in his mind or in theirs that the alpha is the boss and makes the rules. Whatever the breed, if you do not assume the leadership, the dog will do so sooner or later and with more or less unpleasant consequences for the abdicating owner. Like the untrained dog, the pack-leader dog makes his own rules and enforces them against other members of the household by means of a dominant physical posture and a hard-eyed stare, followed by a snarl, then a knockdown blow or a bite.
Breeds differ in tendencies toward social dominance, and individuals within a breed differ considerably as well. The PON as a breed tends to have a socially dominant personality. You cannot afford to let a PON become your boss. You do not need the personality of a Marine boot camp sergeant, but you do have to have the calm, quiet, self-assurance of a successful parent or a grade-school teacher. If you think you might have difficulty asserting yourself calmly and confidently in exercising leadership, then the PON is not for you.
If you assert yourself in the role of boss, you will be surprised at how well behaved you can train your PON to be—even around the sworn enemy.
YOU DON’T VALUE A CALM, LAIDBACK COMPANION
A PON becomes deeply attached and devoted to his own family, but he doesn’t “wear his heart on his sleeve.” Some are noticeably reserved; others are more outgoing, but few adults are exuberantly demonstrative. They like to be near you, usually in the same room, preferably on a comfortable cushion in a corner or under a table, just “keeping you company.” They enjoy conversation, petting and cuddling when you offer it, but they are moderate and not overbearing in coming to you to demand much attention. They are emotionally sensitive to their favorite people: when you are joyful, proud, angry or sad, your PON will immediately perceive himself to be the cause. The relationship can be one of great depth and subtlety: it is a relationship on an adult-to-adult level, although certainly not one devoid of playfulness. As puppies, of course, they will be more dependent, more playful and more demonstrative. In summary, the PON tends to be sober and thoughtful, rather than giddy clowns or sycophants.
If you do not think you can fill the role of pack leader, do not bring a pack of PONs into your life.
YOU ARE A FASTIDIOUS HOUSEKEEPER
The PON’s thick shaggy coat and his love of playing in water and mud combine to make him a highly efficient transporter of dirt into your home, depositing the same on your floors and rugs, and possibly also on your furniture and clothes. One PON coming in from a few minutes outdoors on a rainy day can turn an immaculate house into an instant disaster. Although it is technically true that PONs do not shed, you will find that the grooming process usually results in balls of pulled out hair tumbling their way about your house (unless you deposit the hair directly from the brush or comb into the trash basket). You do not need be a slob or slattern to live happily with a PON, but you do have to have the attitude that your dog’s company means more to you than a perfectly clean and immaculate house. Like children, dogs create a greater or lesser degree of household mess, though most other breeds are less troublesome than the PON to groom and keep clean.
A PON pup loves to have a human “sibling” to grow up with and share everyday adventures.
YOU DISLIKE DAILY EXERCISE
The PON needs exercise to maintain healthy heart and lungs and good muscle tone. Because of his mellow, laid-back, sometimes lazy, disposition, your PON will not give himself enough exercise unless you accompany him or play with him. An adult PON should have a minimum morning outing of 20 to 30 minutes of exercise and a similar outing in the evening. For puppies shorter and more frequent outings are preferred for exercise and housebreaking.
YOU BELIEVE THAT DOGS SHOULD RUN FREE
Whether you live in town or the country, no dog can safely be left to run “free” outside your fenced property without your direct supervision and control. The price of such “freedom” is inevitably injury or death: from dogfights, from cars, from the pound or shelter or from dog-despising (despicable!) citizens. Even though PONs are home-loving and less inclined to roam than many other breeds, an unfenced PON is destined for disaster. Like other breeds developed for livestock herding, most PONs have inherited a substantial amount of herding instinct. This instinct is a strong, slightly modified instinct to chase and capture suitable prey. The unfenced country-living PON will sooner or later discover the neighbor’s livestock. The unfenced city PON is likely to exercise his inherited herding instinct on joggers, bicyclists, stray cats and cars. A thoroughly obedience-trained PON can enjoy the limited and supervised freedom of off-leash walks with you in appropriately chosen environments.
YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO CARE FOR A DOG
The Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are not an inexpensive breed to purchase. Running a careful breeding program, with due regard for temperament, trainability and physical soundness is costly. The “bargain” puppy from a backyard breeder who unselectively mates any two PONs who happen to be of the opposite sex may well prove to be extremely costly in terms of temperament, health and lack of socialization. Whatever the initial cost of your PON, the upkeep will not be cheap. Food is not the only cost of maintaining your PON. Veterinarian costs add up for those routine yearly checkups. Spaying and neutering is another cost that should be calculated. PONs are routinely checked for two conditions, genetic eye diseases and hip dysplasia. Your best insurance against dysplasia is to buy only from a litter bred from OFA-certified parents and, if possible, grandparents. Professional grooming, if you opt for it, is expensive. Professional tools for use at home adds up to a tidy sum, but once purchased will last many dog-lifetimes. Finally, the fees for participation in a series of basic obedience training classes are an essential investment in harmonious living with your dog. Fees are the same for any breed.
At home on the farm or in the city, the versatile PON makes a wonderful addition to anyone’s residence.
YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO COMMIT FOR THE LONG HAUL
No dog deserves to be cast out because his owners want to move to a no-pet apartment or because he is no longer a cute puppy or didn’t grow up to be a beauty-contest winner, or because his owners (through lack of leadership and training) have allowed him to become an unruly juvenile delinquent with a repertoire of undesirable behaviors. Select a member of this wonderful breed if, and only if, you can commit to your PON for his whole life, which happily can be 14 to 16 years.
Every recognized breed of dog has a standard, a sort of physical blueprint that has been approved by the national dog registry, such as the AKC in the US, the FCI on the Continent or The Kennel Club in Britain, to illustrate the ideal specimen of each breed. Without such guidelines, breeders could pursue their own personal vision for the breed, a practice that might well suit the breeder, but certainly not the best interests of the breed. These guidelines are intended not only for the breeders but also for the judges who will assess the dogs at work and in the ring, and their opinions can greatly impact the direction of the breed.
