Additonal Breeds Starting
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Pet Sites
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COUNTRY:
Poland
WEIGHT:
30-50 pounds
HEIGHT:
Maly—up to 14 inches; Sredni—16-181/?
inches; Duzy Ponad—over 19 inches
COAT:
Thick, long, with shaggy hair covering the
face
COLOR:
All acceptable, including piebald
OTHER
NAMES: Valee Sheepdog, Polish Lowland
Sheepdog
REGISTRY:
FCI, TKC
GROUP:
Herding
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The Nizinny may well be the missing link between several modern, shaggy
herding breeds and the ancient, corded herding dogs of the East. Of ancient
lineage, bred from the Puli and the long-coated, medium-sized Hun herding
dogs, some of these Nizinnys were traded by Polish
sailors along their coastal destinations. Before long the sailors had a
dog in every port. The Nizinny was instrumental in the ancestry of the Bearded
Collie and Schapendoes.
Bred as a working
dog since the 16th century by farmers and shepherds, the Nizinny was nearly
extinct at the end of the Second World War. Most of the Polish people
were concerned mainly with survival, not with the procreation and perfection
of dogs, but—thankfully—a few breeders continued their lines from the
scant six bitches and two dogs considered acceptable for breeding. A Polish
veterinarian, Dr. Danuta Hrzniewicz, has been tireless in her efforts
to rebuild the breed's foundation. These breeders' tough culling program
produced today's version, which remains trainable, intelligent, and affectionate
with children, yet alert to danger.
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