Komondor
Description
The Komondor also known as Hungarian sheepdog are big, muscular dogs with plenty of bone and substance, covered with an unusually, heavy, white corded coat which resembles and old-fashioned string mop. Komondor puppies are white and fluffy and tend to form cords at about 3 to 4 months of age. Komondor is very strong and agile for his size. A hardy, healthy dog he can tolerate changing temperatures. Keeping the coat of a Komondor is a challenge and should not be taken lightly. Cords continue to grow and must be maintained by dividing new hair growth every two to three months from the skin out to the existing cords. If not trimmed regularly the coat will reach the ground by the time he is 6 years old. Another consideration is that coat is always picking up debris from outside like dirt, leaves, twigs, small living creatures and this needs to be removed.
Size of Male: Height: 27.5-31.5 inches Weight: 110-130 pounds
Size of Female: Height: 25.5-29.5 inches Weight: 85-110 pounds
Temperament
The Komondor is serious, confident, alert and commanding. Komondor can be very reserved with strangers and is very territorial and highly protective of his family, house, car, and livestock. Implacable against wolves and bears that would attack the flock with which Komondor is entrusted. In a few minutes the Komondor can get the better of even the strongest enemy. It can be fiercely protective and even aggressive, especially with strange dogs, but also with people. This breed must be thoroughly socialized with people and other dogs at an early age. They need complete and firm obedience training by an experienced owner, as he can be very willful. Smart, but easily bored, loyal to and respectful of his master, but fierce against threats to his charges. Komondors can be good family dogs if they are socialized as a young puppy, trained thoroughly, and raised with children from the start, but they are not recommended for most families.
Living Conditions
Komondor does best in a clean country environment where they can receive extensive daily exercise, but it will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They do well in most climates, for the Komondor lives for many months outdoors in all kinds of weather. As with many dogs, exercise is of huge importance to the komondor and they can be good apartment dogs if sufficiently exercised and socoalised
Upkeep
The Komondor needs daily exercise in the form of long walks or short romps. Swimming is not a good idea because of the time it takes to dry the coat of Komondor. It may also be difficult to keep the coat of Komondor clean in some areas. This breed does not like warm weather. It can live outdoors in temperate to cool weather. The Komondor is nonshedding but not carefree. Its cords must be regularly separated or they will look like flat mats, and its coat tends to hold dirt; bathing is time-consuming and drying takes as much as a day. Care of the coat in nonshow dogs is far less extensive. Pets can be clipped but then lose part of the breed’s unique appeal. Note that it may take a dog up to 2 years of age before cords form.
Health
Major concerns: Hip dysplasia, gastric torsion
Minor concerns: otitis externa, acute moist dermatitis
Life expectancy: 10 – 12 years