COUNTRY: Poland
WEIGHT: 100-150 pounds
HEIGHT: 24-34 inches
COAT: Long, thick, hard, straight or wavy
COLOR: White
OTHER NAMES: Tatra Mountain Sheepdog, Owczarek Tatrzanski, Polish Mountain Dog
GROUP: Flock Guard
The Podhale, where this breed originated, is a small region in southern Poland, against the Tatra
range, which are the highest peaks in the Carpathians. The Podhalanski's history follows that of
similar dogs from Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Rumania, all of which trace back to the white guardian dogs of the Eastern World. The Polish owca (pronounced "ofsta") means sheep, and owczarek (pronounced "ofcharek") is the generic term for sheepdog. This is the same meaning as the Russian word owtcharka or the Yugoslavian ovcar.
This native Polish breed is an outstanding mountain worker. The tail is used as a handhold while
following the dog through rough and steep terrain]. Beside the traditional use as a livestock
guardian, the Polish people often use these dogs for personal protection and as guard dogs in
factories. Much like the people who breed them, the Podhalanskis are independent, self-sufficient
and courageous. They are coveted for their attributes: heartiness, adaptability and bravery. Their
personalities are more easygoing than most of the flock guardians, with irritability or cowardice
being a fault. This may be due to the dogs' use for hauling carts among the dairy, horticultural and
bakery trades. The same dogs may be used in the mountains during the grazing season and in winter
brought to town to help with other chores. Young dogs that show high intelligence are selected for
police, military or guide dog work. Every dog serves the people in some way, and is treated well in
return. Even the dogs lacking in talent are kept for their wool, with the combings used for
upholstery and fine woolens!
Their owners claim the breed is easy to care for in both grooming and feeding. The coat is self-cleansing and "never requires bathing." Like many of the flock guards, Podhalanskis are surprisingly economical to feed. The Podhalanski doesn't need people to be content. These dogs develop their own routines, and quickly attach themselves to environment, buildings, people or animals. As with the other flock-guarding breeds, dominance is exerted over another dog. The dominant one quietly puts his head on the other's shoulders as a reminder. Despite the more tractable tempera- ment, proper dominance must be exerted by the master early in the relationship to overcome the dog's natural independence. Otherwise he might quietly put his head on the owner's shoulder! The Podhalanski is placid and cheerful, but American owners warn about his tendency to bark if left outside alone at night. This breed is constantly on the alert.
The breed is popular in Poland and was intro-duced in the United States and Canada by a few imports
in the 1980s. An American Foreign Ser-vice Officer stationed in Poland came to admire the breed. Once back in the States, he arranged to acquire three of these magnificent Polish dogs. They left Poland "by a whisker," leaving the very day martial law was declared in 1981. From this modest beginning, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog Club of America has been formed to help promote the breed and
to bring owners to- gether for a common cause.
WEIGHT: 100-150 pounds
HEIGHT: 24-34 inches
COAT: Long, thick, hard, straight or wavy
COLOR: White
OTHER NAMES: Tatra Mountain Sheepdog, Owczarek Tatrzanski, Polish Mountain Dog
GROUP: Flock Guard
The Podhale, where this breed originated, is a small region in southern Poland, against the Tatra
range, which are the highest peaks in the Carpathians. The Podhalanski's history follows that of
similar dogs from Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Rumania, all of which trace back to the white guardian dogs of the Eastern World. The Polish owca (pronounced "ofsta") means sheep, and owczarek (pronounced "ofcharek") is the generic term for sheepdog. This is the same meaning as the Russian word owtcharka or the Yugoslavian ovcar.
This native Polish breed is an outstanding mountain worker. The tail is used as a handhold while
following the dog through rough and steep terrain]. Beside the traditional use as a livestock
guardian, the Polish people often use these dogs for personal protection and as guard dogs in
factories. Much like the people who breed them, the Podhalanskis are independent, self-sufficient
and courageous. They are coveted for their attributes: heartiness, adaptability and bravery. Their
personalities are more easygoing than most of the flock guardians, with irritability or cowardice
being a fault. This may be due to the dogs' use for hauling carts among the dairy, horticultural and
bakery trades. The same dogs may be used in the mountains during the grazing season and in winter
brought to town to help with other chores. Young dogs that show high intelligence are selected for
police, military or guide dog work. Every dog serves the people in some way, and is treated well in
return. Even the dogs lacking in talent are kept for their wool, with the combings used for
upholstery and fine woolens!
Their owners claim the breed is easy to care for in both grooming and feeding. The coat is self-cleansing and "never requires bathing." Like many of the flock guards, Podhalanskis are surprisingly economical to feed. The Podhalanski doesn't need people to be content. These dogs develop their own routines, and quickly attach themselves to environment, buildings, people or animals. As with the other flock-guarding breeds, dominance is exerted over another dog. The dominant one quietly puts his head on the other's shoulders as a reminder. Despite the more tractable tempera- ment, proper dominance must be exerted by the master early in the relationship to overcome the dog's natural independence. Otherwise he might quietly put his head on the owner's shoulder! The Podhalanski is placid and cheerful, but American owners warn about his tendency to bark if left outside alone at night. This breed is constantly on the alert.
The breed is popular in Poland and was intro-duced in the United States and Canada by a few imports
in the 1980s. An American Foreign Ser-vice Officer stationed in Poland came to admire the breed. Once back in the States, he arranged to acquire three of these magnificent Polish dogs. They left Poland "by a whisker," leaving the very day martial law was declared in 1981. From this modest beginning, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog Club of America has been formed to help promote the breed and
to bring owners to- gether for a common cause.
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