Polish Lowland Sheepdog Dog Breed Profile

by Luke Blaise

AKC Group: Herding Group

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog, also called "PON", is a native dog of Poland. Descended from more ancient sheepdogs, it is great at herding. This dog would make a great farm dog and also a good guard dog as well.

History

It is believed that the PON (Polish Lowland Sheepdog) originated from the covered working dogs established in Asia, such as the Lhasa apso and Tibetan terrier. The Tibetan citizens were serious traders, and so the breed transferred to Asia and to the Europe, in which the dogs were mixed with native working dogs. This dog has been recognized in Poland since before sixteenth century, where he's used for guarding and herding.

Physical Features

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a compact, medium-sized, muscular and strong dog with a thick, long coat and dangling hair that covers the eyes. He's naturally shaggy in look with a natural bobbed or docked tail. Well balanced because of a robust skeleton. Height at the withers on a mature dog is 18 to 20 inches, and 17 to 19 inches for bitches.

The whole body is protected with a dense, long, shaggy, thick coat that's moderately straight. The external coat must be crisp with a waterproof texture. The undercoat is dense and soft. All coat shades are appropriate. The most typical colors are white with either sandy, gray or black spots and gray with chocolate or white. Most carry a dominating fading aspect genetically, which leads to PON puppies being born darker in coat color than they'll look as adults with the exemption of the PON puppies born white.

Personality

PONS are self confident and stable. He wants a superior master and reliable training from the time he's very young. If this isn't given, he will have a tendency to control the master. When not utilized as a working or herding dog, he could be a wonderful companion as it seems to go with any kind of lifestyle. He's extremely faithful, but a bit aloof and suspicious of other people.

Common Health Problems

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a fairly hardy breed, but should be fed a low protein diet.

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