Polish Tatra Sheepdog: Livestock Guardian Dog Breed
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If you are like most people, you probably have never heard of the Polish Tatra Sheepdog. Because they are such a rare breed in the United States, you probably have some questions about their qualities as a working dog…
Does the Polish Tatra Sheepdog make a good livestock guardian? Yes, Polish Tatras have been bred for thousands of years to be livestock guardians. They are still relatively rare but make an excellent choice for the protection of sheep.
Does the Polish Tatra Sheepdog make a good pet? Yes, Polish Tatras make wonderful pets for families who are able to provide a large, fenced yard, plenty of training, exercise and socialization. These dogs are known to be one of the friendlier livestock guardian breeds which makes them an outstanding choice in family companion.
The Polish Tatra Sheepdog is considered to be one of the most versatile dog breeds in existence. They have been used to guard livestock, herd sheep, pull carts, assist mountain trekkers, guide the disabled, for companionship, and even have had their fur spun to make wool. The Polish Tatra is truly an incredible dog.
For quick facts about the Polish Tatra, see the “At a Glance” section below. Read more to find detailed information regarding its history, appearance, needs, and general qualities. And for information on how to train livestock guardian dog breeds with positive methods, check out a review on my favorite training program here.
Other Names: Tatra Shepherd Dog, Polish Mountain Sheepdog, Polish Mountain Dog, Polish Mountain Herder, Owczarek Podhalanski, Owczarek Tatranski, Iwczarej Tatrzabsju, Tatra
Polish Tatra Sheepdog at a Glance
| Characteristics | Polish Tatra Sheepdog |
|---|---|
| Male Size |
Height: 26-28" Weight: 80-130 lbs |
| Female Size |
Height: 24-26" Weight: 80-130 lbs |
| Barking Frequency | Low-moderate, but will bark at disturbances, especially at night |
| Fencing Required | High and strong |
| Exercise Needs | High |
| Human Aggression | If socialized, friendly to strangers, great with children |
| Other Dog Aggression | Typically low |
| Training | Can be challenging to train, early socialization necessary |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Grooming | Low-moderate |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years |
| Age to Maturity | ~2 years |
| Cost (in U.S.) | $600-$800+ |
| Food Requirements | 1925-3700 cal/day |
| Health Problems | Mostly healthy, hip displasia the main concern |
| Similar Breeds | Slovac Cuvac, Kuvasz, Great Pyrenees |
| Availability (in U.S.) | Uncommon |
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Personality/Temperament
The Polish Tatra Sheepdog has been described as independent, dominant, calm, intelligent, and one of the friendlier livestock guardian dog breeds. Because of their cleverness and intuition, they often out think their owners! Their facial expressions and “voice” are very expressive – especially when displaying their happiness. This breed excels at its job – whether that be guarding the flock or your home and gaggle of children.
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Livestock Guardian Dog Traits
Polish Tatra Sheepdogs are very protective of their charges. They will actually place themselves between the predator and the flock or herd and bark – both to alert the shepherd of its presence and to warn the predator that they mean business. The Tatra will not attack unless the predator is persistent and moves closer to the flock – they push the hunter away using intimidation versus outright aggression.
This dog shows incredible restraint in comparison to many other livestock guardian breeds and does not have the high-reactivity that some others tend to display (I’m looking at you, Armenian Gampr). Although not reactive, the Tatra is always alert and active – they do patrol their territory on a regular basis.
Polish Tatra Sheepdogs are known for their independent nature and they are self-thinkers. However, they were bred to work alongside shepherds. They are a social animal and will need regular human interaction and thus they are not suited for large-range situations. They are better suited to smaller farms where they can interact with their caregivers daily. This dog is also a great choice if you plan on having many visitors to your land as they are more friendly than most other livestock guardian dog breeds with strangers (of the human variety).
Polish Tatra Sheepdogs will work well with other LGDs as well as with herding dogs if given proper introductions and socialization. However, be cautious if unfamiliar dogs visit your land as the Tatra will be suspicious and may respond to them as if they were a threat. Typically, if the Tatra is shown that the incoming dog is not an intruder, they will warm up nicely.
