Other names/Nicknames:
- None
Country/Date of origin:
- Hungary
- 800′s
Height:
- Females: from 25-1/2 inches
- Males: from 27-1/2 inches
Weight:
- Females: from 80 pounds
- Males: from 100 pounds
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.
History:
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 origin of the breed is obscure, but 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.
Body Type:
- A very large, sheep-guarding breed with a unique coat of shaggy cords that hides its expression and intentions.
- 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 alert.
Coat:
- Unusual double coat resembles long, white ribbons of felted or matted material. It 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 and Wellness:
- Prone to hip dysplasia.
- Bloat.
- Eye irritations.
What you should know:
- Komondor means somber or angry.
- In Hungarian, the plural of Komondor is Komondorok.
- 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.
