Historia y Orígenes
Origin
Poland

History
In the mountains of southern Poland it is located the Dunajec river valley, called Podhale, dominated by Tatras mountains.  This rugged and wild mountain region is the origin of our "shepherd" who took the name of Shepherd of Tatras or Shepherd of Podhale.   
The Shepherd of Podhale is basically a dog whose job is to guard the herd.  Its white color is related to his job since sheeps, equally white, are not afraid of it and it is difficult for predators to identify them, an advantage in the defense.
Zakopane, the main town in the typically rural region witnessed a fleeting presence of the breed in the Canine Exposition of 1937. In the Second World War, the social, political and economic context hit the region and it was not favorable for the rabbit keeping (cunicultura) and the race was on the verge of extinction.
In the fifties, two polish dog lovers, Dr. Derezinski and Dr. Bukowski, launched, with great success, a long process of purification and selection that allowed the recovery of the breed. This work is not yet finished and there is still a long way to go from the point of view of genotype (removal of disorders) and phenotype (in search of good lines and angles).
In 1967 the FCI recognized the breed under the name Berger Tatras and in 1991 was made official translation of the polish name Owczarek Podhalańska.
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Physical Characteristics
Body: Strong and solid, straight and broad back, strong and firm loins and slightly rounded croup. The cross is wide and well defined. The tail reaches the hocks and curves gently upward at the end. The chest is deep, it has the thorax a little inclined and flat, and the belly tucked up. The fallen shoulders stay together. The legs are strong but not of heavy bones. The hindquarters have a relatively sharp joint angle. Feet are oval, with compact and close toes. The neck is moderately long and without folds.

Head: Its head is gaunt and carried high. The length of the muzzle is equal or slightly lower than the skull, can see the stop. The muzzle is broad and the lips are tightly coupled. The ears are triangular and thick, and are implanted at the same height of the outer sides of the eyes, or slightly above and left hanging. The eyes have normal size and are oblique. It is preferable the denture in scissor.

Height: 65-70 cm in males and 60 - 65 cm in females. Differences of 2 or 3 cm. are accepted.

Coat: Has a top layer of thick hair long, hard touch, and can be smooth or slightly wavy. The undercoat is abundant, and the hair on the hind legs (breeches), the ruff and the tail is longer than the head and forelegs.

Color: It is always white; the nose is black, like the edges of the eyelids and lips. The eyes are dark brown.
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Temperament
Character: It's a pretty quiet dog restrained and calm by nature. Willing to learn, is quite intelligent and obedient. It is loyal to the family and protective to its members and the house itself.  Is an animal that prefers the outdoors and do not feel comfortable in an apartment.

Behavior: It is very sociable and gets along well with other dogs and animals. It has no living problems with children. In front of strangers it stands alongside his master until he tells he is a person of trust. It is not especially suspicious of strangers, but family comes first.
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General Care
Brushing: Is recommended a brushing once a week, and at the time of change is convenient to do so daily. The most useful is a large comb or a brush with metal bristles with edges protected by plastic.

Training: It's a smart dog and well prepared, so with tranquility and constancy you will get good results. A severe training can be counterproductive.

Exercise: It likes to be outdoors. Its thick coat protects it from inclement weather. A spacious and fenced garden is most desirable, is good to drive long walks. He also enjoys swimming.

Health: It is a breed that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.
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Uses
In its place of origin is used for different jobs, herding, company, security, zootherapy, and in other countries is much appreciated as a family dog.
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