The Lowchen is a little dog that is a ball of energy and probably one of the most fun dogs you will ever own. They are a very easy dog to take care of, having very low maintenance needs.
They do require exercise the same as all dogs, but they do not have rigid requirements as to what type of exercise they should have. They love going for walks around the neighborhood or playing ball outdoors with the kids. They are very adaptable as far as not absolutely requiring they have exercise every day. If you have a busy lifestyle that doesn't allow you to walk your Lowchen on a daily basis, they will adapt.
Because they are a small dog, many people don't think they need as much exercise as a large dog, but they are full of energy and love to romp as much as any dog. They do need some sort of exercise, however, to keep them from becoming overweight or obese, a condition that can be harmful to the Lowchen's health.
Many Lowchen owners have their dog participate in shows and canine events such as agility or tracking. When they are practicing for these events, they are in all their glory - particularly the agility, which the Lowchen dog seems to love. They are getting all the exercise they need when they are competing. Keeping the Lowchen exercised as often as you possibly can is important to help him use up some of the surplus of energy they possess. It may also help ward off boredom, which often results in habits such as digging or nonstop barking.
The nutritional needs of the Lowchen are pretty average and basic. There are no major health concerns with this dog that might require any special foods. They do need to have cool fresh water available at all times, specifically in the summer time. They don't eat a lot, but should be fed on a regular schedule. There has been a lot of controversy as to how often to feed the Lowchen or any dog for that matter. Some breeders believe the food should be available at all times (a certain amount) and when the dog is hungry, he will eat. Others believe this causes obesity and believe when the food is put out; the dog should have a set time limit (perhaps 20 minutes) to eat the food. If the food isn't eaten in that time, it should be put away and taken out again at the next feeding.
This is all a matter of personal preference, often dictated by your lifestyle and availability. The type of food that the Lowchen has needs to vary as well. Most owners give their Lowchen a combination of dry or canned food as well as some natural food. The tide is turning more and more towards natural foods, with owners feeling it is much healthier for their dog. There are many natural foods on the market today with good meat content being the top ingredient, a fact that is very important for your Lowchen.
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