A true symbol of Poland, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a hard-working canine whose rich history has fascinated many. Read on to learn more about this boisterous breed!
1. This Breed Originates from Poland
Also known as the Polski Owczarek Nizinny (or even simply the Pon, which is an acronym from its Polish name), the Polish Lowland Sheepdog descends from the European country of Poland, hence its namesake. It is believed that this breed was developed around the 13th century from an admixture of both European dog breeds and those that were imported from Tibet by the Huns. This canine has been used to herd and wrangle sheep, but out of the countryside, it has been used as a watchdog in the city.
At one point, this breed was on the brink of extinction during World War II; fortunately, a veterinarian and dog fancier by the name of Dr. Danuta Hryniewicz was single-handedly responsible for saving this iconic dog. Almost if not all Polish Lowland Sheepdogs today can trace their ancestral roots to her Polish Lowland Sheepdog named Smok (which is the Polish word for dragon). During the 1950s, Smok fathered the first ten litters of Polish Lowland Sheepdog puppies during this decade. While still considered a rare breed today, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is currently no longer at risk of disappearing forever.
2. This Dog Is Beloved Its Home Country
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is widely celebrated throughout its home country. This breed is known for its strong work ethic, especially out in the countryside where they’ve worked alongside farmers. While used to herd livestock, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog also doubles as a livestock watchdog, protecting the herds from potential threats such as predators and intruders. Today, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog has become a popular companion canine for many.
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is considered to be the unofficial national dog of Poland. Like Poland itself, this breed has survived the devastation of World War II, a true testament to the resilience of this bold canine.
3. This Working Breed Has Many Jobs
Hence its title as a “sheepdog”, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is built for life out on the farm. It also serves as a livestock watchdog, making this dog a dual-purpose breed. Its hard work ethic has made it a cherished breed amongst farmers and shepherds. Being smaller than other sheepdogs, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog’s medium size makes them less likely to spook sheep compared to larger herding breeds. The size difference also helps as larger dogs may be too aggressive for any lambs in the herd.
In the city, where these dogs are mostly kept for companionship, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog doubles as a watchdog as they’re typically very wary of strangers. This is very important to take note of if you choose to bring a Polish Lowland Sheepdog home. Fortunately, this breed isn’t known for being very aggressive, but caution should always be taken.
4. These Sheepdogs Need Exercise to Thrive
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog, being a dog that was meant to work, must be exercised for at least an hour or two daily. This canine is highly athletic and full of energy, and ignoring this need is a recipe for disaster. As a reminder, a bored dog is a destructive one, and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is especially described here. This breed should be allowed to run around in a large, open space, such as a secured yard, every day. Long walks or hikes are also appreciated by this canine. The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is also a suitable candidate for athletic canine sports, such as agility and obedience trials. Herding trials are a great competitive exercise that allows your dog to maximize its full breed potential.
Being considered a highly intelligent breed, this canine also needs to be exercised mentally, not just physically (to be fair, all dogs do, but breeds high in intelligence must especially be engaged). Some puzzles and toys allow your dog to utilize problem-solving skills. Even physical sports such as agility and obedience trials require your dog to use its brain power. Allowing this breed to explore its surroundings while on walks is also a great option: a trip to a nature trail is a fantastic way to allow them to take in its surroundings!
5. Frequent Grooming is a Must!
For the Polish Lowland Sheepdog, grooming must NOT be ignored. If you wish to keep its full coat, then brushing every day is an absolute must, with a thorough brushing throughout its entire body once a week.
Being a double-coated breed, this dog will also shed seasonally, so a fur-free household is almost impossible if you choose to bring a Polish Lowland Sheepdog home. If brushing is ignored, this can cause matting to form, which can be very painful for your canine companion. Brushing also removes debris, such as dirt, from the outdoors. The Polish Lowland Sheepdog can also be kept in a puppy or “summer” clip, which is usually easier to maintain; even still, brushing is still something that will need to be done frequently.
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog can suffer from “shaggy dog syndrome”, which occurs in dogs with shaggier coats as they’re more prone to picking up debris and may also drip water from their beards after drinking. Bathing should be done every six to eight weeks, and a light brushing session should be done beforehand. NEVER bathe a Polish Lowland Sheepdog with a matted coat as this can worsen any tangles that may exist.
As with all breeds, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog’s nails should be trimmed every few weeks to prevent overgrowth and discomfort. Your dog’s ears should also be cleaned weekly to prevent wax buildup or infection. Your dog’s dental hygiene is also very important; their teeth need to be brushed. While brushing them every day is highly recommended, several times a week can also suffice. Even though dental chews are enjoyed by your dog, they should be supplemental only and should not substitute teeth brushing.
6. This Breed Is Generally Healthy
Luckily, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a generally healthy breed of dog. As with other medium-to-large-sized breeds, this canine can be prone to hip dysplasia and arthritis.
Hip dysplasia occurs when your dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly, causing discomfort as they’re out of place. Being an active breed, your dog can also develop some injuries, so be sure to supervise them during playtime. Some Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, like other breeds, may also develop a condition known as autoimmune thyroiditis, which is when your dog’s immune system attacks the thyroid glands. This in turn can cause an imbalance of hormone production, causing hypothyroidism.
Conditions such as hip dysplasia and autoimmune thyroiditis can often be hereditary in origin, and responsible breeders will be sure to screen all of their dogs and puppies for such genetic health issues. Do not obtain a puppy or dog from a breeder who won’t screen their dogs for these conditions.
As with all other dogs, your Polish Lowland Sheepdog should be examined by a veterinarian annually to ensure that any health issues are targeted early on. If your dog displays any signs or symptoms of illness, a veterinary appointment should be scheduled as soon as possible.
7. This Breed Fares Well with Experienced Owners
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is popularly kept as a companion animal today, being a loving member of the family; however, this dog may require some experience as while charming, it may also be a bit hard-headed and strong-willed. This dog, while intelligent and loyal, is known to be rather stubborn and can be very difficult to train.
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog requires patience and a firm, but gentle approach. As with all other dogs, this breed handles harsh treatment very poorly. Due to its exercise needs, this canine should not live in an apartment or other smaller household settings. A house with a large, secure yard is best.
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog bonds very well with its family. It is known to be very wary of strangers; despite this, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog isn’t a dog that is usually known to be aggressive. That being said, training and socialization should both begin early in puppyhood to prevent problematic behaviors that could potentially arise. Provided that all of its needs are met, this canine makes a fun-loving and playful family companion for years to come.
As with all other dogs, bringing a Polish Lowland Sheepdog requires lots of dedicated research. As this breed is rather rare, obtaining a puppy may require a waitlist or even traveling far just to be obtained from a reputable breeder. Always source your dog from a reputable breeder or rescue group.
