Original
Works of art
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Group: Toys
Breed Family: Chien de Lion |
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The Petit Chien de Lion, also called the Lowchen (German for lion) and Little Lion Dog, has been known on the European continent since at least the fifteenth century, where the breed was popular in France, Italy and Spain. Francisco di Goya (1746-1828) was one of the many great artists who portrayed this striking-looking dog on canvas.
Although its origins are obscure, the Petit Chien de Lion is believed to have originated in the French Mediterranean area, and is undoubtedly related to other small breeds of Mediterranean ancestry, such as the Maltese, Bichon Frise, Havanese and Bolognese. Its name stems from its grooming which is said to resemble that of a male lion: shaved hindquarters, a long lion-like mane covering the head and shoulders, tufts of hair on the ankles, and a plume of hair at the tip of the tail. |