Lowchen

The Lowchen originated in Europe (Belgium, Germany or Netherlands), although its history is obscure. Reports suggest that the Lowchen was brought in by travellers from the Eastern Islands of Tibet and was crossed with the Spitz and Terrier dogs.

However, other claims suggest that the Lowchen descended from Bichon-type dogs (Bichon Frise). This "little lion dog" has been seen in many 16th-century art pieces, where it is portrayed as a companion dog to the elite. The first breeding program started in 1944 by Madame Bennerts and later by veterinarian Dr. Rickert.

In 1968, Lowchens were introduced to Britain where it was recognised by The Kennel Club in the UK in 1971. At this time, the Lowchen was accorded the nickname lion dog".

Lowchens have a dense coat that is long and slightly wavy and soft to touch. Oddly enough, they are one of those breeds where all colours are acceptable under the breed standard. When thinking of this dog's long wavy coat and mane, one may assume it is tough to groom, which is correct. In fact, most owners hire professional groomers to keep its lion-like appearance. On the other hand, the Lowchen sheds minimally that neat freaks can rejoice. To prevent matting, tangles or knots, daily brushing is required. In addition, bathing and trimming must be done every four to six weeks.

Coat care is essential especially if you strictly follow the breed standards. However, other aspects of grooming are equally important. As with all dogs, basic care such as regular brushing of teeth, cleaning of ears and trimming of nails are crucial to minimise the chances of infections, skin diseases and other illnesses.

The Lowchen's playful and sociable nature makes it a great companion dog. It is a decent watchdog since it tends to bark to let you know if strangers are about, but it is not aggressive enough to be a guard dog. Lowchens are intelligent little dogs and are people-pleasers, which make them very amenable to training. In fact, they are known to excel in canine sports such as obedience and agility. Like all dogs, the Lowchen does not respond to harsh correction. Instead, it performs well with positive reinforcements. Diverse and short training sessions will help keep their interest to learn and boredom at bay.

Lowchens are affectionate and sweet dogs that befriend everyone, even children. However, any interaction, especially during playtime, should always be well supervised by adults to make sure accidents are avoided. With a sociable and kind nature, naturally, the Lowchen gets on well with other household pets such as other dogs, even cats. However, there is still a small chance that it will chase other cats they meet in the neighbourhood.

• Senior and less active: up to 450 calories daily
• Typical adults: up to 505 calories daily
• Physically active/working dogs: up to 560 calories daily

When you buy a Lowchen puppy, make sure you know exactly what you're in for when it comes to your budget. Remember that bringing a dog into your home is like taking in a new member of the family, which you need to feed, raise well and care for when it gets sick. If you have not considered what the expenses will look like, below is a summary of some basic costs:

• Lowchen puppy price is somewhere around £500 to £750.
• Pet insurance is useful but will cost you about £23 to £51 a month.
• Food costs may not be as expensive since Lowchens are small dogs. Still, it will set you back £20 to £30 monthly.
• Veterinary care is another crucial aspect to be financially prepared for since it will cost you around £900 annually.