Which is Better between the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog? A Very Detailed Review.

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Komondor Versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Komondor 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 Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Komondor 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 Komondor 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Komondor 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 Komondor or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

Komondor versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Komondor is a large-sized dog while the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Komondor belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Komondor versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Komondor 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Factor Komondor Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 12 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Height 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 4/5
Weight 80 to 100 pounds 35 to 55 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $840 No Data
Price Range $550 – $800 No Data
Temperament Score 90.0 percent 54.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 170 169

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Komondor 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 the Komondor is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 84 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a better pet than the Komondor. 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 Komondor 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 Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are most different:

  • Komondors are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    The Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are most similar:

  • Both the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Both the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Komondor versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    Komondors weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Komondors are 25 to 27 inches 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.

    Lifespan of Komondor versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    The lifespan of Komondors is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Komondors is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs is 11.0 years.

    Temperament of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus the Komondor

    The Komondor has a better temperament than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Komondor is 90.0 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 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 90.0 percent, the Komondor 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 Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 10 Komondors and 11 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

    The Popularity of Komondor 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 Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Komondor. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 169 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Komondor is 170 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Komondor

    Popularity of Komondor

    Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Year Komondor Popularity Rank Polish Lowland Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 159 157
    2014 168 170
    2015 163 164
    2016 177 169
    2017 163 176
    2018 173 170
    2019 181 173
    2020 178 175

    Health Problems of Komondor versus Health Problems of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Komondor 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 Komondor is prone to more genetic health problems than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Komondor than for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    3 health tests are recommended for Komondor while 2 tests are recommended for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Komondors and in Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

    Komondor Health Problems

    Komondors are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Komondor 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 Komondor puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Komondor 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 Komondors for:

  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Komondors 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:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Polish Lowland Sheepdogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Komondors 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 Komondor Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Komondor ranks 19 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 54 Komondors, 1 of them had Eyes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Komondors, and how common these diseases are in Komondors relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Eyes problems: Rank 19 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 30 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 90 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • 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:

  • Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 1 out of 8 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 60 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 106 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 116 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Komondor and in Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog:

    Disease Komondor Rank Polish Lowland Sheepdog Rank
    Eyes problems 19 out of 182 dog breeds 106 out of 182 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 30 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 90 out of 198 dog breeds 60 out of 198 dog breeds
    Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems Not Common 1 out of 8 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 116 out of 144 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Komondor versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Komondors do not like to be left alone.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Komondors shed more than Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

    Komondors shed moderately.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Komondor or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Komondors do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Komondor or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Komondors require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Komondor Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Komondors have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Komondors Bark and Howl? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

    Komondors 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.

    Can Komondors Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Komondors can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Komondor vs. Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Komondors 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.

    Can Komondors Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Komondors can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Komondor or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Komondors do not get along well with other dogs.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Komondors good family dogs? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

    Komondors 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 Komondors and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

    Komondors get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Komondor Easier to Train than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Komondors are very easy to train.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Komondor Better for Apartment Owners than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Komondors do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Komondor or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Komondors are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Komondor

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Komondor 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 Komondor:

  • Belgian Tervuren (70 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Belgian Tervuren.
  • Black Russian Terrier (70 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Black Russian Terrier.
  • Giant Schnauzer (72 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Giant Schnauzer.
  • 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:

  • Barbet (83 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Komondor vs Barbet.
  • Bernedoodle (79 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Komondor vs Bernedoodle.
  • Miniature Schnauzer (79 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Komondor vs Miniature Schnauzer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Komondor and how the Polish Lowland Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Komondor and of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog to other breeds:

    Komondor Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Komondor versus Swedish Vallhund     Komondor versus West Highland White Terrier     Komondor versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Komondor versus Akita Chow     Komondor versus Harrier     Komondor versus Border Collie     Komondor versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Komondor versus Spinone Italiano     Komondor versus Pyredoodle     Komondor versus Shetland Sheepdog     Komondor versus Affenpinscher     Komondor versus Silky Terrier     Komondor versus Maremma Sheepdog     Komondor versus Bedlington Terrier     Komondor versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Komondor versus Dogo Argentino     Komondor versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Komondor versus Dutch Shepherd     Komondor versus Bloodhound     Komondor versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Komondor versus Redbone Coonhound     Komondor versus Bernedoodle     Komondor versus Fila Brasileiro     Komondor versus Lowchen     Komondor versus Belgian Malinois     

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bluetick Coonhound     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Leonberger     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Mastiff     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Vizsla     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Kai Ken     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Labrador Retriever     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Dalmatian     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Boykin Spaniel     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Akbash     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Brussels Griffon     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Shiba Inu     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Biewer Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Newfoundland     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bouvier des Flandres     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Cockapoo     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Affenpinscher     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Tibetan Mastiff     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Westiepoo     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus German Pinscher     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Plott     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     

    Conclusion: Komondor 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 Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.