Löwchen grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding

The coat is the defining feature, and it needs more care than its tidy look suggests. There is little undercoat and very little shedding, but loose hair stays trapped in the coat and knots into mats if it is not brushed out. Brush and comb right down to the skin two or three times a week with a pin brush and a metal comb, working in small sections and paying extra attention behind the ears, in the armpits, under the collar and through the mane. Bathe every three to four weeks with a gentle dog shampoo and dry thoroughly, because a damp coat mats faster.

For the lion trim, the body is clipped short from the last rib back, with cuffs left around the lower legs and a plume on the tip of the tail, while the front half keeps its full mane. Most owners have a groomer do this every six to eight weeks. Plenty of pet Löwchen wear a practical all-over puppy clip of about 2 to 3 cm (1 in) instead, which halves home brushing time. Keep nails short, trim the hair between the pads, and brush teeth several times a week, since small dogs often build tartar early.