Saturday August 14, 2010 - 10am - 10pm
Sunday August 15, 2010 - 11am - 6pm

Old Main Street across from Riverplace and St. Anthony Main (map)

Twin Cities Polish Festival is a non-profit organization created to bring a world-class celebration
of Polish culture to the Twin Cities. It also helps promote various community-service
and Polish-American organizations.

Polish Sheepdog Exhibition

Polish Lowland Sheepdogs

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is known throughout Europe by the name PON, which derives from its Polish name - Polski Owczarek Nizinny.

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a middle-sized, strong and sound dog, covered with long, dense hair. It moves freely and economically; it is a working dog, psychologically and physically. It is known to be a good companion dog in town or city conditions. It is a lively but moderate, alert, well adjusted, smart and intelligent dog and has a good memory.

The PON was originally used as a sheepdog in the Polish lowlands and being an alert and agile dog, it was very suitable for such use. Therefore it is also very suitable for obedience and agility. Several PONs have already competed in these tests very successfully. In city surroundings the PON is a good companion for children and also protects and watches them as well as his home. The breed is good natured and gentle with children.

 

The coat requires thorough grooming to keep it mat free and the PON, as a working breed, needs regular exercise. They do not do well in situations where they are left alone for long periods of time and like nothing better than to be close to their family. They are a very greedy breed and care must be taken to ensure that the PON does not become overweight; obesity is a common problem. They are a fairly hardy breed and do not seem to suffer from a lot of illness.

The PON is a breed which is very loyal, faithful and great fun, as they love to play, but demand a firm but gentle owner; PONs can exhibit much stubbornness and often a willful streak, there are clever dogs, early training and socialisation is important.

 

 

Polish Tatra Sheepdog - (OWCZAREK PODHALANSKI)

The Polish Tatra Working Dog Association (PTWDA) is an organization for Polish Tatra Sheepdog owners and enthusiasts to share ideas and experiences. We are a source of communication and education about the Polish Tatra Sheepdog and their specific intent as a livestock guardian dog. Our cultural connection to the Polish Highlanders is important as we live in the present but look to their past heritage for guidance and preservation. We strive to maintain the Polish Tatra Sheepdog as a working tool in the life of the rancher, farmer and guardian of the flock. www.ptwda-usa.com The PTWDA will be participating at this years Twin Cities Polish Festival.

HISTORY
The breed’s history follows that of similar dogs from Europe , all which can trace their ancestry back to the white guardian dogs of the Eastern World. This breed has been guarding sheep in the Polish mountain meadows for centuries but outside interest began to develop in the middle of the 19th century, when mountain climbing became popular. World War II brought the breed to the brink of extinction, however they refused to die. The Polish Kennel Club worked to re-establish the Tatra Dogs following the war. By the 1960’s, the Federation Cynologique International (FCI) reinstated the breed. The Polish Tatra Sheepdog is one of the rarest dogs in North America.

2010 - Twin Cities Polish Festival