よく犬のサイトを覗くと「犬の十戒」という文面が載っています。申し訳ないのですが、あれを見ると悲しくなってしまうので、私はこんな文面を皆さんにご紹介したいと思います。いわゆる犬種別十戒で、最後まで読んで、それでもPONが欲しいと思えたら、次の段階へ行って下さいというお願いです。
ありとあらゆる犬種で作られているようですが、こちらはアメリカポンクラブが啓蒙用に掲げている物です。
ポンという犬はこんな犬です。だから飼わないでね。ポンという犬はこんな犬です。それでも飼う？
こんな問いかけにあなたはどんな答えを出しますか？
YES, or, NO
どちらも・・・正解です。
Original Article by Pam Green / 意訳となっております。ご了承くださいね。
序章
Interested in buying a Polish Lowland Sheepdog? They are so cute! You must be or you wouldn’t be reading this article. You have already heard how wonderful they are. Well, I think you should also hear, before it’s too late, that Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are not the perfect breed for everyone. As a breed they have a few features that some people find charming, but that some people find mildly unpleasant and some people find downright intolerable.
There are different breeds for different needs. There are over 400 purebred breeds of dogs in the world. Maybe you’d be better off with some other breed. Maybe you’d be better off with a different breed. Maybe a different pet would better fit your lifestyle. Fish, birds, small rodents, etc., don’t demand as much of your time as a Polish Lowland Sheepdog or any dog for that matter. This is an important decision to make before your see that cute puppy and bring him home. The commitment to a Polish Lowland Sheepdog is not for everyone.
ポーリッシュローランドシープドッグに興味があるのですか？確かに可愛い犬です。でもまだこの記事は読んでいませんよね。可愛いくて面白い犬種であと既に聞いているかもしれませんが、誰にでも完璧という犬ではありません。人によっては「かわいー！」と思えるPONの特性を、「不愉快だ！」と感じてしまう人もいるかもしれません。全世界には400種以上の純粋種がいて、それぞれに特性があります。もしかしたらPONではなく、他の犬種を選ぶ方がいいかもしれません。更に、犬ではなく、魚や鳥、小齧歯類の方が生活スタイルに合っているかもしれません。犬を飼えば、かなりの時間を犬に割くことになります。それができますか？可愛い子犬を連れ帰る前に、よくよく考えて下さい。PONは万人向きの犬種ではありません。
1.) DON’T BUY A POLISH LOWLAND SHEEPDOG
IF YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO THE BREED BY ITS APPEARANCE.
見た目が気に入っただけなら、PONを買わないでください
The appearance of the Polish Lowland Sheepdogs you may have seen in the show ring, in magazines and in books is the product of many hours of bathing and grooming. This carefully constructed beauty is fleeting: a few minutes of freedom, romping through the fields or strolling in the rain or digging in the yard restores the more natural look of the PON. The natural look of the PON is that of a shaggy farm dog, usually with some dirt clinging to the tousled coat. The PONS preference is the “natural look” and grooming is definitely not their favorite activity. Unless you are able to devote time to training your dog to accept being groomed on a regular basis you will not have the “show ring beauty contestant” to show off the majority of the time.
ドッグショーや雑誌、本で見かけるPONはとても綺麗です。でもあれは何時間もかけてシャンプーやグルーミングをしたからなのです。いくらきれいにしても、自由にさせるとあっと言う間に汚れてしまいます。林を走り抜けたり、雨の中をパトロールしたり、軒先の土を掘ったりして、あっという間に元の毛玉に戻ってしまうのですの。PONは元来、土がこびりついたような乱れた毛が特徴の、農場にいる毛むくじゃら犬です。自然体を好むので、グルーミングはあまり好きじゃありません。定期的な手入れをする前に、その手入れを受け入れる訓練に時間をかけなきゃいけません。そうしないと、永遠に汚いままの犬で終わってしまいます。
2.)DON’T BUY A POLISH LOWLAND SHEEPDOG IF YOU ARE UNWILLING TO SHARE
YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR LIFE WITH YOUR DOG.
