The Komondor is a breed of dog originating in Hungary, where it has historically been trained for herding, helping to protect the flocks, lands and crops of Hungarian shepherds and their families. In the official standard of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), the Komondor dog is classified in section 1, herding dogs, of Group I, which incorporates all herding dogs and cattle dogs (with the exception of Swiss cattle dogs).).[1]
Origin of the komondor dog
Although little can be said about its origins, it is believed that the komondor descends from Asian dogs that used to accompany the Magyar nomadic peoples, who used to migrate through the Carpathian basin and would have introduced these robust dogs with abundant fur on the Hungarian steppes in the year 900 AD However, there is another hypothesis that affirms that the Asian ancestors of the Komondor would have arrived in Hungary many years later, more specifically during the Mongol invasion of this region, which occurred in the mid-13th century.
Regardless of its origins, the Komondor dog is one of the most appreciated and popular breeds of herding dogs in Hungary, along with the Mudi and the Puli (two breeds of Hungarian herding dogs that are little recognized outside their native land). This breed was officially recognized by the FCI in 1954.
Komondor Characteristics
The Komondor has been considered one of the largest dog breeds in the world, and it's no wonder! We are dealing with dogs of giant size, their weight being between 40 and 50 kg in females and 50 to 60 kg in males, with a height at the withers about 65 to 75 cm.
His solid and robust body is rectangular in shape. The head is wide, with a size and shape proportional to its body, with strong and powerful jaws and dark eyes, almost always black. The ears are hanging and V-shaped, standing up when the animal is alert.
Despite the above, the most characteristic feature of the Komondor dog is, without a doubt, its coat, as it has long, dense and wavy hairthat comes in the form of ivory-colored locks or dreadlocks This coat is this way because it has two layers, an outer layer of rustic hair and another inner one with finer woolly hair, with a tendency to tangle when combined. These characteristics make these dogs truly resistant to inclement weather, as well as vermin attacks that will envy the livestock they used to defend.
Finally, the Komondor has an upturned pointed tail that it usually holds in a mid or low position.
Komondor puppy
The komondor dog is not born with tufted hair or dreadlocks, but this trait is formed as the hair grows. Thus, during the puppy stage, the komondor presents a fluffy and wavy ivory-colored coat, which gives him a truly adorable appearance.
Komondor Character
The komondor has a character calm and determined, being a really dog bravewho are not afraid to face whatever comes their way. It is quite independent, so it does not require constant attention, although it does enjoy time with the family and walks. This same protective and brave instinct leads him to be a dog of character distrustful with strangers and somewhat territorial, since he adopts his home as the territory he must defend.
He is a good dog for family life as long as he and the children have been educated and socialized correctly. He is not suitable for small spaces, since he needs wide spaces and to be able to move freely
Komondor Care
For our komondor to be he althy and balanced, they need to be able to move freely and get enough exercise At the same time, fresh and clean water must be available at all times, as well as a he althy and balanced diet.
Due to the length and density of its hair, it is necessary to keep it clean and neat, checking its coat after walks, since In this way we will be able to detect both dirt and possible parasites attached to their dreadlocks. The hair should never be brushed, but it is advisable to cut the ends from time to time to prevent it from touching the ground. If you do not have experience with this type of coat, it is advisable to go to a dog groomer to keep your hair in the best condition and teach us how to take care of it ourselves at home.
Komondor education
This canine breed is characterized by being stubborn and obstinate, so we will have to be constant in its education, as well as patient. Since it is a suspicious breed, it is important to carry out a good socialization when the Komondor is a puppy, in this way our companion can enjoy a calm and pleasant coexistence both with adults and with children and even with other animals. In addition, the socialization period will allow him to better tolerate strangers, thus avoiding uncomfortable situations when we have visitors at home.
In case of adopting an adult Komondor dog that has not been properly socialized, we must remember that it is never too late for it, although it is somewhat more laborious. Check our article on How to socialize an adult dog and get to work.
On the other hand, when it comes to educating the Komondor puppy or an adult, as we said, it is essential to be patient and constant. Likewise, we recommend carrying out positive training techniques that reward good behavior, since it has been shown that they are much more effective and do not disturb the welfare of the animal.
Komondor He alth
The Komondor breed is one of the of the he althiest and most robust, needing only the most basic care to preserve iron he alth. To do this, regular visits to the veterinarian are recommended to check that everything is fine, as well as following the instructions of this professional regarding vaccination and deworming. Being a dog with such a special coat, it is common for external parasites to penetrate it without us realizing it, which is why it is so important to carry out a good deworming.
Finally, it will be necessary to carry out proper hygiene of the eyes, ears and mouth. Offering him the best care and giving him all our love, the Komondor dog's life expectancy is in the 10-12 years.
Where to adopt a komondor dog?
Although it is not usual to find purebred Komondor dogs in animal protection organizations, shelters and associations, there may be adult specimens or mestizo dogs that present practically the same characteristics. In any case, adopting a dog is an act that must be done responsibly and taking into account everything that this entails, both in terms of time and money. Thus, we must not let ourselves be guided by the physique of an animal to adopt it, but by its character and needs.
