All About Dogs by LowchensAustralia.com

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.

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.