あなたの家と人生を犬と共有したくないのなら、PONを買わないでください
PONS were bred to share in the work of the farm family and to spend most of their waking hours working with the family. They thrive on companionship and they want to be wherever you are. They are happiest living with you in your house and going with you when you go out. While they usually tolerate being left at home by themselves (preferably with a dog-door giving access to the fenced yard), they should not be relegated to the backyard or kennel. A puppy exiled from the house is likely to grow up to be unsociable, unruly and unhappy. He may well develop pastimes, such as digging or barking that will displease you and your neighbors. An adult so exiled will be miserable too. If you don’t strongly prefer to have your dog’s companionship as much as possible, enjoying having him sleep in your bedroom at night and sharing many of your activities by day, you should choose a breed less oriented to human companionship. Likewise, if your job or other obligations prevent you from spending much time with your dog. No dog is really happy without companionship, but the pack hounds are more tolerant of being kenneled so long as it is in groups of two or more. A better choice would be a cat, as they are solitary by nature.
PONは農家において、飼い主と仕事を分かち合うために作られた犬です。だからこそ、飼い主と同じ家の中で暮らして、出かける時には行動を共にして、常に側にいることで幸せを感じる犬になのです。おうちでお留守番をさせる場合には部屋や犬舎に閉じ込めないで下さい。なるべく、動き回れる環境を作っておいてあげて下さい。子犬時代に飼い主と密着した生活を送れなかった子は、成長しても社会性が身につかず、手に負えない犬になってしまう傾向が見られるので、気をつけましょう。無駄吠えをしたり、問題行動を起こすようになるのです。日中はできる限り行動を共にして、夜は夜で一緒の寝室で寝るような密接な関係を取る気が無いなら、もう少し人間に依存しない犬種を選ぶべきでしょう。飼い主が仕事等で一緒にとゆっくり過ごす時間が取れない場合も、犬は幸せじゃありません。どうしようもないのなら、孤独にさせているよりは二頭以上の多頭飼いにしてあげる方がいいかもしれません。しかし、そのような状況下ならば、猫を飼った方がいいでしょう。
3.) DON’T BUY A POLISH LOWLAND SHEEPDOG IF YOU DON’T INTEND TO EDUCATE AND TRAIN YOUR DOG.
犬に躾を入れるつもりが無いのなら、PONを買わないでください
Basic obedience and household rules training is not an option for a happy PON and his owner. As an absolute minimum you must teach him to reliably respond to commands to come, to lie down, to stay and to walk at your side, on or off leash and regardless of temptations. You must also teach him to respect your household rules. Is he allowed on the furniture? Is he allowed to beg at the table? What you allow or forbid is up to you. But it is critical that you, not the dog, make the rules consistently. PONs without education tend to take over and make their own rules. You must commit yourself to attending a series of weekly lessons at a local obedience club or professional trainer and to doing one or two short homework assignments each day. As commands are learned, they must be integrated into your daily life by being used whenever appropriate and enforced consistently. PON puppies and adults are easy to train. They are eager to please you, intelligent and calm natured with a relatively good attention span. Once a PON has learned something, he tends to retain it well. Your cute, sweet little PON puppy will grow up to be a dog with a highly assertive personality and the determination to get his way. If he has grown up respecting you and your rules, then all his physical and mental strength will work for you. But if he has grown up without rules and guidance from you, surely he will make his own rules and is physical and mental powers will often act in opposition to your needs and desires.
Training of your PON cannot be delegated to someone else, e.g., by sending the dog away to obedience school. The relationship or respect and obedience are personal between the dog and the individual who does the training. This is true of all dogs to greater or lesser degrees, but definitely to a very great degree in PONs. While you may definitely want the help of an experienced trainer to teach you how to train your dog, you yourself must actually train your PON. As each lesson is learned, then the rest of the household (except young children) must also work with the dog, insisting he obey them as well.
