Toy Poodle vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog - Breed Comparison

More and more people are opting not to clip their Poodles ith those ridiculous hair cuts with pom poms. Clipped properly, he can be just as cute as any other dog.

It is thought that the Toy Poodle hails from France, with the standard poodle having originated in Germany. The first poodles were used as herders so they’re not just useless dogs with silly pom-pom haircuts.

Some rough-coated water dogs are believed to be ancestors of the Poodle. It was in the 19th century that these dogs became show dogs. Their popularity died out in the 1920s, but it has once again become a popular dog.

Hailing from Poland, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is believed to have descended from herding dogs as well as the Puli and Tibetan Terrier.

Later these dogs were bred with local Scottish dogs to bring about Scottish herding dogs, the Bearded Collie. The dog was accepted by the Federation Cynologique Internationale in 1959. In 2001, the American Kennel Club recognized the Polish Lowland Sheepdog as a breed in the Herding Group.

Toy Poodles stand between 24 to 28 cm in height and weigh in the region of 2 to 5kg. Poodles are light-shedding dogs and are thought to be hypo-allergenic. If you have an allergy, a Toy Poodle can e a great dog for you.

The crip, curly coat comes in a number of colors – cream, apricot, brown, chocolate, and black and he can be clipped if you find that he is too high maintenance. If the hair is allowed to grow it can become very matted and turn into dreadlocks.

Many Toy Poodle owners find this very difficult to maintain and opt to have the dog’s hair clipped. The poodle has medium-length floppy ears. Docking of the tail is important if you want to keep the distinctive look of your poodle. Fortunately, docking is still permitted in the USA and this is best done when the puppy is very young.

Temperament:

Toy Poodles are intelligent dogs and are capable of learning a whole lot of commands and tricks. They’re also excellent athletes, being lively and energetic.

Being lively and alert, the Toy Poodle can be a good watchdog too, barking sharply at intruders. The Toy Poodle is very social and won’t take kindly to being left alone for hours.

Then again, he is gentle and sensitive and won’t do well with undisciplined children and their shrill screams. They are definitely dogs that want peace and harmony. And having him trained and socialized will get you a well mannered, obedient dog. He is small enough to adapt to life in the city or the countryside.

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog. Both males and females stand between 42cm to 50 cm in height and they weigh roughly between 14 and 23kg.

The dog has a double coat which can mostly be white, cream, gray, brown and black. The underdoat is soft and dense with the top coat being straight or wavy and being medium length.

There is quite a bit of hair around the facial area. The eyes are alert and brown and the ears medium size, high set and then drooping down. The tail has always been attractively docked, giving the dog an attractive, compact look but these days it is often just left long.

Temperament:

Lively, bright as a button, clever, social and feisty, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is easy to train, becoming obedient and well balanced. The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is such a self confident dog and he will fit happily into life in the city or the countryside, loving spending time with his human family.

This dog breed is very loyal to its family. It doesn't do well when left for hours on its own.

Energetic and lively, you’ll find your Toy Poodle such a pleasure to have around. He is very intelligent too, so with training and socialization he becomes a super little pet.

Playful and social, he is like a small ray of sunshine that comes into your home and your heart.

The PON is an independent, self-willed dog but he can also be entertaining and amusing. He is a social, friendly dog but for many people, his long hair and grooming requirement might prove to be a bit of a handful.

Your dog is energetic, cheerful and playful and when he isn’t around, it will be like some sunshine has gone out of your life. He is faithful and loving towards his human family but is aloof towards strangers. Bring one of these dogs into your home and you’re guaranteed to have a remarkable friend and pet for many years.

Good food and exercise keep the Toy Poodle as healthy as possible, but like other dogs, the Toy Poodle can also get sick. Cancer, bloat, ear infections, and obesity are common dog ailments.

Too many dog owners don’t realize the importance of healthy teeth. You need to look into the mouth of your pet regularly to make sure there are no rotting teeth. These problematic teeth can jeopardize the health of your pet.

Infection of teeth and gums can cause a host of other problems such as kidney and heart disease.

Check your Toy Poodle for parasites – fleas, ticks, worms as these can take a toll on your pet’s health. Your pet can become lethargic and the coat becomes listless, thin and dull. Your pet will also lose weight. Speak to your vet about treatments that can prevent these infestations.

These dogs are generally healthy and the dog’s life expectancy is about 12 years. Nonetheless there are some problems to be aware of. For instance, with this dog, hip dysplasia is a real problem.

The Orthopedic Foundation of America evaluated the hip X-rays of hundreds of these dogs and found a large percentage were dysplastic.

Hereditary eye disease can also occur with this dog. Macular degeneration is a common eye disorder that can cause central vision loss. Many genetic abnormalities can cause degeneration of the image forming part of the eye. Unfortunately these conditions can result in total blindness. Parts of the retina can also degenerate with age.

Skin allergies are also an ever present threat with your dog. Itchiness and pain can be a nightmare for your pet and scratching and licking brings no relief – just aggravates the condition. You will certainly need to get your pet to the vet as skin allergies and skin diseases can make your beloved canine miserable.

Make sure to exercise your Toy Poodle every day. If you’re lucky to have a garden, play ball games with him, play hide and seek and take him for walks.

Brush your Toy Poodle twice a week. His curly coat can become a source of concern for you and then you can have his coat clipped short.

Provide your pet with training and socialization and get him used to walking on a leash.

Take your Toy Poodle for regular visits to the vet. There are some serious canine diseases that can kill your pet.

Provide your pet with a nice dry, peaceful sleeping area. He needs his own water and food bowls. Wash these regularly.

Provide your Toy Poodle with the best dog food there is. Try and go for natural foods free from colorants and fillers. Try and also give him some home-made food such as boiled chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and spinach. Dogs like the same good foods which are simple and nutritious.

Your Polish Lowland Sheepdog is like a big Bear and his long, shaggy coat will require regular brushing, otherwise it could become full of burrs and grass.

Many people prefer to take their dogs to a grooming parlor where the hair is cut, the nails trimmed, the teeth cleaned and the ears checked.

Provide your Sheepdog with a nice warm, dry cozy spot that is his and where he can quietly retreat.

If your Polish Lowland Sheepdog spends time outdoors, make sure he has access to both shade, sun and shelter in case it rains. There must always be a bowl of fresh water outdoors too.

Diet:

It is better to give your adult Polish Lowland Sheepdog 2 smaller helpings of food as opposed to one big bowl. Puppies will need 4 bowls of food a day. Two bowls will ensure your dog doesn’t gobble up his food and create digestive problems and bloat.

High-quality dry dog food will provide a balanced diet, but you want to make it a little more delicious for him occasionally by mixing in chopped up boiled chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach. Just a tad of raw meat occasionally can also be of huge benefit.

Fresh, cool water should always be available around the clock. Be sure to keep his food and water dishes clean.

Have your dogs spayed or neutered if you don’t want them to have puppies.