Does anybody know what the "Little Lion Dog" is?

Question

I've always wondered... Doubt I'll find anyone here who knows, but thought I'd ask.

This is a UKC breed listed in their breed list as Little Lion Dog. They also have the Lowchen listed, so it's not the same breed. http://www.ukcdogs.com/RegistrationBreeds.htm Anyone have a clue what this breed could be?

No, it's not the Shih Tzu, Chow or Pomeranian.

This is a breed listed on the UKC's list of breeds. All three of these breeds are listed by their names.

The Lowchen's well-known nickname is "little lion dog" but that breed is also listed separately, so it's not the same breed.

No, the Pekingese is also listed.

Jess, I totally agree with you. But the UKC's a respectable registry and they list both breeds like they're two separate breeds. That's the mystery I'm trying to solve. My guess is there was some split in the Lowchen breed and it ended up being two breeds, but I can't find anything to support that.

Hmmmm... Makes sense somewhat, but whenever I've worked with UKC people they seem pretty smart. And I think the "refer to the FCI standard" is just default for when they don't have a standard yet. I think I might write to UKC. I'll post here if and when I hear from them.

Debra, thanks for your info. You certainly seem like the best person to answer this.

Um... I know a few days ago it was listed in the complete breed list for UKC. I don't know about the Companion Group. Now it's not listed in either place. But I also e-mailed UKC a few days ago asking about the Little Lion Dog.

They never wrote me back, but seems like deleting it is my answer! Guess they're agreeing it's the Lowchen!

Thanks to everyone!

Answer 1

I show in both AKC and UKC and I have a Lowchen. In the UKC Companion Group, I can only see the Lowchen as listed and I don't see anything that says little lion, apart from the Lowchen description.

They are a lovely little dog, and since I am active in the breed, I know nothing of any split between the original Lowchen and another breed. in fact, they were almost extinct and very rare up until recently.

They do have breeds like Bichons and Havanese behind them, and the larger dog the Portugese Water Dog, is kept in the same lion clip that the Lowchen is, but for showing it is essential that the Lowchen is kept in the trim.

Answer 2

There are a few breeds who share the term "lion dog". Some Westerners claim it is the Shih Tzu that the term is referring to. However, most Chinese people will be referring to Pekes when they speak of "lion dogs". Pekingese were, in fact, bred to resemble Chinese lions, and there is a legend that they are the progeny of a marmoset and a lion. Thus, there is some confusion here, and the term "lion dog" can refer to either the Shih Tzu or Pekingese. Furthermore, Lowchens are also known as "lion dogs", albeit in an entirely other culture.

The UKC's referral to the "Little Lion Dog" is also known as the "Petit Chien Lion" by the FCI, which is also known as the Lowchen =)

The reason that the UKC lists it as a different breed could be that somebody proposed the induction of the breed without knowing that there are, in fact, multiple names for the Lowchen. In fact, that's probably why there is no standard for the Little Lion Dog.

Answer 3

According to what I found they are one in the same.

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/lowchen.html
http://www.bichon.de/lion/rp_e.htm
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/lowchen.htm

From:http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Lowchen:-The-Little-Lion-Dog&id=189226
The Lowchen Dog is actually pronounced "lerv-chun" and means "little lion". This German name comes from the traditional haircut, in which a ruff is hair is left as a mane on the front part of the dog's body. A large plume of hair is also left on the end of the tail and all four feet from the pasterns to the base of the foot. Close relatives of the Lowchen are the Maltese, the Bichon, the Bolognese, and the Havanese. The haircut of this breed is said to have developed because this little dog loves to crawl beneath the covers and it is an automatic bed warmer. The clipping of the coat on the back half of the dog's body provided a place where one could warm their feet more easily! And even today, the Lowchen does indeed crawl beneath the covers with readiness, loving nothing more than to curl up at the feet of its master or mistress.

http://www.champdogs.co.uk/guided/all_lowchen-little-lion-dog.html

Maybe the reason they are both listed is because they weren't sure which name they would use. I'll ask them. I can't find either breed on the FCI website.

**That would be great. I just emailed them, I'll post back here if I get a response. You've peaked my curiosity lol.

Answer 4

it is the same breed as the lowchen, just called a different name. It does not seem the UKC actually accepts the name "little lion dog" because there is no listed standard.

Answer 5

When you click on the link to the UKC's description for the little lion dog, it says to refer to the FCI standard. I searched for the FCI standard and Little Lion Dog is always linked with Lowchen. As far as I can tell, it's the same breed.

Answer 6

they are called toy munchkins...they are not an akc registered dog they are a fairly new breed Considered the "ideal" pet for all types of lifestyles, the Toy Munchkin is an intelligent dog which makes a great companion for almost anyone. This breed stands an average of 5 inches at the shoulders and weighs an average of 4 pounds. It comes in a variety of colors. When this dog is properly shaved it resembles a small lion with its pom-pom appearance
of dog.

Answer 7

I hope you can find the answers you are looking for here. If the links don't work for you, go to google and type in "Little Lion Dog" and click the search button. That should take you to the many places I found with information on them.
Good luck and I hope this hepled you.

Sincerely,
Shadow Wolf

Answer 8

Could someone be referring to an affectionate name for a Pekingese?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pekingese
Scroll down to "Peke Legends"

Answer 9

Pekes

Answer 10

Chows or Poms would make sense..but I don't know for sure. Sorry