The Polish Lowland Sheepdog, or Polski Owczarek Nizinny as they say in Poland, is a medium-sized, compact, muscular dog with long, dense hairHe has an excellent temperament for shepherding work and also makes a great pet, since he is very affectionate and playful with his own.
This dog needs a lot of physical activity as well as mental training with intelligence games so that it doesn't get bored and doesn't develop bad behavior such as excessive barking. However, you can live either in flats or houses, as long as you have the necessary space and long walks every day. Likewise, it is also convenient to brush it daily due to the amount of fur it has.
If you would like to adopt a Polish Lowland Sheepdog but you don't know anything about this breed, keep reading this article on our site and find out everything.
Origin of the Polish Lowland Dog
The origin of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is unknown, as are most ancient dog breeds. However, this dog has been known since the Middle Ages for his skills as herding dogin the plains of ancient Poland. It is thought to be the result of crosses between long-haired Tibetan dogs and Hungarian corded/braided dogs. Thus, this breed would be related to the Puli, the Brie Shepherd, the Schapendoes and the Bearded Collie, since the latter was created from these Polish dogs according to tradition.
Like the vast majority of Central European breeds, this Polish Lowland Sheepdog almost became extinct at the end of World War II. Currently, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is little known outside of Europe, but it has fans in different countries of that continent and, especially, in Poland and Great Britain. It has also become popular as a pet in Australia and North America.
Physical Characteristics of the Plains Sheepdog
These dogs are of average size The males reach a height at the withers of between 45 and 50 centimeters. Females reach a height at the withers of between 42 and 47 centimeters. The weight is around 15 kilograms. The body of this dog is rectangular in profile, with a height-length ratio of 9:10. This is a muscular dog, with a straight back and a deep chest.
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog's head is medium and well proportioned to the body, but the thick, long fur that covers it makes it look larger than it is. The nose should be as dark as possible, taking into account the color of the hair. The eyes are medium, oval and hazelnut. They have a lively and penetrating gaze. The ears are set very high, hanging, medium and heart-shaped.
This dog's tail can be rudimentary, short, medium or long. Most commonly, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are born without tails or with short tails. Unfortunately, the breed standard still accepts tail docking for this breed, a primitive custom that damages the physical and mental he alth of the dog. The hair is abundant, strong, bushy and thick, and covers the entire body. In addition, this dog has a soft inner fleece, which helps protect it from the weather. The coat can be any color.
Plains Sheepdog Character
These dogs are vigilant, alert, lively and very intelligent. The selection to which they were subjected as sheepdogs has left them with a stable and patient temperament.
They tend to be very affectionate with their own as they love to play with and protect their human relatives, but are cautious and reserved with strangers, although not very shy. Even so, they are not usually aggressive dogs. Despite being territorial animals, they tend to be social with other dogs and other pets. In any case, the socialization of dogs is very important to avoid problems of aggressiveness or shyness.
Excessive barking aside, which is one of the most common problems with this breed due to their herding instincts, these dogs can make great pets for dynamic families who like outdoor activities. Polish Lowland Sheepdogs tend to get along with children who are respectful of their pets.
Plains Sheepdog Care
Hair care is simple, but it takes a lot of time. It is necessary to brush and comb these dogs every day to prevent their coats from matting. However, it is not good to bathe them very often and it is better to do it only when it is really necessary.
These dogs need plenty of exercise each day. Although they can adjust well to life in small apartments, they need to be given at least three good walks a day and some play time. Canine sports such as agility and, of course, herding, can help channel the energies of these dogs. Because if they get bored or remain inactive for a long time, they can become destructive, nervous and barking dogs.
Plains Sheepdog Education
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are highly intelligent dogs that can be easily trained However, their instincts are also very strong and can take precedence over dog training. For this reason, these dogs do not usually stand out in work tests, except when it comes to herding. Either way, positive training works best for these dogs, and especially clicker training.
Among the behavior problems common in this breed, as mentioned above, are excessive barking and heel biting behavior to "herd" people. Both behaviors are instinctive and are not eliminated by training, but must be channeled into permitted activities. Keeping the dog busy also helps prevent these problem behaviors.
Plains Sheepdog He alth
There are no known common canine diseases characteristic of this breed, but the Polish Lowland Sheepdog should still be given the veterinary care he needs and his vaccination schedule carefully followed.
It's also a good idea to check his ears and eyes regularly to make sure there are no problems and prevent future infections or fungus. As well as frequently inspecting his coat, especially if the Polish Plains Shepherd performs many activities in the field or outdoors, as we can prevent parasites or small skin injuries.