If you don’t intend to educate your dog, preferably during puppyhood, you would be better off with a breed that is both small and socially submissive, e.g. a Shetland Sheepdog. Such a dog does require training, but a little bit goes further than with a PON. In the opposite direction, if your goals in obedience training are oriented towards success at high level competition (HIT, OTCH and Gaines), please realize that the PON is not among the half dozen breeds best suited to such highly polished performance. PONS can certainly excel at such working competitions as agility, obedience, herding, flyball, therapy dogs. As a herding dog they must be able to think, to reason and to make some decisions independently. That decision may not be a long down for five minutes with their owner out of site.
基本的な服従訓練はPONには不可欠なものです。リードの有無や誘惑に関わらず、呼び戻しができ、伏せをし、横について歩くことができるよう教えなくてはいけません。それは飼い主がやらなくてはいけない、最低限の躾けです。また、それぞれの家庭でのルールを教え込まなくてはいけません。
犬が家具の上に乗ることを許しますか？テーブルの下で物を貰うのを許しますか?
何を禁止して何を許すかは飼い主次第です。だけどPONは、勝手に自分でルールを作ってしまう傾向があります。だからこそ飼い主自身が躾け教室に通ったり、訓練士による指導を受けて、毎日少しずつ進展させながら、犬と一緒に訓練を実践していくことが大切なのです。日常生活において、飼い主のコマンドを確実に実行させるよう躾けなくてはいけません。PONは飼い主を喜ばせたい気持ちが強くて、頭脳明晰で集中力もある犬なのです。一旦何かを学ぶと、忘れないと言う特質もあるので、訓練は入りやすい犬種です。
非常に独断的で頑固な犬になりがちですが、飼い主や飼い主のやり方を尊重して成長したPONは、「飼い主が全て」の犬になってくれます。反対に、きちんと躾けきれない場合、ポンは自分勝手なルールを作ってしまいて、肉体的にも精神的にも飼い主の思うところとは正反対の方に向って行ってしまうのです。PONの訓練は訓練所に預けたり、訓練士に躾けてもらう方法では何の意味もありません。PONは信頼関係や尊敬・服従というものを、訓練を行う人間と自分の間で作り上げるのです。PONは人を見るので、経験豊富なトレーナーについてやり方を教わり、飼い主自身で訓練を入れなくてはいけません。家長だけでなく、家族も同じようにそれぞれが実践しなければ意味はありません。もし、子犬時代にきちんと躾けるつもりが無いならば、シェトランドシープドッグのような従順な犬種にした方がいいかもしれません。
また、高度な訓練競技会等に目標を置くのであれば、PONはどちらかというと競技会に適した犬ではないこと実感することになると思います。確かに、PONはアジリティーや服従訓練、牧羊、フライボール、セラピーのような、いわゆる労働競技で優れた結果を残す犬種ではあります。牧羊犬として考え、推察し、独自に決断する能力には長けているからです。しかし、飼い主のそばに常にいたいPONにとって、飼い主と離れる事は苦痛以外のなにものでもないのです。ちょっと飼い主の姿が見えなくなるだけで、競技会どころではなくなってしまうでしょう。
4.) DON’T BUY A POLISH LOWLAND SHEEPDOG IF YOU DON’T HAVE A LEADERSHIP (SELF-ASSERTIVE) PERSONALITY.
リーダーシップが取れる性格じゃないなら、PONを買わないでください
Dogs do not believe in social equality. They live in a social hierarchy led by a pack-leader (King Alpha). The alpha dog is generally benevolent, affectionate, and non-bullying towards his subordinates; but there is never any doubt in his mind or in theirs that the alpha is the boss and makes the rules. Whatever the breed, if you do not assume the leadership, the dog will do so sooner or later and with more or less unpleasant consequences for the abdicating owner. Like the untrained dog, the pack-leader dog makes his own rules and enforces them against other members of the household by means of a dominant physical posture and a hard-eyed stare, followed by a snarl, then a knockdown blow or a bite. Breeds differ in tendencies towards social dominance: and individuals within a breed differ considerably. PONs as a breed tend to be of a socially dominant personality. You really cannot afford to let a PON become your boss. You do not have to have the personality of a Marine Boot Camp Sergeant, but you do have to have the calm, quiet self-assurance and self-assertion of the successful parent (“Because I’m your parent, that’s why.”) or successful grade-school teacher. If you think you might have difficulty asserting yourself calmly and confidently to exercise leadership, then choose a breed known for its socially subordinate disposition, such as a Golden Retriever or a Shetland Sheepdog. Be sure to ask the breeder to select one of the more submissive pups in the litter for you. If the whole idea of “being the boss” frightens or repels you, don’t get a dog at all. Cats don’t expect leadership. A caged bird or a hamster, or fish doesn’t need leadership or household rules.
