Like most shaggy coated herding breeds the PLS probably finds its origins in central Asia, on the high plateaus of Tibet, Mongolia and the Gobi desert, possibly descending from a variety of types, some of which have evolved along their own paths to become Tibetan Mastiffs, Tibetan Terriers, Tibetan Spaniels, Lhasa Apso and so on.

Then, as followers of nomadic tribesmen, most of whom were herdsmen, the dogs moved westwards, breeding along the way with local canines to produce working dogs well adapted to the particular conditions. Specific characteristics would have been bred into the dogs to meet the requirements of different terrains, for example. PLS evolved on the plains of northern Europe, a lowland dog adapt at herding sheep and working close to the encampment and later, the village.

These versatile herders needed to be

Robust, tough, harsh coated, highly intelligent, agile and fearless.

Although larger dogs were probably the chief guards, the PLS certainly had to be ready to face wolves when they ventured too close to the homesteads. The larger dogs would have resembled what we now know as (for example) Anatolians, Kuvasz, Komondor, Tatra Sheepdogs etc. The PLS would have been used mainly for manoeuvres with sheep close to home, and for working with lambs and pregnant ewes.

Wolf

Kuvasz Kommondor

The characteristics of the breed set in this early period are, of course, still there in abundance today - the modern PLS should be solid, slightly rectangular in body, a smooth, efficient mover, a dog of great loyalty and devotion, somewhat suspicious of strangers, a dog with a very strong territorial sense, and above all, great independence and spirit.

(Polish: also known as Polski Owczarek Nizinny, also PON), is a medium sized, shaggy-coated, sheep dog breed native to Poland.

Most of us have read the story about a Polish merchant, one Kazimierz Grabski, who came to Scotland in 1514 with a cargo of grain to exchange for some Scottish sheep. So impressed were the Scottish shepherds with the PLS, who had travelled with Grabski ready to handle the sheep onto the ship and of course off it again in Poland, that they offered Grabski some extra ewes if he agreed to leave three of the dogs behind. It seems likely that these three certainly contributed some genetic material to the evolving Scottish Sheepdogs. The one most often cited as having PLS ancestry is the Bearded Collie.

After the devastation of the 39-45 War, there was a new resurgence of nationalism, and at last the breed was able to make real headway, largely in the hands of Dr. Danuta Hryeniewicz, a vet in northern Poland, who became the pillar of the modern breed, together with her famous dog, Smok, to whom all present day PLS can trace their origins.

Smok sired 10 litters in the 1950s and the breed was recognised by the FCI in 1959

Polish Lowland Bearded Collie

The first PLS were imported into the UK in 1985 by Megan Butler. These were two bitches and four dogs from two litters bred by Mr Zennon Mossakowski in Belgium. Several of them made their mark in the early breeding programmes including Mutley, (Jonasz de Halkaza in Megsflocks) who was the sire of the first UK Champion, Ch. Mybeards Pioneer, and Princess (Jasna de Halkaza in Megsflocks), dam of Megsflocks Candlelit Flirt of Mybeards, an early Best of Breed winner at Crufts.

In addition to Megan Butler, early importers included Barbara Cousins, Elaine Georgion and Phyll & Bob Prestidge. By the early 90s a wide gene pool had been established, leading to the breed's acceptance by the Kennel Club and its progression off the Import Register.

Pioneering work at the Kennel Club at this time was undertaken by Ann Arch, who has supported the breed from the outset in this country and is now the President of The Polish Lowland Sheepdog Club.

SOME EARLY IMPORTS

The first Open Show to schedule classes for PLS was Southampton, in 1991. The Judge was Russell Jones, who found his Best of Breed in Megsflocks Earl of Windyway, owned by Joe and Megan Butler. The first classes at Championship Shows followed a month later at Windsor, where Judge Megan Butler gave top honours to Diane Mottram's Megsflocks Candlelit Flirt of Mybeards. Then came the first classes at Crufts, in 1992, with the late Mr David Samuel officiating. He found his Best of Breed in Antrosu Andrez owned by Sue Ainsley & Terry Radford.

POLISH LOWLAND SHEEPDOGCLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW   1/10/2006

From these early days the breed has made steady progress, and to date there are seven UK Champions.? Several PLS have been well placed at Group Level at Championship Shows, and there have been a healthy number of Best in Show and Best Puppy in Show awards for the breed at Open Shows.

CHAMPIONS CONTINUE

The PLS Club in the UK was founded in 1985 and has done a great deal to promote the breed here. Membership now stands at around 200 with a number of overseas members. The Club runs an Open Show, early in the year, and a Championship Show in October as well as annual Seminars/Judges Assessments and Fun Days. Two excellent magazines are published each year, and there is a thriving and exciting shop full of all sorts of PLS goodies.

