Find out more about the Tatra or Polish Podgalian Shepherd dogs. The article provides interesting facts from the history of the appearance of the breed. You will also find out why these large dogs are used in canistherapy to work with special children and why dog dogs are recruited to serve in special forces. You can watch an interesting video about the non-standard education of the Podgalian Shepherd, as well as a series of interesting and fascinating photos with representatives of the Polish Podhalian Shepherd Dog breed, which will help you to consider the characteristic exterior of these snow-white giants.
Dossier
Height at the withers of an adult: 65-70 cm. Weight: up to 70 kg. Characteristic color: snow-white. Coat length: medium wool, double layer. Life expectancy: up to 14 years. Advantages of the breed: Strong and fearless dogs with good health. Suspicious of strangers. Hardy and balanced. They can withstand winter cold and any bad weather very well, thanks to their thick, tightly knit wool. They are excellent watchdogs and are also used in guard and rescue service. Difficulties of the breed: Dogs exhibit an independent character and stubbornness from puppyhood. They also need to select a diet with strict feeding of only one type of food. They shed heavily twice a year. Not for apartments. Average price of Polish Podgalian Shepherd puppies: $1000. Classification: A group of large mountain guard dogs with excellent working qualities.
a brief description of
- Other names: Podhalaner, Polski Owczarek Podhalański, Tatra dog, Polish mountain dog, Tatra Shepherd Dog, Podhalański, Tatra dog.
- Height: females – 60 cm, males – 70 cm.
- Weight: females – 45 kg, males up to 70 kg.
- Color: white only.
- Coat: thick, medium length with dense soft undercoat.
- Life expectancy: up to 15 years.
- Advantages of the breed: Excellent watchdogs. Responsible nannies.
- Difficulties: Extreme sensitivity to injustice.
- Price: $1250.
Origin story
The history of the formation of the Podgalyanka breed goes back to the Late Middle Ages. The routes of nomads driving cattle often passed through the High Tatras. The mahouts always kept large and strong Asian dogs near the flocks. The mixing of Asians with local indigenous breeds on the territory of Europe gave Hungary the Kuvasz, Slovakia the Chuvach, and Poland inherited an amazing breed - the Tatra, or Podgalian Shepherd Dog.
Did you know? The uniqueness of the Podgalyanka lies in the fact that in addition to Asians, the ancestors of the breed were Eastern European wolves, which are still considered its closest relatives today.
Oddly enough, the first description of a large and hardy snow-white shepherd with excellent working qualities dates back to 1938. And just fifty years ago, the Polish Podgalian Shepherd Dog was registered by the International Cynological Association FCI, recognized and defined as an independent herding breed.
Dog character
Shepherd puppies
Even a Polish Podgalian Shepherd puppy already shows its own character, but in general, dogs that usually serve as shepherds or watchmen have a calm character, although there are exceptions. If a puppy is raised correctly, he will never be aggressive towards the weak, and during fights he will avoid fighting until the last moment. The dog will only need to drive away the competitor or suppress him. Typically, a representative of this breed attacks only if an opponent appears in the territory protected by the shepherd. The Polish Podgalian Shepherd Dog rarely growls or barks, but it will show its intentions with all its appearance.
Pets of this breed are distinguished by their devotion. This trait is an important part of their character. Previously, it took months to escort flocks. All this time the dog communicated only with the shepherd. This served as the basis for the formation of many of her character traits. The four-legged friend chooses his owner, as a rule, this is the head of the family. He will treat other people kindly.
As for other animals, the shepherd will show tolerance towards them if they all live together in the same territory. But the strangers who appeared in the area protected by the shepherd will not fare well.
If the socialization of a pet begins from an early age, then it will not imagine all animals and people as enemies, but at the same time, the shepherd will always control the entire situation. There is a tendency to make decisions independently, even before the command from the owner appears. This is why it is very important to monitor your pet and stop situations where he becomes overly defensive when it is not necessary. It is commonly believed that herding dog breeds are difficult to train, but in reality this is not the case at all.
What is it for?