Leadership and training are inextricably intertwined: leadership personality enables you to train your dog, and being trained by you reinforces your dog’s perception of you as the alpha.
犬には平等という観念はありません。群れのリーダー(キングアルファ犬）がトップに立つ、順位制の中で生きているからです。リーダーは群れの中で絶対的な権限と、全てのルールの決定権を持っているものなのです。飼い主がリーダーシップを取れないと、どの犬種でも、遅かれ早かれ犬は勝手な行動を取るようになります。家族に対しても自分で勝手に作ったルールを押し付けようとして、唸って威嚇したりするのです。聞き入れられないとわかるやいなや、噛み付いて反撃に出たりするようになります。犬種や個体差もありますが、PONは優位に立ちたがる傾向があるので、飼い主は決してPONを勘違いさせてはいけません。海兵隊軍曹とまではいかないにしても、自信に満ちた自己主張できる飼い主として接して下さい。自分自身リーダーシップを取れない性格だとわかっているのならば、ゴールデンレトリバーやシェトランドシープドッグのような、従順な気質で知られている犬種を選んでください。そして子犬の中でも一番従順そうな気質の子を選んでくれるようにブリーダーさんにお願いしてみればいいのです。
自分が犬のリーダーになるという概念が全く無いのなら、犬と暮らすことは止めた方がいいでしょう。猫はリーダーを必要としませんし、鳥やハムスター、魚にもリーダーシップやルールは必要ありません。
また、リーダーシップが取れないと、訓練はできません。犬は、訓練を通して飼い主をリーダーとして認めていくものなのです。
5.) DON’T BUY A POLISH LOWLAND SHEEPDOG IF YOU DON’T VALUE LAID BACK COMPANIONSHIP AND CALM AFFECTION.
独特な愛情表現が面倒臭いならば、PONを買わないでください
A PON becomes deeply attached and devoted to his own family, but he doesn’t “wear his heart on his sleeve.” Some are noticeably reserved, others are more outgoing, but few adults are usually exuberantly demonstrative of their affections. They like to be near you, usually in the same room, preferably on a comfortable pad or cushion in a corner or under a table, just “keeping you company.” They enjoy conversation, petting and cuddling when you offer it, but they are moderate and not overbearing in coming to you to demand much attention. They are emotionally sensitive to their favorite people: when you are joyful, proud, angry or grief-stricken, your PON will immediately perceive and will believe himself to be the cause. The relationship can be one of great mellows, depth and subtlety: it is a relationship on an adult to adult level, although certainly not one devoid of playfulness. As puppies, of course, they will be more dependent, more playful and more demonstrative. In summary, PONS tends to be sober and thoughtful, rather than giddy clowns or sycophants.
PONは自分の家族に深く関わりを求め、執着します。もちろん個体差もあり、執拗に自己アピールをするPONもいますが、露骨な愛情表現を示すわけではありません。しかし、PONは飼い主と同じ空間の片隅や足許など、とにかく飼い主のそばにいるのが好きな犬です。飼い主から話しかけられたり、撫でてもらったり抱きしめられたりするのも大好きです。 ところが、自分から必要以上にそれを要求することはしません。感受性が強い分、自分が好きな人の感情を常に様子見して、敏感に反応しているからです。飼い主が楽しそうだったり、怒っていたり、悲しみに打ちひしがれていると全て自分のせいだと思い込んでしまう傾向があります。常に色んな感情を読み取る彼等との関係は、密接で濃いものではありますが、飼い主もかなり気を遣わなくてはなりません。
6.) DON’T BUY A POLISH LOWLAND SHEEPDOG IF YOU ARE FASTIDIOUS ABOUT THE NEATNESS OF YOUR HOME.
