Abby

Thanks for the suggestion. We don't have crates but it sounds like a good idea. Since we've got two small dogs, do we put them in one crate or have two crates side by side? Or should we let the older dog 'free range' as usual?

Thanks Lowenhart. Post some pics of your beauties!

I didn't think I'd be posting a puppy problem here - as up until the last few weeks, our second pup has been a breeze. But recently, at almost 10 months of age, he has started to chew furniture when we're not at home. We never catch him doing it so we can't do the direct reprimand. Up until now we haven't seen any signs of boredom with the two dogs and the amount of time and frequency they're left alone has not changed. I am at a loss what to do! We've tried that bitter spray but it doesn't repel him. We have had doors, skirting boards, table legs and even the wall chewed - and I am not sure what to do to stop him. (I am pretty sure it is him and not our two-year-old female.) They have chews, toys and plenty of space to run around. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

I would like to know about the tail docking. Is there a reason why this is done? And do all/most/some puppies get their tails docked these days? On a side note, I just love these little guys!

Yay I've been looking forward to the lowchen thread!! 1. What is my relationship with the breed? I have two beautiful lowchen (pets) - Lucy is almost 2, Maximus is nine months. (As I am new to the breed, I haven't answered all the questions.) 3. How common is it in Australia? I still haven't met anyone in public (ie not a dog show) who knows what a lowchen is. I'm waiting for the day that someone knows the breed or who knows why my baby has "a poodle-like haircut". 5. What is the general temperament/personality? They're loving, happy and enjoy playing games. They love jumping and walking on two legs. But when you want quiet time they sense that and be a couch potato too. My two aren't barkers - nothing like the cliched little dog who yaps constantly. I waited two or three years from when I met lowchen for the first time, until we bought a house and were able to get our own. It was worth the wait and no other breed is like them, in my (biased) opinion! 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? Mine love to do zoomies around our house and yard. Lucy loves walks but Maximus gets bored/tired after a while. 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? In my experience it depends on the individual's personality. Like many dogs I think they're happier with a friend. (And for the record, my two get along famously.) 9. How much grooming is required? Daily brushing is best. It is easy for matted hair to sneak up on you. But after a while you know the places they tend to get knots and it is easy to prevent tangles from becoming matted. But if you opt for a pet/puppy clip, then every few days is all the brushing you'll need. Though after they've played in the yard I like to give them a quick brush as they pick up twigs, leaves in their coat usually. Best of all - they're low shedding. 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? I think they're well suited to kids and the elderly. Since they're only around the 5kg mark, even an excited puppy can't physically able to do much harm. We don't have kids but Lucy especially loves children. In the future I would love to train Maxi as a Delta dog to visit people in nursing homes, which I think he'll love. 11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of? Luxating patellas I believe.

Name: Maximus Nickname: Max (d'oh of course) Sex: Male Age: 11 weeks Breed: Lowchen Hobbies: Play fighting with his canine sister and cousin, tipping water out of the water dish Loves: Eating (food, hair, earrings), snuggling up to people, stealing dirty clothes from the bathroom Hates: Being ignored, eating alone

I guess any dog-friendly rental proprty would have a history of other dogs in the yard. So I wouldn't worry too much. I don't know if there is anything you can do to 'purify' the yard, maybe someone else knows.

Wow thank you so much! It is beautiful and I really appreciate your work.

Is this one dog named Lucy or 2 dogs??? ( sorry had to ask cause to me the 2 look completely different ) LOL you're not the first person to say that! Yep it is the one dog. She is a lowchen, they can change colour several times. She's only 14 months and she could change colour again. My cousin has been fooled twice now, saying "Did you get another dog?" I expect when he returns from a working holiday in Ireland, he will be fooled yet again!

Oh here's another one to choose from. Thanks in advance!

Hi, I just stumbled into this section. I had been wondering how come so many DOLers had graphic design skills (since the signatures are all so lovely). If some creative soul would be able to make me one for Lucy, my lowchen, I would greatly appreciate it.

Eww don't remind me! I found my dog with half a gecko when she was a puppy. Gross! Now there are heaps of Christmas beetles around and she loves chasing and 'investigating' them.

I like the idea of the yoghurt with banana. What other suggestions do have? Or do you just feed them a little bowl of just yoghurt on its own as a snack?

Belmont Road Vet Surgery at Tingalpa is where I go (even though I have to drive past three other vets to get there from my place). The breeder recommended it and since then I have found out several friends also recommend it. I am not sure if they specialise in your breed but the vet and his team are wonderful. Their prices seem quite reasonable too.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have just bought a new brush so I will give it a go tonight. I think the other one was poorer quality so that could explain a lot. Though since she is so full of beans, she never enjoys sitting still for more than 30 seconds. Will try food rewards in combination with the new brush.

Thanks for both of those tips. I will give it a go tonight. And the Academy Award goes to [my dog]. LOL You summed it up perfectly there.

My one year old dog has never enjoyed getting brushed. All she needs is a quick brush daily but she tries to run away and cries. Her hair is medium in length so she definitely needs to get used to brushing! I thought this would happen with age, since she has been brushed many many times now, but alas she still hates it. Does anyone have advice on how I can manage her behaviour?