The Polish Lowland Sheepdog, or Polski Owczarek Nizinny, is a herding
and working dog. Bred from the Puli and long-coated herding dogs to produce
a smaller dog that could work in the harsh Polish climate, he is also the
ancestor of the Bearded Collie. Some authorities view him as the "missing
link" between corded herders of the ancient East and shaggy herders
of today. He nearly became extinct in World War II but has since been revived.
Divided into three sizes in his homeland, the middle size was recognized
by the American Kennel Club and put in the Miscellaneous Class in 1999.
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog has an intense desire to please his master.
He is lively but self-controlled. He is clever, perceptive, and has an excellent
memory. He is very stable and self-confident. He makes a good companion
but needs a dominant master. He is extremely loyal but somewhat aloof with
strangers.
The skull of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is moderately broad and slightly
domed. The forehead is furrowed. The drop off (stop) between skull and muzzle
is somewhat pronounced. The muzzle length is the same as the skull length.
The jaws are strong and have a scissors bite. The forehead, cheeks, and
chin are covered with profuse hair making the head look larger than it is.
The eyes are of medium size, oval and brown or hazel in color. The expression
is lively with a penetrating gaze. The ears are heart-shaped, drop and set
moderately high. The neck is muscular and strong. The chest is deep and
broad. The legs are large and heavily boned. The feet are oval and thick.
The gait is fluid and often ambling. The topline is level. The tail is set
low and docked to the second vertebrae. The coat is double with a soft,
dense undercoat and a long, dense, shaggy, thick outer coat. Long hair hangs
over the eyes. A slight wavy coat is acceptable. All coat colors are acceptable
but most common are white with black, gray or sandy patches, gray with white,
or chocolate. Average height is fourteen to nineteen inches. Average weight
is between thirty and fifty pounds.