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Did you know?

There is a specific meaning protocol when dogs are used in monuments.
The dog is placed at the feet of women in monuments to symbolize affection and fidelity.
Many of the Crusaders are represented with their feet on a dog, to show that they followed the standard of the Lord as faithfully as a dog follows the footsteps of his master.

Polish Lowland Sheepdog/
Polish Owczarek Nizinny

A dog has one aim in life. To bestow his heart. – J.R. Ackerley

Polish Lowland Sheepdog puppy Canada

Admiraal PON puppies

Although the Polish Owczarek Nizinny (PON) or Polish Lowland Sheepdog is well established in his native country of Poland and has been known there since before the 1500s, he is relatively rare in North America. 

The PON is a herding dog as his name suggests and is a hard-working and intelligent breed. He descends from the herding dogs of the Huns and the Puli. He himself is believed to be one of the ancestors of the Bearded Collie.

The PON faced virtual extinction after World War II until rescued by a Polish veterinarian.

Photos displayed courtesy of Shannon de Bruin, Admiraal, Alberta

The PON is a medium-sized dog standing up to 20 inches (50 cm) high at the shoulder. He has a long, shaggy but non-shedding coat that comes in a variety of colours and patches and needs only moderate grooming. The coat is most commonly white, gray, or brown, with black, gray, or brown markings.

His tail is short or stumpy-tailed or very shortly docked. Please note that not all jurisdictions allow tail docking. If undocked, the PON’s tail is of medium length and hairy.

The PON is a sturdy, robust working dog used to working in adverse climatic conditions and is adaptable. He is strong and muscular.

The Polish Nizinny has a lively, amusing, and affectionate nature. He is trustworthy and faithful, and good with children and other pets if socialized from an early age. The PON is extremely willing to please and devoted to his family. These qualities make the PON a great watch and guard dog as he is suspicious of strangers.

Polish Lowland Sheepdog Adults Canada

Admiraal Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Polish Lowland Sheepdog mother and puppies Canada

Admiraal Polish Lowland Sheepdogs

An intelligent, perceptive animal with an excellent memory, the PON should be put into early obedience training. He needs a firm, fair, consistent, and kind master who will be the boss as he is strong-willed, stubborn, and likes to think for himself. He may try to dominate his owner.

The PON needs to be part of the family and should not be left alone for long periods. They are popular companions in their native land.

An active and agile dog, he can adapt to almost any living style but should have regular daily exercise. As a herder, he can run all day long! He does well in canine sports such as Agility trials, Obedience, Rally, Flyball, Tracking, and Herding events.

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