The history of the breed's origin, purpose, standard of appearance, its character and temperament, health, advice on care, training, price when buying a puppy. Komondor is a type of shepherd dog. The breed is also called the Hungarian Shepherd Dog. Outwardly, this dog looks very unusual and even somewhat awkward. No matter how ridiculous it may sound, it looks like a kind of huge sweeping mop brush - long strands of knocked down light wool, similar to dreadlocks, reach right to the ground and randomly fall over the eyes and face. Many people involuntarily ask: "Does this animal see anything from under this thick bangs?" Nevertheless, the dog feels great and very comfortable in such a dress, and he sees very well too, and the bangs serve as a kind of eye protection from the sun's rays.
Komondor - one of the oldest and largest breeds, which is one of the five most expensive in the world. The Hungarian Shepherd Dog has excellent guarding abilities. This is a very affectionate, loyal and loyal dog, a wonderful family pet and a reliable guard. Representatives of the breed have a strong character and a kind heart, for which it is justified, they deserve the name "big and kind giant".
The history of the name of the Komondor breed
There are several versions of the origin of the name of the breed - "Komondor". Many people mistakenly believe that the second vowel in the name is "a". Considering the spelling of foreign words from which the name comes - the second vowel is precisely "o".
According to one version, the name of the breed comes from the Italian phrase "cane commodore" or the French word "commondeur", which means "king of dogs". According to another version, the Hungarians called this massive white shepherd dogs who guarded the flocks of sheep. The name komondor comes from the word "komondorok", which comes from the Hungarian adjective "komor" - calm, and refers to the temperament and character of the Hungarian shepherd. The breed was called so - "Komondorok", but the name was simplified to "Komondor".
Regarding the variant of naming "Hungarian Shepherd", everything is much simpler - in Hungary the breed is recognized as a national treasure.
The origin of the Hungarian Shepherd
It is widely believed that at first the Komondors lived with the Magyar tribes in the Black Sea region. The Magyars used these dogs as guards for the grazing flocks of sheep from predatory animals. A thousand years ago, as a result of the onslaught of the Golden Horde, the Magyar tribes were forced to leave their usual habitat. Together with their pet shepherds, they migrated to the territory of present-day Hungary.
There is a humorous Hungarian legend, which tells about a dog resulting from the "union" of a sheep and a wolf. In scientific circles, the prevailing opinion is that the ancestors of the Komondor are Asian shepherd dogs.
The first written mentions of the commanders date back to the sixteenth century, namely 1544, and they are contained in the "History of King Astyagis" by the author Peter Coconi. In 1653, Amos Comenius described in writing a Hungarian dog precisely as a guard of sheep flocks. A note from 1778, by Michael Klein, contained a brief description of the author's meeting with the Komondors near the Hungarian river Raba, where they were used to guard and protect against wolves.
During the Second World War, the Komondor breed was severely exterminated. Before invading a house or farm, the invaders often killed these guard dogs; other individuals, left without an owner, often died of hunger. In addition, during the war, Hungarian dogs were used as service dogs, which also caused a critical decrease in the population. Between 1945 and 1962, there were no more than one thousand dogs in Hungary.
In 1933, Hungarian immigrants brought the royal breed of shepherd to the United States - this saved the Komondors from complete extinction. Today, the Komondor remains a rather rare and expensive breed. It gained particular popularity in Hungary and America, where it is most widespread and used as a shepherd dog. In Hungary, there are about five to seven thousand individuals, in the United States - about two to three thousand individuals. In other parts of the world, the breed is less popular and has only about ten thousand representatives.
The purpose of the Komondor
The Komondor is a massive dog with thick light hair. The appearance and constitution of the animal is not without reason. The "dog-king" is a natural guardian, and to this day is used in Hungary as a guard for the sheep herd. The woolen cover allows the shepherd dog to freely get lost in the flock, without frightening it, and to carefully monitor what is happening. The body type of the guard makes it easy to fight back in the event of an attack by a predator, without even using teeth. "Signature" defensive technique - heavy blows of the muzzle inflicted on the enemy.
