Lions. The name of this dog breed immediately reminds us of the “King of Animals” and the appearance also has certain similarities – provided that the dog has been given a typical lion shearing. However, its size differs from that of its namesake, hence the diminutiveness in the name. The breed, which originates from France, is known for its friendly, playful nature. It is considered intelligent, curious and lively: Lions prefer to do something with you!

“Petit chien lion” – Miniatur-Löwe der Adeligen

The lion is a breed of dog whose history can be traced back to the Middle Ages: In the Gothic cathedral of Amiens in France, which was built in the 13th century, there are two dogs carved in stone, which correspond to the appearance of today’s lion. Their appearance or the “lion shearing” gave the breed its name: For the typical look, the fur is shorn from the waist, but it remains long on the front half of the body. On the legs, hangings are left around the ankles when shearing, and there is also longer, more lush fur at the tip of the tail than on the rest of the tail. The lion can be seen in many paintings from the 17th century: nobles loved the breed as lap dogs, as it looks like a miniature version of the mighty big cat.

Lions reach a height of 26 to 32 centimetres and are closely related to the bichons. During the time of the French Revolution and the decline of the nobility, the small four-legged friends were increasingly forgotten. But since the middle of the 20th century, they have been on the rise again: dog fans took on the breeding of the “petit chien lion” and today the miniature lion is a popular breed worldwide.

Character of the lion

The lion is characterized by a cheerful, playful nature. It is very sociable and peaceful: Lions hardly ever show aggressive behavior. They get along well with other pets and are considered child-friendly. They are loyal to their owners, although they often focus on one person in a family. Lions are great companions, family dogs and companion dogs, and are suitable for young people as well as for seniors, as long as they are able to provide the dogs with sufficient care and exercise.

The term “lap dog” does not adequately describe the character of the breed, because lions are lively and spirited dogs. They like to play a lot, both with their owners and with other dogs. They are considered smart, courageous and curious and like to experience new things – e.g. together with you on a discovery tour in a foreign environment. Regularly challenge your lion’s intelligence: Species-appropriate learning of dog tricks is just as suitable for this as brain toys for dogs or sniffing games.

Training and keeping of the lion

It is important for the little four-legged friends to pay enough attention, regardless of whether you keep your lion in a city apartment or in a house in the countryside. Because lions don’t like to be alone. They prefer to spend a lot of time with you and are everywhere. Their small size is an advantage: they don’t need extensive hikes to be busy. Nevertheless, lions naturally need enough exercise – adult and trained dogs also go on longer tours or run alongside you while jogging.

Playing and romping with other lions of the same species is important for the lion, so it also enjoys living together with a second dog in the household. Young lions sometimes tend to overestimate themselves and become too wild in play – this is where the “lion’s courage” shows. This occasionally leads to injuries.

Attending a puppy school often proves to be advisable: Although the lion is very socially acceptable by nature, it benefits from getting to know dogs of different breeds and sizes at an early age and expanding its social behavior repertoire from an early age. A dog school helps with the basic education of your lion, even if the dog breed is generally considered docile and easy to train, as long as you remain consistent.

Caring for the lion

Whether you have your lion sheared or not is up to you. However, dogs with lion shearing may need a dog coat in winter and in summer you should make sure that your lion does not get sunburned. The coat of this dog breed is silky and smooth and sheds little. The lion does not have an undercoat. You should still brush or comb it about every two days, as the fur mattes easily. Pay special attention to fur nodules behind the ears, under the armpits and on the bottom. If necessary, you have to shorten the pony and the fur on the bridge of the nose, as both can restrict vision and irritate the eyes. Dirt or snow clumps quickly collect in the hair on the paw pads of the lions, so shorten long fur from time to time. Check the nails right away: In older, less active dogs, they sometimes become too long, which can cause the dogs to get stuck on bumps and injure themselves. In such a case, shorten the claws with special claw pliers.

Lions are generally considered robust dogs that remain active and enterprising into old age. They are not prone to breed-related diseases and live an average of twelve to 14 years. Make sure to take your lion from a reputable breeder: Ideally, get to know both parents and have all the papers shown to you in advance.

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You should also check out these small dog breeds:

• Bolonka Zwetna: Charming sunshine with a lot of power.
• Chihuahua: Small dog with a big ego.
• Bichon Frisé: Lovable fuzzy from the Canary Islands
• Bolognese: From the lapdog of the nobility to the cheerful family companion.
• Chinese Crested Dog: Cheerful mini sleuth with an extravagant look.
• Japan Chin: Adorable companion dog in handbag format.
• Pomsky: The lovable miniature husky from America.
• Shih Tzu: The fuzzy temple dog from the “roof of the world”.
• Miniature Poodle: Shrewd clown with many talents.