家の汚れが気になるような潔癖症なら、PONを買わないでください
The PON’s thick shaggy coat and his love of playing in water and mud combine to make him a highly efficient transporter of dirt into your home, depositing same on your floors and rugs and possibly also on your furniture and clothes. One PON coming in from a few minutes outdoors on a rainy day can turn an immaculate house into an instant disaster. His full beard soaks up water every time he takes a drink, then releases same, dripping across your floor or sopping into your lap. (Sorry for the poetic license but these words best describe the phenomenon). (It is of course possible to cut the beard off and to keep the feet clean-shaven year round to reduce the mess) Although it is technically true that PONS do not shed, you will find that the grooming process usually results in balls of pulled out hair tumbleweeding their way about house, unless you deposit same directly from comb into the trash basket. I don’t mean to imply that you must be a slob or slattern to live happily with a PON, but you do have to have the attitude that you dog’s company means more to you than does neatness and you do have to be comfortable with less than an immaculate house.
While all dogs, like our children, create a greater r lesser degree of household mess, almost all other breeds of dog are less troublesome than the PON to groom and keep clean. The Basenji i perhaps the cleanest, due to its cat-like habits, but cats are cleaner yet, and goldfish hardly ever mess up the house.
水の中で遊んだり、土にまみれて遊ぶのがPONは大好きです。もじゃもじゃの毛に砂やごみを付着させ、確実に家の中に持ち込みます。床はともかく、敷物や家具、服にまで汚れをつけるでしょう。雨の日に外に出せば、手足に含んだ雨水で家の中はとんでもない事になりますし、水を飲むたびフサフサのひげをびしょびしょにして、床や飼い主の膝にボタボタと水滴を落としていきます。
PONは、ゴールデンレトリバーやラブラドールのような脱毛のしかたはしませんが、ブラッシングやコーミングでかなり大量の無駄毛が取れます。ほとんどが絡んだ下毛ですが、家中にフワフワと漂うように広がります。だらしない性格の飼い主でないとPONとの生活は楽しめないとは言いません。しかしPONと生活するのならば、ある程度の汚れは仕方ないと諦めましょう。塵一つ無い家にこだわるのであれば、この犬との生活は楽しめないと思ます。
他の犬種と比較すると、PONを手入れして清潔に保つのはとても大変です。家を汚したくないと考えて犬を選ぶのであるならば、猫のような習性を持つパセンジーなどはとても清潔ですし、それこそ猫の方がもっと清潔かもしれません。金魚は確実に家をごちゃごちゃにはしません。
7.) WHAT’S THAT SMELL? OR DON’T BUY A POLISH LOWLAND SHEEPDOG IF YOU ARE FASTIDIOUS ABOUT UNPLEASANT ODORS.
臭いに敏感で、潔癖症なら、PONを買わないでください
All dogs have flatulence, like people, but enough said about that and you can always blame it on the dog. The PON coat can have an odor if not kept groomed and bathed. This could be the origin of odors especially when wet. Some people consider the PON beard to have a noticeably unpleasant odor even when dry, as it tends to retain particles of food, which soon become offensive if the beard is not frequently washed.
Almost all of the shorthaired breeds, other than hound breeds or a field-bred (oily coated) Chesapeake, are less likely to offend the nose through general coat/body odor.
PONの毛は手入れもシャンプーもしなければ匂います。特に濡れた時などはひどく匂う時があります。乾いている時でも、あごひげは強烈な匂いを発散していると言う人もいます。食べ物などが付着するので、頻繁に口周りを洗わない限りすぐに不快な匂いを放つようになるのです。
猟犬や一部の犬種を除いた短毛種の方が、PONより匂わないかもしれませんよ。
8.) DON’T BUY A POLISH LOWLAND SHEEPDOG IF YOU DISLIKE DOING REGULAR GROOMING.
