Fun Polish Lowland Sheepdog Facts For Kids

Popularly known as the Polski Owczarek Nizinny or PONs in short, the Polish lowland sheepdogs are believed to have been bred by the Huns to aid them in herding sheep. The dog breed was a result of interbreeding between the Hungarian sheepdog and Tibetan terrier.

As the name reveals, the breed originated on the lowlands of Poland and was entrusted with the responsibility of guarding and herding sheep.

The breed was not only adept at herding sheep but they also excelled as a working dog. The Polski Owczarek Nizinny has been categorized under the herding group of dog breeds by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

In the year 1939, Germany and Poland shared a hostile relation, which eventually led to a war between the two countries.

During the German invasion, the PONs diminished in significant numbers and they were almost wiped out (with the numbers standing at 150 only). Some admirers of the dog breed worked assiduously to restore them post-war.

If you are crazy about various breeds of dogs, then these Polish lowland sheepdog facts are just perfect for you. You can also take a look at some other amazing facts about other dog breeds like the Borzoi and Russian Bear Dog.

‍

Polish Lowland Sheepdog Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

A Polish lowland sheepdog is a dog.

What class of animal does a Polish Lowland Sheepdog belong to?

A Polish lowland sheepdog belongs to class Mammalia.

How many Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are there in the world?

The accurate number of Polish lowland sheepdog in current existence is not known due to the lack of adequate records. However, it can be assumed that these dogs are available in great numbers since the International Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List does not categorize them under the threatened species of animals.

These dogs can be located in several places throughout the world.

Where does a Polish Lowland Sheepdog live?

Although the Polish lowland sheepdogs originated in the lowlands of Poland, they can be found all over the world in several homes as a pet. As history would have it, these dogs are said to have descended from the Tibetan terrier and were initially put to use as a herding dog.

They used to live with the shepherds in the lowlands and after working hard throughout the day, they returned to their houses with them as lovable companions.

What is a Polish Lowland Sheepdog's habitat?

The PONs lived in the plains and lowlands where they would be engaged in herding and protecting the flock. Nevertheless, in modern times, these dogs can be traced among humans in their cozy and comfortable, homely spaces. They are now commonly seen in the role of a house pet.

Who do Polish Lowland Sheepdogs live with?

The breeders of the Polish lowland sheepdogs, that is, the Huns, reared the dog breed to act as an aide for the shepherds and farmers in cattle herding. These dogs lived with the shepherds and helped them by sticking with the flock and guarding them against predators.

Presently, they live in human company as their pet. These dogs are dependent on humans for their regular maintenance and would perish if stranded. They might not be able to adjust to an isolated life or in the wilderness.

How long does a Polish Lowland Sheepdog live?

Polish lowland sheepdogs have an average life span of 12-14 years. However, these dogs tend to lead a healthy and long life provided that they are given proper care, that is, a nutritious diet, regular exercise and training, grooming, and medical attention.

How do they reproduce?

The reproduction process can be commenced with the attainment of puberty. However, assistance and supervision of professional breeders are necessary to ensure healthy breeding.

The females get their first heat cycle in around six to eight months. This does not necessarily imply that they are ready for breeding. The mating process must be initiated when both genders are at the peak of their health, that is, around two years.

The females automatically attract the males during their heat cycle. After the completion of the mating process, the females get into the gestation period, which lasts for around 60-63 days post-conception. During this stage, they need intensive medical care and nourishment.

The females need to be monitored minutely at every stage during the span of two months. Generally, a female gives birth to a litter of two to six puppies.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of the Polish lowland sheepdog is not listed. Also, they are not categorized under one of the threatened breeds as per the International Union Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, as the dog breed is easily available for adoption throughout the world. Hence, there is not a significant reason for concern.

Polish Lowland Sheepdog Fun Facts

What do Polish Lowland Sheepdogs look like?

A Polish lowland sheepdog is a shaggy dog, that comes with a thick, long, and dense double coat. The topcoat is normally shaggy and rough, but the undercoat is soft and dense to protect them from extreme cold and freezing temperatures during winters.

They have a medium size, rectangular body shape, and come in different colors and shades. The colors range between black, brown, white, gray, beige, tricolor, and their combinations.

They have a well-built, sturdy physique with a bobbed or docked tail and floppy ears. Their deep-set eyes are generally covered with the long hair that hangs around their faces.

How cute are they?

Polish lowland sheepdog puppies are more than just cute. Holding a Polish lowland sheepdog puppy in your hands is probably one of the best experiences of your lifetime. They are small and mischievous furballs, with an attractive shaggy appearance.

How do they communicate?

Dogs are the most expressive among all animals. Their expression is articulated not only through vocalizations, but also with the help of gestures, body language, and even a look in their eyes.

Do you have the heart to admonish a fluffball, with that sorry look in its affectionate eyes, even after it has devilishly messed up your kitchen or tore up your beautiful carpet a few minutes back?

