Where we came from.....................
The Past
About 1000 years ago, man migrated to lands in Eastern Europe where he could live in safety. A shaggy looking canine appeared who stood guard over the animals of man and proved its usefulness in many other ways. The "beardie" became very popular and was highly sought after across Europe as a herding dog.
How we got here...................
The Present
Nearly extinct at the end of World War II, Dr. Danuta Hryniewicz established a breeding program that gradually restored the Polski Owczarek Nizinny in its homeland. Today the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is found on all continents, affectionately called a PON.
Looking ahead..............
The Future
Fewer than 50 PONs around the world ever see sheep or work with them today. It is my goal to keep the purpose and history of the breed alive, to preserve the rich heritage in herding instinct and ability for the future.
Behind the scenes
That'll Do PONs, explained
I am Benigne Dohms. Dogs have been part of my life as far back as I can remember. Around the year 2000, as editor of a club newsletter I decided to give it a fresh look when I came across a reference to Polish dog breeds. The moment my eyes fell on a photo of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, I knew I had to have one. Something in the expression on those faces connected deeply with my Polish ancestry and the quest began.
At that time, litters were few and waiting lists were long. Finally in 2005, the first PON joined our home. It can be said that the PON is an extremely intelligent dog, entertaining in personality and spirit, highly energetic, sweet and loving in temperament, and typically needing a job. Olek attended Obedience classes early, went on to do Rally and trained in Agility. He was the first PON to title in Barn Hunt and to qualify in Lure Coursing, and was always eager to go Tracking. But nothing gave him the same joy as Herding. Olek was a year old when we went to a Herding Clinic where the dogs were tested for instinct. To see a dog transform into ability within seconds after seeing sheep the first time is incredible. Nothing ever made his eyes twinkle or have the famous PON smile on his face like being near sheep, goats, or geese.
In 2008, Bisia joined us. Her PON structure and exquisite fluid movement earned her two BIS awards and Champion titles. Together we accomplished Obedience and Rally, and Certified in Tracking. A quiet but honest dog in the arena, she always stood her ground when she knew better than I what to do with sheep and became the first PON to title as a Ranch Dog.
2016 brought Taz to the mix. His energy, independent nature, and intense need for activity has involved more time and accomplishments in Tracking, Lure Coursing, and Herding. He enjoys Carting and is an AKC and IABCA Champion.
In addition to the training, trials and tests, I have written articles about the breed and herding, have chaired and co-chaired national specialties for the breed, organized herding clinics, taken courses on canine genetics, been the lead person in an international health survey for the breed as well as the representative for a genetic diversity study at UC Davis. I am on the board of the American Polish Lowland Sheepdog Association (APLSA), newsletter editor, and moderator of Facebook pages for APLSA, PON Genetic Diversity, and Preserving PON Heritage. The health and future of the breed is very important to me.
In every sport there are instructions given between players. Natural instinct tells the dog what to do around sheep or other livestock. Sometimes the only command a dog needs is when the stock is safely penned. The words That'll Do mean the work is over, the task has been accomplished. These are words of praise and a reflection of the bond between a good working dog and its owner. So I have chosen That'll Do as our kennel name.
