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Little Lion Dog

Little Lion Dog

FCI standard Nº 233
Origin
 France
Translation
 Jennifer Mulholland with the collaboration of R. Triquet
Group
 Group 9 Companion and toy dogs
Section
 Section 1.3 Bichons and related breeds
Working
 Without working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI
 Monday 30 October 1961
Publication of the official valid standard
 Wednesday 24 March 2004
Last update
 Friday 02 April 2004
En français, cette race se dit
 Petit chien lion
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar
 Löwchen
En español, esta raza se dice
 Pequeño Perro León
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd
 Leeuwhondje

Usage
Companion dog.

Brief historical summary
In the Amiens Cathedral, the construction of which dates back to the XIII° century, one can see, carved in stone, two Lowchen which perfectly represent the breed. In the XV° century its distinctive silhouette was often depicted in tapestries. The breed was cherished by the ladies of the court of Burgundy. It was especially in the 17th century that the breed was represented in old masterpieces. Buffon describes it very precisely in his “Histoire Naturelle”, stressing its rarity. At the same period the Swedish naturalist, Linné also mentions it. The Lowchen was once called “Bichon Little Lion Dog”. The French Breed Club was founded November 18th, 1947.

General appearance
A small intelligent dog, gay with a lively and alert expression; overall robust with good bone- short and well proportioned body- head carried high – pronounced tuck-up. The movement is proud and determined, accentuated by the floating mane from the lion clip; the unclipped areas should be completely natural and on no account should they be shaped. The lion clip is obligatory for showing.

Important proportions
The body is square.
The length of the body (point of shoulder to point of buttock) is equal to the height at the withers.
The length of the muzzle represents approximately 2/3 of the skull.

Behaviour / temperament
Very affectionate and obedient with its masters, attentive and receptive, at ease in all circumstances; capable of being calm and discreet on command. His forthright and tender look tries to understand what is expected of him.

Head

Cranial region
Head
 Relatively short and quite broad from the top of the skull to the muzzle; carried high.
Skull
 Relatively flat : as broad as it is long. 
Stop
 Moderately marked.

Facial region
Nose
 Black (total pigmentation is obligatory), except for brown coats and derivatives. In the latter case, the nose is dark brown (total pigmentation obligatory). The nose is well in line with the topline of the muzzle.
Muzzle
 Rather broad, straight.
Lips
 Tight and black, except for brown coats and derivatives, in which case, the lips are dark brown.
Jaws and teeth
 Strong teeth, complete dentition with scissor bite. Absence of the PM1 is tolerated.
Eyes
 Set well forward, the eyes are large, very dark, round and well spaced; must be forward looking. The lids are totally pigmented.
Ears
 Set low (level with eyes). Moderately long, capable of almost reaching, if pulled, half the length of the muzzle; pendant, well fringed. The fringes can reach, at least, to the end of the nose.

Neck
Of good length, slightly arched, merging smoothly into the shoulders and withers.

Body
Topline
 Straight.
Loin
 Short, broad and muscled.
Chest
 Well developed, down to elbow.
Underline and belly
 Well defined.

Tail
Set on slightly below the topline. Carried elegantly arched over the back without touching the latter. Only the plume touches the back either when standing or in action.

Limbs

Forequarters
Generality
 Upright.
Shoulders
 Well inclined, mobile, well muscled.
Elbows
 Close to the body.
Pastern
 Short and straight viewed from front; slightly sloping viewed from the side.

Hindquarters
Generality
 Upright.
Upper thigh
 Well muscled, the tibia is the same length as the femur. The point of buttock is slightly prominent.
Metatarsus
 Robust, perpendicular to the ground.
Hock
 Relatively strong, the point is at approximately ¼ of the height at the withers, normal angulation.

Feet
Small and round, toes tight and well arched.

Gait and movement
Lively, energetic and with good reach; legs parallel in action, head carried proudly.

Coat
Hair
 The coat is silky, long, wavy, dense; without undercoat.
Colour
 All colours and combinations of colours are permitted.

Size and weight
Height at withers
 26 to 32 cm at the withers, with a tolerance of +/- 1 cm.
Weight
 6 kgs approximately.

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 and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

Disqualifying faults
 Aggressive or overly shy dogs.
 Total or partial depigmentation of the nose, lips and eyelids or other colour than black, or other colour than dark brown for brown coats and derivatives.
 Turned up nose.
 Absence of one or more incisives or canines.
 Non consecutive absence of more than two teeth (PM2, PM3, lower PM4).
 Consecutive absence of two teeth (PM2, PM3, lower PM4).
 Absence of a carnassial tooth (upper PM4, lower M1) or of another molar except for M3.
 Overshot or undershot.
 Eyes : small, almond shaped, protruding, too light or wall.
 Entropion, ectropion.
 Ears : not long enough or without fringe.
 Tail curled in a ring.
 Coat : curly, too short, lack of waves.
 Severe anatomical malformation.

NB :
• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography
http://www.fci.be/
Details
Also available: Français (France) Deutsch (Deutschland) Español (España) Nederlands (nl-NL)
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