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.
Build
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.
Watch points
What to watch 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
Cold and heat tolerance
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
Tendency to gain weight
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.
Daily life
Good habits to keep it 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 vaccines: vaccination schedule
Which vaccines for a Little Lion Dog? Like all dogs, the Little Lion Dog receives essential vaccines from 8 weeks old: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. The puppy primary vaccination for Little Lion Dog is given in several injections 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on its lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may complete the protocol with vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary series | First booster | Then | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All pets |
RabiesLifestyle-based Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughLifestyle-based Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisLifestyle-based 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 diseaseLifestyle-based Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisLifestyle-based 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 vaccine boosters are annual for leptospirosis and rabies; for distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often sufficient after the first booster. Your veterinarian will adjust the schedule to your dog’s actual risk.
Which boosters for your Little Lion Dog?
Enter your companion’s age: we list the vaccines to do now and the next boosters.
Adopting 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 provided for guidance only and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, consult a professional.
