If you are looking for an absolutely loyal companion, you will find it at Polski Owczarek Podhalanski.
This impressive dog impresses with its balanced temperament and its strong bond with its people.
In this article you will find out whether the Polski Owczarek Podhalanski is the right dog breed for you and what he expects from you.
Polski Owczarek Podhalanski profile
Size Male: 65 to 70 cm, Female: 60 to 65 cmWeightMale: 50 to 65 kg, female: 45 to 60 kgColorsWhiteLife expectancy9 to 15 yearsOriginPolandcharacter/temperamentcalm, well-balanced, watchful, strong nerves, intelligent, docile, loyal, affectionate, friendly, self-confident, independent, patient, fond of children, activeFCI groupGroup 1: Herding and Cattle Dogs, Section 1: Shepherd Dogs, without working test
Look
The Polski Owczarek Podhalanski has an imposing appearance with its stately, strong physique.
Males are 65 to 70 centimeters tall. Bitches are only slightly smaller with a shoulder height of 60 to 65 centimetres.
The weight of this breed is not officially established. However, males usually weigh 50 to 65 kilograms, while females weigh around 45 to 60 kilograms.
The Polski Owczarek Podhalanski is not available in different colors, but only in pure white.
Its fur is long, dense, and smooth or slightly wavy. There is plenty of undercoat under the robust top coat. So he is well protected against cold and wet.
The coat is slightly shorter on the head, snout and front of the legs, but longer on the tail.
The fur on the neck is particularly dense and bushy, giving the appearance of a ruff.
The polar bear-like dog can have either black or dark brown eyes. Its lop ears are medium-long and triangular in shape.
History & Origin of Polski Owczarek Podhalanski
The Polski Owczarek Podhalanski has its origins in Poland, more precisely in the High Tatra region.
There he became used for centuries as a livestock guardian dog. His job was to guard sheep against predators.
The Polski Owczarek Podhalanski is related to European mountain herding dogs such as the Kuvasz. All of these breeds have Great Danes as their ancestors.
It was not until 1967 that the FCI recognized the Polski Owczarek Podhalanski as a breed.
Essence & Character of Polski Owczarek Podhalanski
Alertness runs in the Polski Owczarek Podhalanski’s blood, yet he is a very even-tempered, friendly family dog.
It is very important for the affectionate dog to belong to its family and to always be close to them.
He loves being outside in nature and doing activities with his humans. However, he is not suitable for dog sports because of his heavy physique.
With his patient temperament, protective instinct and bear-like calm, the Polski Owczarek Podhalanski makes an ideal friend for children.
He is suspicious of strangers, but not prone to aggression.
Because he is a very independent dog, he can develop a strong stubborn head, allowing him to make his own decisions about what to do and what not to do.
The Polski Owczarek Podhalanski is not a follower of orders. He does not follow out of obedience, but out of love for his people.
His intelligence not only makes him trainable, but also makes him a talented therapy dog.
Danger
The Polski Owczarek Podhalanski tends to dominate over other breeds. That’s why you have to socialize him with other dogs as a puppy.
attitude & upbringing
The Polski Owczarek Podhalanski is demanding in terms of keeping and upbringing, despite his lovely character.
He needs a house with a large, well-fenced yard that he can guard. He also wants to live in a rural area because the city is not for him.
The education of the independent protection dog must be very consistent and start with the little puppy. Otherwise he will always do what he wants.
At the same time, the upbringing must take place without violence and abuse. The polar bear has a sensitive soul that only wants to learn with positive reinforcement.
So that his waking instinct doesn’t get the upper hand, you have to keep him physically and mentally busy with other activities, for example long walks and intelligent hidden object games.
It is possible to leave a Polski Owczarek Podhalanski alone, but they prefer to be around their humans.
It is important that you never make your Polski Owczarek Podhalanski feel like you need protection. Then problems are inevitable, because he will defend you unconditionally.
Health & Care
The Polski Owczarek Podhalanski is a hardy dog with a life expectancy of nine to 15 years. Most representatives of this breed live to be eleven to twelve years old.
With a healthy diet and sufficient exercise, he is not prone to disease. He is also not prone to hereditary diseases typical of the breed.
However, like all large dogs, he can experience gastric torsion when he eats large portions or is physically active after eating.
Likewise, the Polski Owczarek Podhalanski can suffer from hip dysplasia. This disease is favored by heavy strain on the joints or feed that is too high in protein.
This breed is surprisingly undemanding when it comes to grooming. It is enough to brush out the dense coat once a week.
Good to know
The Polski Owczarek Podhalanski sheds extremely when shedding her coat. Therefore, he should be brushed daily during these times.
Is the Polski Owczarek Podhalanski right for me?
The Polski Owczarek Podhalanski is a good fit for you if you live in a rural home and have the consistency needed to raise them.
He is happy when he can live with a family, but is also happy with individuals.
In any case, it is important that he accepted as a full family member and integrated into everyday life.
You must also ensure your Polski Owczarek Podhalanski that you offer him plenty of activity, preferably in nature.
Because of his independence and his protective instinct, he is only suitable for advanced dog owners.
You should also be physically able to handle this large, powerful dog. Otherwise he might accidentally pull you over if he pulls on the leash.
Fun facts about Polski Owczarek Podhalanski
This breed is very rare outside of Poland. In Germany there should only be 250 copies.
The Polski Owczarek Podhalanski has many names. He is also known as Tatra Sheepdog, Tatra Dog, Podhalaner or simply OP, which is short for Owczarek Podhalanski.
When working as a livestock guard dog, he used to wear a collar made of iron or with rivets. Wolves attack the neck first when attacking.
The thick fur not only protects the Podhalaner from cold and wet, but also from heat. Nevertheless, he should be spared on hot days and prefer to lie in the shade.
Did this article help you? We look forward to your comment!