Polish Tatra Sheepdog Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & More!

The Polish Tatra Sheepdog or Tatra Shepherd Dog is a handsome animal with a calm demeanor fitting for its job as a livestock protection dog¹ (LPD). It’s a large pup that can easily tip the scales at over 100 pounds. At first glance, it resembles a Great Pyrennes or Kuvasz. This breed hails from Poland, hence, its name. You may also see it called the Polish Mountain Sheepdog.

Breed Overview

The Polish Tatra Sheepdog is an obscure breed. Neither the American Kennel Club (AKC) nor the United Kennel Club (UKC) recognizes this dog. However, both the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and the Polish Kennel Club do. Its history is equally as murky. Like many European breeds, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog also almost became extinct during World War II.

Thanks to the efforts of the Polish Kennel Club, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog managed to survive and eventually make its way to North America. That says a lot about the breed and its temperament to endear itself to such an ardent pool of enthusiasts. If you manage to find one, you’ll have a real gem on your hands.

Polish Tatra Sheepdog Characteristics

Polish Tatra Sheepdog Puppies

We mentioned that the Polish Tatra Sheepdog was a guardian dog. It also served a herding role in its native country. These roles provide some valuable information about the nature of the pup. As with other breeds with a similar job, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog has a strong independent streak. That’s not uncommon with these animals. That trait serves them well and supports their problem-solving skills.

The Polish Tatra Sheepdog isn’t the best choice for first-time pet owners. This pup needs someone who knows how to handle these animals. Its size is another factor, especially combined with its energy. Therefore, early socialization is imperative with this dog. It is not a pet that you can leave to its own devices.

The other thing to bear in mind is that the Polish Tatra Sheepdog is a vocal animal. That comes from its role as a guardian. It’s a good strategy for a pup with this job. It helps you conserve energy and avoid injury by chasing an intruder off with your bark instead of a fight. Nevertheless, it’s a bad habit that you’ll need to curb from day one.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Polish Tatra Sheepdog

The Polish Tatra Sheepdog is intelligent. That comes from its job. It must be alert to potential threats and know when to act. As we’ve discussed, this dog conserves its energy. Fighting is the last resort if all the posturing hasn’t made its point clear enough to a predator. Its strong-willed nature is evident out of the gate. That means a pet owner must assert themselves from the start.

You can describe the Polish Tatra Sheepdog as a gentle giant. While they can be strong-willed, they are sweethearts. They do best if they have ample mental stimulation or a job to keep them occupied.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?👪

The Polish Tatra Sheepdog is an excellent family pet that will take care of your kids and your home. That speaks to its loyal nature encouraged by selective breeding. However, they are still easy-going with strangers, although they may seem aloof at first. This pup is able to make quick assessments about potential threats.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Early socialization is critical with the Polish Tatra Sheepdog. It’s necessary because of both its size and temperament. This dog doesn’t look for a fight, but it won’t back off of one, either. We don’t recommend this breed in a household with small pups or cats. It doesn’t have a strong prey drive, but we’d think it would be unwise to test it.

Things to Know When Owning a Polish Tatra Sheepdog:

Like other large breeds, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog grows relatively slowly when compared to smaller dogs. It’ll reach maturity at 14 months or older versus the nine months for a Yorkshire Terrier. It’s essential to keep that fact in mind with other aspects of your pup’s care. Knowing a breed’s history is also helpful for understanding its particular needs.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

It’s vital to feed a diet that is formulated for a dog’s life stage and breed size. The different maturation rates mean that their caloric and nutritional needs will vary, too. For example, a puppy needs food that contains 22% protein and 8% fat compared to the 18% and 5% for an adult. You can start with three to four small meals a day for pups under 6 months of age.

Following this schedule will ensure that your pet has adequate energy to keep up with its active lifestyle as it grows. You can stick to a twice-a-day plan for your adult Polish Tatra Sheepdog. We recommend staying with a schedule and taking up your dog’s food bowl after it eats. If there’s still kibble in the bowl, you’re feeding your pup too much.

We also suggest that you verify that your dog’s diet meets the nutrient profiles for the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to ensure that it’s a complete and balanced diet. That will give your Polish Tatra Sheepdog the best start in its young life.

Exercise 🐕

The Polish Tatra Sheepdog is an active animal that will do best with at least an hour of exercise a day. Letting your pet out in the yard won’t satisfy its needs for activity. Walks in the neighborhood will help it get the mental stimulation it needs to thrive. Remember that this pup is an intelligent dog. This part of its care is just as essential for its well-being.

Training 🎾

We won’t sugarcoat it. The Polish Tatra Sheepdog is sometimes stubborn with a mind of its own. That’s why it’s critical to begin training early, even starting on the day you bring your pet home. Early socialization is also important for encouraging good canine manners, especially with a dog of the size of this one. It’ll make your life easier to control it as a puppy than a 130-pound adult.

Consistency is the key to teaching your Polish Tatra Sheepdog commands and tricks. We also suggest mixing things up to keep your pup from getting bored. Of course, treats make an excellent motivator. Positive enforcement is the best approach, with plenty of praise to reinforce the pet-owner bond.

Grooming ✂️

The Polish Tatra Sheepdog has a thick double coat, not uncommon with breeds that live in challenging environments like this one. It will shed its undercoat twice a year. Regular brushing will keep the fur under control. You should also check your pup’s ears occasionally because of the breed’s higher propensity for infections.

Health and Conditions🏥

The Polish Tatra Sheepdog is a relatively healthy breed. However, it’s essential to keep genetics on the front burner. There aren’t a lot of dogs in the United States. That can affect the risk of inbreeding. Fortunately, research has shown that hasn’t been a significant concern. Nevertheless, we strongly urge you to look into the lineages of any pets you’re considering.

A health guarantee is a must-have with this pup and any dog you buy. Some congenital issues may not show up right away, making a long-term agreement necessary. The concerns with the Polish Tatra Sheepdog are what we’d expect to see in a breed of this size. We strongly urge you to only purchase animals from sellers who do the necessary pre-breeding health screenings.

Male vs. Female

Both the male and female Polish Tatra Sheepdogs are similar in size, with the former slightly taller and bulkier than the latter. You may find that some sellers will require you to spay or neuter your pet as part of the sales agreement. That’s not unusual with purebred dogs. Either sex will make a delightful pet in the right home.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Polish Tatra Sheepdog

1. The Interest in Mountain Climbing Benefited the Polish Tatra Sheepdog

The region where the Polish Tatra Sheepdog got its start is remote. That probably explains its scarcity today. However, a surge in the popularity of mountain climbing put this range on the radar of enthusiasts. People encountering this pup fell in love. The rest, as they say, is history.

2. The Polish Tatra Sheepdog Isn’t Aggressive

When you look at the Polish Tatra Sheepdog, you may think that this pup is mean. The opposite is true. It is a calm dog that seems to know that its bulk is a good deterrent if it just stands its ground.

3. The Polish Tatra Sheepdog Shows Its Love With Loyalty

The Polish Tatra Sheepdog isn’t an overly affectionate pup. That’s not unusual with independent dogs like this one. It shows its love with its loyalty. It will protect you just like its charges.

Final Thoughts

We can thank the devotion of the enthusiasts of the Polish Tatra Sheepdog that this pup didn’t go extinct.  Despite its large size, this dog is a calm and devoted pet. Its intelligence means that it’ll do best in a home where an owner can take charge of training from day one. In return, you’ll enjoy a loyal and easygoing animal that will make a welcome addition to your home.

• See also: Abruzzese Mastiff: Pictures, Info, Temperament & Traits

Featured Image Credit: PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek, Shutterstock