Geographically speaking, Poland is an almost unbroken plain that stretches from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Carpathian Mountains in the south. East to west, there are some variations in terrain, but except for its southern mountainous regions, the country consists almost entirely of lowlands that are below sea level – 91% of the country, in fact.

The rich brown and black soils of the Polish lowlands resulted in fertile hay-meadows and pastures that would have been attractive to those who raised sheep, a livelihood of economic importance to the country.  Where there are sheep, there is a need for sheepdogs. When the Polish merchant, Kazimierz Grabski, headed to Scotland in 1514 to trade grain for a flock of sheep, he knew he would need his dogs to help him move the flock from a lowland field to a boat docked on the coast. One might imagine that the critters were Wrzosówkas, or Polish Heath Sheep that had been peacefully munching on grass when the dogs showed up. 

We know that Grabski’s dogs were Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, a breed that today we usually call “PONs.” The nickname comes from the initials of their Polish name, Polski Owczarek Nizinny, which is a literal translation: “Polski, “of course, means Polish. “Owczarek” means sheepdog, and Nizinny means “lowland.”

Each of our breeds have a rich history behind them, something we think is easy to forget in the 21st century when we’re feeding our dogs after a long day at work, or playing with them in the yard. The PON’s name serves as a reminder of the breed’s origins and function dating back to at least the 13th century, and three hundred years later when Kazimierz Grabski traded two of his females and a male for a horned Scottish ram and ewe offered by the local Scottish Shepherd dazzled by the dogs’ working ability. This shepherd might not have cared that he introduced the Polish Lowland Sheepdog to the British Isles for the first time, but the owners of Bearded Collies, Welsh Collies, and Old English Sheepdogs are probably pleased that he made the trade because the PON factors in the early history of each of those breeds.

Our dogs, whatever their breed, have a legacy, and we are fortunate enough to be their stewards.

Image: Polish Lowland Sheepdog created from 10 to 20 individually hand cut pieces of paper in a variety of colors and patterns, combined in layers, then mounted on color stock, by Patricia Peters – CanineCutUpsiah
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