

The Löwchen is a cheerful, surprisingly robust companion dog—bred to be a pure lapdog to warm and entertain European nobility. Don't let the traditional lion clip fool you: beneath that mane lies an athletic, alert companion with no airs and graces.
How the health grade is calculated
Sources for required breeding screenings. Verband Deutscher Kleinhundezüchter e.V.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Löwchen fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Shoulder height
25–33 cm
Weight
4–9 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Löwchen, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Colors & coat
The coat colors that occur in the Löwchen — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
The real vibes check
Anyone who thinks of the Löwchen as an arrogant lapdog for the red carpet will quickly be proven wrong. This dog is a little clown in an aristocratic shell, who might jump onto your sofa muddy and overjoyed after a walk in the rain. You aren't getting a fragile fashion accessory, but an uncomplicated, robust optimist who just wants to be by your side.
The Löwchen, also known as the Little Lion, is a small, compact dog that impresses with its lively and cheerful nature. Its characteristic, long, silky fur, which is often cut into a "lion's mane", 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 toy dogs. The Löwchen is not differentiated into performance and show lines, but is uniform in its type.
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. Their name, which translates to “Little Lion,” 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.
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Barely any prey drive — small animals trigger nothing. | Very low |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the Löwchen is often referred to as the “little lion dog” because its fur is traditionally cut so that the front part is long and the back part is short, similar to that of a lion?
Löwchen: The Löwchen is a lively and friendly companion dog, notable for its characteristic "lion cut" coat. These small dogs are intelligent and easy to train, making them excellent family dogs, and they love close contact with their people. Despite their size, they are active and playful but also require regular grooming of their coat.
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.
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Gets on well with children — with adult supervision.
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
Small space, noise, lots of people — no problem at all.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.
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.
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.
| Care Level Regular brushing and occasional professional grooming. | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs Needs 1–2 hours of real exercise daily. | Active |
| Shedding No or minimal hair loss — suitable for allergy sufferers. | No shedding |
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.
Robust
Health grade
The Löwchen is considered a very robust breed, though, as with many small dogs, patellar luxation (PL) represents the primary orthopedic risk. To prevent hereditary kneecap problems, the Verband Deutscher Kleinhundezüchter e.V. makes a corresponding screening mandatory prior to breeding. A responsible breeder exclusively uses parent animals that meet the required limit of PL 0. Have the official examination results for patellar luxation (PL) of both parents presented to you without exception before purchasing.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
What matters most for this breed
Tap any item to see details.
You should ensure joint-friendly rearing, schedule regular eye exams, and pay close attention to the elaborate coat care to avoid skin problems.
Responsible breeders must screen their animals for patellar luxation (PL) before breeding and only use parent animals with a PL 0 finding to prevent hereditary kneecap problems.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
Tier 1 is the core standard: the tests Verband Deutscher Kleinhundezüchter e.V. requires, plus further tests from the recommended health standard for this breed. Tiers 2 and 3 show how responsible breeders go beyond.
Core standard. Tests marked “Club standard” are required by Verband Deutscher Kleinhundezüchter e.V. for breeding approval; the others are part of the recommended health standard for this breed. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
No entries in this tier.
No entries in this tier.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
A Löwchen costs around ~€160 per month (€90 – €300, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€5,180 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (13 years) it comes to about ~€28,640.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€150 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€160
In the first year
~€5,180
Across the dog's life
~€28,640
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,800 – €3,000
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.

Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative imageThe exact origin of the Löwchen is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in Europe, possibly France or the Mediterranean countries. There are depictions of Löwchen-like dogs in artwork from the 16th century. The Löwchen was very popular among the European aristocracy, especially as a lap dog for ladies. In the 1960s the breed was in danger of becoming extinct, but was saved by dedicated breeders. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognized the Löwchen as a separate breed in 1961.
The Löwchen was bred as a companion dog for the European aristocracy and is known for its characteristic "lion cut".
France, Germany
Mittelalter
At home with the family, owners mainly describe the Löwchen as a very affectionate, cheerful shadow of a dog. Many say these dogs follow their people from room to room and seek close body contact. With children and other pets they are usually very easygoing, playful, and sturdy. They adapt well to both city apartments and country life, as long as they get to be part of everything.
The flip side of this close bond is being left alone. Owners agree that Löwchen dislike being left alone and often find it hard; training usually takes a lot of patience and very small steps. Owners also occasionally warn against the cliché of the mere lap dog: some report that young Löwchen are surprisingly reactive and spirited and have to be taught to settle down in daily life.
On temperament and training, owners highlight the Löwchen's quick understanding and curiosity. Because they are so eager to please their people, these dogs often learn commands or tricks remarkably fast. Off leash they are usually easy to handle, since prey drive tends to be weak, although moving things like squirrels or birds can still catch their interest.
For many owners, the biggest training challenge is the breed's watchfulness. Because Löwchen are fearless and alert, they tend to announce noises in the stairwell or unfamiliar dogs loudly. Without early, consistent work on it, this can quickly turn into a real barking habit. Owners also urge people not to be too lenient: behind the charming face is a self-confident little dog that quickly notices inconsistency.
In accounts of grooming and health, owners stress that while the coat sheds very little, which is often a plus for households with mild pet allergies, the grooming workload should never be underestimated. Without regular brushing several times a week, the soft, single coat quickly tangles and mats. In everyday life, many owners therefore skip the elaborate traditional show clip and choose an easy-care, evenly trimmed short cut instead.
In practice, the Löwchen is considered a long-lived and fairly hardy small breed. Typical issues owners and breeders report include problems during teething (especially retained baby teeth that have to be pulled) and a tendency toward tartar buildup. The usual preventive-care topics for small companion dogs, such as patellar luxation and sensitive eyes, also come up regularly. For dogs clipped very short, owners also advise protection from the cold in winter and from the sun in summer.
Sources:dogorama.appforum.hundund.deforum.hund.infomit-tier.depeqaboo.com
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
The Löwchen is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Löwchen is 12-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Löwchen grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Löwchen can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Löwchen comes in these colors: Black, White, Cream, Gold, Chocolate, Grey, Silver, Sable, Brindle, Bicolor, Tricolor, Piebald.
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Löwchen.