Is the Airedale Terrier Better than the Lowchen as a Pet? Answer…

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Airedale Terrier Versus Lowchen: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Airedale Terrier and for the Lowchen. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Airedale Terrier or the Lowchen.

Airedale Terrier versus Lowchen

Airedale Terrier versus Lowchen: Overview

A very important difference between the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Airedale Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Lowchen is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Airedale Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

On the other hand, the Lowchen belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Airedale Terrier versus Lowchen: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Airedale Terrier to the Lowchen based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen

Factor Airedale Terrier Lowchen
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 13 years 13 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Height 21 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Weight 40 to 65 pounds 9 to 18 pounds
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1360 $2870
Price Range $950 – $1800 $1642 – $4500
Temperament Score 78.2 percent 75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 57 163

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Airedale Terrier in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Lowchen. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Airedale Terrier is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Lowchen is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lowchen is a better pet than the Airedale Terrier. So, you should get the Lowchen!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen

    Below is a list of where the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen are most different:

  • Airedale Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Lowchens adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen

    The Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen are most similar:

  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen are very easy to train.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Airedale Terrier versus Lowchen

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen.

    Airedale Terriers weigh 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Airedale Terriers are 21 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Airedale Terrier versus Lowchen

    The lifespan of Airedale Terriers is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Airedale Terriers is 11.5 years.

    The lifespan of Lowchens is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lowchens is 14.0 years.

    Lowchens live longer than Airedale Terriers.

    Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Airedale Terrier

    The Airedale Terrier has a better temperament than the Lowchen.

    This is because the temperament score for the Airedale Terrier is 78.2 percent while the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 78.2 percent, the Airedale Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 75.0 percent, the Lowchen has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen by measuring the temperaments of 110 Airedale Terriers and 12 Lowchens.

    Price of Airedale Terrier versus Price of Lowchen

    The average price of the Airedale Terrier puppy is $1360. The price of the Airedale Terrier typically ranges from $950 – $1800. However, the price of a Airedale Terrier can be as low as $250 and as high as $3135. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 282 Airedale Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Lowchen puppy is $2870. The price of the Lowchen typically ranges from $1642 – $4500. However, the price of the Lowchen can be as low as $300 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 7 Lowchen puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lowchen is more expensive than the Airedale Terrier.

    Airedale Terrier Lowchen
    Average Price $1360 $2870
    Price Range $950 to $1800 $1642 to $4500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Airedale Terrier and Lowchen. For different price points, the charts show how many Airedale Terrier puppies or how many Lowchen puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Airedale Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Airedale Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens

    A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Airedale Terrier puppy or the Lowchen puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Popularity of Airedale Terrier versus Popularity of Lowchen

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Airedale Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Airedale Terrier is 57 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Airedale Terrier

    Popularity of Airedale Terrier

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Year Airedale Terrier Popularity Rank Lowchen Popularity Rank
    2013 56 154
    2014 57 165
    2015 53 161
    2016 55 171
    2017 55 169
    2018 60 168
    2019 60 158
    2020 62 161

    Health Problems of Airedale Terrier versus Health Problems of Lowchen

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Airedale Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lowchen.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Airedale Terrier than for the Lowchen.

    5 health tests are recommended for Airedale Terrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Lowchen.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Airedale Terriers and in Lowchens.

    Airedale Terrier Health Problems

    Airedale Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Airedale Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Airedale Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Airedale Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Airedale Terriers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Airedale Terriers here.

    Lowchen Health Problems

    Lowchens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lowchen puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Lowchen puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lowchen breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Lowchens for:

  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lowchens here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Airedale Terriers and Lowchens

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Airedale Terrier Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Airedale Terrier ranks 17 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 78 Airedale Terriers, 2 of them had Eyes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Airedale Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Airedale Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Eyes problems: Rank 17 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 29 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 44 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 107 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Lowchen Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Lowchen ranks 19 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 Lowchens, 9 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Lowchens, and how common these diseases are in Lowchens relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 19 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 42 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 163 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Airedale Terrier and in Lowchen and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen:

    Disease Airedale Terrier Rank Lowchen Rank
    Eyes problems 17 out of 182 dog breeds 42 out of 182 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 29 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 44 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 107 out of 198 dog breeds 163 out of 198 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 19 out of 145 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Airedale Terrier versus Lowchen

    Airedale Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

    Do Airedale Terriers shed more than Lowchens?

    Airedale Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Lowchens shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Airedale Terrier or the Lowchen

    Airedale Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Airedale Terrier or the Lowchen?

    Airedale Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Airedale Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lowchen?

    Airedale Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Lowchens have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Airedale Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Lowchens?

    Airedale Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Lowchens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Airedale Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Airedale Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Airedale Terrier vs. Lowchen

    Airedale Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Lowchens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Airedale Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Airedale Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Lowchens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Airedale Terrier or the Lowchen?

    Airedale Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Airedale Terriers good family dogs? What about Lowchens?

    Airedale Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Lowchens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Airedale Terriers and Lowchens?

    Airedale Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Lowchens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Airedale Terrier Easier to Train than the Lowchen?

    Airedale Terriers are very easy to train.

    Lowchens are very easy to train.

    Is the Airedale Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Lowchen?

    Airedale Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Airedale Terrier or the Lowchen?

    Airedale Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Lowchens are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Airedale Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Airedale Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Airedale Terrier:

  • Australian Shepherd (80 percent match with Airedale Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Australian Shepherd.
  • Curly-Coated Retriever (82 percent match with Airedale Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Curly-Coated Retriever.
  • English Springer Spaniel (80 percent match with Airedale Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lowchen

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lowchen that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Lowchen:

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Airedale Terrier vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (80 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Airedale Terrier vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Airedale Terrier and how the Lowchen compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Airedale Terrier and of the Lowchen to other breeds:

    Airedale Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Airedale Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     Airedale Terrier versus Field Spaniel     Airedale Terrier versus Akita Chow     Airedale Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier     Airedale Terrier versus Japanese Spitz     Airedale Terrier versus Boston Terrier     Airedale Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     Airedale Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound     Airedale Terrier versus Labrador Retriever     Airedale Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound     Airedale Terrier versus Bich Poo     Airedale Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     Airedale Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     Airedale Terrier versus Cockalier     Airedale Terrier versus Newfoundland     Airedale Terrier versus Spinone Italiano     Airedale Terrier versus American Hairless Terrier     Airedale Terrier versus Biewer Terrier     Airedale Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     Airedale Terrier versus Chinese Crested     Airedale Terrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Airedale Terrier versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Airedale Terrier versus German Shepherd Dog     Airedale Terrier versus Bolognese     Airedale Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     

    Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lowchen versus Sealyham Terrier     Lowchen versus Basenji     Lowchen versus Keeshond     Lowchen versus Welsh Terrier     Lowchen versus Cairn Terrier     Lowchen versus Bracco Italiano     Lowchen versus Bernedoodle     Lowchen versus Skye Terrier     Lowchen versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Lowchen versus Jack Russell Terrier     Lowchen versus Sussex Spaniel     Lowchen versus Boxerdoodle     Lowchen versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Lowchen versus Afador     Lowchen versus Frenchton     Lowchen versus Bluetick Coonhound     Lowchen versus Shihpoo     Lowchen versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Lowchen versus Kishu Ken     Lowchen versus Schipperke     Lowchen versus Lhasa Apso     Lowchen versus Collie     Lowchen versus Cairn Terrier     Lowchen versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Lowchen versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     

    Conclusion: Airedale Terrier versus Lowchen. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Airedale Terrier and the Lowchen better suits you and your family.