FCI-Standard N° 251
POLISH LOWLAND SHEEPDOG
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs
(except Swiss Cattle Dogs).
Section 1 Sheepdogs.
Without working trial.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL VALID
STANDARD : 07.08.1998r.
UTILIZATION : Easy to handle, he works like a sheepdog and
guard dog. Moved to urban city life, he is a very good companion
dog.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : The Polish Lowland sheepdog is a
dog of medium size, compact, strong, 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 : Strong, blunt. Nasal bridge straight.
Lips : Fitting well; their edges are of the same colour as the nose.
Jaw/Teeth : Strong jaws. Teeth strong, 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, strong, muscled, without dewlap, carried
rather horizontally.
BODY :
Out line : 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.
St-FCI n°251/07.08.1998
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LIMBS
TAIL :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 developped.
Hind feet : Compact, oval shape.
GAIT/ MOVEMENT : Easy and ground covering. Walk or trot
smooth (whitout 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.
St-FCI n°251/07.08.1998
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The dog must retain the type of a working dog; consequently his size
must not go down below the standard; he must neither be too 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 and its effect
upon the health and welfare of the dog.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:
• Aggressive or overly shy.
• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural
abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B:
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles
fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed
typical conformation, should be used for breeding.