Polish Lowland SheepdogCharacteristics, history, training and care

Polish Lowland Sheepdog. · Pleple2000 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized.

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog (PON) is a medium-sized herding dog, muscular and thickset, covered in an abundant, shaggy coat that falls over its eyes. The standard describes it as lively but balanced, alert, agile, intelligent, perceptive and with a good memory. It works as a sheepdog and guard, and in town it makes a very good companion.

Quick facts

Common name	Polish Lowland Sheepdog (Polski Owczarek Nizinny, PON)
Scientific name	Canis lupus familiaris
Country of origin	Poland
Official recognition	FCI, definitively since 5 October 1963 (group 1, sheepdogs; standard no. 251); also recognised by the AKC
Lifespan	12–14 years, according to the AKC
Size (males)	45–50 cm at the withers; 14–23 kg according to the AKC
Size (females)	42–47 cm at the withers; 14–23 kg according to the AKC
Coat type	Shaggy, harsh, dense, with a soft undercoat
Common colours	All colours and markings
Energy level	High
Suited to an apartment?	Yes, with plenty of exercise
Temperament	Lively, balanced, alert, intelligent, with a good memory
Tendency to aggression	Low; distrustful of strangers
Good with children	Good, according to the AKC
Good with other animals	Good, according to the AKC
Genetic predispositions	Hip dysplasia, eye diseases

Primary category:Dog breeds
Explore this animal's categories:
Dog breeds Dog breeds for apartments Medium dog breeds Shepherd and herding dog breeds

History and origin

Wikipedia says the breed probably descends from the Puli, the Tibetan Terrier and other herding dogs and that, according to legend, it is one of the ancestors of the Bearded Collie.

Almost extinct during the Second World War, the breed was rebuilt mainly thanks to Dr Danuta Hryniewicz and her dog Smok (“Dragon”), the ancestor of every PON alive today, who sired the first ten litters in the 1950s. Smok set the type of the breed.

How the breed developed

Second World War – The breed almost disappears.
1950s – The dog Smok sires the first ten litters.
5 October 1963 – The FCI recognises the breed.
7 August 1998 – The current FCI standard is published.

Breed rating

Feature	Stars
Training and intelligence	★★★★☆
Easy to train	★★★★☆
Intelligence	★★★★★
Independence	★★★★☆
Stubbornness	★★★★☆
Behaviour and temperament	★★★★☆
Affectionate with family	★★★★★
Friendly with children	★★★☆☆
Good with other dogs	★★★☆☆
Good with cats and other animals	★★★☆☆
Loyalty	★★★★★
Tendency to be aggressive	★★☆☆☆
Tendency to bark	★★★★☆
Needs and care	★★☆☆☆
Shedding	★★★★☆
Needs frequent grooming	★★★☆☆
Activity and lifestyle	★★★☆☆
Energy level	★★★★☆
Daily exercise needs	★★★★★
Suited to apartment life	★★★☆☆
Health and longevity	★★★★☆
Life expectancy	★★★★☆
Predisposition to genetic diseases	★★☆☆☆
Working abilities and uses	★★★★★
Good herding dog	★★★★☆
Good companion dog	★★★★★

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. It is based on the ratings the American Kennel Club gives the breed and on the FCI standard.

Physical characteristics

The AKC says it is not a big dog, but it is muscular and thickset, with a rectangular body covered from head to tail in a double coat: long and shaggy on top, soft and dense underneath.

General appearance

The abundant hair on the forehead, cheeks and chin makes the head look heavier than it is. The hair on the forehead falls over the eyes in a characteristic way. The coat may be straight or slightly wavy.

Feature	Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Size	Medium
Height at the withers	males: 45–50 cm; females: 42–47 cm
Weight	14–23 kg (AKC)
Coat	Shaggy, double
Eyes	Covered by hair
Body	Rectangular, muscular

All colours and markings are accepted. Wikipedia says the most common are white, grey and brown, with black, grey or brown patches, and that the colours often lighten with age.

Training and socialisation

The AKC says the PON is an excellent house dog: it accepts other animals, is a gentle and tireless playmate for children, an alert watchdog and a quick learner.

However, it can be dominant, stubborn and suspicious of strangers, so early socialisation and puppy classes are strongly recommended.

Tips for effective training

Start socialising it early. It can be suspicious of strangers.
Be consistent. It can be dominant and stubborn.
Use its memory. The standard says it has a good memory.
Try dog sports. It does well at obedience, herding and agility.

Activity needs and lifestyle

The AKC says it is an athletic, energetic dog that needs plenty of exercise every day: at least an hour or two a day in a large, fenced yard. It enjoys long walks, hikes and dog sports with its owner.

Activity	How often	Why it matters
Running in a fenced yard	1–2 hours a day	High energy
Long walks or hikes	several times a week	Bonds with its owner
Dog sports	weekly	Mental activity

Tips for a balanced life

Set aside time for coat care.
It copes well with bad weather.
It suits active families.

Care and health

Coat and skin care

The AKC says the shaggy double coat needs a lot of care. A PON in full coat should be brushed thoroughly at least once a week; even with a short “summer” clip, it needs regular brushing so it does not mat.

Common health problems

The AKC says it is generally healthy, and responsible breeders screen their dogs for:

Condition	Description	Common symptoms
Hip dysplasia	The hip joint forms incorrectly and, over time, arthritis develops	Limping, difficulty getting up or jumping, hip pain
Eye diseases	Inherited eye conditions	Watery eyes, poor vision

Other care

Clean the eyes hidden under the hair.
Trim the hair between the toes.
Check the ears regularly.

Diet and nutrition

The AKC says some dogs gain weight easily, so calories and weight should be watched.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

Dog's weight	Calories per day (neutered)	Calories per day (not neutered)	Dry food per day (approximate)
14 kg	810 kcal	910 kcal	200–260 g
18 kg	980 kcal	1,100 kcal	240–310 g
23 kg	1,180 kcal	1,320 kcal	300–380 g

Give it its food in two meals a day.
Treats count towards the daily portion.
A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs under the coat without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Reproduction and development

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Most breeds become adults at around 13–15 months.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In dogs, a litter has 5–6 puppies on average, and the number rises with the size of the breed. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.