The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is an intelligent, self-assured, and a little stubborn herding dog with a shaggy coat that enjoys exercise and labor-intensive tasks. They are the preferred companions and watchdogs of Polish city people since they are small, vigilant, and flexible. First, a word about that moniker: PON stands for Polski Owczarek Nizinny, the designation of the breed in Poland. PONs are robust and stocky while being not very huge dogs, standing little more than 20 inches at the shoulder. The double coat, which is long and shaggy on top and soft and dense below, covers the rectangular body from head to toe and comes in a variety of colors. The eyes, which express the sharp, penetrating glance so typical of watchdogs and herders, are hidden by the head’s thick coat.
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
confident / lively / clever
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.
Height
18-20 inches (male)
17-19 inches (female)
Weight
30-50 pounds
Life Expectancy
12-14 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Affectionate With Family
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Openness To Strangers
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!
Playfulness Level
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
Adaptability Level
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.
Trainability Level
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!
Energy Level
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.
Barking Level
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.
Mental Stimulation Needs
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.
About the Breed
What To Expect When Caring For a Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are typically in good health, and responsible breeders examine their stock for conditions like hip dysplasia and regularly correspond with other committed breeders, working cooperatively to maintain the breed's health and preserve its distinctive characteristics. To ensure the dog has a long, healthy life, regular trips to the vet for checks and parasite management are recommended.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Hip Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Grooming
The thick, double coat of the PON is scruffy and needs a lot of upkeep. The undercoat is silky and dense, while the outer coat is sharp with a texture that repels water. A PON kept in full coat requires at least one thorough brushing every week. Even if a PON is maintained in a puppy or "summer" clip, regular brushing is still required to keep the coat clear of mats and other debris like grass, weeds, and flower flowers. Additionally, the nails should be cut each week, and the ears should be examined and cleaned as necessary.
Exercise
The athletic, high-energy PON requires daily activity in large amounts. He ought to have access to a sizable, enclosed yard at the very least, where he can play for a while each day. PONs form strong bonds with their owners and adore going on long walks or hikes with them, as well as competing alongside them in dog sports including obedience, herding, agility competitions, and dock diving.
Training
The energetic, athletic PON needs a lot of daily exercise. At the very least, he should have access to a spacious, enclosed yard where he can play for a bit each day. PONs develop close relationships with their owners and enjoy participating with them in canine activities including obedience, herding, agility trials, and dock diving. They also enjoy taking them on long walks or treks.
Nutrition
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog should thrive on premium dog food, whether it is made commercially or at home under the guidance and consent of your veterinarian. Whatever the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior), the diet should be suitable. Watch your dog's calorie intake and weight level because certain dogs are prone to obesity. Treats can be a valuable training tool, but offering them in excess might lead to obesity. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.
History
The Huns were one of the legions of Asian invaders that poured into central Europe during the last days of the Roman Empire. PONs are said to be the offspring of Hunnic dogs and native stock in the region that is now known as Poland. PONs were designed to be fearless guard dogs at night and calm flock dogs during the day. PONs are believed to have contributed to the genetic puzzle that became the Bearded Collie around the 1500s when traders introduced them to Scotland.