Polish Tatra Sheepdogs have been known to be gentle and get along with children as well. Again, observe and supervise any interactions with new or unfamiliar children as it can be hard to guess their initial reaction.
Interestingly enough, this breed has historically been used as both a herding and guardian dog. Although this is a selling point for many people who have flocks of sheep, it is important to be cautious when choosing them as a livestock guardian dog. If the puppy displays high prey drive or too intense of a desire to herd, it will impede the dog’s function as a livestock guardian and actually become more of an issue as time goes on. This is not as important if the dog will be primarily a farm guardian, not a livestock guardian.
If you are thinking of getting Polish Tatra Sheepdogs for livestock guardian purposes, you may also be interested in:
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Pet Traits
As with most livestock guardian dog breeds, Polish Tatra Sheepdogs can absolutely make a great pet with lots of socialization, training, and exercise. In order for this dog to be a well-behaved family companion, it will require more training than the average pound pup. This is primarily due to their history of being independent and strong-willed as they were often left to their own devices and needed to solve problems independently.
This breed appreciates consistency and clarity in its training and socialization. The Tatra likes to know what to expect and what is expected of them. If properly trained, they will be a wonderfully obedient and responsive companion.
If you want to learn how to obedience train your dog using positive training methods, check out the online program, Brain Training for Dogs (affiliate link). This program is perfect for people who want to raise a livestock guardian dog as a pet. If you want to know why, see my review article here.
This breed truly makes an amazing family companion as these dogs really are people-oriented and tend to be friendlier towards strangers than the typical livestock guardian dog breed. In addition, they are typically great with children and not aggressive towards other dogs in the home. Of course, this is all dependent upon their socialization – especially their early experiences as a puppy.
If you live in an apartment – please do not get Polish Tatra Sheepdogs as they will be unquestionably miserable. Bred to guard large territories, they will get very antsy in small spaces and may end up destroying your home. However, with a large, fenced-in yard and long walks alongside their owners, they tend to do just fine.
It is important to note that if these dogs live primarily in an indoor-setting (have a yard but sleep inside or spend a decent amount of time in the house), they will shed year-round. The Tatra has a dense undercoat and will need to be brushed often in order to keep them comfortable and keep an insane amount of fur off your furniture (for more information on grooming, check out my grooming guide here. On the bright side, this dog does not drool like a lot of other giant dog breeds.
If you are thinking of getting a Polish Tatra Sheepdog as a pet, you may also be interested in:
The Ultimate Obedience Training Program for Pet Polish Tatra Sheepdogs: Brain Training for Dogs
Raising Polish Tatra Sheepdogs as Family Pets: Too Much Dog for Your Household or Just Right?
Train Your Polish Tatra Sheepdog to Stop Barking: When You Don’t Want Fido to ‘Speak’
How to Keep Your Polish Tatra Sheepdog in the Yard or Pasture
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Livestock Guardian Dog History
Place of Origin: Poland, specifically Podhale
Traditional Livestock Guarded: Sheep
Traditional Predators: Wolves, bears, lynxes
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Livestock Guardian Dog Lifestyle
The Polish Tatra Sheepdog is an ancient breed that has been working for thousands of years. Shepherds across the Carpathian Mountains used Tatras to transport their sheep from the summer pastures to the lowlands in the winter and back again.
During the summer months, the shepherds would be busy milking and making cheese, while the Tatras were in charge of watching, protecting, and often herding the sheep. This propensity to both guard and herd is part of what makes this breed so incredibly special. Most breeds are either a guarding dog or a herding dog – not both.
In the “off” season (winter), this breed was used for a variety of other purposes including hauling small carts for dairies or small businesses, guarding the home and farm, and assisting men who patrolled in the mountains.
It is also interesting to note that this dog has been helpful to climbers as the tail was actually used as a handhold when going through steep, rough terrain.
These dogs are also very versatile in the fact that they are able to withstand extreme temperatures – both cold and hot, dry heat. As with the majority of LGD breeds, they are not suited for humid climates.
