Poland and Germany are direct neighbors, but in contrast to Germany, the variety of Polish dog breeds is not great at first glance.
This is mainly due to the fact that many dogs are still used as working dogs there and their breeding is therefore based on these tasks and less on breed specifications.
Polish dog breeds are of particular interest to hunting dog lovers – but there’s definitely room on your sofa (and in your heart) for number 5 too!
Polski Owczarek Podhalanski
The Polish Shepherd Dog is known by many names.
Polski Pwczarek Podhalanski is the Polish spelling, in German he is also called Tatrahund or Podhalaner.
It is related to other large herding dogs such as the Bergamasca Shepherd Dog.
You can tell by looking at him that he is descended from Asian mastiffs: he carries his tail curved like a spitz over his back and is also similarly plush.
But from that teddy bear appearance you must not be deceived.
Because the very robust dogs are considered hard to educate with high waking instinct. Their strength is enough to mess with wolves!
But they never seek the conflict themselves and are not aggressive.
In the hands of trainers experienced with herding dogs, they prove to be fantastic companion dogs that also find their place as therapy dogs.
Chart Polski
The Chart Polski is a Polish sighthound that is believed to have descended from the Saluki. It was primarily used as a hunting dog.
Its breeding goes back at least to the 13th century. Compared to old depictions, it does not appear to have undergone any major changes externally since then.
He’s more of a typical sighthound reserved and quiet with a deep need for closeness to its people.
When hunting, it does not specialize in any particular prey. It was used to hunt foxes, deer, bustards and even wolves.
He tends to be a loner, preferring to form his pack of people rather than other dogs.
But he is also very attached to his family and is very cuddled up.
Although he can only run freely in securely fenced areas due to his hunting instinct, he is definitely suitable for beginners.
His upbringing is remarkably straightforward, with little stubbornness and willingness to be led.
But even for a sighthound he is very large: typical of the breed is 80 cm at the withers!
Ogar Polski
The Ogar Polski can also be found under the name Polish Hound.
Their breeding history is young and old at the same time: there is evidence that Polish Hounds have been bred since the 11th century.
But only after the Second World War in 1959 did the first standardized breeding with hunting dogs from Belarus take place.
It has the reddish-brown, thick fur typical of hunting dogs, with dark markings on the back, muzzle and ears.
Her breeding goal was always one pronounced obedience and less focused on physical characteristics, which is why their appearance can also be quite different.
Nevertheless, she has an absolute stubborn and demands consistent education.
Due to her independence as a hunting dog, she sometimes goes for a walk with a pen – she then regards recall more as a recommendation than as a command.
Despite the strong hunting instinct, she can also find happiness in a non-hunter household. Then she needs a lot of exercise and another task like mantrailing or track work.
Good to know
The Ogar Polski hunts track loud. At least you know where your dog ran off to…
Gonczy Polski
Translated, Gónczy Polski simply means «Polish hunting dog». He is the smaller, lighter brother of the Ogar Polski.
Only in 2017 did the FCI recognize it as a separate dog breed. Until then, as a Pawlusiewicz dog, he had been considered a kind of sideline of the Polish Hound.
Completely different from the Ogar Polski, he is considered very trainable, clingy and sensitive.
However, he treats strangers with suspicion and, as a guard dog, also loudly strikes.
Even in Poland, however, it is largely unknown and rare. It is usually only found in the southern Polish mountains as a pure hunting companion.
He is excellently adapted to the mountain landscape and possesses extraordinary endurance.
Polski Owczarek Nizinny
The fluffy Polski Owczarek Nizinny exudes pure joy of life. He is a so-called Polish lowland herding dog, i.e. a hunting dog for small prey.
His appearance already suggests that he is one of the ancestors of the English Bearded Collies and Bobtails, who came to the port cities of the world on Polish merchant ships.
After World War II, his breed was considered almost extinct. A Polish veterinarian therefore decided to take on the breeding and achieved considerable success.
It was important to her to maintain the dogs’ good health and at the same time to promote their suitability as family dogs.
The result is a highly intelligent, more playful companion with big will to please and only weak hunting instinct.
However, the bully tends to take command himself if the training is sluggish.
Tails used to be docked, but nowadays a congenital bobtail occasionally occurs. This is considered a deformity and unsuitable for breeding.
Good to know
No thick fur: Little Polski Owczarek Nizinny loves treats more than anything and tends to be overweight.