Komondor - Origin, Characteristics and Behavior

The Komondor is a breed of dog originating in Hungary, where it has always been trained for herding and for guarding the flocks, land 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, Sheepdogs, Group I, which includes all Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs).

There is no doubt that the most characteristic trait of this breed of dog is its long, woolly and dense coat.However, he has many other characteristics that we encourage you to discover if you are considering adopting this beautiful dog. Therefore, if you want to learn more about these very hairy dogs, we invite you to continue reading this breed sheet from PlanèteAnimal to discover all the characteristics of the Komondor dog.

Happy reading!

Origin

  • Europe
  • Hungary

FCI Nomenclature

  • Group I

Physical Characteristics

  • Rustic
  • Muscular
  • Proportional

Size

  • Giant

Height

  • 70-80

Adult Weight

  • 45-100

Life expectancy

  • 12-14

Recommended physical activity

  • High

Character

  • Strong
  • Very loyal
  • Active
  • Affectionate
  • Dominant

Ideal for

  • House
  • Walking
  • Shepherd
  • The guard

Recommended climate

  • Cold

Hair type

  • Long
  • Curly
  • Hard
  • Big

Origin of Komondor

Although little can be said about its origins, it is believed that the Komondor descended from Asiatic dogs that accompanied the nomadic Magyar peoples, who migrated through the Carpathian Basin and who, in the year 900, would have introduced these sturdy dogs with abundant fur to the Hungarian steppes.However, there is another hypothesis according to which the Asian ancestors of the Komondors arrived in Hungary many years later, more precisely during the Mongol invasion of this region, which occurred in the middle of the 13th century.

Whatever its origins, the Komondor, along with the mudi and the Puli (two breeds of Hungarian sheepdog little known outside their homeland), is one of the most popular and popular sheepdog breeds. most popular in Hungary. This breed was officially recognized by the FCI in 1954.

Komondor Features

The Komondor is considered one of the largest dog breeds in the world, and it's no wonder! We are dealing with giant-sized dogs that weigh 40 to 50 kg in females and 50 to 60 kg in males for a height at the withers of about 65 to 75 cm.

Its solid and sturdy body is rectangular in shape. Its head is large, with a size and shape proportional to that of its body, its jaw is powerful and its eyes are dark, almost always black. His ears are pendulous and V-shaped.

Despite the above, the most characteristic of the Komondor is undoubtedly its fur, since its hair is long, dense and wavy. This coat is so because it has two layers, an outer layer of coarse hair and an inner layer of finer woolly hair. The two layers tangle together until some kind of dread locks appear. This characteristic makes these dogs very resistant to bad weather, as well as attacks by parasites.

Finally, the Komondor has a pointed, upturned tail that is usually held in a mid or low position.

Komondor Puppy

The Komondor dog is not born with dreadlock hair. So, in the puppy stage, the Komondor has a fluffy, wavy ivory-colored coat, giving it a truly adorable appearance.

Komondor Character

The Komondor has a calm and determined character and is a truly courageous dog that is not afraid to face anything that may come its way.He is quite independent and therefore does not require constant attention, although he enjoys spending time with his family and going for walks. This same protective and courageous instinct leads him to be a dog with a suspicious character towards strangers and somewhat territorial.

He is a good dog for family life as long as he and the children have been properly educated and socialized. It is not suitable for apartments that are too small because it needs large spaces to move freely.

Caring for a Komondor

For our Komondor to be he althy and balanced, he must be able to move freely and get enough exercise. In addition, he must always have fresh, clean water at his disposal and his diet must be he althy and balanced.

Due to the length and density of their hair, you will need to take care of it. Don't forget to check its fur after each walk in the forest to make sure it is not infested with parasites.The bristles should never be brushed, but it is advisable to trim the ends occasionally to prevent the dreads from touching the ground. If you are inexperienced with this type of coat, it is advisable to go to a groomer.

Dressing the Komondor

This canine breed is characterized by being stubborn and stubborn, so you will need to be constant and patient to educate it. As this is a suspicious breed, it is important to set up a good socialization from an early age. In addition, the socialization period will allow him to better tolerate strangers, thus avoiding uncomfortable situations during a visit from guests at home, for example.

When adopting an adult Komondor dog who has not been properly socialized, remember that it is never too late to do so, even if it is a little more laborious. Check out our article on How to Socialize an Adult Dog and get to work.

On the other hand, when raising the Komondor puppy or an adult specimen, as we have said, it is essential to be patient and constant. Likewise, we recommend performing positive training techniques that reward good behavior, as they have been shown to be much more effective and not disrupt animal welfare.

Komondor He alth

The Komondor breed is one of the he althiest and hardiest and it only needs some basic care to be he althy. 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 vaccinations and deworming. As it is a dog with a particular coat, it is common for external parasites to enter 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 good hygiene of the eyes, ears and mouth. Giving him the best care and giving him all our love, the life expectancy of the Komondor dog is 10-12 years.

How to adopt a Komondor?

Although it is not usual to find purebred Komondor dogs in animal shelters or humane societies, there may be adult specimens or mixed-breed dogs that have virtually the same features. In any case, adopting a dog is an act that must be done responsibly and taking into account all that this implies. Thus, you should not be guided by the physique of an animal to adopt it, but by its character and its needs.

Photos of Komondor