Other vs Lowchen - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Dog lovers are thrilled because there is such diversity to choose from when looking for a pet.

There are so many other dogs that don’t have any particular breed name, and these can be tiny dogs or massive dogs that you would have to think twice about before buying one, as a large dog can eat you out of hearth and home.

All dogs, pedigreed or other, have descended from the wolf but it is unsure about when dogs were actually domesticated. One thing is sure, it is amazing to think that dogs descended from wolves but that you get so many varieties to day – different sizes, different coat colors and lengths, some have erect ears, others floppy, some are lean and mean and others muscular and heavily-set. They have all originated from different parts of the world.

There are well over 100 different pure dog breeds as well as plenty of other dogs. In fact you can create many different dogs by breeding certain of them to get the looks and characteristics you want.

Known as the Little Lion Dog, the Lowchen is considered by some registries as a toy dog and by the American Kennel Club as a non-sporting dog.

Nobody seems too certain about the true origin of the dog but most records seem to suggest it originates from Germany, France or Holland.

He was bred to catch rats and mice and his history goes way back to 1442, with images of him being found in engravings and paintings. People think he may be related to the Bichon Frise.

His history shows that apart from being used to catch vermin he was also a companion dog to the wealthy. A breeding program for the dog was started in 1944 and they were later imported to Britain in the late 1960s. The dog was given Kennel Club recognition in the UK in 1971, also appearing in America in 1971 with The Lowchen Club of America being formed.

Dogs today come with so many looks. ‘Other’ dogs are vast and varied. They may be pedigreed dogs that are ‘off the radar’ or they may be among the many ‘cross-breed’ dogs there are.

You can get a tiny Chihuahua, measuring just 9cm in height, but you can also get a huge dog like the Great Dane that can stand at up to 90cm in height. It isn't however, a heavily built dog like the giant Newfoundland which can weigh up to 117 kg or so.

Temperament:

Some dogs are intelligent, others not so much. Others are social and others more reserved. Some won’t be able to tolerate being cooped up indoors and not being able to be outdoors involved in an activity, while others are more indoor dogs.

Some dog are friendly, others indifferent, some boisterous and sporty, others docile and lazy. There are so many other dogs that don’t make the pedigreed list, but they’re adored by their human family for being so utterly unique.

The Lowchen is a small dog but robustly built and stands at between 25 – 33 cm in height and weighs anything from 4 – 8 kg.

He has a long coat which is available in a number of colors - cream, white, grey, black, silver and bi-colored. The single coat isn’t like that of the Bichon Frise, thin and fluffy, but is much thicker, silky and wavy and sheds minimally. People love snipping the long coat cut so that the dog looks like a small lion, short over the body and with a mane, with some hair left around the ‘ankle’ parts of the legs.

The tail is also sheared and left with a pom-pom look. People look at him as an ideal pet as he doesn’t shed much and is looked upon as being a hypoallergenic dog.

He has a wide muzzle and broad, flat skull. The ears are floppy with fringing, the eyes dark, round and intelligent looking. The litter size of this dog is is usually between 3 and 6 puppies.

Temperament:

Intelligent, bright, outgoing and affectionate, you won’t find any aggression in this cute little dog unless the owners have treated him so badly that he wants to be aggressive.

He is such an amicable little pet that he won’t cause you any trouble – he just wants to be your friend. He is a social dog, but can be quite timid when introduced to new people.Socialization and training will do wonders for him and give him some confidence.

He just loves receiving attention and is also prepared to give a lot of attention too. Although he can adapt easily to life in the city or the countryside, he wouldn’t like his owners being at work all day and leaving him alone hour after hour. He is gentle with his human family and sees to it that he gets on well with children as well as pets in the home.

There are so many dogs, some are pedigree dogs and some aren’t. Some dogs are registered with kennel clubs and others aren’t.

Every dog has some amazing characteristics that make them so adorable. These kennel clubs divide dogs into categories such as Terriers, working dogs, herding dogs, toy breeds, hounds and so on. Pedigree breeds belong to these groups.

Other dogs are just as special, even if they don’t fall into the many dog breeds recognized by major kennel clubs.

There are so many other dog breeds, and if you want to bring some canine magic into your home and heart, apart from the very many expensive dog breeds out there, there are other dogs.

These are hybrids or true one-of-a-kind pavement specials that come at a fraction of the price but with the most amazing and wonderful characteristics you can imagine and which will make a most splendid pet.

