Polish Lowland Sheepdog. Betty Augustowski

Selecting a PON puppy starts with selecting a breeder and observing the litter.

      Potential owners are encouraged to attend dog shows (or trials) to see the PONs in action, to meet the owners and handlers firsthand and to get an idea of what PONs look like outside of a photographer’s lens. Provided you approach the handlers when they are not terribly busy with the dogs, most are more than willing to answer questions, recommend breeders and give advice.

      Once you have contacted and met a breeder or two and made your choice about which breeder is best suited to your needs, it’s time to visit the litter. Since the breed is not very numerous, most top breeders have waiting lists. Sometimes new owners have to wait as long as two years for a puppy. If you are really committed to the breeder whom you’ve selected, then you will wait (and hope for an early arrival). If not, you may have to resort to your second- or third-choice breeder.

      Ideally you will be able to visit the litter in person. Photographs and video cassettes are helpful, but they cannot compare to actually meeting the litter firsthand. Since you are likely to be choosing a PON as a pet dog and not a show dog, you simply should select a pup that is friendly, attractive and healthy. For the potential show puppy, you will have to be more selective. The bite is a consideration in every breed of dog, so check the bite of your selected puppy to be sure that it is neither overshot nor undershot. This may not be too noticeable on a young puppy but will become more evident as the puppy gets older. Size is a consideration with a show puppy, so do not rescue the runt of the litter if the breeder thinks the dog could grow up to be slightly below the standard.

       MAKE A COMMITMENT

      Dogs are most assuredly man’s best friend, but they are also a lot of work. When you add a puppy to your family, you also are adding to your daily responsibilities for years to come. Dogs need more than just food, water and a place to sleep. They also require training (which can be ongoing throughout the lifetime of the dog), activity to keep them physically and mentally fit and hands-on attention every day, plus grooming and healthcare. Your life as you now know it may well disappear! Are you prepared for such drastic changes?

       SOME DAM ATTITUDE

      When selecting a puppy, be certain to meet the dam of the litter. The temperament of the dam is often predictive of the temperament of her puppies. However, dams occasionally are very protective of their young, some to the point of being testy or aggressive with visitors, whom they may view as a danger to their babies. Such attitudes are more common when the pups are very young and still nursing and should not be mistaken for actual aggressive temperament. If possible, visit the dam away from her pups to make friends with her and gain a better understanding of her true personality.

      Most PON fanciers would concur that there are no major differences in the sexes when it comes to this breed; both make marvelous pets. Some would proffer that males are more rambunctious and energetic and that adult females tend to be less active than their male counterparts. For a family with children, females may be gentler and more demonstrative. There are no hard and fast rules with PON temperaments, and there can be some variation within the same litter. Seek a calm puppy and you will be assured of a reliable adult companion.

      Breeders commonly allow visitors to see their litters by around the fifth or sixth week, and puppies leave for their new homes between the eighth and tenth week. Breeders who permit their puppies to leave early are more interested in your money than in their puppies’ well-being. Puppies need to learn the rules of the pack from their dams, and most dams continue teaching the pups manners and dos and don’ts until around the eighth week.

      Speaking of the dam of the litter, be sure to meet the dam when visiting the litter. Her temperament, soundness and appearance have a direct bearing on the litter. Puppies inherit both the physical and mental traits of their sire and dam. Keep in mind, when evaluating the dam, that she has just endured a demanding period of pregnancy and rigorous puppy care. Chasing after a rowdy litter of PONs can take the wind out of even the greatest Best in Show bitch! Her coat may not be in the best condition, but she still should look healthy and act interested in visitors. PONs are not usually outgoing to strangers, so expect the dam to be somewhat aloof and rather protective of her brood. This is not to say that she is an unfriendly dog—she’s a PON and that’s her nature.

      Breeders spend significant amounts of time with the PON toddlers so that the pups are able to interact with the “other species,” i.e., humans. Given the long history that dogs and humans have, bonding between the two species is natural but must be nurtured. A well-bred, well-socialized PON pup wants nothing more than to be near you and please you.

       A COMMITTED NEW OWNER

      By now you should understand what makes the PON a most unique and special dog, one that may fit nicely into your family and lifestyle. If you have researched breeders, you should be able to recognize a knowledgeable and responsible PON breeder who cares not only about his pups but also about what kind of owner you will be. If you have completed the final step in your new journey, you have found a litter, or possibly two, of quality PON pups.

       A SHOW PUPPY

      If you plan to show your puppy, you must first deal with a reputable breeder who shows his dogs and has had some success in the conformation ring. The puppy’s pedigree should include one or more champions in the first and second generation. You should be familiar with the breed and breed standard so you can know what qualities to look for in your puppy. The breeder’s observations and recommendations also are invaluable aids in selecting your future champion. If you consider an older puppy, be sure that the puppy has been properly socialized with people and not isolated in a kennel without substantial daily human contact.

      A visit with the puppies and their breeder should be an education in itself. Breed research, breeder selection and puppy visitation are very important aspects of finding the puppy of your dreams. Beyond that, these things also lay the foundation for a successful future with your pup. Puppy personalities within each litter vary, from the shy and easygoing puppy to the one who is dominant and assertive, with most pups falling somewhere in between. By spending time with the puppies you will be able to recognize certain behaviors and what these behaviors indicate about each pup’s temperament. Which type of pup will complement your family dynamics is best determined by observing the puppies in action within their “pack.” Your breeder’s expertise and recommendations are also valuable. Although you may fall in love with a bold and brassy male, the breeder may suggest that another pup would be best for you. The breeder’s experience in rearing PON pups and matching their temperaments with appropriate humans offers the best assurance that your pup will meet your needs and expectations. The type of puppy that you select is just as important as your decision that the PON is the breed for you.

       PEDIGREE VS. REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE

      Too often new owners are confused between these two important documents. Your puppy’s pedigree, essentially a family tree, is a written record of a dog’s genealogy of three generations or more. The pedigree will show you the names as well as performance titles of all dogs in your pup’s background. Your breeder must provide you with a registration application, with his part properly filled out. You must complete the application and send it to the AKC with the proper fee. Every puppy must come from a litter that has been AKC-registered by the breeder, born in the US and from a sire and dam that are also registered with the AKC.