COUNTRY: Poland
WEIGHT: 30-50 pounds
HEIGHT: Maly—up to 14 inches; Sredni—16-181/? inches; Duzy Ponad—over 19 inches
COAT: Thick, long, with shaggy hair covering the face
COLOR: All acceptable, including piebald
OTHER NAMES: Valee Sheepdog, Polish Lowland Sheepdog
REGISTRY: FCI, TKC
GROUP: Herding
The Nizinny may well be the missing link between several modern, shaggy herding breeds and the ancient, corded herding dogs of the East. Of ancient lineage, bred from the Puli and the long-coated, medium-sized Hun herding dogs, some of these Nizinnys were traded by Polish sailors along their coastal destinations. Before long the sailors had a dog in every port. The Nizinny was instrumental in the ancestry of the Bearded Collie and Schapendoes.
Bred as a working dog since the 16th century by farmers and shepherds, the Nizinny was nearly extinct at the end of the Second World War. Most of the Polish people were concerned mainly with survival, not with the procreation and perfection of dogs, but—thankfully—a few breeders continued their lines from the scant six bitches and two dogs considered acceptable for breeding. A Polish veterinarian, Dr. Danuta Hrzniewicz, has been tireless in her efforts to rebuild the breed's foundation. These breeders' tough culling program produced today's version, which remains trainable, intelligent, and affectionate with children, yet alert to danger.