Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are medium-sized dogs with a sturdy, compact build. Most weigh between 31 to 53 pounds and stand 17 to 20 inches tall, with males being slightly larger than females.

No, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a low- to no-shedding dog.

Polish Lowland Sheepdogs stop growing around 12 to 18 months of age. They will continue to fill out and gain muscle mass until they are about two years old.

Polish Lowland Sheepdogs live 12 to 14 years. Individual lifespans will vary based on genetics, overall health, diet, exercise, and quality of veterinary care.

Polish Lowland Sheepdogs have hair, not fur. Dogs with hair tend to shed less than dogs with fur, and they usually require more maintenance to prevent tangling and matting.

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog comes in a variety of colors. Gray, black and white, white and tan, and fawn (light brown) are the most commonly seen colors.

Yes, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are good with kids. Energetic, playful, and with a great sense of humor, they make wonderful playmates for young kids. As with any breed, it is recommended that your child is always supervised when interacting with your dog to keep both the child and dog safe. Teaching children how to properly approach and handle dogs is crucial to ensure positive experiences for both the dog and the child, as is teaching dogs how to interact gently with children.

Yes, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are good with cats, especially if they are properly socialized from a young age. Their tolerance toward cats will depend on individual temperament, early socialization experiences, and proper, smooth introductions.

Yes, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are good with other dogs, especially when they are properly socialized from a young age. Their temperament is friendly, affectionate, and loyal toward their family members, including other pets.

Like most herding dogs, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a vocal, protective, and alert breed, which means they tend to bark a lot. How much they bark will vary depending on their personality, training, and environment. As with any dog, they can be discouraged from barking as frequently with proper training and exercise.

Yes, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs make excellent pets, provided they are a good match for your lifestyle and needs. This affectionate, loyal, and smart breed is best-suited to families, active individuals, and those who can dedicate adequate time to grooming and exercise. Polish Lowland Sheepdogs require a lot of physical activity to be happy, so an adventurous family or one with plenty of outdoor space is best.

Yes, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can be easy to train, given their ability to learn quickly. Just keep in mind that training any dog takes substantial time and effort, regardless of breed. This breed’s independence, as well as a stubborn streak, mean they will require consistent, patient training with lots of positive reinforcement.

Yes, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are very smart dogs. Signs of their intelligence include keen problem-solving abilities and the ability to learn quickly.

Yes, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are very friendly dogs. Their affectionate and social nature makes them excellent companions for families, individuals, and other pets. Due to their protective nature, they may be reserved with strangers and take a little time to warm up to someone new.

Yes, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are rare, particularly outside their native Poland. While they’re still relatively popular in their home country, they are not as common in other parts of the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and many other countries. 

The breed was close to extinction in the early 20th century due to changes in farming practices and the mechanization of agriculture. Even after efforts to revive the breed, their numbers remained relatively low for much of the 20th century. They were only officially recognized by major kennel clubs, such as the American Kennel Club (AKC), in 2001. The breed’s recognition outside of Poland has helped increase their visibility, but their numbers have not reached the level of more widely known breeds.

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is from Poland. As their name suggests, they were originally bred in the lowland regions of the country to work as herding and guard dogs. The breed was developed to manage livestock, particularly sheep, in the flat, marshy lands of Poland.

Another name for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is the “Polski Owczarek Nizinny.” This is the breed’s original name in Polish, which translates directly to “Polish Lowland Shepherd Dog.” Many people use the abbreviated form, PON, when referring to the breed.

Yes, you need to groom a Polish Lowland Sheepdog. To prevent matting and tangling, it’s important to brush their coat at least two to three times a week. This helps remove loose hair, prevent mats, and distribute natural oils throughout their coat, keeping it shiny and healthy.

Like most older breeds, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is generally quite healthy.

Polish Lowland Sheepdogs may be prone to the following health issues:

• Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from adequately meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Though the main complication with hip dysplasia is joint instability, the abnormalities present in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing a Polish Lowland Sheepdog, have them checked out by a vet to see if they are prone to dysplasia.

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): is a group of genetic diseases that affect the retina. They are progressive degenerative diseases and will eventually cause blindness in both eyes. There is no effective treatment to stop PRA.

• Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL): NCL is a family of inherited degenerative nervous system disorders that affect how the body breaks down certain types of fat or proteins within the body’s cells. The body’s inability to break down these proteins eventually causes the cells to stop working properly and leads to a decline in mental and motor functions.

• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA): AIHA occurs when a dog’s immune system attacks and destroys his own red blood cells. Dogs with AIHA will have pale gums and jaundice, tire easily, and may faint. A swollen abdomen is also a sign and could mean your dog has an enlarged liver. Most affected dogs do well with treatment.

• Hypothyroidism: This thyroid malfunction results in low hormone production and could cause obesity, low energy, and a brittle coat.

To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend hip, eye, and DNA tests for your dog.

Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are often called a hypoallergenic breed, but it’s important to clarify what that means. No dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic, but some breeds, including Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, produce fewer allergens than others.

Polish Lowland Sheepdogs have a dense, long, and non-shedding coat, which helps reduce the amount of dander in the environment. Dander is a primary allergen for people who are sensitive to dogs. Because Polish Lowland Sheepdogs don’t shed their fur as much as some other breeds, they may produce fewer airborne allergens, making them more tolerable for some people with allergies.