These dogs communicate their love and affection by wagging the tail excitedly or cuddling.

They have several ways of telling their masters about their anxiety, fear, love, sadness, and other feelings, often by forming a deep connection. Apart from these unspoken gestures, they also bark, growl, whimper, whine, or snarl to express a plethora of feelings.

How big is a Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

These dogs belong to medium-sized dog breeds. On average, Polish lowland sheepdogs stand at 17-20 in (43-51 cm) when measured from the shoulder length.

The height of the males ranges between 18-20 in (45.7-50.8 cm), whereas, the females stand at around 17-19 in (43.2-48.3 cm). Polish lowland sheepdogs are not as large as a Border Collie standing at 18-22 in (46-56 cm). They are undoubtedly smaller than the Border Collie, Great Dane, and Saint Bernard.

How fast can a Polish Lowland Sheepdog run?

A Polish lowland sheepdog can achieve great speeds while sprinting, since, it originally served as a herding dog. The exact running speed capacity cannot be ascertained, due to the lack of data.

However, these dogs from Poland have high energy levels and show great agility. They perform exceptionally well in several dog sports, as they are obedient and highly receptive to training.

How much does a Polish Lowland Sheepdog weigh?

PONs come with a moderate weight, that is, they are neither too lightweight, nor too heavy. The weight of both genders ranges between 30-50 lb (13.6-22.6 kg).

What are their male and female names of the species?

The male member of a Polish lowland sheepdog is called a dog, while the female member is regarded as a bitch.

What would you call a baby Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

A baby Polish lowland sheepdog is referred to as a puppy or simply pup.

What do they eat?

These dogs are omnivorous and can be offered a nutritious diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, raw meat, fish, soft bones, animal fat, and other necessary dry foods. Additionally, they must have access to fresh drinking water throughout the day.

Packed dry food that is available in the market can also be offered to them. Their daily dose of nutrition must include the essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, omegas, and animal fats.

The best option is to seek the professional guidance of a vet, as the calorie and nutrition requirement for each dog varies with its age, gender, weight, and health.

Generally, the calorie requirement ranges between 750-1250 per day. The adults must be offered two meals, while the puppies can be provided with three to four meals in small portions.

Are they hypoallergenic?

These dogs are hypoallergenic.

Would they make a good pet?

These dogs are known to be playful and friendly. They are obedient and receptive to training.

They can make an excellent house pet, as they can easily mingle with children. In fact, they can be very protective of the children, owing to its instincts of a guard dog. Before adopting a puppy, you must be aware of a Polish lowland sheepdog temperament, its grooming, exercise, training, and nutritional requirements.

Choosing the correct breeder is the first and most important step. Ultimately, all that a puppy needs is your love and care.

Did you know...

The AKC declared these dogs as a distinct breed in the year 2001.

When compared with the Old English sheepdog, Polish lowland sheepdogs are less sociable with other pets. While the former is a large breed, the latter has a medium size. However, the Polish lowland sheepdogs are more energetic, need rigorous exercise, and have low drooling tendencies.

The Tibetan terrier is believed to be natives of China, while PONs are from Poland. Although the latter is a descendant of the Tibetan terrier family, they are better watchdogs and guards. However, they are known to be reserved with strangers. Also, living in apartments or small spaces is difficult for the breed.

PONs possess a thick and shaggy double coat, that requires intense grooming, due to their high shedding tendency. The Polish lowland sheepdog shedding can be kept at bay by brushing the coat daily to keep it tangle-free and clean.

They must also be given a cleansing bath at least twice every week. Additionally, their nails must be trimmed, ears and eyes must be cleaned, along with occasional health checkups.

The Polish lowland sheepdogs belong to the group of healthy dogs, but like any other dog breed, they suffer from certain health problems. Some of these health issues like Neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis, hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and hypothyroidism, require immediate medical care and attention.

The health issues associated with the dog breed can be averted with regular exercise and training regimes.

Polish lowland sheepdogs are one of the highly energetic dog breeds and this energy needs to be optimized, lest the dog might become lethargic. A daily one-hour exercise is necessary.

Polish lowland sheepdog prices generally range between $2000-$2500. However, the Polish lowland sheepdog price range depends on several factors like the location, availability, adeptness of the breeder, gender, quality of health, bone structure, fur coat, and other significant elements.

What is another name for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

The Polish lowland sheepdogs are commonly called by their Polish name, Polski Owczarek Nizinny or the acronym PONs.

What did Polish Lowland Sheepdogs originally do?

Polish lowland sheepdogs were actually used for herding for the Huns. Unlike the other large-size herding dogs, they used to stick with the sheep throughout the day and protect them from potential predators. They served as great aides to the shepherds.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including Sheltie, or Saluki.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Saluki coloring pages.