In its history, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog has been known by many names, including the Valee Sheepdog, Lowlands Herder, Berger Polonais de Vallee, or, by its native name, the Polski Owczarek Nizinny (Nizinny for the district which it was prevalent). By any moniker, these dogs have been herding sheep in the lowlands of Poland since at least the 16th century, but what sets the breed apart from many other herding dogs is its unusually gentle method of flock control. More restrained than other herders, the PONS (its other name) uses its eyes and a few gentle shoulder nudges to influence the movement of the flock. That highly effective “sheepdog eye” is less intense than a Border Collie’s, but is intense enough that when coupled with rigid body language, is enough to grab the attention of sheep who instantly respect  and respond to it.

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