FCI-Standart Nr. 251 (07.08.1998) / GB
Polski Owczarek Nizinny
(Polish Lowland Sheepdog)
Translation: Mrs. Peggy Davis
Origin: Poland
Date of Publication of the original valid standard: 07.08.1998
Utilization: Easy to handle, he works like a sheepdog and guard dog. Moved to urban city life, he is a very good companion dog.
Classification FCI: Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)
Section 1 Sheepdogs
Without working trial.
General Appearance: The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a dog of medium size, compact, B, muscular, with a thick long coat. His well groomed coat gives an attractive and interesting appearance.
Important Proportions: The proportions of height at withers to length of body is 9:10. The ratio length of muzzle to length of skull is 1:1; yet the muzzle can be a little shorter.
Behaviour and Temperament: Of a lively but tempered disposition, vigilant, agile, intelligent, perceptive and gifted with a good memory. Resistant to unfavourable climatic conditions.
Head: Medium dimension, proportional, not too heavy. The thick fur on the forehead, the cheeks and the chin give the head a look of being heavier than it really is.
Cranial Region
Skull: Not excessively broad, slightly rounded. Frontal furrow and occipital protuberance noticeable.
Stop: Well accentuated.
Facial Region
Nose: As darks as possible in relation to the colour of the coat with large nostrils.
Muzzle: B, blunt. Nasal bridge straight.
Lips: Fitting well; their edges are of the same colour as the nose.
Jaw/Teeth: strong jaws. Teeth B, with scissor or pincer bite.
Eyes: Medium size, oval, not protruding, hazel colour, with lively and piercing look. The rims of the eyelids are dark.
Ears: Hanging, set rather high, of medium size, heart-shaped, wide at base; the fore edge is close against the cheeks; very mobile.
Neck: Of medium length, B, muscled, without dewlap, carried rather horizontally.
Body
Outline: Rather rectangular than square.
Withers: Well accentuated.
Back: Flat, well muscled.
Loin: Broad, well fused.
Croup: Short, slightly truncated.
Chest: Deep, of medium width; ribs quite well sprung, neither flat nor barrel-shaped.
Underline and Belly: Outlining an elegant curve towards the hindquarters part.
TAIL: Short tail or stumpy-tail, very shortly docked tail. Undocked quite long and very hairy tail. At rest the tail is hanging; if the dog is alert, the tail is gaily curved over the back, never curled or lying on the back. Undocked tail of medium length, carried in different manners.
Limbs
Forequarters:
Seen in profile and from the front : Vertical and straight. Stance well balanced due to a strong skeleton (bone structure).
Shoulders: Broad, of medium length, oblique, clean cut, very muscular.
Pastern: Slightly slanting in relation to the forearm.
Forefeet: Oval, tight toes, slightly arched pads really hard. Nails short, as dark as possible.
Hindquarters: Seen from behind: Vertical, well angulated.
Thigh: Broad, well muscled.
Hock: Well developed.
Hind feet: Compact, oval shape.
Gait/Movement: Easy and ground covering. Walk or trot smooth (without much vertical displacement). The dog often ambles when he walks slowly.
Skin: Tight fitting, without any folds.
Coat
Hair: The whole body covered with coarse hair, dense, thick, and profuse; soft undercoat. Straight or slightly wavy hair is acceptable. The hairs falling from the forehead cover the eyes in a characteristic manner.
Colour: All colours and patches are acceptable.
Size:
Height at the withers:
Males: 45 – 50 cm.
Females: 42 – 47 cm.
The dog must retain the type of a working dog; consequently his size must not go down below the standard; he must neither be to weak nor delicate.
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.