Komondor

Size
Large to Giant (27Kg +)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Weekly
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
As needed
Barking preference
Moderate
Personality
Independent + affectionate

History

Komondorok were brought to Hungary by Cumans, the Turkic speaking, nomadic people who settled in Hungary during the 12th and 13th century. The name Komondor derives from Koman-dor, meaning "Cuman dog". The breed descends from Tibetan dogs and came from Asia with the Cumans, whose homeland might have been near the Yellow River. In the late 10th century, Mongols began to expand their territories at the expense of the Cumans, forcing them to move westwards. Fleeing from the Mongols, they reached the borders of Hungary in the 12th century. Cumans were granted asylum and settled in Hungary in 1239 under Köten Khan. (1)(2)

Appearance

The Komondor's coat is long, thick, and strikingly corded, about 20 – 27 cm long (the heaviest amount of fur in the canine world), which 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 and will take around two years to form. Some help is needed in separating the cords so the dog does not turn into one large matted mess. The length of the cords increases with time as the coat grows. Moulting is minimal with this breed, contrary to what one might think (once cords are fully formed). The only substantial shedding occurs as a puppy before the dreadlocks fully form. (1)(4)

Temperament

He has an imperturbable courage in the guarding and defence of the herds entrusted to him and the property and home of his master. He attacks silently and enduringly. He regards his territory as his own property and will not tolerate any other living creature in it. His nature is suspicious. During the day, he likes to keep a lying position enabling him to control his area. At night, he is always on the move.(3)

Due to the Komondor's size, power, speed and temperament, a lack of obedience training can result in danger to others. Komondors generally take well to training if started early (ideally between 4–8 months). A Komondor can 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 behaviour, it will always think such behavior is appropriate. Therefore, consistent corrections even with a young puppy are necessary to ensure a well-adjusted adult. Socialisation is also extremely important. (1)(4)

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 socialised may react in an excessively aggressive manner when confronted with a new situation or person.(1)

Sizes

Height at withers: Dogs: Minimum 70 cm, Bitches: Minimum 65 cm

Weight: Dogs: 50-60 kg, Bitches 40-50 kg

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Komondor you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Komondor and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

References

DOGSAUSTRALIA.org.au
Wikipedia.org
The early history of the Komondor". Komondor.org
Heaney, Richard; Therese Heaney (1995). "Komondors". K9web.com

Image: Shutterstock.com

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 01 Sep 2000)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

The Komondor is large in size and powerfully built. His appealing outward appearance and dignified deportment arouse respect and even fear in the observer. By nature he is not ingratiating. His robust body is covered in matted, corded, dense throughout, long hair. The body, seen sideways, forms a prone rectangle, little deviating from a square. The thickly coated head rises above the body. The tail is carried hanging down to its tip bent upwards, almost horizontal. The coat colour is ivory.Important ProportionsThe length of body slightly exceeds the height at withers.The deepest point of the brisket is approximately on a level with half of the height at the withers.The muzzle is slightly shorter than half of the length of the head.

Characteristics

Not Specified.

Temperament

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Cranial region: The head is broad, in good proportion to the body. Even the dense screen of hair does not make him appear out of proportion.Skull: The skull is domed and the brows well developed.Stop: Well developed but not too steep.Nose: Straight, cut off bluntly, black.Muzzle: Not pointed; the bridge of the nose is straight.Lips: Black, tightly fitting to the mouth and jaw bones. Corner of the mouth jagged.Jaws: Jaws very well muscled, strong and powerful.Cheeks: Broad, of medium length.
Eyes	Horizontally set, dark brown. The black rim tightly fitting to the eyeball.
Ears	Set medium high, on the domed skull. Clearly pendant from the base and V or U shaped. Not raised either when alert or in attack.
Mouth	Even and complete scissor bite, according to the dentition formula.
Neck	Very well muscled. Should form an angle of 35 degrees to the horizontal. In quiet or peaceful situations, it is carried almost in continuation of the backline. Rather short than of medium length. Without dewlap or neck ruff.
Forequarters	Judging of the limbs is highly affected by the long corded coat. Front legs are columnar and straight, parallel and vertical seen from the front or the side. The chest is broad which results in wide apart, strong and free moving legs. The limbs are firmly connected to the body. Bone substance is strong and powerful. Joints are large. The shoulder blades are moderately sloping. Points of the shoulder blade are placed vertically over the deepest point of the chest.
Body	Topline: Those parts of the body, which form the topline, are broad and very well muscled.Withers: Sufficiently long and clearly defined in front.Back: Short.Loin: Of medium length.Croup: Broad, of medium length, slightly sloping.Chest: Broad and well muscled. Brisket of medium depth, broad and long.Underline: Slightly tucked up.
Hindquarters	The position of the hind legs supports the body with medium angulations. Continuing the croup of medium length, broad, well-muscled limbs are required. The upper thigh is strongly muscled and voluminous.
Feet	The forefeet are large and strong with well-knit toes. Pads are slate grey, thick and well padded. Toenails grey. The hind feet are longer than the forefeet, otherwise similar. Dewclaws to be removed.
Tail	Low-set, clearly pendant. The tip of the tail shows a slight bend, almost to horizontal. It is desirable that the tail reaches to the hock. When alert, the tail is raised, at most, to the level of the back.
Gait/Movement	Light, free and even. The stride is wide and ground covering.
Coat	Skin: The skin contains a lot of pigment and is slate grey. Dark pigment at the gums and the roof of the mouth preferred. Diminished pigment and pink skin undesirable.Coat: The whole body is covered by long hair. The coat consists of a coarser topcoat and finer undercoat. The characteristic coat is determined by the relation of the top coat to the undercoat. The shaggy coat that tends towards matting is a basic requirement. An equally dense, wavy, corded coat also occurs. The smaller tufts of hair are less matted or not matted at all. The coat is longest at the croup, at the loin region and on the rear of the upper thighs (at least 20-27 cm). On the back, at the sides of the chest and at the region of the shoulder blades, it is of medium length (15-22 cm), at the cheeks, the eyebrows, on top of the head, on the ears, the neck and the limbs, it is shorter (10-18 cm) and at the lips and the lower parts of the limbs shortest (9-11 cm). Neither a combed or completely neglected coat are desirable.
Colour	Ivory colour.
Size	Height at withersDogs: Minimum 70 cmBitches: Minimum 65 cmWeightDogs: 50-60 kgBitches 40-50 kg

Faults

The breed shows few faults in type as it has always been bred with the same target in mind. However, any departure from the foregoing points should be regarded as a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to the degree of the fault.In particular:Lack of pigment on noseleather, eyes and rims of eyelids.Loose eyelidsRing tailDISQUALIFYING FAULTSFlabby construction, body lacking muscle.Entropian, Ectropian.Overshot or undershot, wry mouth.Pricked, light ears.Short tail (ending 3 cm above hock)Heavy limbs and faulty movement.Not ivory coloured or a multicoloured coat.Diversion from lower height limit as mentioned in the standard.