Aww, I find that dog completely adorable! I loved the imagination and creativity that must have went into his shave. I never would have, in a million years, thought of doing something like that. He looks spectacular, and I think it's an amazing idea - although I doubt the family very much enjoys having 911 called on their dog xD
I can definitely see how someone could mistake him for an actual lion though. If you were to see him in the dark, I'm sure he would look exactly like a small lion. I wouldn't say he looks like a lion cub, because I'm pretty sure that lion cubs don't exactly have manes at their early stages of development. But then again, who knows, I may be wrong But for someone looking at the dog in the dark, or someone with poor eyesight or maybe even just looking for a distance...at the very least, it would deserve a second glance, for sure.