The Tatra Shepherd Dog has guarding qualities from birth, being the most vigilant guardian of the owner’s property and home. The appearance of the representatives of the breed inspires not only respect due to their large size, but also fear. The Poles only occasionally used the animal as a herder . The main activity of the dog was to guard property and also to transport cargo to its destination. Podgalyanoks are also involved in guard duty, where they valiantly guard places of detention, keeping an eye on the prisoners.
The Poles call this breed nothing more than the Tatra Mountain Dog. She is gladly accepted into the ranks of special forces rescuers. In emergency situations, large powerful creatures help save people. Its kind disposition and boundless adoration for children allows this dog to be used in a canistherapy program to work with children with disabilities.
Description of character
It is believed that the Tatra Shepherd Dog has “nerves of steel”, these creatures are so calm and balanced. In the description of the Polish Podgalian Shepherd Dog breed, much attention is paid to the specific character of the dogs. The only thing that seriously distinguishes them from the entire I group of FCI (herding and cattle breeding) is a unique degree of aggression, leveled by the animal itself.
A good-natured creature, full of love and affection for children, can react with lightning speed to the invasion of a stranger. The dog shows its love and devotion to the owner and his family by its readiness to defend itself, even at the cost of its life. With strangers, the podgalyanka behaves warily, occupying the post of an attentive observer. And if the dog feels the slightest threat from a stranger, it is better not to be in the place of the one who violated the family idyll, protected by a sensitive guardian.
Important! The chained Podgalian has a bad character and often gets sick. A chain for a Tatra Shepherd Dog can be regarded as bullying and cruelty to animals.
Historical reference
“Podgalyanka” has several names that are relevant in different territories. For example, in the USA the common name is Tatra dog or simply Tatra. In their homeland, where the number of dogs is not so large, they are usually called the Polish Mountain Dog. Experts have no doubt about the origin of the breed. It is known that white giants roamed with herds about a thousand years ago. Typically, the route ran from Tibet to the foot of the High Tatras. It is not difficult to guess that the ancestors of the “podgalyanka” were the Tibetan Molossians.
This is interesting! The history of the breed is not as simple as it seems. The Tatra Shepherd would not be so unique if it were not for its close relationship with Eastern European wolves.
Despite belonging to group 1 in the FCI classification (Federation Cynologique Internationale), the closest relatives of the Polish Mountain Dog are such rare breeds as the Hungarian Kuvasz and the Pyrenean Mountain Shepherd. The modern dog of the Polish Podgalian Sheepdog breed is the result of a long, natural formation of the gene pool. The first impulses towards purebred breeding date back to the post-war years, when large guard dogs were in great demand. Mass breeding work to consolidate the necessary working qualities began only in 1973, after the registration of the breed standard.
How to choose a puppy
It is recommended to purchase a small Podgalyanka exclusively from a nursery. Here you will be introduced to the litter's parents and presented with health certificates. You may not be able to choose your favorite puppy from the crowd of jumping babies. Due to the rarity of the breed, almost all puppies in the litter are pre-signed. But if you're lucky, you should first pay attention to your parents.
Pedigree representatives have:
- strong muscular body;
- wide head of dry type;
- large muzzle with a well-defined stop;
- small expressive dark brown eyes;
- thick, triangular, drooping but movable ears;
- strong paws (oval pastern);
- low-set, well-furred tail.
Health certificates for parents and puppies are extremely important as all canine giants are prone to dysplasia. It’s great if the breeder took care and prepared certificates for the entire litter.
Care and maintenance
As a true native, obtained naturally, the podgalyanka does not need comfortable living conditions. In extreme cases, she is able to completely take care of herself and find food. The Tatra is even capable of defeating a wolf in single combat and survives in natural conditions, without the need for human participation.
As a rule, the Tatra Shepherd Dog is not kept in apartments. Her destiny is a private house with a spacious enclosure (you don’t even have to close it!), preferably outside the city. But remember that even a large plot of land cannot replace an animal’s free range!
Did you know? Hiking, jogging and long walks are essential for dogs to maintain health and increase their life expectancy.
The undercoat should be combed out once a month, except during molting periods. Twice a year the Polish Podgalian Sheepdog sheds intensively. If you bathe and comb your dog before shedding (or at the very beginning), it will be much easier to deal with the hair. Ears are cleaned every 10-14 days.
