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Breed Characteristics
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Polish Tatra Sheepdog
| Other Names | Tatra Mountain Sheepdog, Owczarek Tatrzanski, Owczarek Podhalanski, Polski Owczarek, Polski Owczarek Podhalanski |
| Nicknames | Podhalan, Tatra, OP |
| Country of Origin | Poland |
| Weight | 80 - 130 lbs. (36 - 59 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 26 - 28 in. (65 - 70 cm) Females: 24 - 26 in. (60 - 65 cm |
| Coat | The double coat is heavy with a top coat that is hard to the touch, straight or slightly wavy. The undercoat is profuse and dense. |
| Colour | Coat colour is pure white, with no colour markings. |
| Litter Size | 3 - 6 puppies |
| Life Span | 12 - 14 years |
| Origin & History | The Polish Tatra Sheepdog, which sometimes goes by the Owczarek Podhalanski and the Polish Mountain Sheepdog, originated in Podhale, in the Tatra Mountain area of Poland, hence the breed's name. The breed has lived in the Polish mountains for thousands of years, but no exact date for the start of the breed was ever recorded. There is a similar mystery around what breeds were mixed to form the Polish Tatra Sheepdog. While no one is certain, many dog breeders say that the Polish Tatra Sheepdog came from the Mastiff breed. The breed was very popular among mountain workers for several centuries, and up to today. It was so popular because, as its name implies, it was a fantastic sheepdog. This success at herding sheep was mainly due to their high intelligence. When predators were around the sheep, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog would gather up the sheep and stand by them instead of trying to attack the predator, which would leave the sheep open for other attacks. This demonstrates their intelligence. Their white coat also made them easily distinguishable from a bear or wolves, which was very helpful for workers. Also, owners could shave the dogs and use their coat to produce wool. Mountain workers also used to hold their tails while they lead the workers through the mountains and rough terrain. Herding sheep was not the only job the breed could perform. They were often used as personal guards and frequently guarded factories and other private property. On top of this, it was often the case that the breed was used by the police force. The breed faced some hard times, though. After the World Wars the breed was on the brink of extinction. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale, (FCI), would not allow this to happen, though, and by the 1960s they started breeding the sheepdog more and more. Centuries ago, as their reputation as excellent sheepdogs spread, the breed spread slowly across Europe, but in 1980, an American Foreign Service Officer enjoyed the breed so much that he had three of them shipped to America, and by 1981 the breed also spread to Canada. |
| Personality | The Polish Tatra Sheepdog is used for herding, and as a guardian for flocks of sheep and goats. It can also be kept as a companion and a watchdog. This natural working dog is independent, self-thinking, highly intelligent and able to assess situations without human guidance. Socialize them well while they are still young and throughout their entire life. Basic obedience is a must. Devoted and loving to their family and close friends but will often be reserved around strangers. This flock guard tends to be territorial of the home and their surroundings so consistent human leadership is a must. They will give big warning barks at anything deemed suspicious or strange and will bite eventually if challenged or pushed. If left outside they will be awake and vigilant during night hours, patrolling the property. They will bark at anything out of place or unusual. They love snow and cold weather, very weather resistant. They are not dog aggressive and tend to get along with other non-canine pets. Generally very gentle with well-behaved and mannerly children. |
Care Requirements
| Health | The Polish Tatra Sheepdog is generally a very healthy dog with very few health risks. As with most large breed dogs, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog can occasionally get hip dysplasia. |
| Grooming | Sheds its undercoat profusely in late spring and must be brushed and groomed. The rest of the year it stays remarkably clean due to the self-cleansing coat. Seldom requires a bath. Dry-mouthed, this breed does not drool. |
| Exercise | They need to be taken on a daily walk. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as instinct tells a dog the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. |
| Other Considerations | After thousands of years of running around sheep, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog has a good amount of energy and needs a decently large fenced yard to run around in. It is not a good apartment dog because of its size and amount of energy. They are not very active inside, but are very active outside. This is why constant walks are recommended. During late spring and early winter, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog sheds its undercoat profusely, but for the rest of the year it stays clean, due to its self-cleansing coat. Also, this breed does not drool. The Polish Tatra Sheepdog is very intelligent, independent and needs a strong hand to train. |
