The Lowchen originated in France and is a relative of the Bichon Frise. They are one of the most rare breeds still alive today, but are slowly becoming more popular. This little dog resembles a lion and actually has an alternate name being “little lion dog”.

These dogs have a unique coat trim that is usually bare from the hind legs to the tail. Their front legs and chest are covered in long, fine fur and their face has hair cascading from the ears. The Lowchen has long floppy ears, a short muzzle and large circular eyes. They have a compact body and long fine boned legs with a long tail. These little dogs resemble their cousin breed the Bichon and also the Maltese.

The Lowchen is a friendly, outgoing, and clever little dog that loves attention from their owners. They make great family pets because they get along great with children and smaller animals. For the most part, this breed will interact well with other dogs but might be more aggressive towards other males. The Lowchen thrives on their owners affection and will become depressed if left alone to often.

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

Males: 10-14 inches high
Females: 10-14 inches high

Weight

Males: 8-18 lbs
Females: 8-18 lbs

Color(s)

The Lowchen will come in any type of colour combination but most commonly seen is the black, lemon or white. All patterns and markings are accepted in the AKC standards.

Coat

This breed has a long loosely wavy coat that is often accompanied by a unique hair cut. Some owners prefer the breed standard haircut which is to shave the dog from the hind quarters down, and some owners prefer to have the dogs fur cut evenly but shortly. Either way they will need to be brushed at least once per week just to remove the dead coat.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Lowchen is an energetic happy dog that is courageous and will make a great family pet. They will need to be trained in a positive yet firm manner but this should not present any problems as they are a smart breed that want to please their owners. Socialization as puppies will be needed, especially around other dogs (preferably of the same sex) and other animals to ensure they can be comfortable in various situations as adults.

These little dogs, despite their size, make great watchdogs! They are constantly on guard and possess a loud bark which could alert the family and the neighbors as well. Lowchens can be a stubborn and sometimes dominant breed so their masters will need to have patience while training them. Owners would also be encouraged to have some experience or knowledge in basic obedience in order to quickly teach this breed.

Care

The Lowchen will need a moderate amount of grooming to keep their coat looking great. Brushing 2-3 times per week and bathing once per month will be great for this breeds coat. Monthly trims will be needed if the owner decides they want a show cut. The Lowchen is prone to a couple of eye ailments, such as cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy. They might be genetically prone to luxating patella’s, but for the most part they are a healthy breed.

Training

The Lowchen is a bit of a stubborn breed and will need an owner who is more firm in their training techniques, but gentle. They want to please their owner but need to be taught with positive consistency in order to grasp the concept. Training sessions made enjoyable will be more motivating to these dogs as it will seem like a treat rather than a chore.

Activity

The Lowchen will need about a half an hour of exercise per day and this can be done either at an off-leash park or on a long walk. Time spent running off-leash or playing with other dogs will definitely burn their energy much quicker. These dogs will do well in an apartment because they are small and don’t take up too much space. A backyard is not necessary but would be a bonus so they have an outdoor environment at home to roam around in.

The Lhasa Apso originated in Tibet and was bred to protect the churches or religious community their owners would reside in. They were mostly owned by monks or people of the church, which is what they were taught to guard when their master was not present. Today these dogs are quite common but for thousands of years they were only attainable by religious followers or royalty.

This breed has a long, messy coat that will require regular grooming. Their muzzles are short yet powerful and their body is compact and slightly longer than they are tall. The Lhasa Apso has short, toned legs and a medium length tail that loosely curls over to touch their lower back. These dogs are covered in thick, heavy fur literally from head to toe which is why some owners prefer their dogs to have monthly haircuts!

The Lhasa Apso is an alert, clever little dog that will not only be a great family dog but will also defend their territory at will! Despite their small size these dogs have a deep bark giving the illusion to strangers that have not seen them, that they are much bigger! This breed is loving and affectionate but only so with their masters or the family. The Lhasa Apso will get along with other family pets but there might be friction between them and dogs of the same sex.