Maintenance and care
It is not recommended to have such a serious dog in an apartment for a number of reasons. To begin with, the Polish Podgalian Shepherd Dog needs full-time, round-the-clock work - protecting the territory, and an apartment, in the dog’s understanding, is just a booth. It is strictly forbidden to restrict the breed's freedom of movement, this also includes chain and kennel keeping. Physical restriction of freedom leads to a violation of mental development, as a result of which the dog becomes passive-aggressive at best, and uncontrollably aggressive at worst. Have you heard scary stories about how dogs are fed with a shovel in an enclosure, and then these same dogs kill their owners? This is the consequence of restricting the freedom of herding and guard breeds.
Keeping them in the house and yard does not detract from the importance of regular walks and socialization. The pet must go outside the protected area, otherwise you risk imposing a phobia on the pet, in the manner of “there are only enemies all around.” Walks in the park, meeting friends, sometimes even games, only have a positive effect on the development of the dog and the state of its nervous system.
Note! The Polish Podgalian Shepherd cannot be considered a nanny for children. The dog is tolerant of all people, but at the same time, the entire world around him is regarded by the dog from the point of view of work. Be sure to educate your children about the rules of behavior with a pet.
It is worth approaching the selection of a diet for your pet with full responsibility. Large breed puppies grow quickly, which can cause joint damage. The patient on an extended diet receives a sufficient amount of microelements and vitamins, and his joints have time to get stronger. If the baby does not receive enough of the necessary substances, the joint tissues do not have time to form, the first consequence that will become noticeable visually is a loose hand. In a more advanced stage, there is eversion or collapse of the elbows, hocks or curvature of the metatarsal joints.
The optimal way to feed a Polish Podgalian Shepherd puppy is industrial food for fast-growing large breed puppies. If you adhere to a natural type of diet, be sure to introduce mineral bait and increase the mass proportion of meat in the diet to 60%. In addition to meat, the baby is fed daily homemade calcined cottage cheese and natural (not store-bought) milk.
Training
The Tatra Shepherd Dog is the only representative that does not require training to develop watchdog qualities. Tatras do not need a course in protective guard service, since protection and security are inherent in them at the genetic level. Once you get a puppy, raise him in the direction you want him to be.
Don't forget that even in early childhood, the podgalyanka is capable of showing its independent character and being stubborn. Your firmness of upbringing should be tolerant, since the Tatras may harbor a grudge against physical rudeness. And they know how to be offended for a long time.
Character and education
The Podgalyansky Shepherd Dog has a calm, balanced character. With proper upbringing, the dog is non-aggressive towards weaker ones and is capable of attacking only when defending the territory from a stranger. The animal recognizes only one owner, whom it chooses independently, but it also treats other family members kindly and patronizingly. It perfectly accepts other animals living on its territory, but does not tolerate strangers.
Similar article: Characteristics of the oldest breed of Caucasian Shepherd Dog
It’s difficult to call a shepherd a nanny, but a dog will never harm a child and protect him. Early socialization will allow the dog to calmly perceive strangers, without losing the skills of constant control of the situation and protection. Education and training require an individual approach: the dog is capable of making decisions even before the owner’s command and can be quite stubborn. For successful training, first of all, you need to gain the pet's trust. Many security and protective skills of the “Podgalians” are genetically determined and clearly expressed. But the dog should be taught to carry the necessary equipment from childhood.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Polish Podgalian Shepherd Dog has so many advantages that some disadvantages, as mathematicians say, can be neglected. As a rule, all the “minuses” come down to shortcomings in the exterior and represent violations of certain points of the standard , which leads to disqualification and inadmissibility to breeding:
- crease of the tail (or “donut”);
- curly hair;
- malocclusion – snack, snack;
- depigmentation of the nose;
- spotty color;
- a color other than snow-white.
Thank you for your interest in the article about the Tatra (Polish Podgalian) Sheepdog. How useful was the information to you? Have you encountered these amazing creatures “live”? If you notice interesting character traits or manners of raising a Tatra, please share with the readership. Perhaps you have your own opinion about this issue. Express it by leaving your review or comment at the bottom of the page. We value your opinion.
