Collection: Personalised Polish Lowland Sheepdog Gifts

This ancient Polish breed is a herding dog for livestock and one of Poland’s most revered breeds of dog. The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is believed to be descended from the Puli, a Hungarian herding dog as well as some of the Tibetan breeds like the Mastiff, Tibetan Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso.

Because of their lovely appearance and exceptional temperaments, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog has enjoyed popularity around the world. In the US and Poland, the breed is referred to simply as PON and is still a relatively scarce breed outside its native country.

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog can trace its lineage back to the 13th century. Rather oddly, they popped up in Scotland having travelled there with Polish sailors in 1514 from Gdansk. It is believed some of the dogs on the ship were traded for sheep and the Poland Lowland Sheepdog was used to influence the development of the Scottish Bearded Collie.

As sheep herding declined in the 1800s in Poland so the number of dogs declined alongside it. The breed suffered terribly during the Second World War and was saved almost single-handedly from destruction by a Polish veterinary surgeon during the 1950s.

Recognition came in the US when in the late 70s, a bearded collie breeder learned of the influence of the breed in her own dog’s ancestry. This started a movement to promote the Polish Lowland Sheepdog in America culminating in recognition by the American Kennel Club in 2001. The dog is considered unofficially to be Poland’s national dog but is still scare outside its country of origin.

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog has a strong personality and like many working breeds, is quite independent. Intelligent and hardworking, this breed is not perhaps suitable for a first-time dog owner but will reward the right environment with a loyal and loving companion. The Polish Lowland Sheepdog needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation and lots of grooming.