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Additional History
The Polish Tatra Sheepdog was not officially a recognized breed until 1930 when the first standard was written. They still have not been recognized by the United Kennel Club as they are a fairly rare breed. In fact, there are only about 7,500 registered Tatras in the world. About 300 are currently known to reside in the United States.
Their rarity is partially due to their serious endangerment during World War II. Then, in 1954 the Communists confiscated nearly all private property in the highlands to create a national park. Shepherds were displaced to other areas and sheep-herding greatly declined. This further decreased the already dwindling population of Tatra dogs.
Since then, the breed has been officially recognized by the FCI, and the exportation of the breed started picking up. In the 1980s, Tatras were very close to extinction, but one kind American Foreign Service Officer decided these dogs were just the most wonderful beings he had ever encountered. He had three shipped back to the United States which started the American population of Tatras.
Fascinatingly enough, the Tatry Mountains are starting to become overgrown and park officials are interested in bringing back the Tatra and summer sheep grazing they were so keen to do away with so many decades ago. The hope is they will help ward off the large predators who have begun to return to the Carpathian Mountains in droves.
Other Polish Tatra Sheepdog Jobs
Traditionally, in their home country, Polish Tatra Sheepdogs were used for more than just guarding livestock. They also were used as herding dogs, drovers, and cart-pullers for small businesses and dairies. In our modern society, they have also been used in the police force, military, and as guide dogs.
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Appearance
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Size
Height: 26-28 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
Weight: 80-130 lbs.
For more on LGD breed sizes, check out my article, Livestock Guardian Dog Sizes.
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Colors
The Polish Tatra Sheepdog is always solid white or cream colored. If any other colors are present, the dog is likely mixed with another dog breed.
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Coat
The Polish Tatra Sheepdog has a double coat. The outer coat is weather resistant and will actually shed dried mud. The moderate to long outer hair will appear straight to slightly wavy.
The undercoat is soft, plentiful, and very dense. This downy layer helps keep this breed warm in extremely cold temperatures. Because of its density and propensity to mat, the Tatra does need to be brushed regularly. Outdoor Tatras will only shed twice per year but indoor dogs will shed their undercoat year-round to help regulate their body temperature.
The Tatras’s fur forms a ruff on the neck and is feathered along the legs. The neck and body are covered with thick, long hair while the head, snout and front part of the legs will have shorter, denser hair.
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Head
The Polish Tatra Sheepdog has a rectangular skull that is slightly rounded. Some have described their head as looking like a bear’s. Their eyes are dark brown, medium-sized and expressive. They also may be slightly slanted. The Tatras nose will always be black and medium-sized with a strong, wider-set muzzle. Their ears are triangular in shape and have a decent amount of fur to protect against foreign substances and dirt. This breed’s ears should never be cropped. The teeth are strong and regularly set in a scissor bite.
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Body
As with most livestock guardian dog breeds, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog has a natural defense mechanism in its heavy bones and massive presence – even though part of that appearance is due to its heavy and abundant double coat. This breed is powerful and muscular – well equipped to protect against many large predators. This dog does not have a dewlap on its neck but has a generous mane with rippled muscles underneath. This dog’s feet are compact and oval shaped. Their pads and nails are unsurprisingly dark and strong – built to last.
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Tail
The Polish Tatra Sheepdog’s tail is never cropped or curved. It is feathered and carried below the dog’s top line. When excited, the tail might rise higher but will not curve over the back.
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Grooming
One of the benefits of Polish Tatra Sheepdogs is their self-cleansing coat. The coat does not need regular baths in order to keep clean – dried mud sheds with little effort.
However, this breed does require regular brushing to prevent matting in its thick fur. During their “shedding seasons” (twice per year), they may need to be brushed daily in order to prevent undercoat build up. When they are not shedding, a weekly brushing seems to suffice. Slicker brushes (Amazon link), pin brushes, and combs are the best tools to use.
When grooming, be sure to pay special attention to under their ears as Polish Tatras tend to get tangles there.
