Solid Black, Solid Grey, Tan markings, White, White/Grey, Grey/Black, Chocolate, Brown
Long
Medium
Moderate Shed
18- 20 inches (45-50 cm)
30-35 pounds (14-16 kg.)
17-19 inches (42-47cm)
30-35 pounds (14-16 kg.)
These dogs make excellent apartment pets as long as they get plenty of exercise on a regular basis. They tend to prefer cooler climates, but they also adapt relatively easily and can enjoy living in a variable living environment. These dogs need freedom of movement and plenty of space to explore; a small fenced in back yard is most suitable for outdoor activities, but smaller living spaces still work as long as they get fresh air throughout the day. These dogs are highly compatible to various lifestyles and living conditions, and are self-controlled in new surroundings. They do not fare well by being chained up or cooped up for extended periods of time. Owners need to take them out to explore new spaces but also provide a safe and secure living environments.
Description
The Polish Owczarek Nizinny is a balanced dog with a long wire-haired coat and has a very smooth and soft under-layer. The most common coat colors are white with grey or black, but plain grey is the most common variety around the world. The eyes are usually a rich brown or hazel in color, and the nose is dark.
This dog is well-balanced and somewhat athletic; muscles are healthy and broad, these dogs have a lot of hair on their forehead, cheeks, and chin area. The legs are covered with a dense hair and thighs are well muscled as well. The tail is usually quite short and the dog has a natural bobtail. The teeth meet together in a level bite, and the back is level, broad, and stretched out evenly. The neck holds the head high, and the head is almost apple-shaped and quite round. Although this dog is fairly rare in the United States, it is commonly found throughout Europe. They are a medium-sized, shaggy coated dog native to Poland. The shaggy-eyed look of these dogs gives them a friendly and happy appearance, and they bond well with children.
These dogs have a strong skeleton that is very well-balanced. They tend to perform well in a variety of actvities, and have an intense work ethic along with their desire to please. The silhouette is more rectangular than square, offering them the benefits of added speed during racing or herding. They do have longer legs than dogs of similar structure, and this can sometimes be a hindrance to their overall strenght. The head is medium-sized in proportion to the rest of th ebody, and they have profuse hair on the forehead and cheeks that often requires trimming and maintenance. The eyes are medium sized and oval, and they naturally have a lively and penetrating gaze. The ears are set too high for these dogs making them less likely to use their hearing as a strength during activities. They have convex and concave muzzles, but the jaws are strong. Their pink nose indicates that they are lacking natural pigment.
Famous for their even temper and high intelligence, these dogs adapt well to families and country dwellings. They are very good protector dogs and can quickly become a part of the family. They are considered working dogs and make wonderful companions and watchdogs.
The Polish Owczarek Nizinny is naturally double coated with a non-shedding coat. It requires moderate grooming, and the coat is commonly white with black, grey, or tan. The coat is more shaggy in the face and neck area. All coat colors are acceptable.
History
The Polish Owczarek Nizinny is sometimes simply shortened to PONS and is found throughout Europe. They have historically been descendants of the Puli breed, and these dogs were bred with Huns herding dogs in the early centuries of Europe. Originally from Poland, these lowland sheepdogs were used to work on the lowland plains. Guarding was another opportunity for these dogs to maximize their skills, and cross breeding did not begin until the early 16th century. It is believed that a sailing from Gdansk to Scotland bought the first batch of PONS to the western world, and a shepherd asked for a pair in exchange for a fine horned ram. A deal was made and three dogs serve as the ancestors to the Bearded Collie with a close resemblance as the PONS we know today. These dogs are sturdy and have strong spirits; they are naturally good natured and very loyal to their trainers, caretakers, and owners.
The Polish Owczarek Nizinny is a robust and energetic sheepdog with plenty of stamina, and have historically evolved from ancient herding dogs from the Hungarian plain region. They were originally red alongside long-coated mountain herders, and the damages from World War II almost led to their extinction.
Still, many breeders and breeding enthusiasts recovered this dog and continued to bring it to the western world. The corded Asian herding dogs were brought to Europe over 1,000 years earlier, and then bred with shaggy herders including the Dutch Schapendoes and Scottish Bearded Collie. The breed was revived shortly after World War II and were especially popular Poland and other regions of Europe. They made excellent household companions and continue to work well as sheepdogs and herders. They work obediently and have very strong tracking abilities.
Temperament
The Polish Owczarek Nizinny is a stable and confident breed, but can become very suspicious of strangers and new surroundings. They have very dominant characteristics and can overcome a weak-willed owner at times. They have a very good memory and this is helpful during their training periods, especially during the younger years. They take instruction very well and have a unique personality.