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

Males: 10-11 inches high
Females: 9-10 inches high

Weight

Males: 14-18 lbs
Females: 12-14 lbs

Color(s)

The Lhasa Apso will come in a gray, cream, blue, brown, and a white with black markings. Most commonly seen is the cream but all are accepted colours in the show ring.

Coat

This breed has an exceptionally thick double coat with the top layer being long, and dense but smooth to the touch. Their under layer is plushy and soft giving them ample insulation for colder weather. Grooming will need to be done on a regular basis but no extravagant haircuts or excess hair removal is needed.

Life Expectancy

About 15 years.

Personality

The Lhasa Apso is a breed that will need an owner who is patient and will take charge. They can be a stubborn breed but with the correct master, will make a great pet and fine companion. Although they are known to be independent at times, the Lhasa Apso is not a breed that can be left at home too often because they will become lonely and depressed. This breed is a great pet but should be monitored around younger children because they have a tendency to bite first and ask questions later.

These little dogs are playful and full of energy. They are known to entertain themselves throughout the day but will still need extra outdoor exercise in the evening. Being a great watchdog, the Lhasa Apso is a barky dog that will alert their families of intruders but will also bark when they’re excited or whenever it is they feel necessary!

Care

The Lhasa Apso will need to be brushed 4-5 times per week. They have a long, thick coat that needs regular grooming in order to keep it tangle free. Bathing should be done every 2-3 months and special attention should be brought to their ears and paws as the fur here might become matted or have foreign matter in it. The Lhasa Apso is prone to hip dysplasia, skin allergies, problems concerning their eyes and kidney ailments.

Training

This breed will need to have an owner who is firm and can display dominance when necessary. These dogs are known to be quite stubborn and will need a patient, consistent owner to be able to train them so they obey and understand commands. Training sessions should be kept short and be made enjoyable to the dog so that its not considered a chore to practice basic obedience. Repetition and clarity of the commands are the keys to success for this breed!

Activity

The Lhasa Apso will need at least half an hour of exercise per day to tire them out. Trips to an off-leash dog park or a longer walk will be perfect! These little dogs are known to be quite playful during the day so will not need excessive exercise in the evening. The Lhasa Apso will do well in an apartment because they are small and don’t need the extra room of a household to roam around in. A backyard is not necessary but would be a bonus so they could have access to an outdoor space at home.

The Labrador Retriever, also called “Labrador” or “Lab” for short, is one of the most popular breed of dog in the North America and England. One of the oldest recognized breeds, there are more Labrador Retrievers officially registered with breed registries in the beginning of this century than any other purebred in the US or UK.

Originating on the island of Newfoundland, Canada, during the 1700s, the Labrador Retriever were brought to England in the early 1800s by English fishermen. The Labrador Retriever is the result of selective breeding between the now-extinct St. John’s Water Dog, the Newfoundland, and some native water dogs.

He was first used to jump overboard into the icy waters of the North Atlantic to retrieve large fish escaping from nets or to haul fisherman’s nets to shore. There are two types of Lab, the English and the American lines. The English bred Labrador are more calm, thick and heavy, while American bred Lab mature slowly and are tall and thin.

Breed Group

Sporting

Size

21 – 24 inches tall (at shoulder)

Weight

55 – 80 lbs, but some males can grow up to 100 lbs.

Color(s)

The Labrador Retriever coat colors are solid black, yellow or pale to deep “chocolate”, in that order of frequency and popularity and it’s possible to have all three colors within a single litter.

Coat

The Labrador Retriever is a short, straight, easy-care and very dense water-resistant double coat breed, thus protecting this breed from the extensive use of the dog in all types of ground and water environments.

Life Expectancy

About 10 – 12 years.

Personality

The highly intelligent Labrador Retriever is a loyal, affectionate, patient and high-spirited dog. They are good-natured, outgoing, and possess an extremely sociable temperament, they love everyone.

They are kind to children and friendly to other dogs and animals. They may be aloof with strangers and make good watchdogs, but not guard dogs.

The Labrador Retriever need human attention and to feel they are part of the family. Known as docile and reliable, these active dogs have even been put to work as service dogs for the handicapped person and numerous guide dogs for the blind in the world are Labrador Retrievers.