手入れをするのが嫌ならば、PONを買わないでください。
The thick shaggy PON coat demands regular grooming, not merely to look tolerably nice, but also to preserve the health of skin underneath and to detect and remove ticks, foxtails, and other dangerous invaders. For “pet” grooming, you should expect to spend several hours a week with your charge keeping the undercoat combed out and cleanliness updated. Of course anytime your PON gets into cockleburs, filigree, or other coat-adhering vegetation, you are likely to be in for an hour or more of remedial work. During “foxtail” season (in western U.S.), you must inspect feet and other vulnerable areas daily. In Lyme disease areas during tick season, you will need to inspect for ticks daily. “Pet” grooming does not require a great deal of skill, but does require time and regularity. Keeping the dog in a short or semi-short working clip substantially reduces grooming time, but does not eliminate the need for regularity. “Show” (beauty contest) grooming requires a great deal of skill and considerably more time, effort and patience.
In other breeds with similar long double coats the dogs rescued by Breed club rescue committees almost always show the effects of month of non-grooming, resulting in massive matting and horrendous filthiness, sometimes with urine and faces cemented into the rear portions of the coat. It appears an unwillingness to keep up the coat care is a primary cause of abandonment. Many other breeds of dog require less grooming. Short-coated breeds require very little grooming. Think about it!!! Your friends may not believe your excuse of having to groom the dog forever.
厚くもじゃもじゃとしたPONの毛は定期的な手入れを必要とします。見た目をキレイに保つだけの為ではなく、皮膚の状況をチェックしたり、毛の下に潜んだダニやノミなどを除去する為にも大切な事なのです。下毛を取り、綺麗に梳かす作業にかなりの時間を費やす事になるでしょう。毛に細かい草の実がついた時などは、失神ものです。トゲを持つ植物の季節は足を傷つけないよう、どこに自生しているかも把握しなければなりませんし、ライム病感染地域では、発生期間には毎日ダニがついていないかチェックする必要があります。
グルーミングに高い技術力を必要とはしませんが、定期的に時間をかけなくてはなりません。時間を省く為に短くカットしたとしても、定期的な手入れは必要です。もちろん、ドッグショーなどの場合には高い技術力を要求されますし、かなりの時間と努力と忍耐を求められます。
長毛種はどうしても短毛種より手入れに時間がかかってしまいます。放っておけば、顔やおしっこがかかる部分などは悲惨な状況になってしまうからです。小さな毛玉が固まってフェルト状になり、最後にはセメント状にはりついてしまいます。通気性を奪われた皮膚が劣悪な状態になる前に何とかしなくてはなりませんが、こうなるとどうにもなりません。犬の手入れを理由に誘いを断り続ければ、友人を失う事になるかもしれませんので、よくよくお考えくださいね。
9.) DON’T BUY A POLISH LOWLAND SHEEPDOGIF YOU DISLIKE DAILY PHYSICAL EXERCISE.
毎日の運動が好きではないのなら、PONを買わないで下さい
PONs need exercise to maintain the health of heart and lungs and to maintain muscle tone. Because of his mellow, laid-back, sometimes lazy, disposition, your PON will not give himself enough exercise unless you accompany him or play with him. An adult PON should have a morning outing of 15-20 minutes of exercise and a similar outing in the evening. For puppies shorter and more frequent outings are preferred for exercise and housebreaking.
All dogs need daily exercise of a greater or lesser length and vigor. If providing this exercise is beyond you, physically or temperamentally, then choose one of the many small and energetic breeds than can exercise itself within your fenced yard. Most of the Toy and Terriers fit into this description, but don’t be surprised if a terrier is inclined to dig in the earth since digging out critters is the job that they were bred to do. Cats can be exercised indoors with a mouse on a string toy. Hamsters will exercise themselves on a wire wheel. House plants don’t need exercise.
PONには心臓や肺、筋肉の健康維持の為に運動は欠かせません。時たま怠惰に思えるほど自分から動くことをせず、飼い主と共に行動したり、一緒に遊んでやらない限り自由運動をしない犬です。成犬は朝晩15～20分ほどの運動を必要とします。子犬はもっと短時間でいいので、頻繁に連れ出して運動させるといいでしょう。
どんな犬も活力の為に毎日の運動が必要です。もしそれができないのなら、庭で勝手に動き回る小型でエネルギッシュな犬種の中から犬を選んで下さい。ほとんどの小型犬とテリア種はそういう飼い方でも問題はありません。ただ、テリア種は土中の生き物を掘り起こす本能が強いので、庭を掘りまくるでしょう。猫は家の中で、紐の先についたねずみで運動させることができます。また、ハムスターは歯車で勝手に運動しますし、鉢植えに運動は必要ありません。
10.) DON’T BUY A POLISH LOWLAND SHEEPDOG IF YOU BELIEVE DOGS SHOULD RUN “FREE”.
