Lionhead
About
Lionheads are named for the distinctive wool mane around their head — a genetic mutation that gives them the appearance of a tiny lion. They are small, energetic, and wonderfully quirky.
History
Lionheads originated in Belgium in the 1990s as a cross between a Swiss Fox and a Belgian Dwarf. The mane gene — a wool mutation — was discovered to be inheritable, and selective breeding followed. They were imported to the UK in the late 1990s and recognized by the ARBA in 2014.
🧠 Temperament
Playful, energetic, and inquisitive. Can be slightly more skittish than larger breeds.
🏠 Care Notes
The mane requires regular detangling, especially behind the ears. Some individuals have a 'double mane' that requires more attention. Provide adequate enrichment.
✨ Fun Fact
A Lionhead with one copy of the mane gene gets a 'single mane' that may thin with age; two copies produces a full, permanent 'double mane.'