Komondor dog breed

Komondor dog breed

The Komondor is a livestock guardian dog breed originally from Hungary. The plural is Komondors or Komondorok.

Appearance
Large, "The bigger the Komondor the better!". Females are 27 in/69 cm at the withers. Male Komondorok are a minimum of 27 inches at the withers, but many are over 30 inches tall, making this one of the larger common breeds of dog. The body is not overly coarse or heavy, however, and people unfamiliar with the breed are often surprised by how quick and agile the dogs are.

Coat
Its long, thick, uniquely and strikingly corded white coat (the heaviest amount of fur in the canine world) resembles dreadlocks or a mop. The puppy coat is soft and fluffy. However, the coat is wavy and tends to curl as the puppy matures. A fully mature coat is formed naturally from the soft undercoat and the coarser outer coat combining to form tassels, or cords. These cords are formed naturally as a result of the soft, wavy undercoat intertwining with the coarser outer coat. The length of the cords increases with time, as the coat grows. Shedding is very minimal with this breed, contrary to what one might think. The only substantial shedding occurs as a puppy before the dreadlocks form. The Komondor is born only with a white coat, unlike the Puli, which is usually white or black, or sometimes grayish. However, a working Komondor's coat may be discolored by the elements, and may appear less than white if not washed regularly.

History
The origin of the Komondor is debated. Some believe the Komondors were a dog of the Magyars (originally migrating from Siberia) and while others believe it to be a dog of the Sumerians (originally migrating from Mesopotamia). According to the most probable explanation, komondors were brought to Hungary by Cumans the turkic speaking nomad people moved settled in Hungary during the 12-13th century. The name "quman-dur" means "belonging to the Cumans"= the dog of the Cumans, thus distinguishing it from a similar Hungarian sheepdog which breed later merged with the Komondor.

The unique dreadlock appearance gives a hint of common origin with the Puli and the Bergamasco. There might also be a link between the Komondor and the big, white Russian livestock dogs, the South Russian Ovtcharka. The dreadlock coat must have developed under a dry and extreme temperature climate as provides superb protection against cold but also hot weather while it is not too comfortable in wet weather.

The Komondor is built for livestock guarding. It is big, strong, and armored with a thick coat. The coat provides protection against wild animals and the weather and vegetation. The coat is the trademark of the breed.

The Komondor is a rare breed even inside its country of origin, Hungary. Many Komondor were killed during World War II, and local stories say that this is due to the fact that when the Nazis (and then the Russians) invaded, before they could take over a farm or house with a resident Komondor they had to kill the dog.

Temperament
Komondor temperament is like that of all livestock guarding dogs: calm and steady when things are normal. In cases of trouble, the dog will leap to defend its charges. It was bred to think for itself and is usually intelligent. It is extremely affectionate with its family and friends and gentle with the children of the family. Although wary of strangers, it will nonetheless accept them when it is clear that no harm is meant. It is very protective of its family, home and possessions. It will instinctively guard them without any training. Once a new member has been introduced into the family or flock, the Komondor will never forget them. A Komondor will routinely greet someone it has not seen for years as though it had just seen them yesterday. Once you are a "member of the flock," you are always a "member of the flock." A Komondor has keen instincts and can sense the intentions of anyone in its presence. Should it decide its flock, territory, family, or master needs protection, it will not hesitate to spring into action, defending it charges fearlessly and with suddenness which take the intruder by surprise. An athletic dog, the Komondor has great speed and power and will leap toward a predator to drive it away or to knock it down. Because of the Komondor's size, power, and speed, its owner must have it under control. Obedience training is a must, preferably starting at an early age (4 - 8 months). Komondors are usually intelligent and take well to training if started early. Komondors become obstinate when bored, so it is imperative that training sessions be upbeat and happy. Praise is a must, as are consistent and humane corrections. Once a Komondor gets away with unfriendly or hostile behavior, it will always think such behavior is appropriate. Therefore, consistent corrections even with a young puppy are necessary to ensure a well-adjusted adult. Socialization is also extremely important. The Komondor should be exposed to new situations, people and other dogs as a puppy. Because it is a natural guard dog, a Komondor that is not properly socialized may react in an excessively aggressive manner when confronted with a new situation or person. Again, puppy training is strongly recommended for all Komondors. GENERAL Given the proper environment and care, a Komondor is a responsible, loving dog. They are devoted and calm without being sluggish. They can be wary of strangers, but may accept people readily and are quite friendly. As in any breed, there is quite a range of personalities, so your needs should be outlined clearly to your breeder. An experienced breeder can try to identify that personality which would be happier as an independent livestock dog, or that which wants more to please and would make a good obedience dog or family pet. Diet for the adult Komondor need not be a complicated matter. As with all livestock guarding dogs, Komondors have been bred for many centuries to make efficient use of their food. Many adult Komondors eat no more that three cups of food per day and are in excellent health and weight. Generally, portions indicated on the dog food bag are far too generous. Be careful not to over-feed or over-supplement your Komondor. Your breeder can provide more information relative to the care and feeding of your dog. Many Komondors are "late bloomers", not fully mature until nearly three years of age. Adolescence can be marked by changes in temperament, eating habits, trainability and general attitude. This should not cause alarm. By the time they are three years old, they are responsible adults. However, to expect an eight month old puppy to behave as an adult is unreasonable. Puppies are as active, playful and troublesome as in any breed. Truly responsible behavior cannot be expected until they reach full maturity

