Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Introduction
- Flat-Coated Retriever versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Overview
- Flat-Coated Retriever versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog
- The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog
- Temperament of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus the Flat-Coated Retriever
- The Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog
- Health Problems of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Polish Lowland Sheepdog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog
- Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog
- Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?
- Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?
- Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?
- Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?
- Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?
- Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Polish Lowland Sheepdog
- Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?
- How Kid-friendly are Flat-Coated Retrievers and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Flat-Coated Retriever and for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Overview
Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are similar in size. The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Flat-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
On the other hand, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Flat-Coated Retriever to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
| Factor | Flat-Coated Retriever | Polish Lowland Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 55 to 70 pounds | 35 to 55 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1350 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1150 – $1800 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 92.0 percent | 54.5 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 94 | 169 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Flat-Coated Retriever in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for a Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 84 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a better pet than the Flat-Coated Retriever. So, you should get the Polish Lowland Sheepdog!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Below is a list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog
The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Flat-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus the Flat-Coated Retriever
The Flat-Coated Retriever has a better temperament than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
This is because the temperament score for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 92.0 percent while the temperament score for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 54.5 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 92.0 percent, the Flat-Coated Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 54.5 percent, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 87 Flat-Coated Retrievers and 11 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.
The Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Flat-Coated Retriever is more popular with dog owners than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 94 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 169 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever
Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog
| Year | Flat-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank | Polish Lowland Sheepdog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 94 | 157 |
| 2014 | 92 | 170 |
| 2015 | 86 | 164 |
| 2016 | 89 | 169 |
| 2017 | 96 | 176 |
| 2018 | 91 | 170 |
| 2019 | 104 | 173 |
| 2020 | 102 | 175 |
Health Problems of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Flat-Coated Retriever is prone to more genetic health problems than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Flat-Coated Retriever than for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
3 health tests are recommended for Flat-Coated Retriever while 2 tests are recommended for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Flat-Coated Retrievers and in Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.
Flat-Coated Retriever Health Problems
Flat-Coated Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Flat-Coated Retriever puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Flat-Coated Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Flat-Coated Retriever breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Flat-Coated Retrievers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Flat-Coated Retrievers here.
Polish Lowland Sheepdog Health Problems
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Polish Lowland Sheepdog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Polish Lowland Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Polish Lowland Sheepdog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Polish Lowland Sheepdogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Polish Lowland Sheepdogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Flat-Coated Retrievers and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Flat-Coated Retriever Breed is Thyroid problems.
This is because the Flat-Coated Retriever ranks 28 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 241 Flat-Coated Retrievers, 14 of them had Thyroid problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Flat-Coated Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Flat-Coated Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Breed is Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.
This is because the Polish Lowland Sheepdog ranks 1 out of 8 dog breeds for Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 341 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, 60 of them had Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Polish Lowland Sheepdogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Flat-Coated Retriever and in Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog:
| Disease | Flat-Coated Retriever Rank | Polish Lowland Sheepdog Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Thyroid problems | 28 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 85 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 129 out of 144 dog breeds | 116 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 129 out of 182 dog breeds | 106 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 172 out of 198 dog breeds | 60 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | Not Common | 1 out of 8 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can be left alone only for a short time.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Flat-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?
Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.
Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Flat-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Flat-Coated Retrievers and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?
Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along fairly well with other dogs.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Flat-Coated Retriever:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Polish Lowland Sheepdog:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Flat-Coated Retriever and how the Polish Lowland Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever and of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog to other breeds:
Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Chinook Flat-Coated Retriever versus Puli Flat-Coated Retriever versus Pomchi Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lowchen Flat-Coated Retriever versus Plott Flat-Coated Retriever versus Chinook Flat-Coated Retriever versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Flat-Coated Retriever versus American Bulldog Flat-Coated Retriever versus Chinese Shar-Pei Flat-Coated Retriever versus Sussex Spaniel
Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Australian Shepherd Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Schnoodle Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus American Foxhound Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Havanese Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Borzoi Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Mountain Cur Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Papipoo Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Pharaoh Hound Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Boxer
Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.