犬が自由に走りまわる生き物と考えるならPONを買わないでください
Whether you live in town or the country, no dog can safely be left to run “free” outside your fenced property and without your direct supervision and control. The price of such “freedom” is inevitably injury or death: from dog fights, from cars, from the Pound/Shelter or from justifiably irate neighbors. Even though PONs are home-loving and less inclined to roam than most breeds, an unfenced PON is destined for disaster. Like other breeds developed for livestock herding, most PONs have inherited a substantial amount of “herding instinct.” Which is a strengthened and slightly modified instinct to chase and capture suitable prey. The unfenced country-living PON will sooner or later discover the neighbor’s livestock (sheep, cattle, horses, poultry) and respond to his genetic urge to chase and harass such stock. State law almost always gives the livestock owner the legal right to kill any dog chasing or “worrying” his stock and almost all livestock owners are quick to act on this. The unfenced city PON is likely to exercise his inherited herding instinct on joggers, bicyclists, and cars. A thoroughly obedience-trained PON can enjoy the limited and supervised freedom of off-leash walks with you in appropriately chosen environments.
If you don’t want the responsibility of confining and supervising your pet, then no breed of dog is suitable for you. A neutered cat will survive such irresponsibly given “freedom” somewhat longer than a dog, but will eventually come to grief. A better answer for those who crave a “free” pet is to set out feeding stations from some of the indigenous wildlife, such as raccoons, which will visit for handouts and which may eventually tolerate your close observation.
都心であろうが田舎であろうが、どの犬も飼い主のコントロール無しのまま囲いの無い場所で自由に走り回るのは危険です。犬同士の喧嘩や交通・人身事故に結びつき、死や怪我を招くからです。PONは他の犬種に比べると、飼い主や家から離れて放浪する傾向はあまりありません。しかし、他の牧畜犬同様、家畜に反応するよう作り変えられて来た犬種です。本能のまま行動させれば、頼んでもいない仕事として他者の家畜を追いかけまわしたりする行為に励むようになります。また、都心においてその本能はジョギング中の人間や自転車・バイク・車に向けられ、飛びつく行為となりがちです。しかし徹底的な服従訓練を叩き込んでおけば、適切な場所ではノーリードの自由なお散歩ができるはずです。犬の管理をきちんとできないのであれば、どの犬も飼うことはできません。
11.) DON’T BUY A POLISH LOWLAND SHEEPDOG IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO BUY, FEED, AND PROVIDE HEALTHCARE FOR ONE.
購入しても、食事や医療にお金をかけられないのならば、PONを買わないでください
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are not a cheap breed to buy, as running a careful breeding program, with due regard for temperament, trainability, and physical soundness (hips and eyes especially) cannot be done cheaply. The time the breeder should put into each puppy’s “pre-school” and socialization is also costly. The “bargain” puppy from a “back-yard breeder” who unselectively mates any two PONs who happen to be of the opposite sex may well prove to be extremely costly in terms of temperament, health and lack of socialization.
Whatever the initial cost of your PON, the upkeep will not be cheap. Food is not the only cost of maintaining your PON. Veterinarian costs add up for those routine yearly checkups. Spaying and neutering is another cost that should be calculated. Pons are routinely checked for two conditions, genetic eye diseases and hip dysplasia. Your best insurance against dysplasia is to buy only from a litter bred from OFA Certified parents and, if possible, grandparents. Yes, this generally means paying more. Professional grooming, if you use it, is expensive. Professional tools for use at home adds up to a tidy sum, but once purchased will last many dog-lifetimes. Finally, the modest fee for participation in a series of basic obedience training classes is an essential investment in harmonious living with your dog. Fees are the same for any breed. The modest annual outlays for immunizations and for local licensing are generally the same for all breeds, though some counties have a lower license fee for spayed/neutered dogs. All dogs, of whatever breed and however cheaply acquired, require significant upkeep costs, and all are subject to expensive veterinary emergencies.
