Komondor Dog Breed

Komondors were bred exclusively to be Livestock Guardian Dogs. They are huge, they have few health concerns, and they are covered with a massive, thick, corded double-coat that protects them against weather and predators alike. While they do go home with their shepherds when not working, they are nevertheless not the best dogs as companions. They also have that work mentality in mind all the time, and they are very independent. They are certainly not for inexperienced dog owners, and even experienced dog owners may not cope with the space needs, strong independence, and grooming needs of Koms.

Here are some Komondor dog facts to help you understand this breed:

When it comes to Komondor dogs 101, most people might mistake this dog's fluffy coat as easy-going. This forgivable mistake can be resolved by looking up just some of the great amount of Komondor dog information available. These are great dogs for the right person or family.

This breed's intelligence is significant. Unfortunately, with intelligence comes independence, and independence means stubbornness. Koms are accustomed to working far from home, alone and with lots of animals that could get scared, break away and run into the very danger that startles them. They have long been bred to think and act quickly. As such, don't expect them to easily or quickly listen when obedience training starts or even much later.

It may be difficult to figure out what is going on beneath that massive mop, so be ready to be patient. These are dogs who are strong but won't waste energy, and they also won't hesitate to herd the smaller members of their flock or put themselves between said flock and possible danger. They shouldn't be punished for centuries-old, in-bred behavior, and yet they shouldn't be allowed to be overtly aggressive for incorrectly perceived threats.

These dogs are used to activity all day, every day, and in daunting territory. They are not dogs meant to lie about, or wait for you in apartments. Big yards, open spaces and lots of daily activity is mandatory.

Though written records about the Komondor survive from the 1500s, these dogs likely existed long before then. Komondor origin begins in Hungary; the breed, historians believe, was developed from the Russian Owtcharka, a large breed with a similar long "stringy" coat. Supposedly, nomadic Huns brought the Owtcharka to Hungary as early as the 4th century A.D. to help guard their sheep--and from those dogs, the more "ropy"-coated Komondor was created. The breed was apparently an excellent sheep guardian because its coat was hard for wolves and other predators to distinguish from those of the sheep.

Not much else is notable about Komondor history until the 20th century. The breed was still quite rare outside its native Hungary, but slowly made its way to North America during the 1930s, and the American Kennel Club officially recognized the Komondor in 1937. As with many breeds, the Komondor almost faced extinction from the ravages of World War II, as they would guard houses with their lives from invading troops. Luckily, in the following decades breeders and enthusiasts revived the breed in Hungary and elsewhere.

Today, though the Komondor still retains its flock-guarding capabilities, the breed mostly exists as a family pet--but Komondors and their unique looks place highly in the show ring. As of 2019, the breed is still rare throughout the world, and ranks 177th out of 193 AKC-recognized breeds.

The Komondor coat is what you will never forget once you've seen one of these dogs. There are only a few large dogs with corded coats, and the Komondor is one of them. These Sheepdogs are big under their massive coats too.

These dogs have a huge, strong bone structure on which everything else is massive as well. Starting with the big head that nevertheless sports a somewhat small muzzle with a black nose that pops out from beneath the white cords. The mid-sized eyes and medium-length, triangle-shaped ears are typically hidden beneath the coat. They have a big mouth with a scissor-style bite. The body is muscular, and the tail is long but tends to be hidden among the cords like many of the other features. They have long, straight fore legs and well-muscled rear legs with significant hocks.

Of course, the massive collection of dreaded cords will often be the one basic aspect seen. The length of the cords depends on the dog's age as well as the owner's preference. It will be a thick and wooly coat no matter the length, as it is a double coat and extremely weather-resistant.

There are no varieties of the Komondor, although there are other similarly corded dogs. It's easy to see why the lay eye might not know a Kom from a Puli. Those other breeds might be confused as a Komondor with short hair. Some people might also call one of the other corded breeds a miniature Komondor, but this too is incorrect. In any case, there is just the one type of dog in this breed.

Coat shade may be the closest aspect of a variation that the Kom might be said to possess. The color is universally recognized as white. Still, there can be subtle and sometimes overt variations of that white that appear cream or even a pale yellow-brown.

The Komondor temperament is not an easy one for most people. These unforgettable-looking dogs may appear cute, playful and appealing, but they are serious working dogs who are extremely territorial. They regard anything and everything that moves as either a member of their flock to be protected, or possible predators to be confronted and driven away by any means. As pets, they must never be allowed to be aggressive or hostile lest they think that such behavior is reasonable. It is not unusual for them to attempt protecting your kids from other kids when playing, to react fiercely against other dogs, and to regard cats as threats.

Among their family or "herd," they are highly tolerable. They will treat young children gently. They are accustomed to being alone in the outdoors with a lot of responsibility, so they end to be independent. Training must be done very early and with great consistency and patience.

Komondors have apparently had a great many potential health problems bred out over the centuries, and perhaps naturally so. They have far fewer "big dog" problems than most breeds, and basically no genetic issues. Perhaps the biggest concern is their coat. A poor grooming regimen can easily lead to a number of coat-related problems such as parasites and skin conditions. Proper care can help prevent irritations among the foot pads, infections in the furry ears and issues with their hair-covered eyes.

Here are some of the conditions a Komondor might experience:

• Bloat
• Entropion
• Hip dysplasia
• Juvenile cataracts

The Komondor has an average life span of 10 to 12 years, which falls in line with other dog breeds of this size.