A Lowchen and a Portuguese Water Dog

"Fiona" and "Zoe" are two of the cutest, most adorable dogs imaginable. They belong to a very sweet cousin of mine, on my father's side of the family. Fiona is a four-year-old  "Lowchen," a German breed. Lowchens are  bred as companion dogs. 

They lived with royalty and were allowed to sleep in the beds of their masters because they helped keep humans warm.

My cousin said they are shaved in the backs of their bodies since their masters would put their hands on the dogs to keep their hands warm.

  "They are little furnaces," my cousin said. 

Lowchens also have hair as opposed to fur.  

The hair was another reason the dogs would be able to sleep in beds that were once made with hay.  Their hair would attract flies, lice and other little creatures, keeping everything off the humans!

"Fiona" has shaggy hair that falls over her eyes, making her look like a little lion.

She has amassed an entire collection of medals from winning at shows my cousin has entered her in!  Go "Fiona!"

She's as lovable as they come, too, and welcomes guests with a full heart.


"Zoe,"  a Portuguese water dog, is also a little darling. She comes running to the door whenever we visit and sits right down at my feet.

  Her breed of dogs is used by fishermen on boats in  Portugal.  They are great little helpers. 

"Zoe" is going to be 12 years old this year and has Addison's Disease but she's still going strong.

You should see her reach up for a treat!  It's amazing.

 Now don't get me wrong when you hear I'm usually not a dog person.  It's just that cats have always been my lovies.


But when it comes to "Fiona" and "Zoe,"  I cannot help but smile. These two doggies are the bomb!




ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH LOWCHEN OR PORTUGUESE WATER DOGS?