Early Breeders The earliest mentioned breeder is of the 19th century. Dr. Walthier, of Germany. He explained that the breed was called Leoninus merely because of the trim, not by possessing a fierce lion-like personality. The next breeder we know of actually played a part in the Löwchens resurrection. Breeding and exhibiting Löwchen at the turn of the century, as the breed was making what seemed its final bow, was Maximillian Coninck from Belgium. The most important client he had came to him in 1897. She was Madame Bennert, then a young married woman, acquiring her first Löwchen. This was the start of a lifetime love affair between Madame Bennert and her pride of lions. A little known person also emerges as having a hand in the resurrection of the Löwchen. Herr Professor Kurt Konig, from the Zootechnisches Rotenburg in Germany began gathering Löwchen at the turn of the century for genetic research. He called the dogs gathered into his breeding program Kobaldt-Mascotts and Kobaldt- Daumlinge. He and his research associates gathered dogs that were extremely hardy, healthy and outgoing. He did not tolerate shy dogs. After they gathered the dogs best suited for the program, they closed their breeding programs to dogs from outside. It was not until he was elderly and made contact with Madame Bennert, that his dogs contributed to the gene pool of today's dogs. Madam Bennert and Professor Konig determined that their dogs stemmed to common ancestors and so they would be of use to both breeding programs. On December 6th, 1957, a black and white bitch named Quinte was transferred to Madame Bennert, and registered by her with the ALSH registry as Fgitane, on June 11th, 1958. Fgitane was bred to Blaguer and on September 27th, 1958 she produced the litter that Judith came from. Whether Madame Bennert sent dogs to professor Konig is unknown. Sadly Fgitane was the only dog from his program to be incorporated into Madame Bennerts breeding program. What became of his dogs is unknown.
Madame Bennert Steps Forward Justus Susturmans 1600In Brussels, 1896, Madam Bennert was a young married woman. Looking for the ideal family pet, she discovered the Lowchen. She bought her first Löwchen from Maximillian de Coninck in 1987. While she had no intention of becoming a breeder, she was keenly interested in the breed. It was not until World War 11, that she realized she would have to step forward to save the breed. By the end of the dark days of World War 11, breed registries had become disorganized and disappeared. Madam Bennert realized that there was no one breeding or registering Löwchen any longer. Her fear was that the breed would disappear into the mists of time as so many other breeds did during that period, and as had done during World War 1. She resolved to save the Löwchen and began research to find quality specimens of the breed. In her words: "After a long and disappointing search I finally found two wonderful females; one was blue and came from (the town of) Lille, and the other was biscuit colored and came from the area of Dieghem. After a long search I finally found a blue male and this was the beginning of the breed's second chance." The first three Löwchen registered and used for breeding were Ulan, born in 1946, Sirginia who was born in 1944, and Z'Marquise whose birth date is unknown but was registered in 1949. Madame Bennert bred Ulan and Sirgrina. Her first litter was born April 13th, 1948. Madame Bennert kept Xandre, a male out of the litter, and her breeding program was underway.