Health
Komondors do not suffer many heredity problems. Perhaps because the breed has descended from centuries of hardy working stock, Komondors have few genetically linked problems. In particular, there is no evidence of the retinal eye problems found in other breeds, nor is there dwarfism or hereditary blood disorders. As in all large breeds (and some small ones) there is some hip dysplasia, though the incidence is about 10% of all radiographs submitted, according to statistical studies of the OFA. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), an organization affiliated with the university of Missouri, reads hip x-rays and rates them against other x-rays of the same breed at the same age. Actual certification that a dog is free of hip dysplasia cannot take place until the dog is over the age of two years. All breeders in the United States who are affiliated with the Komondor Club of America should be in compliance with the Code of Ethics which requires that their breeding stock be x-rayed and certified free of hip dysplasia by the OFA. However, even two parents certified clear of hip dysplasia can produce dysplastic offspring. Often it will be years before this condition is noticed. One eye disorder which is found in the breed is entropian, which is indicated by the curling inwards of either the upper or lower eyelid. This lid deformity causes the lashes to rub against the cornea causing lacerations and infections of the eye. It can be corrected by surgery, but after such surgery, the dog cannot be shown and any dog with this problem should not be bred since it is genetic in nature. Another genetic eye problem that has recently been documented in the breed is juvenile cataracts. The Canine Eye Registration Foundation, CERF, located at Purdue University, evaluates eye exams and assigns a CERF number if the dog's eyes are free of genetic problems. Before buying a puppy, find out if the puppy's parents have been properly evaluated for hip and eye problems, and what (if any) guarantee the breeder is willing to provide you for your dog. There is some indication of "bloat", (gastric diliation-torsion syndrome), a life threatening condition is genitic, but the incidence of bloat is no greater than with any other large breeds. This condition is marked by acute distress, and emergency measures should be taken immediately. If not treated immediately complications, both neurological and circulatory, can result in death. Please discuss this disease with your vet and your breeder, and learn the symptoms. Surgical correction of the problem is available and has been successful in many cases. External parasites can be a problem due to the heavy coat. As with any long-haired dog, a skin check should be part of your regular grooming routine. Should you find fleas or ticks, aggressive measures are in order. Shampoos and powders work well, but be sure to make sure you reach all parts of dog's skin. With the big coat, it is easy to miss a spot where the fleas can hide. Owners should check anti-flea and tick preparations carefully as Komondors are extremely sensitive to some of these products. Also be sure to spot-test the coat before dipping as some flea dips have been known to discolor the white coat. Flea collars too can discolor the hair beneath them, so look for a white or transparent one. Ear care should be routine also. Since Komondors have ears which hang down preventing air circulation, it is especially necessary to keep them clean and hair-free. Some ear canals are hairier than others, but commercial powders, cleansing fluids, and plucking can greatly reduce the infections. Thick hair grows between the pads of the feet which also requires maintenance. This hair can pick up burrs, or, when wet, becomes a source of irritation and infection. For the health and comfort of the dog, this hair should be cut out with an electric clipper or scissors to keep mats from forming between the foot pads. As in all breeds one should be careful that Komondors have the proper vaccines against rabies, distemper, parvo, etc. Dogs should also be checked periodically for worms and other internal parasites. Like all stock guard dogs Komondors are usually extremely sensitive to anesthetics. These drugs should always be administered to effect... never by weight.

Miscellaneous
The Komondor is featured on the album cover of Odelay, released in 1996 by Beck.

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Komondor dog breed