Fun fact: For centuries, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog’s undercoat “sheddings” have been used to make yarn as well as spun into wool! Click here for an interesting WikiHow step-by-step guide to learn to make dog yarn. The particular dog shown is a Golden Retriever but the process is the same for the Tatra.
As with any dog, dental care is very important. Your Tatra’s teeth should be professionally cleaned at least once per year. However, regular teeth brushing is suggested as well to keep their teeth healthy and in good condition. Every other day is recommended in order to really make a difference.
Although working dogs are usually able to file their nails down organically, they should be monitored and trimmed when necessary.
For everything you could ever want to know about grooming Polish Tatra Sheepdogs, check out my guide, Grooming Polish Tatra Sheepdogs: The Ultimate Guide.
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Diet/Eating Habits
The Polish Tatra Sheepdog’s caloric intake will depend upon their size as well as their level of activity. Both males and females will require between 1925 and 3700 calories per day. Females will typically need fewer calories than males unless they are pregnant or nursing. See the table below for more specific estimates:
| Polish Tatra Sheepdog | Light Activity | Moderate Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 1925-2220 | 2220-2590 | 2590-3700 |
| Female | 1925-2220 | 2220-2590 | 2590-3700 |
Historically, Polish Tatra Sheepdogs were able to work on a minimal diet. However, as a large breed and working dog, they should be fed high-quality food that is rich in protein and fat. This will ensure that its energy needs are sufficiently met. If your dog is primarily a companion dog, be wary of how much you feed them – obesity can become an issue in non-working dogs.
For advice on how to properly feed your Polish Tatra Sheepdog, check out these resources:
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Lifespan
Polish Tatra Sheepdogs can be expected to live between 10 – 12 years. This is the typical range for a giant dog breed. If the dog is living in particularly harsh conditions – think extreme temperatures or an abnormal number of predators to fend off – the lifespan of the dog may not be as long. If the Tatra has been well taken care of, doesn’t have any health issues, or has been a family dog, they may live longer than the expected 12 years.
Although each individual dog should be monitored, you can expect the Tatra to be mature and reliable enough to guard a flock at around 2 years old. Physically, they may still have growing to do as some Tatras do not reach their full size until 4 years of age!
As an aside, see the video clip below of a Polish Tatra Sheepdog playing with her puppies - I just had to include this because, seriously, they are so cute!
For more information on livestock guardian dog lifespans, what to expect from puppies, and how to care for older dogs, see my article, What is the Lifespan of a Livestock Guardian Dog.
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Cost
The going rate in the United States for a Polish Tatra Sheepdog is $600-800 on average. However, a recent breeder search showed that many are going for as much as $1500. Primarily, this is most likely due to their increase in popularity, but still relative rarity in the country. Although other factors also come into play, including breeder reputation, litter size, lineage, location, training, and the dog’s age (a puppy might be more expensive than a rescue LGD, for example).
If you are interested in adopting a Polish Tatra Sheepdog from a rescue, check out my article, Rescue Livestock Guardian Dogs – Should You Get One?
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Health Problems
The Polish Tatra Sheepdog is generally a very healthy breed. However, as with any large dog breed, hip dysplasia is always a concern. Other minor concerns include patellar luxation, cataracts, epilepsy and the occasional diagnosis of allergies.
Livestock Guardian Dog Breeds Similar to Polish Tatra Sheepdogs
The Polish Tatra Sheepdog has been compared to the Slovac Cuvac (click to see my article), Hungarian Kuvasz, and Great Pyrenees. All three breeds have heavy bodies, long bushy tails and solid, creamy-white coats. It would take someone well-versed in livestock guardian breeds to distinguish between them at a glance.
You May Also Be Interested in:
Brain Training for Dogs: The Best Online Obedience Training Program for Livestock Guardian Dogs
The Ultimate Obedience Training Program for Pet Polish Tatra Sheepdogs: Brain Training for Dogs
The Best Livestock Guardian Dog Toys: Top Recommendations from DOZENS of Great Pyrenees Owners!
