You’d be forgiven – and half right –  if you thought the breed in the image at the left is a member of the Bichon family. Cynologists  have long thought that the Löwchen is in the same family tree of Mediterranean breeds such as the Coton de Tulear, Havanese, Maltese and Bichon Frise. The breed, however, has strong German and Dutch roots, and its very name is German for “Little Lion,” one reason the breed is clipped to depict the “king of the pride.”

The Löwchen has been known for at least four hundred years, and was depicted in pre-Renaissance art. In fact, legend said that if a knight died in battle, he was buried with the likeness of a lion to accompany him to the next life, but if he died of natural causes, he was buried with the likeness of a Löwchen.

The thumbnail image at the left is of Lou Howlett Trahar’s 7 week old puppy,”Eddie,” photo taken by Cathy Horne.  The image at the right appears with permission of the AKC.