Komondor Dog Breed

AKC Dog Breeds: Komondor

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Working Group
Height: 19-25 inches Weight: 110-125 pounds Color: white, pure white, cream

The Komondor is characterized by imposing strength, dignity, courageous demeanor, and pleasing conformation. He is a large, muscular dog with plenty of bone and substance, covered with an unusual, heavy coat of white cords. The Komondor has a long history and some of that is intertwined with the Puli breed. It has been asserted that the Komondor is descended from Tibetan dogs. Some researchers believe that the Komondor was brought to Hungary more than a thousand years ago by nomadic Magyars. These hearty dogs were used to guard flocks of sheep during the nighttime hours. Because of their willingness to protect the flock and the owner against any threat, big or small, they were highly prized among the shepherds. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1937.

General Appearance
The Komondor is a massive dog with a proud gait. Its body is totally covered with an extraordinary felted and corded coat, which is 8 to 11 inches (20-27cm.) long, and always white. This corded white coat helps the dog blend in well with sheep and also helps protect them from beasts of prey that it might be called upon to fight in his role as flock guardian. The outer coat fuses with the undercoat to form felt that hangs in long cords. It can take up to two years for the cords to form completely and 5 years to reach the desired length. The head and muzzle are massive and rather short. Its eyes are dark brown and the U-shaped ears hang down to blend with the rest of the coat. It has a large head and generally massive bone structure, a hanging tail, and a very strong scissors bite.

Temperament
A loyal, protective, and dignified breed, the Komondor is a sensible and attentive dog. He is devoted to his own family, and is very protective of his owners, household children, and even household pets. However, this can mean that he is over-protective when strangers - adults or children - or strange animals are around, so early socialization and supervision is required. These dogs are very independent and self reliant, as these traits are in their nature. As puppies they can be quite energetic and playful, and although they do calm down as they mature, they still remain fast and agile. As adults these dogs have a very deep bark, which although adds to his watchdog abilities can be disturbing late at night. The Komondor does have a tendency to get bored with routine, and needs a variety of mental and physical stimulation. These huge dogs are not suited to apartment life, and need to have a secured, safe area in which to exercise. These dogs can be very territorial and determined, and training can be difficult - the Komondor is best suited to someone with experience of dog ownership and training. This is a breed that is suited to those with plenty of time to commit to their pet, as they need ongoing training as well as being high maintenance in terms of grooming. He also needs an owner who is confident and assertive, yet positive, as otherwise he can become difficult to control.

Grooming
It is very important for all owners to understand that the coat and hair of this breed should never be brushed. It must never be combed either. The hair of this breed is divided into cords and those cords will need to be separated by hand. The Komondor will require bathing and it should be noted that this bathing can be a laborious process. The drying time for this breed can be up to two days if it is left to air dry. The animal does not shed much if any at all.

Health Problems and Life Expectancy
The Komondor has a life expectancy of around 12 years. The Komondor is largely a healthy breed, but there are a few health problems to look out for. This includes bloat, HD, entropion, cataracts, sensitivity to drugs and chemicals, and low metabolism.

Activity Level
The Komondor is a medium level exercise breed. For the most part it will exercise itself if it has enough room to do so out of doors. For walking, the Komondor is very energetic and will happily take long walks with the owner. The animal is not exactly a playful breed, but it is a loyal breed and will attend to the owner's wishes when trained properly at an early age. It should also be noted in that some Komondors are very lazy and will be more than happy to lie and nap for hours and hours. In an otherwise healthy animal, this should not cause alarm or concern.

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