6 kg when full grown and are robustly built. Their coat is long and dense, it is wavy and consists only of top coat without undercoat. All coat colors are permitted and combinations are expressly desired. The curled tail is also covered with long hair and is carried over the back.
The lions get their name from the fur on their head, which resembles a lion's mane. Their ears are set rather low on the head and are of medium length. If the dogs are shown at exhibitions, a lion shave is obligatory. This involves shaving the rear of the body bald except for the tail and paws. The unshaven coat on the front body and head remains uncut and completely natural.
The little French are good-humored and friendly dogs. They are towards their humans affectionate and always want to please. Besides are clever and have Joy in practicing tricks. Nevertheless lions are relaxed dogs, which also like cuddle and are not prone to nervousness.
This makes them perfect for beginners. Also other dogs and children are no problem. Löwchen show great pleasure in playing with conspecifics and people of all ages.
Lionesses have a low need for exercise. Therefore, they are also good to keep in small apartments. It is advantageous that this breed hardly any hair.
Nevertheless, walks are a must, of course. The little Frenchman prefers to explore the area at a relaxed pace rather than running alongside a bicycle. In addition, mental exercise and attention from his human are especially important for him.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
When it comes to food, lions are not picky and do not have any specific requirements. So you should choose a normal dog food, which tastes good to your dog and meets his needs in calories and nutritional values.
For dry food, you should rather go for one with small chunks for small breeds. You should also pay close attention to how much food you provide. Dogs that don't exercise much often tend to be obese and need more control over the amount of food they eat.
A good feed is characterized by a high meat content, which is not only slaughterhouse waste. In no case should contain sugar, attractants or flavorings. This is not only useless, but can also harm the health and teeth.
Also, don't feed your dog leftovers. Small portions of pasta and potatoes and unseasoned meat are fine. Greasy or spicy meals do not belong in the dog bowl!
Lion care
The long coat of the lion cub is demanding in care. It should be thoroughly combed at least twice a week. Since the fur is very dense and branches and dirt easily caught, it should be brushed out briefly after each walk be
The eyes you must shear free so that your dog can see. Otherwise, hair can get into the eye and cause irritation. Additionally, for hygienic reasons fur on the buttocks should be cut regularly. Hair on the ears you can carefully remove with scissors, making sure that the ears are clean.
Lionesses are hardy dogs but are prone to hypothermia due to their size. Also, because they have no undercoat. Therefore, long walks in winter should be protected only by clothing. If your dog is partially shaved, there is a risk of sunburn on the bald skin in summer. You can prevent this with special sun creams or thin clothing.
The Paw care is no different with the lion than with other breeds. Be sure to wash off salt in the winter. Also, avoid hot roads in the summer when temperatures are high. You can rub Vaseline or balm on the pads to make them more supple and prevent them from drying out. Many dogs enjoy this massage to the fullest!
Suitable accessories
Important is a reasonable brush for long coat and small Shears, to cut the fur on the eyes, buttocks, paws and ears. A good Dog shampoo you should also have. However, wash your dog only if necessary, because so his natural protective film is lost!
Otherwise you need of course general dog accessories such as bowls, sleeping place, leash and harness. With a harness, the exact fit is very important, so you should try it on before buying. Also recommended is a Winter coat. Here, make sure that the coat fits well and does not restrict the dog's movement.
Origin & History
Lionesses already existed in the Middle Ages. Its existence can be proven by paintings and drawings already in the 13th century. They were bred to serve as a lap dog ladies as an occupation and "hot water bottle" in bed.
They lived in high-ranking families and served as Companion dog. Statues and woven carpets with a lion-sheared dog show how valuable the lioness was at that time. It was widespread throughout Europe and its country of origin cannot be precisely defined. Nowadays he is registered as a breed of French origin, because the first pedigree book was kept there.
He is a subspecies of Bichon and so closely related to Maltese, Havanese and Bolognese. With the end of the monarchies, the popularity of the lap dog declined rapidly. At the end of the 19th century, it became increasingly rare, until there were only about 40 specimens left. A Belgian breeder took up the breed and protected it from extinction. Since then, it has been increasingly bred again.
In 1976, first the British Kennel Club the breed. Since 1995, the breed is also officially recognized by the FCI recognized. The external appearance of the lioness has not changed since it was first recorded.
Today, the little lion is still a rare dog in our country. In 2016 there were 116 officially registered puppies in Germany.
