Little Lion Dogs of Victoria
THE BREED
A breed standard is the guidelines which describe the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential.
Breeders use the breed standard as a blueprint for future generations of the breed. During conformation shows, judges assess each dog against the breed standard first and foremost before deciding which dog best meets the breed standard and represents breed type.
If you are looking to add a lovely little lion to your family, you can locate a list of breeders who are also members of the Little Lion Dogs of Victoria here.
Please note, this is list of breeders who have chosen to list their kennels and is not exhaustive. Little Lion Dogs of Victoria cannot guarantee any individual kennel, however these breeders have committed to uphold the values of the club to promote the health and wellbeing of the breed.
Lowchen (Little Lion Dog) - Breed Standard
Group: Group 1 (Toys)
General Appearance:
Coat clipped in traditional lion clip, tail also clipped, topped with plume, giving appearance of a little lion. Strongly built, active, well balanced and alert.
Characteristics:
Gay, happy, lively little dog.
Temperament:
Intelligent, affectionate showing no sign of aggression.
Head And Skull:
Short fairly broad.. Skull flat between the ears head carried proud and high. Well defined stop; short, strong muzzle.
Eyes:
Round, dark, relatively large and intelligent. Unbroken pigmentation of eye rims, pigment to be in accordance with coat colour.
Ears:
Pendant, of moderate length with long fringing.
Mouth:
Jaws strong, with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck:
Good length, proudly arched.
Forequarters:
Shoulders well laid. Forequarters straight with round bone, no too fine.
Body:
Short, strong and well proportioned. Level topline. Ribs well sprung. Strong loin with moderate tuck up.
Hindquarters:
Hindlegs well-muscled. Good turn of stifle without exaggeration; straight when viewed from rear.
Feet:
Small, round.
Tail:
Medium length, clipped with tuft of hair to resemble a plume. Carried gaily on move.
Gait/Movement:
Free, parallel movement fore and aft, no hackneyed action.
Coat:
Fairly long, wavy, never curly. Single coat of silky texture.
Colour:
Any colour or combination of colours permissible.
Sizes:
Height: 25-33 cm (10-13 ins) at withers.
Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Notes:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.