Despite their direct shepherd purpose, commanders are excellent guards for real estate, for example. In America, Hungarian "watchmen" are used for police service.
Komondor appearance standard
The Komondor is a breed with an exotic and interesting appearance, especially because of the coat. This is a large and large dog, but, despite its external massiveness, it weighs much less than its relatives, the shepherd. The weight of males is fifty to sixty kilograms, the weight of females varies from forty to fifty kilograms. With the indicated weights, the approximate height of the dog at the withers is eighty centimeters, the female is seventy.
- Head. The skull is broad with massive and strong jaws. Due to the dense coat, the head seems round and disproportionate to the body. The ears are pendant, u-shaped, rounded to the tips, not mobile. The length of the ears is equal to sixty percent of the length of the head. The forehead is round. The transition from the forehead to the nose is pronounced. The muzzle is short, blunt and wide. The eye arches are well developed. The lips fit snugly against the teeth.
- Neck the Komondopra is of medium length, wide, strong and massive. Due to the thick wool covering the neck, it appears to be short. When calm, the upper outline of the neck and back forms an almost straight line.
- Body. The Komondor hull is powerful and strong. The withers are quite long. The loin is muscular, wide, of medium length. The ribcage is wide, shaped like a barrel. The thighs are broad and well muscled.
- Limbs this large animal is massive, with strong joints, columnar. The angles of the hind legs are strongly open.
- Paws Komondora are large, round in shape. The pads are very firm and elastic. The dewclaws of the hind feet should be removed.
- Tail - long, hanging, slightly raised at the end. In a state of excitement and excitement, it rises at the level of the back.
Coat and color standard of the Hungarian Shepherd
The Komondor has a very peculiar and unique coat of wool.
Puppies of this breed are born with silky, soft and slightly wavy hair. As the puppy matures, his coat becomes more curly. From adulthood, after about the second year of life, the king's dog's hair begins to fall into strands. The longest strands grow on the lower back - 20–27 centimeters. On the chest, back and shoulders "cords" of medium length - 15–20 centimeters. The shortest woolly dreadlocks grow on the face, neck, ears, limbs (10–18 centimeters), lips and legs (9–11 centimeters).
- Wool in shepherd dogs it grows all their lives. By old age, woolly strands reach the ground (80-90 centimeters in length), weigh about six to seven kilograms, and their number is about two thousand dreadlocks.
- Skin covering light gray. The color of the skin, nose, lips and eyelids is dark gray or black.
- Coat color Komondora by the standard should be pure white, white with a grayish or cream shade.
- Eyes almond shape, brown color of different shades.
The nature and temperament of the Komondor
The representative of the breed is a guard dog, and this determines such traits of its character as: intelligence, quick wit, observation and suspicion. The animal is disturbed by strangers, suspicious actions and sounds. Also, the dog can show aggression towards other dogs.
The King of Shepherds is loyal to his master, kind and affectionate. Nowadays, he is perfectly adapted to the role of a pet and a guard. A shepherd dog is a very loving and devoted creature who treats children with special trepidation. Because of her protective qualities, she sometimes shows aggression towards other animals.
Komondor is a strong-willed and wayward dog, so he needs an experienced, calm and confident owner who can take on the role of leader. The King of Shepherds is distinguished by obedience, but he may well refuse to obey the order if he considers it incomprehensible or incorrect in relation to himself. Despite the waywardness, such a pet is distinguished by calmness, poise and peacefulness.
The active and energetic Hungarian Shepherd Dog is very fond of moving, playing and fooling around. Given this, the Komondor needs constant physical exertion, without which his health and state of health will deteriorate significantly.
Komondor health
Komondor is a large breed of dog. Moreover, its average life span reaches 7-10 years. Representatives of this species are very healthy. Most of the reasons for their death are accidents, including: attacks by large predators or fatal injuries when hit by vehicles. The good health of the watchdog is the result of preparing the body for the harsh natural conditions. The guard duties of the dog also played a role, and thanks to its chic fur coat, it perfectly tolerates both frost and heat, although it prefers to be in the shade and coolness.
