Polish Lowland Sheepdog breed guide

Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are excellent housedogs: accepting of other animals, gentle and tireless playmates for kids, alert watchdogs and quick learners. AKC adds that they can also be dominating, stubborn and suspicious of strangers, so early socialization and training classes are highly recommended.

Their penetrating gaze is the look common to watchdogs and herders.

Polish Lowland Sheepdogs live 12 to 14 years. AKC says responsible breeders test for hip dysplasia and communicate with other dedicated breeders, working together for the health of the breed.

The shaggy, thick double coat takes a lot of maintenance: a crisp, water-resistant outer coat over a soft, dense undercoat and a Polish Lowland Sheepdog in full coat needs a thorough brushing at least once a week. A summer clip still needs routine brushing.

A high-energy, athletic dog, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog needs ample daily exercise, at minimum a large fenced yard to run in for an hour or two. It bonds closely with its owners and loves long walks or hikes and canine events such as obedience.

In the waning days of the Roman Empire, the Huns were among the tribes of Asian invaders who spilled into central Europe. AKC says Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are believed to be the result of breeding Hunnic dogs with native stock in what is now Poland.

Polish Lowland Sheepdogs were bred to be levelheaded flock dogs by day and fearless guard dogs by night and in the 1500s traders brought them to Scotland, where they are thought to be part of the genetic puzzle that formed the Bearded Collie.