Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Polish Lowland Sheepdog

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog has high intelligence and good memory. They love children and adults, can play, guard the house. It is vital to train often because pets need active physical activity. From childhood, they need to show them who’s boss in the house. Otherwise, the sheepdog will think it’s her and will dominate.

Breed Information

Another NameValee Sheepdog
OriginPoland
HeightMales 45-50 cm
Females 42-47 cm
WeightMales 18-22 kg
Females 12-18 kg
FurThick, double coat; undercoat is soft and dense, topcoat is coarse, straight, or wavy
ColorGray, black and white, tricolor, brown, beige, black
Lifespan10-12 years
FCI ClassificationSheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
GroupWatchdogs, protection dogs
Price$600-700

Breed Photos

Origin History

There is a theory that the Polish Lowland Sheepdog was obtained as a cross between the Hungarian breed and various breeds of shepherd dogs. For centuries the Polish Shepherd dog lived in Poland on the pastures. It was excellent at herding herds and guarding the farm. Soon there was a great interest in this breed in Europe. Thus, the dog in 1924 participated in the exhibition. But after the Second World War, there were very few representatives of this breed left – no more than three purebreds. A long work of restoration of this breed had begun, and finally, in 1963, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog was recognized by the ICF (International Cynology Federation).

Appearance

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a healthy dog with a fairly thick coat, which can be of different colors and other spots. For example, such colors as white, brown, and gray are popular. The coat is not curly but may be slightly wavy. There may be a lot of very hair around the eyes, making the head accordingly appear a little larger than it is.

Males are larger than females. Their height can be 45-50 cm, and the females’ height is 42-47 cm. Also, the males’ weight can be from 18 to 22 kg, while the females can be 12-18 kg.

The tail of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is short. The dogs have a robust skeleton and a harmonious build.

Character

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog has high intelligence and good memory. They love children and adults, can play, guard the house. It is vital to train often because pets need active physical activity.

From childhood, they need to show them who’s boss in the house. Otherwise, the sheepdog will think it’s her and will dominate. Dogs are great at adapting to different conditions and temperatures. They can be used as guard dogs for protection and as companions.

They have a heightened sense of competition, and if there are any other animals on the property, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog can compete with them. The pets are very lively and active, but they can become lazy if not given enough time to play and exercise.

Care

Once a week, the dog should be combed out and his ears and eyes checked for cleanliness. When the shedding process is underway, comb it out as often as possible. If the coat is systematically combed, the dog will be clean without bathing. It is necessary to monitor the cleanliness after walks to check the coat because of the length, and it can get stuck in its prickles and leaves. The dog can easily live in the city in an apartment because it does not like to run and walk very much; 2-3 hours daily will be enough.

Training

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is prone to memorizing various commands and training. It is necessary to be sure to train her and play with her from childhood.

The dog has a well-developed intuition and quick reaction. Because of its calm character and composure, the dog has been used as a guide for the blind.

It can easily be taught to play flyball, trekking, and other games. Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are very intelligent, and when you let him go for a walk in the yard, you don’t have to worry about him breaking or mucking things up.

Common Diseases

The dogs’ health is vital. However, they should be checked for eye diseases and not allowed to overeat, as they are prone to obesity. You need to watch what they eat and follow a special diet if possible. They may also have hip dysplasia.

Nutrition

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog can be fed both dry food and natural food. It is up to the owner to choose the best way of feeding. In selecting a diet, one should consider the pet’s activity, size, and other characteristics. One should not skimp on nutrition and buy quality food, as pets may overeat due to their excellent appetite. Various vitamins and minerals can also be added to the diet, for example, when the pet is growing and gaining weight.