The Polish Owczarek Nizinny, sometimes referred to as a PONS, is a dog bred for helping larger dogs to herd livestock. In the United States, the dog would also be called the Polish Lowland Sheepdog. This is a medium-sized dog that has a very even temperament. These dogs were bred to be used with larger, aggressive dogs that actually guarded and protected the flock, but that was not their primary role. Instead, they helped to keep the livestock in line and away from any dangerous areas. They are intelligent, well mannered, but can still be somewhat suspicious of strangers. For this reason, they can make ideal dogs for almost any environment, whether it is a country home or a city apartment.
The dog has good herding instincts and these seem to carry over to their love of children. They are intelligent and affectionate enough to make an ideal pet for a family with small children. The children will probably love the long thick coat which make them more like teddy bears than dogs, in a child's point of view. The dog's intelligence also makes it easy to house train, a huge plus if you live in the small space. However, it does have some willful and independent streaks and if you live in the city, it could benefit from obedience training too. The dog's herding and caring instincts also will extend towards other pets in the family. This is a good dog to add to your family, if you want more pets and already have some.
If you do live in an apartment, don't let the dog's size fool you. It will want to be exercised regularly as it would if it were herding sheep. Like most herding or guard dogs, they appreciate having some function in the household. Once they know what their job is, they will be sure to be a loyal and dependable part of your family. If they are not kept busy or exercised, they can get bored and act up. They do revel in being a watchdog and are quite good in this role.
If a PONs has a backyard to play in, this can keep it active. You will want to join in the fun by playing Frisbee or fetch with it. It does prefer to have some sort of activity in its day, even though the dog can be calm and quiet on other occasions and less rambunctious indoors. It loves to be a part of the family so that it can make an excellent companion dog for small children who will keep it busy and happy most of the day. The yard should be fenced, even though the dog is not aggressive, because it is highly suspicious of strangers and will seek to protect any member of its flock, whether it is a child or a pet of your household. The PON prefers a cooler climate because of its long wiry hair.
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