Longevity
Life expectancy
With a life expectancy between 13 and 15 years, the Petit Chien Lion is one of the small breeds that can accompany their family for many years. This longevity depends mainly on the quality of the breeding, diet, physical activity and medical prevention.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
The breed shows good overall robustness and tolerates temperate climates fairly well. As with any small dog, physical condition, dental health and the quality of veterinary follow-up remain important to preserve its vitality over time.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Even if the breed is generally robust, vigilance must mainly focus on routine care, parasite prevention, oral and dental hygiene, and weight monitoring. Regular check-ups help keep a dog fit and comfortable throughout its life.
Hip dysplasia: Like many dogs, the Petit Chien Lion may have a joint malformation that promotes pain and osteoarthritis, especially in cases of overweight.
Eye conditions: An ophthalmological examination of breeding dogs and monitoring of tearing or vision remain useful.
Patellar luxation: Common in small dogs, it manifests as an intermittent abnormal gait.
Periodontal disease: Tartar and dental loosening are major points of vigilance in small sizes.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
The Petit Chien Lion tolerates moderate cold and moderate heat fairly well, but it is not meant to live outdoors. It feels better in a temperate environment and in contact with its family, with outings adapted to the season.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
The risk of weight gain does not seem particularly pronounced in the breed, but a small dog can quickly become unbalanced if portions are poorly adjusted or if treats become too frequent. A stable weight helps preserve its mobility and overall comfort.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Maintain annual veterinary follow-up and keep parasite prevention up to date.
- Brush the coat each week to limit tangles and keep the hair clean.
- Monitor dental hygiene with regular care.
- Adapt outings and activity to maintain good physical condition.
Vaccination
Little Lion Dog vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Little Lion Dog need? Like all dogs, Little Lion Dogs should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Little Lion Dog vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Little Lion Dog booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Little Lion Dog need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Little Lion Dog
Annual veterinary follow-up, monitoring of dental condition, weight control and the usual preventive booster reminders constitute a suitable basis for this generally robust breed.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