Affectionate, loving, and energetic the Polish Owczarek Nizinny is a popular companion dog for many apartment dwellers and small homes. They make wonderful pets for families and can become quite attached to their owners, guardians, and specific family members. They are outwardly happy and alert, and are also very obedient. When the lines of respect have been drawn, these dogs will behave appropriately whenever the owners are present. They are dependable and will happily learn new skills. They are very willing to please and will fare well with firm and fair obedience training.
These dogs are fast learners and thinkers, but their strong will can dominate initial attempts of training. With the right strategy, owners can train these dogs to become responsible and they do take their training seriously. These dogs may display herding behavior and commonly nip at people's heels. However, they are excellent with children and they can become friendly and sociable with other dogs relatively quickly. Many of these dogs stand out as leaders in their dog groups, and they are also very friendly with non-canine pets. As a working dog, these dogs are happiest when they have a task to accomplish or a job to do. They are lively and clever, and have historically been used to herd sheep and cattle. Socialization for these dogs is very important, and they are easily adaptive. The Polish Owczarek Nizinny makes an excellent traveling companion and does not become frightened or fearsome of new environments.
As puppies, these dogs train easily and effectively; they are very sensitive to commands and do well with ongoing training in short segments. Alert, bright, and happy, these dogs can be trained within a few weeks and months. These dogs are stable, self-assured, confident, and can master their training in a relatively short period of time. They can become very strong companions and will fit most lifestyles. When they are fearsome, they may resort to extreme behaviors and even become cowardly. However, when they are in their comfort zone they are naturally stronger.
Health Problems
The Polish Owczarek Nizinny is a fairly hardy breed and has limited Health conditions and issues during development. A few special medical conditions to be aware of include:
Low protein Diet: these dogs do well on a low protein Diet on a regular basis.
Grooming
The Polish Owczarek Nizinny has a signature long wire-haired coat and needs to be brushed at least once per week to prevent matting. Matting of the hair can become very uncomfortable and if the dog is not well-maintained it will easily become distressed. This dog is an average shedder and will require regular visits to the dog groomer's for optimum upkeep.
A good strong brushing will keep the coat looking glossy, smooth, and tidy. The coat does not tangle easily but does need to be kept clean and free of debris. If the dog has been outdoors for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to give it a bath and maintain its soft coat.
Bathing on a regular basis will prevent ticks and other dirt-related problems, even infections. These dogs do need regular trips to the Vet to check for health conditions or problems, and having the nails clipped by a professional is a good idea.
Exercise
Since the Polish Owczarek Nizinny is a natural sheepdog, it has boundless energy and enjoys the thrill of running about . These dogs also have a lot of patience, and owners need not worry too much about the dog chewing and biting home furnishings when they are bored. These dogs can take care of themselves and will find their own activities to tend to. Still, they do need stimulation and will become restless and bored if they are not paid enough attention.
The ideal form of exercise for the Polish Owczarek Nizinny is a long run or walk with its owners, as well as time spent in a park. Frisbee, playing with balls, and simply playing "fetch" give them enough activities to share their enthusiasm and these dogs do well with a change of games, events, and toys. Soft toys and other changes in their individual environment can help them learn new skills, and these dogs enjoy continuous reinforcement and attention.
Letting these dogs run off the leash is a good idea, but these dogs do sometimes follow their noses. It is important to keep them on a leash until they are well trained to return home or to their owners. The dog does enjoy cooler weather so making sure they are taken outdoors in amicable weather is a good idea. Since they have a lot of hair, overheating can cause distress, fatigue, and lethargy. These dogs move fluidly and easily; they are less likely to get fatigued easily, and toeing comes naturally to them. Since they are often reaching out in great strides, they may have postural problems as they age.
A regular exercise routine works best for these dogs since they can learn new tricks and training outdoors as well. These dogs have a lot of stamina and will have plenty of energy to spare despite their intensive bouts of exercise. Running, swimming, and jogging alongside a bicycle are ideal for the Polish Owczarek Nizinny.
Training
The Polish Owczarek Nizinny needs consistent, firm, and ongoing training from a young age. These dogs can be very amusing and fun and may be distracted easily, but with the appropriate amount of training, they can become excellent working dogs and obedient family pets. Since these dogs are very intelligent, they can quickly pick up new behaviors and respond well to positive reinforcement. Their learning rate is very high, but they can also be stubborn.
Early obedience training is most suitable for these dogs and they are strong-willed and can become quite independent. However, once they learn the rules and can respect their owners, they become very trustworthy and faithful. These dogs enjoy thinking for themselves and can become disruptive if they are not paid enough attention. The best way to train these dogs is with a firm, fair, and consistent tone and manner; they adapt very easily and it can be simple to train them in logical steps.
These dogs are sensitive to commands and will learn by imitation; it can be helpful to show them different skills and techniques and spend time reviewing various activities to help them improve.
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Ratings and Attributes
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