The Komondor is a livestock guardian dog breed originally from Hungary. Known as the king of the Hungarian sheepdogs, the Komondor is a truly impressive animal. The plural is Komondors or Komondorok.
Appearance
Large (27 in/69 cm at the withers, 100 lb/45 kg), it has a thick, muscular body. Male Komondorok are a minimum of 27 inches at the withers, but many are over 30 inches tall, making this one of the larger common breeds of dog. The body is not overly coarse or heavy, however, and people unfamiliar with the breed are often surprised by how quick and agile the dogs are.
Coat
Its long, thick, uniquely and strikingly corded white coat (the heaviest amount of fur in the canine world) resembles dreadlocks. 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. These cords are formed naturally as a result of the soft, wavy undercoat intertwining with the coarser outer coat. The length of the cords increases with time, as the coat grows. Shedding is very minimal with this breed, contrary to what one might think. The only substantial shedding occurs as a puppy before the dreadlocks form. The Komondor is born only with a white coat, unlike the Puli, which is usually white or black, or sometimes grayish. However, a working Komondor's coat may be discolored by the elements, and may appear less than white if not washed regularly.
History
The Komondor is an ancient breed, thought to be of Asian origin, descending from the dogs whom the Magyars brought to Hungary in the 10th century. It's been suggested that the name "Komondor" comes from the Cuman (or Koman) people, who were Turkish-speaking people who once lived near the Yellow River; Koman-dor would mean the dog of the Cumans. The unique dreadlock appearance gives a hint of common origin with the Puli and the Bergamasco. There might also be a link between the Komondor and the big, white Russian livestock dogs, the South Russian Ovtcharka.
The Komondor is built for livestock guarding. It is big, strong, and armored with a thick coat. The coat provides protection against wild animals and the weather and vegetation. The coat is the trademark of the breed.
The Komondor is rare everywhere outside the country of origin, Hungary, although the USA and Germany have large Komondor populations. In the USA, the Komondor is used as a livestock guardian, but in Europe, outside Hungary, most Komondors are guardian and family dogs.
Temperament
Komondorok are independent, protective, aggressive with strangers, territorial, and very intelligent. The Komondor excels as a guardian because it bonds strongly with its charges. The Komondor is a protector rather than an aggressive dog looking for trouble; indeed, a good livestock guardian will not leave the flock to chase a predator. In the absence of a flock, the Komondor bonds with the owner and family, making it an excellent family dog. It is indeed intelligent and independent, due to the fact that traditionally it lived with the animals with no master on hand to make decisions and direct the dog's actions. The Komondor therefore makes his own decisions, which means the owner must bring the dog up to understand that the owner makes the decisions and the dog must abide by them. No Komondor of good temperament is aggressive toward his charges, however, human or animal. Such aggression is plain poor temperament, not correct behavior for this breed.
Health
Komondors have a life span of approximately 12 years and a tendency to develop bloat and skin problems. As with many large breeds, there is also a predisposition toward hip dysplasia.
The Kuvasz (pl. Kuvaszok, also known as the Hungarian Sheepdog) is a dog breed of ancient Hungarian origin. The word is, contrary to some theories, not of Sumerian origin. These dogs are used to guard livestock. Mention of the breed can be found in old Hungarian texts.
Appearance
Kuvasz are large white dogs with wavy fur, black noses, and almond shaped eyes. They are larger than the average Labrador Retriever. Females usually weigh between 75-90 pounds while males weigh between 100-115 pounds. Their facial features are very similar to those of a Golden Retriever, however their build is larger. Some Kuvaszok (particularly in the United States) have been bred to have straighter, less-curly hair. Enthusiasts feel this is a gross deviation from the breed's true type and its Hungarian origins.
Temperament
The Kuvasz can be a fiercely loyal pet who appreciates attention but may also be somewhat aloof or independent, particularly with strangers. As for barking, the Kuvasz has been described by some as quiet while others say it is a notorious barker. Ultimately, the question of barking seems to depend on the individual dog but it remains a good rule of thumb for a potential owner to refrain from buying a Kuvasz if barking will be a problem at the home.
Kuvaszok are known to be fierce protectors of their families, which is in keeping with their origins as a guardian of livestock. Given their intelligence, awareness of their surroundings, as well as their size and strength, they can be quite impressive in this role.
They are also said to be incredibly intelligent, with a "near human" sense of humor. Given their protective nature and their natural strength, training and socialization is a necessity. Despite their intelligence, they should not be perceived as easily trained. Their independent streak can make training a difficult task which can wear on the patience of even experienced owners. As a result, they are not recommended for novices.
Grooming
The Kuvasz's stiff, dense coat, growing up to 15 cm (6 in) in length, does not require any special grooming. It needs a brush once a week or better still, every two or three days. A curry comb and, if necessary, a large-toothed comb can be used to remove knots. During the spring and autumn the Kuvasz moults, and he will lose copious amounts of hair very quickly. Frequent brushing is therefore needed to keep his coat tidy. A Kuvasz should not smell or have an odor; such is usually a sign of illness or a poor diet.
Kuvasz and children
Kuvasz who have had experience with children are extremely gentle and considerate. As with any dog, it would be unfair to expect a Kuvasz who has not been around children to suddenly understand these "Little People"; who act differently and often move quickly and unexpectedly. It is essential that the children do not abuse or torment the dog. "Teasing" is not OK. This is not a breed for children who do not treat animals with kindness and compassion.
It may be misleading when "children" are generalized. Kuvasz may be fine with "their" children, but need to be closely supervised with "other" children. They will protect "their" children from others, ALL OTHERS. And may well take on smaller children as "theirs" almost upon meeting them. But the screams of delight of active children hard at play could be misunderstood by the dog as a reaction to threat or danger. This is especially true of a younger or inexperienced dog. It is best to put the dog in another room or outside away from the children during that kind of play time.
Fiction and folklore tell us to anticipate the perfect picture of dog protecting child. The Kuvasz is, above all, a protector. But confusion for the dog can occur depending on the circumstances. The damage that could take place is not worth the perfect image, for either dog or child. For this reason, with ANY dog, infants and toddlers must ALWAYS be closely supervised.
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