PONは決して安い価格の犬種ではありません。気性や訓練性、健全な肉体（特に股関節と目の疾患）に気をつけて繁殖を行う為には安い値段で譲渡はできません。ブリーダーが子犬達に社会性を身につけさせるために費やす時間にもお金はかかります。だからと言って、安いからと無計画に掛け合わせて繁殖しているようなブリーダーの所で購入すれば、気性・健康・社会化の面で欠如した子犬は後々もっとお金がかかることになります。
元の値段がいくらであれ、維持費は安くはありません。食費だけではないのです。年に一回の健康診断や、避妊・去勢などの医療費が別にかかります。また、PONには遺伝的眼疾患（PRA)および股関節形成不全（HD)を確認する検査も必要です。 しかし、股関節に関しては、単にOFAによる形成不全でない証明書を持つ父母・祖父母ラインからの子犬を購入すればいいのです。ということは、更にお金がかかるという事です。
また、プロに手入れを頼むとなればそれもお金がかかります。プロが使用するような用品は高価ですが、一度買ってしまえば長期間使用することができます。
また、基本的な服従訓練を学ぶための躾け教室への参加費も考慮しなくてはいけません。ワクチンやフィラリア予防薬、保険なども別枠でお金がかかります。どんな犬種をどんな値段で購入しようとも、年間に必要とする維持費は莫大で、医療費はどの犬もかなりの高額出費となります。
12.) DON’T BUY A POLISH LOWLAND SHEEPDOGIF YOU ARE NOTWILLING TO COMMIT YOURSELF FOR THE DOG’S ENTIRE LIFETIME.
一生涯面倒を見る事が出来ないのならば、PONを買わないで下さい
No dog deserves to be cast out because his owners want to move to a no-pet apartment or because he is no longer a cute puppy or didn’t grow up to be a beauty contest winner, or because his owners (through lack of leadership and training) have allowed him to become an unruly juvenile delinquent with a repertoire of undesirable behaviors. The prospects of a responsible and affectionate second home for a “used” dog are never very bright, but they are especially dim for a shaggy, poorly mannered dog.
「引越ししたい家は犬不可である。」「もう可愛い子犬ではない。」「ショータイトルが取れなかった。」「躾けられなくて、どうしようもない犬に育ってしまった。」どんな犬でもそんな理由で捨てられるものではありません。簡単に里親が見つかると思わないで下さい。いい里親にめぐり合えるとは限りませんし、非常に難しいと考えていてください。
最終章 IN CONCLUSION 結論として
If all the preceding “bad news” about PONS hasn’t turned you away from the breed, then by all means do get a Polish Lowland Sheepdog. They are every bit as wonderful as you have heard.
If buying a puppy, be sure to shop carefully for a responsible and knowledgeable breeder who places high priority on breeding for sound temperament and trainability and good health in all matings. Such a breeder will interrogate and educate potential buyers carefully. Such a breeder will continue to be available for advice and consultation for the rest of the dogs life and will insist on receiving the dog back if ever you are unable to keep it.
However as an alternative to buying a PON puppy, you may want to give some serious consideration to adopting a rescue PON. We have some very famous “rescue” PONs in the breed history. Contact the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Rescue groups on the APONC, Inc. website (www.aponc.com) for more information.
これだけの悪い情報を耳にしても、問題ないと思うようでしたら、ぜひPONを飼ってください。PONは素晴らしい犬です。子犬を買う時は慎重にブリーダーを選んで下さい。気性・訓練性・健康に重点を置いて繁殖を行っている、意識が高く博識なブリーダーから購入しましょう。そのようなブリーダーは、犬の育て方など色々と相談に乗ってくれます。また、いざあなたが犬を飼えなくなくなった時には、犬を引き取ると主張するでしょう。
もし、PONの里親になるという選択肢もあるようでしたら、考えてみてくださいね。