The Lowchen is sure to make anyone a splendid pet as he is friendly, playful, loving and loyal. He is such a good natured pet and will make a wonderful companion, being able to get on well with children and pets in the home.

He is energetic too and will love to be outside playing games or joining you on a walk. Those who have had the Lowchen as a pet haven’t been disappointed as they all agree that he makes the most amazing family companion.

Other dogs are considered somewhat healthier than purebred dogs because they come from a broader gene pool. Nonetheless you still need to be aware of certain dog illnesses that your dog can develop -

Allergies:

This is a common ailment in dogs, and skin allergies can cause your dog a lot of discomfort and pain. They lick and lick and aggravate the situation. Sometimes fleas, chemicals and dog shampoos can aggravate the skin too. There are several things to look at – from making environmental changes to changing your dog’s food.

Cancer:

Cancer is common in dogs, just as in human beings, with there being a number of different cancers. Whenever you brush your dog, run your hands over him to check if there are any unusual lumps on him and have them examined if you do discover a lump.

Other dog illnesses to watch out for include bloat, ear and eye infections, cataracts, hip dysplasia and obesity, among others.

The Lowchen is a healthy dog breed so you aren’t going to be spending too much money with him at the vet. Some health concerns with this particular dog breed are cataracts and patellar luxation.

Cataracts:

It can be so sad witnessing your dog’s bright, alert eyes clouding over. Dogs have clear lens, but cataracts, while not painful, can impair vision and actually lead to complete vision loss. As the eye disease progresses, the lens can become completely opaque.

Patellar Luxation:

This occurs when the kneecap of the dog is dislocated from its normal position. You’ll see your dog holding up his hind leg every now and then. It can only be returned to its normal position once the quadriceps muscles of the dog relax.

This is a common knee joint problem in dogs and it can lead to arthritis. He will need to get to the vet.

Responsible dog owners know that their dogs require adequate food and water, lots of love and attention, exercise, a warm, dry bed, shelter from the elements when outdoors and medical attention when they’re sick.

One advantage with other dogs which aren’t pedigreed, is that by their very nature, they have good genetic diversity, and this means good overall health. Other dogs breeds are generally cheaper to buy and cheaper in terms of vet’s fees as they tend to be healthier.

Grooming:

Other dogs have a variety of different coat types, so whatever dog you have, you’ll need to be looking at brushing him, stripping him or having him professionally clipped. Whether erect or floppy ears, check inside for infection. The eyes will also need to be checked for infection and other eye ailments. All dogs will also have to have their nails clipped.

Diet:

The size of all dogs, pedigree or other will determine the amount of food you give him. Big or small, pedigreed or other, every dog wants the same when it comes to diet. They want food which is nutritious, tasty and simple. They want a high quality commercially manufactured food high in minerals and vitamins.

They will benefit from some raw meat added into the kibble whenever its possible. They will also require some home-made food – simple, uncomplicated homemade food such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and vegetables such as sweet potato, carrots and spinach. Such a diet will keep your pet free from digestive problems. Make sure he has a constant supply of cool, fresh water.

Exercise:

Exercise is important for every dog, but some dogs will require more exercise than others. Some dogs will be content with a walk every day while others will require far more – running beside you while you cycle, swimming, a run in the park, rope- and ball games and going with you on hikes.

Exercise is both entertaining for your dog and healthy too.

Because your Lowchen is a bright, happy companion dog you want to ensure that you look after him well to ensure his ongoing wellbeing.

The single coat is long and you will need to brush him regularly to keep it looking good. If brushing becomes too hectic, you can have him sheared at a professional dog groomer.

Check him over for fleas and ticks while brushing him.

Feel all over his body for the emergence of new lumps.

Clip his nails to ensure they don’t grow long so that they hook on things and tear his flesh.

Check the inside of his ears to make sure there is no sign of redness and ear infection. This can drive your pet mad with the itching. The ears need to be kept clean, as do the teeth and both these can be done for you at professional dog groomers.

Every dog requires exercise and your Lowchen will need games and walks to keep him fit, to ward off obesity and to provide him with something to look forward to.

Make sure to feed your pet wholesome food as good quality food promotes good health and longevity. Give your Lowchen the best quality kibble there is and try and mix in some homemade cooked chicken, brown rice, pasta and cooked or raw vegetables every now and then just to add some tasty variety to your pets diet. Make sure he always has access to fresh, cool water.

Make sure your Lowchen has a warm, dry comfy spot to sleep, and ensue that when he’s outside he has shade to lie down in.