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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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