Care

Labrador Retrievers are a generally healthy breed with few major problems. However, they may suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia, ear infections, eye disorders and skin tumors. The smooth, short-haired, double coat requires regular grooming with a firm bristle brush. Bathe only when absolutely necessary.

Training

The versatile Labrador Retrievers is easy to train and open minded to new things, some of their talents include; hunting, police work, search and rescue, watchdogging, agility, and competitive obedience. They needs fairness, firmness, consistency in training and do not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods. The Labrador Retriever have very strong necks and must be train early not to pull on the leash.

Activity

Labrador Retrievers breed will do okay in an apartment dwelling if sufficiently exercised. They are fairly active indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard to run without a leash. They enjoy work and play (especially in water), family play sessions, swimming, retrieving a ball and fetch Frisbees.

The Lakeland Terrier originated in England and was bred to hunt down foxes and badgers. The plan was to kill them while they hide in their den as opposed to chasing the prey out of the den and tackling them. They are a mixture of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, the Old English Black and Tan Terrier and the Border Terrier.

This breed has a great resemblance to the Airedale Terrier. Their body is muscular and athletic giving them great agility and strength while on the hunt. They have a long muzzle and medium sized triangular floppy ears that prick upward and forwards. The Lakeland Terrier has a naturally long tail but will be docked for show purposes and they have long strong legs that give them their quick speed.

The Lakeland Terrier is a responsive, intelligent breed that thrives on attention from their owners. They will make great family pets because they adore kids and get along well with other dogs. Smaller family pets will need to be raised with these dogs as puppies so they become comfortable around them as adults. The Lakeland Terrier is an energetic and outgoing dog but they will be more aloof around people they haven’t met yet. Upon a couple of meetings they will become much more friendly.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 13-15 inches high

Females: 13-15 inches high

Weight

Males: 15-17 lbs
Females: 15-17 lbs

Color(s)

The Lakeland Terrier comes in a liver, wheat, red grizzle, tan grizzle, black & tan, red, blue, tan & blue or black. Most commonly seen are the black and tan colour variety. At birth, this breed is actually a darker version of their adult colouring and will lighten as they age.

Coat

This breed has a thick double layered coat with the outer layer being coarse and wiry. The under coat is fluffy and plush keeping their body temperature in to insulate them. Since the Lakeland Terrier has such a thick coat, it will need to be plucked once a year to remove the dead fur.

Life Expectancy

About 10-16 years.

Personality

The Lakeland Terrier is a happy-go-lucky breed that loves getting attention and spending time with their masters. They are not a breed to be left alone too often as they become very lonely. These dogs are very stubborn so will need to be trained firmly and consistently if they are to truly grasp the commands. This breed is said to be harder to housetrain but just like with basic obedience, repetition and consistency will be the key.

The Lakeland Terrier is a self-confident breed that possesses understanding and intensity when hunting. They do their job to the best of their abilities which gives them their reputation for being such hard working and effective dogs. Although they have an important breed purpose, the Lakeland Terrier is primarily a devoted companion to people.

Care

This breed will need a moderate amount of grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing them 1-2 times per week and bathing every month or two will be excellent for their coat. Annual plucking of their fur will be needed unless the dog will be participating in shows which they will then need a much more extensive grooming regimen. The Lakeland Terrier is prone to a couple of eye ailments such as cataracts and lens luxation. Legg perthes syndrome may also be genetically inherited.

Training

The Lakeland Terrier will need a very firm hand when it comes to their training because they are very stubborn dogs. Although incredibly clever, consistent training methods as well as short lessons will be the best way to teaching this dog basic obedience. The lessons should be made fun to encourage them to want to obey. Once these dogs pick up the training, it is burned into their memory!

Activity

This breed will need about an hour of exercise per day. Running around in an off-leash dog park or taken out on a walk will be perfect for these dogs. They love to chase after dogs or a ball, so this type of exercise will tire them out more quickly! The Lakeland Terrier will do well in an apartment but should have a backyard just to run around in at home. These dogs tend to play inside so will not need excessive amounts of exercise at the end of the day.