Polish Lowland Sheepdog

People usually look up the Polish Lowland Sheepdog when they’re weighing up a shaggy, medium-sized herding breed as a family companion—or trying to work out whether the coat, energy level, and watchdog tendencies will fit real life.

This is a dog built for long days of movement and close observation. Get the match right and you’ll likely have a steady, clever partner. Get it wrong—too little training, too little grooming, too little to do—and the same strengths can spill into frustration, noise, and a coat that becomes a constant problem.

Quick facts (at a glance)

• Height: Dogs 45–50 cm; bitches 42–47 cm at the withers¹
• Build: Medium size, sturdy, rectangular outline; strong bone and muscle¹
• Coat: Long, dense, shaggy outer coat with a soft undercoat; slight wave permissible¹
• Colours: Many colours accepted; merle not acceptable under the Dogs Australia/Kennel Club standard used in Australia¹
• Temperament (broadly): Alert, equable, watchful; bright with strong memory; typically trainable but can be independent¹
• Common roles: Herding and watch dog; also kept as an active companion¹

History and origin

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is known in Poland from at least the 16th century as a herding type, developed to move stock and keep watch around flocks and farms.²

In Australia, the breed standard published by Dogs Australia (the national kennel council body) is the practical reference point you’ll see reflected in showing and responsible breeding programs here.¹

Physical characteristics and appearance

Under the hair, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is compact, muscular, and made for steady work rather than sprinting. The outline is slightly longer than tall, with a strong topline and solid hindquarters.¹

The hallmark is the coat: long and dense, with a harsh outer texture and a softer undercoat. Hair commonly falls forward over the eyes in a characteristic way, but it shouldn’t block vision or limit movement.¹

Temperament: what living with a PON is like

A well-raised Polish Lowland Sheepdog is typically watchful and self-controlled—aware of changes in the environment, quick to notice visitors, and inclined to “keep track” of what’s happening around the home.¹

Because this is a herding and watchdog breed, early socialisation matters. Reserve around strangers can be normal, but it should not tip into fearfulness or reactivity. Calm exposure to new people, places, surfaces, and handling (ears, feet, brushing) is part of setting the adult dog up for steadier behaviour.¹

Training and exercise needs

This breed tends to learn quickly, but it doesn’t always learn blindly. Expect moments of independence—especially if the dog thinks the job is done, or if the exercise and training feel repetitive.¹

Training that suits the breed usually has three features: short sessions, clear rules, and enough variety to stay interesting. Many owners find the dog thrives when it has regular tasks—obedience foundations, scent games, trick training, or dog sports—rather than “just a walk”.¹

Practical exercise guide

• Daily movement: a solid walk plus free running in a safe area when possible.
• Mental work: food puzzles, scent searches, or short training blocks most days.
• Herding behaviours: may show up as circling, nudging, or trying to control movement—redirect early into structured games and cues.

Grooming and coat maintenance

The coat is beautiful, but it is not a “set and forget” coat. If grooming slips, the dense undercoat and long outer hair can tighten into mats close to the skin, trapping moisture and debris and making the dog uncomfortable.

A simple routine works better than occasional big sessions:

• Brush and comb: several times a week (more often during shedding), working down to the skin to prevent mats forming underneath the topcoat.
• Check friction zones: behind ears, under collar/harness, armpits, groin, and around the tail.
• Bathe only as needed: and dry thoroughly—damp undercoat is where problems start.

In Australia, it’s also worth asking your groomer to show you a line-brushing technique suited to double coats so you’re not only smoothing the top layer.

Health concerns to be aware of

No breed is “problem-free”. For Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, the commonly discussed areas are hips and eyes, and reputable breeding programs often prioritise screening in those areas.^{3, 4}

Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a developmental condition where the hip joint doesn’t fit as it should, which can contribute to arthritis and reduced comfort over time. Screening programs (such as hip scoring) are widely used to reduce risk through breeding choices.^{3, 5}

Eye disease (including PRA/retinal conditions and cataracts)

Inherited eye conditions are part of why ophthalmologist eye examinations are commonly recommended for breeding dogs, alongside hip evaluation.⁴

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a group of inherited retinal degenerations that can lead to blindness. DNA tests exist for some PRA variants, and eye screening remains an important tool because not all problems are captured by a single test.^{6, 3}

Working dog roots: herding and watch instincts

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog was developed to herd and to keep watch, and those instincts can still show through in modern homes. You may see the dog positioning itself where it can observe doorways, yards, and household movement, and using body presence to influence where things go.

This is not a fault. It’s heritage. It simply needs shaping—clear boundaries, well-timed rewards, and enough structured activity that the dog doesn’t invent its own job.

Finding a breeder or rescue: what to check

When you’re choosing a puppy or adult dog, the aim is simple: predictable temperament, sound structure, and health screening that’s visible on paper—not just promised.

• Ask for evidence of health testing (commonly hip evaluation and an eye examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist).^{4, 3}
• Meet at least one parent if possible, and watch for steadiness: curious, calm, and able to recover quickly from surprises.
• Look at the coat and skin condition of the adult dogs—good management is obvious up close.
• Be cautious with “rare colour” marketing. In Australia’s breed standard, merle is not acceptable, and colour should never outrank health and temperament.¹

Final thoughts

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is an active, observant companion with a working dog’s memory and a coat that demands steady care. It suits homes that like routine—walking, training, brushing—done little and often.

If you want a quiet, low-maintenance dog, this probably isn’t it. If you like the idea of a sturdy herding breed that stays close, notices everything, and learns fast when treated fairly, the match can be deeply satisfying.

References

1. Dogs Australia (ANKC): Polish Lowland Sheepdog breed standard
2. Canadian Kennel Club: Polish Lowland Sheepdog (history and breed overview)
3. Polish Lowland Sheepdog Club (UK): PON health information and screening (hips/eyes)
4. American Kennel Club: Recommended health tests (Polish Lowland Sheepdog)
5. Cornell University Riney Canine Health Center: Hip dysplasia in dogs
6. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory: Polish Lowland Sheepdog (genetic testing information, including rcd4-PRA)
7. The Kennel Club (UK): Polish Lowland Sheepdog breed standard
8. WebMD: What to know about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs (health overview)