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Komondor Origins and History
The Komondor is believed to be a very ancient breed, although historical references to the dog only go back several centuries. It is probable that the Komondor moved to the Danube Basin (present day Hungary) with the nomadic tribes which settled there in the ninth century. These early Komondors were used to guard herds of sheep, goats and cattle from predators, which included wolves, bears and humans. The dogs lived out in the open with their charges, and often had to make their own decisions in the absence of a shepherd to guide them. Thus they developed into a very intelligent, independent and strong-willed breed. A few Komondors were imported to the United States in the 1930s, at which time the breed was recognized by the AKC. During World War II, Komondors were used to guard military installations and a great number of them were killed. The hardships suffered by both the people and dogs of Hungary also took their toll, and after the war, the dogs were extremely rare. Dedicated individuals who loved the breed searched out remaining Komondors, which for the most part still lived as flock guardians in remote rural parts of Hungary, and started breeding them again. Once the Iron Curtain separated Hungary from the western world, it became quite difficult to export the dogs, and very few made it to the U.S. However, enough dogs made it through, mostly via the efforts of Hungarians living in the West, that the breed had become fairly well established in the U.S. by the late 1960s. The Komondor is still a very rare breed, and most people have never seen one. The largest populations of Komondors today are in Hungary and in the United States, with numbers of animals in each country probably in the two to three thousand range. The total number of Komondors worldwide is far less than ten thousand.
Breed Characteristics
A correct Komondor should give an impression of imposing strength, courage, dignity and pleasing conformation. The Komondor is a large, medium-boned, muscular dog with an unusual white (never colored or black) coat which consists of tassels of hair which are called cords. (The coat is hard to imagine, if you have never seen it, but it is somewhat similar to the dreadlocks worn by Rastafarians.) In ancient Hungary, working Komondors were out on the plains during most of the year with their flocks, and the Komondor coat developed to give the dogs protection against both predators and extremes of weather. The coat is also very similar in appearance to that of the Hungarian Racka sheep, which allowed the dog to blend in with his flock. Unlike the herding breeds, the Komondor is a flock guardian. When with his charges in the fields, a mature, experienced Komondor tends to stay with the flock, keeping predators away, but not allowing himself to be drawn away in a chase. In the United States, many Komondors are employed as livestock guardians (with sheep, goats, cattle, exotic birds, etc.), with some success. However, the majority of them are kept as companions and house guards. For these dogs, the family, including both humans and other animals, becomes the flock. Komondors living in households will be reserved with strangers, but demonstrative with those they love. They are selflessly devoted to their families, and will protect them against perceived threats from any quarter. Their devotion to those in their care and their sense of responsibility towards them, produces a courageous, vigilant and faithful guardian.
Komondor Temperament
The Komondor was developed to be an independent, intelligent and sensitive dog capable of making decisions on his own. This makes him a terrific family guardian, but also makes him unsuitable for some types of homes. The adult Komondor is a large, territorial dog, and prospective owners must understand that a Komondor puppy must be well-socialized and taught to behave in a manner acceptable to the owner. Because Komondors traditionally cared for their charges without a human to tell them what to do, they do not automatically look to people for direction the way herding and sporting breeds do. They are very smart dogs, and learn quickly, but a Komondor owner must make it clear from puppyhood (and continuing throughout the dog's life) that no means no, and must consistently correct the dog for behavior that is not acceptable. Having said that, the Komondor is also an extremely loving dog. He loves his family absolutely, and hates to have any of them out of his sight. The typical Komondor will follow his people from room to room, and actively seeks out physical contact with those he loves. The Komondor is a wonderful guardian of home and property, but must have an owner who will see to it that the character traits that made the Komondor valuable as a livestock guardian will not become a liability in the modern world.
Komondor Grooming
The most striking and unusual aspect of the Komondor is the coat, and because it is so unusual Komondor owners seem to have more problems with coat care than anything else. The Komondor's puppy coat is fluffy and curly, with a tendency to fall into curly ringlets. At about 8 or 10 months of age, the coat begins to shed and mat. This matting is the beginning of the cording process. The larger mats must be torn apart into smaller mats (the cords), which is a simple procedure, although it can be physically demanding and time consuming if the mats are really tight and large. Once formed, the cords will lengthen with age, eventually reaching the ground if not cut. The Komondor sheds his undercoat twice a year like all dogs do, and the softer undercoat binds together with the long, strong outer coat, lengthening the cords from the skin out. The cords will have to be separated again each time the coat goes through this stage, as they will tend to mat together near the skin. This is not difficult once the cords are established, requiring a few hours of work each year. To many people the cords resemble the strings of a mop or spaghetti, and many Koms have names which play on this resemblance (Mop or Pasta, for example). Other than separating the cords twice a year and bathing the dog, there is not much special grooming required. The hair must be plucked from the ear canal, as with all long-haired breeds, and the hair kept trimmed from the bottoms of the feet. Many pet Komondor owners keep the cords trimmed to a length of 8 or 10 inches. This looks nice and is easier to care for than a floor length coat. The dogs also may be sheared 2 or 3 times a year, if desired. Either way, the Komondor should be a handsome, well-cared-for looking dog.
Written by Therese Coucher and Richard Heaney for the Komondor Club of America, Inc. Copyright 1995.
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