Health issues have always been a priority for the Club and the Breed Archivist keeps a detailed database on all aspects of health in the breed.

There is also a breed Welfare service run by the Club for the re-homing of PLS.

In the space of 15 years this charming breed has won many friends in the UK. The dogs always attract huge attention and admiration wherever they go, nowhere better illustrated than at "Discover Dogs" events where there is always a constant stream of interested visitors.

RUTH SCOTT

The PONS is a very old breed of dog most likely descended from dogs originally developed in Central Asia such as the Tibetan Mastiff, Tibetan Spaniel, the Lhasa Apso, and the Tibetan Terrier. Exactly how the breed was obtained is uncertain but all these breeds have many characteristics in common. The dogs were used by various peoples who relied on animal herding.

It is suggested that the Huns, who relied on plundering sedentary cultures were instrumental in spreading the breed throughout the world.

There are two types of herding dogs. The larger more aggressive dogs were used to guard the flock and to protect from intruders. The shepherd needed a second type of dog to move and control the sheep. The larger dogs were too aggressive for delicate work.

Dogs like the PONS were much more agile, intelligent and handy to care for the flock. PONS guided the sheep, prevented them from venturing toward obstacles, and kept the flock together.

Young PONS lived with the sheep, played with the lambs and grew as one of the flock.

Because of these conditions over an extended period of time modern day PONS tend to be squarely built, strong and loyal. Their herding instincts are very strong and they are also somewhat suspicious of strangers. They have a highly developed sense of territory and a strong sense of independence.

At the beginning of 1900s, there was a decline in sheep-farming and a Polish princess, Princess Grocholska started collecting some of the best specimens of sheepdog she could find to breed at her Kennels on her estate in Planta (eastern Poland).

The first official show appearance of the PON took place in a farm animal exhibition in 1924, when the Princess exhibited two of her dogs. Mesdames Wanda and Rosa Zoltowskie started breeding in the 1930s, their dogs originating from Planta. These ladies laid the foundations of the breed.

PRE WAR PON

The PON has travelled almost all over the world since then. In the 1960s it was first imported into East Germany, and later to West Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France. The number of PONs in these countries has risen to more than 4000 now. The breed was first presented in the UK in 1985 and thanks to breeder Megan Butler (Megsflocks) there are almost 1000 of these dogs in Great Britain to date.

Dr. Hryniewicz considered Smok to be the epitome of the breed, with a perfect anatomical build and a wonderful temperament. Smok set the standard and type that was emulated by PON breeders for generations to come, and from which the first official standard for the PON was finally written, and accepted by the FCI in 1959.

He is considered to be the 'father' of the modern Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

His moderate build lends itself to working effortlessly all day long, running with ease to herd the sheep.

She began efforts to save the breed with the help of her own PON, a male named Smok. Smok sired 10 litters of PONs in the 1950s; in 1958, the first litter with a full pedigree was born. By 1969, her Kordegardy Kennels had produced more than 140 puppies, including many champions.

All PONs in existence today can be traced back to Smok and his progeny.

Unfortunately the two kennels ceased breeding activities during the Second World War.

New attempts to resurrect the breed started in Bydgoszcz with Mrs Kuionowicz (her kennels existed until 1956) and the pillar of the breed veterinarian/surgeon Dr Danuta Hryniewicz.

Dr Hryniewicz managed to find dogs originating from the early famous kennels and began her own breeding line under the affix 'Kordegarda', which is still well known among PON people today.

It took 15 years after the second World War to get the breed established.

Germany Netherlands Belgium France

1960

In 1979, a U.S. Bearded Collie breeder named Moira Morrison learned of the PON ancestry in her breed. Intrigued, she imported two PONs from Poland--the first known to have come to the U.S.

Four years later, Kaz and Betty Augustowski, both of Polish heritage, saw an advertisement in a dog magazine and acquired their first PON.

Over the next 18 years, they became passionately involved in getting the breed recognized by the American Kennel Club. Their efforts were rewarded when PONs gained entry into the Miscellaneous class on July 1, 1999,

The AKC granted the breed full recognition on August 1, 2001.

Although the PON is still rare in America, today it is the most popular of all the native breeds in its home country and is unofficially considered Poland's national dog.

Today the number of PONs in Poland may well exceed 3000. Even though representatives of the breed can be found in Europe, America and Australia, the breed is still comparatively rare.

Denmark was the first of the Northern Countries to begin breeding PONs, in the early 1980s.lt was not until 1984 when the first PONs were imported to Norway and from there to Sweden.

Poland

Denmark

1980

Norway

1984

Sweden

America