Komondor Dog

The Komondor is a large Hungarian breed of dog with a white colored, long, corded coat. Often times, because of the way their coats look, they are referred to as "mop dogs." The Komondor is an extremely old and established breed that is most known for its natural guard dog instincts to protect livestock and other property. This breed is thought so highly of that it has been declared one of Hungary's national treasures that must be protected and preserved from any type of modification.

Komondor Dog Resting at a farm in Pennsylvania

The history and origins of the Komondor breed are quite impressive. This breed comes from the Russian Owtcharka, which was brought to Hungary by the Huns. This large, long-legged breed became the progenitor of the Komondor. Due to the size of this breed dog sports that would use this breed as water rescue dogs wouldn't be recommended. These breeds share a similar resemblance to the Racka, the Magyar sheep that had a proud dog-like carriage and ample amounts of curly wool. Because of the similar appearance, the dogs easily mixed in with the sheep and often appeared to be one of the herd. Because the Komondor breed was so immensely valued by the Magyar shepherds, they were not permitted to interbreed with other breeds. It is assumed that the breed existed long before 1555. This breed earned its keep by guarding the flocks against vicious animals. Some say that the Komondor breed was even responsible for wiping out the wolf population in Hungary. This breed was still used as a guard dog well into the twentieth century. The first of the Komondor breed finally came to America in 1933, and then received AKC recognition in 1937.

The Komondor's temperament is much like other dog breeds that guard livestock. This specific dog type is bred as an independent guard of livestock and holds true to its heritage. This breed is extremely calm and steady when everything is normal around them. However, if trouble starts stirring in their environment, the Komondor is known to fearlessly defend itself and the livestock it is protecting. The Komondor was specifically bred to be an extremely independent dog and makes decisions on its own very well. While this breed of dog is an extremely independent thinker, it tends to be stubborn and dominant at times. The Komondor is not an ideal dog for someone who may be a pushover when it comes to their pets. This breed of dog can be very domineering if its owner is not stern with it. The Komondor needs consistent socialization for its well-being. It is very reserved around strangers and tends to be hostile towards other strange dogs. However, the Komondor interacts rather well with other pets and specifically livestock. It is in its happiest state when it is watching over someone or something. While its personality can often be calm and quiet, the Komondor is absolutely fearless when a situation arises where it needs to act as a guard dog. In this sense, this breed is extremely protective of its family and may sometimes misinterpret playful tumbles with children.

The Komondor has to participate in daily exercise, whether in the form of a long walk or a short romp. This breed of dog does not like warm weather in any sense. It can easily live outdoors in temperate to cold weather. The Komondor is not a carefree dog breed. It takes a lot of time and effort to care for this type of breed. It may be difficult to keep its coat clean, as its hairs tend to collect dirt and other particles very easily. Bathing the Komondor is an extremely time consuming task and can take up to even an entire day just to get its coat fully clean.

The Komondor has a life span of ten to twelve years. There are a variety of health concerns associated with this breed of dog. Some of the major health concerns include CHD and gastric torsion. Some of the more minor health concerns seen in the Komondor breed are otitis externa and hot spots. Entropion is occasionally seen, but not nearly as often as the major and minor health concerns. It is suggested that this breed has regular hip tests to prevent from any damage. While the Komondor experiences a few specific health concerns, this breed does not really suffer from many hereditary problems. This may be due to the breed having descended from centuries of hard working stock, which results in very few genetically linked problems. Like all large breeds of dogs, the Komondor does experience occasional issues with hip dysplasia. Research shows that there is no evidence of any major retinal eye problems that are so often found in other breeds of dogs. However, two minor eye disorders found in this breed are Entropion and Cataracts. Entropion is when the dog's upper or lower eyelid curls inward. This causes the lashes to rub against the cornea, which can lead to lacerations and infections. More recent research shows that juvenile Cataracts are sometimes being seen. However, this is only in rare instances. Other health issues occasionally seen in the Komondor breed of dog are Vitamin B12 deficiencies, external parasites, ear problems, and feet problems. Make sure your Komondor gets the proper vaccines for dogs to fight against rabies, distemper, canine parvovirus, and other health problems. It is important as an owner to make sure you take good care of your dog and allow it to engage in daily exercise and consume healthy foods in order to be in the best health possible.

Overall, the Komondor is a great breed of dog that comes from an impressive and extensive history. With the remarkable establishment and origins of this breed, it is easy to see why it has been declared one of Hungary's national treasures. The Komondor's talent in guarding livestock and protecting itself, its family, and anyone else makes this breed a great pet, as well as a hard working animal. Overall, the Komondor holds a variety of great well-rounded aspects that allow it to act successfully in any position. If you just purchased a new puppy you want want to find out some new dog names for your familiy member.

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