Komondor

Komondor
History:

Country/Date of Origin: Hungary/800s

The Komondor and the Kuvasz, the two large white sheep dogs of Hungary, were first used by the nomadic Magyars to protect their herds from predators, both animal and human. These giant guardians are always white, a color that allowed the shepherd to tell his dogs from the wolves which were darker in color. The actual origins of the dogs is obscure but the Hungarians say they have guarded the herds "since the beginning of time" and leave it at that. Old drawings show us that the Komondor has not changed much in the last five hundred years.

 Other Names Body Type Personality Coat Health Concerns

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None

AKC Group: Working

Breed Club: Komondor Club of America

Rescue Club: Komondor Club of America Rescue

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Body Type:

  • A very large sheep guarding breed with a unique coat of shaggy cords that hides its expression and intentions
  • Height: 26-32 inches (at shoulder)
  • Weight: 80-135 pounds
  • The natural tail is long and never altered
  • Medium sized, hanging ears are not altered. Komondors do not move their ears even when they are on the alert

Personality:

  • Strictly a one-man dog. Even then, there is often a struggle for dominance
  • Dignified. Only puppies romp and play
  • Suspicious and uneasy in strange environments
  • Do not seek friendship and do not tolerate being insulted either
  • Quiet; Komondorok hardly ever bark. This makes them very dangerous as they do not warn before attacking

Coat:

  • Unusual, double coat resembles long, white ribbons of felted or matted material and consists of a coarse outercoat and soft, woolly undercoat that intertwine to form tassel-like cords
  • It is parted in the middle and hangs down over the head, body and legs
  • Color is always white
  • Grooming is very demanding. However, Komondorok should not be brought to a professional groomer. They do not like strangers and may attack without warning

Health Concerns:

  • Prone to hip dysplasia
  • Bloat
  • Eye irritations
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Tasty Tidbits:
  • Komondor means "somber " or "angry." In Hungarian, the plural of Komondor is Komondorok
  • This is a coat and a half dog! It may take three years to grow a full show coat and it takes two full days (of sunshine ) to dry a Komondor after bathing
  • An explosion in the coyote population and a reluctance to use poison baits has led to a renaissance in the use of the Komondor as a flock guardian in the United States