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OWCZAREK PODHALANSKI |
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The 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. |