Although Komondors are very healthy, there are a number of specific genetic diseases in their genus. True, the breed suffers less from this kind of diseases than animals of primitive breeds. The main genetic diseases in the family of the king of dogs are:
- dysplasia of the hip joint - congenital joint inferiority, pathology caused by disorders in the development of the fetus;
- entropy - eye defect;
- bloating.
Komondor care tips
Given the unusual appearance of the Komondor, it becomes clear that the main problems in care arise precisely with the wool cover. Up to the age of two, when the coat of guard dogs is not yet tangled in cords, special care is not required. When your pet reaches adulthood, you need to follow the rules of special care for felted wool. The hair of the shepherd dog is not combed, but tangled cords will have to be regularly separated by hand so that they do not get tangled.
This procedure is not an easy one, it requires a lot of time, patience, and thoroughness. As the pet ages, the frequency of the procedure is reduced from once a month to one or two times a year. Some owners cut their pet about once a year, leaving locks about 20-25 centimeters long. The animal's hair grows throughout its life and, if not trimmed regularly, can grow to the floor itself. Professional groomers can easily trim your furry friend, but the procedure for dreadlocking is unfamiliar to many of them - you will have to do it yourself. The few advantages of the shepherd dog's coat include a small amount of molt (although twice a year - in spring and autumn) and the absence of an unpleasant odor when wet.
The Komondor's wool is easily contaminated and retains any debris on itself, but it is very difficult to wash this animal. It takes about an hour to wet the pet, and drying without aids takes two days. For obvious reasons, a four-legged friend is rarely washed and often in summer. Also, a thick fur coat complicates the prevention of the appearance of small skin parasites, such as fleas and ticks, moreover, the royal dog is sensitive to insecticidal substances.
Caring for the ears and eyes of the Hungarian Shepherd Dog must be thorough with frequent checks - dirt accumulating on the wool puffs, getting into the ears and on the mucous membrane of the eye, can cause serious inflammatory processes that turn into chronic ones.
Despite the large dimensions of the Komondor, he does not eat very much. Your pet's diet should be varied, rich in vitamins, proteins and various trace elements in order to quickly replenish the expended energy and ensure the excellent condition of bones, teeth, hair, and more. A shepherd dog eats approximately one kilogram of dry food per day. Meals should be two times a day, every day at the same time. Your companion's menu should be varied and, in addition to food, include:
- Lean meat: chicken, beef, veal. Pork is excluded!
- Porridge on the water.
- Vegetables and fruits.
- Additional additives.
- Plenty of clean drinking water.
Eliminate dairy products from the Komondor diet, occasionally your friend can be pampered with hard cheese or cottage cheese.
Hungarian Shepherd Dogs constantly need regular and prolonged physical activity, for example, active walks and games. A house is more suitable for the life of a royal dog than an apartment.
Komondor training
The Hungarian Shepherd is a unique breed listed in the Guinness Book of Records. A shepherd dog, because of its purpose, is independent, intelligent and quite able to make independent decisions. The trainer needs to earn the respect of the pet and then the komondor will be inclined to obey his master. Representatives of the breed are very docile and calm, do not seek to take a leadership position in the family.
The King of Dogs is susceptible to training, but a little slow. Komondor puppies should be trained from an early age through play and tasty rewards for success. Do not overwork the little ones with long workouts, be patient and consistent - the Komondor perceives everything slowly, but, having learned the lesson, remembers it well.
Interesting information about the Hungarian Shepherd
Komondor loves to frolic and run for walks, but his greatest joy will be the opportunity to find someone who can be herded into the "flock" and start grazing. This feature is a consequence of the natural purpose of the breed.
Previously, among the Hungarian Shepherd Dogs, the fourth part was black. A small number of black "shepherds" are found now, but their color is not recognized by the standard and is considered a marriage.
Komondor purchase price
Hungarian Shepherd Dog is a rare and expensive breed. To find a thoroughbred royal puppy you need to "move mountains" and pay a decent amount of money - about 800-1000 dollars, and for elite puppies this price can reach 2000 dollars.
Learn more about the history of the Komondors in this video:
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