Through the years Madame Bennert traveled far and wide to publicize the breed. Her travels took her to Germany where, when searching for a hunting dog for her nephew, she met Dr. Rickert. Painting By Goya Condesa De ShinchonDr. Rickert was a veterinarian who had a special interest in genetics. Madam Bennert asked him to advise her with her breeding program, which he agreed to do so. He and his wife became close friends with Madam Bennert. They traveled back and forth between Belgium and Germany. Their visits were consumed with discussion of the breeding program to save the breed. As Madame Bennert aged she began asking Dr. Rickert to take over the breeding program, but he did not really have an interest in breeding the small dogs. But, as Madam Bennert became more infirm with age, he was struck with the realization that if he did not begin to take over, Madam Bennert's work would be for nothing! Dr Rickert Takes Over From Madame Bennerts kennel, the breed passed into the hands of Dr. Hans Rickert in the early 1960's. He established the Von den Drei Lowen kennel. The translation of his kennel name is "from the three lions". The first Von den Drei Lowen litter was born April 10th, 1963 out of Judith bred to Hardi. The next breeding was of Judith bred to Domino, which produced on February 16th, 1964; Benjamin VD3
Lowen, Butzi VD3 Lowen, and Bienchen VD3 Lowen. This litter was important since all three dogs were foundation dogs for the breed both in Germany and world-wide. It was from his Von Den Drei Lowen (VD3 Lowen) that the Löwchen began to spread all over the world. All Löwchen living today trace their roots to these dogs. The Livland, Bungener-Heide and Goldquelle kennels in Germany, Cherrycourt, Cluneen and Littlecourt kennels in Great Britain, further established the breed. Today the Löwchen is recognized world wide. Painting By Renoir Bridge to Today's Breeders Fran Ostertag of Bremen, Germany, founded her Livland Kennel after she bought her first Löwchen. On December 20th, 1964 she acquired Biechen VD3 Lowen. At the time she had no plans to become involved in the breed, beyond simply owning a Löwchen. Dr. Rickert soon persuaded her otherwise. Eventually Frau Ostertag was able to acquire Benjamin VD3 Lowen. At Fray Ostertag's first dog show she met the judge who was judging the breed that day. Frau Van den Boom, knew not only Dr. Rickert, but also Madame Bennert. After judging they spent a considerable amount of time going over the breed. Frau Van der Boom took the time to explain the finer points of the breed to Frau Ostertag. She then met Frau Marga Schuh of the Goldquelle Kennel. Frau Schuh
encouraged Frau Ostertag to breed her bitch. Once she decided to become a breeder she began to research genetics, eventually acquiring a storehouse of genetic knowledge of the Löwchen. She was the first Löwchen breeder to attempt to develop a color inheritance chart. In 1966 Frau Ostertag met Madam Bennert in Amsterdam. They became good friends. Eventually Madame Bennert gifted Fray Ostertag with a good amount of her records, much of which has been passed on to Felizitas Dylla, of the Burgwald kennel. Frau Ostertag was active in the breed until she became disabled by a stroke. Despite her poor health, she was always interested and willing to teach those that came to her for advice in the breed. She served as a bridge from the pioneer breeders Madame Bennert and Dr. Rickert, to today's breeders continuing in the breed in Germany. The Next Step The first Löwchen to be imported to Great Britain were Cherrycourt Charlotte v. Livland, and Cherrycourt Hit VD3 Lowen, by Mrs. Eilidh Stenning, in 1968. On their heels, were the dogs imported by Mrs. Eilish Banks, of Cluneen Kennel. She imported also in 1968, Cluneen Butzi VD3 Lowen, and Cluneen Itzi VD3 Lowen. In 1970, Mrs. Banks imported more Löwchen; Cluneen Ocke VD3 Lowen, Cluneen Odette VD3 Lowen, Cluneen Orfy VD3 Lowen and Cluneen Nadine VD3 Lowen as well as Cluneen Nicole VD3 Lowen. There were further imports later, by other breeders of Löwchen. The dogs came from the VD3 Lowen, Livland, and Bungener-Heide Kennels. Mrs. Stenning was not as active as she would liked to have been. Mrs. Banks did run a very successful breeding program in the breed. Dogs from her kennel could be found all over the world as foundation stock. Mrs. Banks produced Cluneen Adam Adamant, who stands in the record books still, as one of the most valuable Lowchen ever. In 1976 Mrs. Banks turned down an offer of 10,000 pounds for him. Adam was listed in the Guinness World Book of Records, as the worlds most expensive dog.
One of the most successful and respected Löwchen kennels acquired its foundation dogs from the Cluneen kennel, the Littlecourt kennel. The first Löwchen to acquire a championship in Great Britain was Ch. Littlecourt Emma. (I believe that the famous CLUNEEN ADAM ADAMANT became the first UK Champion in the breed, he was also an Irish champion - LDC). Mrs. McGregor's dogs were held up as examples of the breed that many breeders aspire to. Most dogs can trace some part of their ancestor lines to the Littlecourt kennel. Gini Denninger