Polish Lowland Sheepdog

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog — Polski Owczarek Nizinny — is a shaggy medium herding dog whose survival came down to one woman and a handful of dogs.

History

It has worked Polish flocks for centuries and contributed to the Bearded Collie when Polish dogs were traded to Scotland in the sixteenth century. The Second World War nearly finished it; Dr Danuta Hryniewicz gathered the survivors afterwards, and her dog Smok is behind the entire modern breed.

Temperament

The breed is known for being clever, self-confident and watchful, devoted to its family, wary of strangers and possessed of a long memory — trainers note it remembers both good and bad handling.

Care and training

It needs substantial exercise and mental work. The long shaggy double coat mats and needs thorough brushing several times a week. Training suits consistency; it will test an inconsistent handler.

Health

Generally robust, with hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy among the known tendencies. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.