CKC BREED STANDARD
The Löwchen Club of Canada follows the breed standards set by the Canadian Kennel Club. These standards are upheld by breeders and are the standards by which Löwchen are judged at shows and breed events. Check out a quick summary below, or check out our complete Judge’s Guide for full information on the breed standards.
General Appearance
Strongly built, active, well-balanced and alert little dog whose presentation (that is, coat and tail clipped in traditional lion clip) gives the “little lion” appearance.
Head and Skull
Short. Skull wide in proportion, flat between the ears, head carried proud and high. Well-defined stop. Short, strong muzzle.
Eyes
Round, large and intelligent, dark in colour. Unbroken pigmentation of eye rims. Pigment to be in accordance with coat colour.
Ears
Pendant, long and well fringed, set on level with the eye, close hanging.
Mouth
Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissors bite (that is, the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaw).
Nose
Black or brown according to coat colour.
Neck
Good length, proudly arched.
Forequarters
Forelegs straight and fine boned. Shoulder well laid.
Body
Short, strong, well proportioned. Level top line. Ribs well sprung, strong loin with moderate tuck up.
Hindquarters
Hind legs well muscled with good turn of stifle, straight when viewed from the rear.
Feet
Small, round.
Tail
Of medium length, clipped with a tuft of hair to resemble a plume. Carried gaily on the move.
Gait/Movement
Free, parallel movement fore and aft, no hackneyed action.
Coat
Fairly long and wavy but not curly. Fine and silky. Clipped in the traditional lion clip.
Colour
Any colour or combination of colours permissible.
Size
Height 25 -33 cm. (10 -13 in.) at the withers.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault is regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.