The Komondor, also known as the Hungarian Sheepdog, is a relatively ancient breed descending from Hungary. Known for its distinctive, iconic coat, the Komondor is in many peoples’ hearts. Read on to learn more about this charming breed!
1. The Komondor’s Rich History Starts in Hungary
The Komondor shares a rich history within its home country, Hungary. The Hungarian Sheepdog’s ancestors descend from a group of dogs brought over to Europe by a mysterious group of people known as the Cumans. The Cumans were a mysterious group of Turkic nomadic people that originated from an unknown land in Asia. Some believe that the land was near China, just east of the Yellow River. As the Cumans were forcibly evicted by the Mongols during the 12th to 13th century, they migrated westward into present-day Hungary. The remains of Komondors have even been excavated in Cuman graves.
The Komondor was bred primarily to protect livestock (sheep and goats) as a guard dog, not herding. Other dogs were utilized by shepherds to herd livestock. An interesting note is that Hungary has another livestock guardian breed known as the Kuvasz; however, this dog was bred by another group known as the Magyars which lived in another part of the country.
The Komondor was first coined in 1544 in a book known as the History of King Astiagis. Today, this sheepdog is revered by Hungarians worldwide and was even deemed a national treasure in 2004 by the Hungarian government (along with a few other animals). To preserve the breed, the Komondor is not to be bred with other dog breeds.
2. The Plural Form of Komondor is “Komondorok”
The word Komondor is Hungarian in origin; it translates to “Cuman dog”, or “Dog of the Cumans”. This name originates from the Komondor’s ancestors, who were brought over to Europe by a group of people known as the Cumans. As mentioned earlier, the Cumans were a rather mysterious group of people that originated from an unknown location in Asia, east of the Yellow River.
The name itself was coined to distinguish the dogs from a breed of sheepdog that once lived in Hungary as well; these canines would later be integrated into the modern Komondor we all know today. This term, however, is not commonly used by English speakers, and so the plural for this breed can be Komondors.
The simple explanation is that in the Hungarian language, the plural form of a word ending in a consonant usually ends with a “-k”, along with a “link vowel” that connects the singular word to its harmony. This doesn’t apply to all words, but this article isn’t a discussion about linguistics but rather about the name of the breed.
3. There Are Other Dogs Like the Komondor
The Komondor’s coat may be distinctive compared to other dogs, but there are a few other similar breeds worth mentioning. The Puli is another dog breed that sports a similar coat as the Komondor, but it is much smaller and is usually black in color (though a few other colorations exist).
This breed is also descended from Hungary, and some herders would even have the Komondor and the Puli work alongside one another. While the Komondor kept guard of the livestock mostly at night, the Puli herded them up and kept watch during the day.
Another more unrelated breed is the Bergamasco Shepherd of Italy. The Bergamasco is a herding dog that sports a coat similar to the Komondor with large dreadlocks covering its body. Meanwhile, another breed, the Spanish Water Dog, is a gundog that also develops cording throughout its body. Even more well-known breeds, such as the Standard Poodle and the Havanese, can develop corded coats if maintained as such.
4. Though Unique, This Breed is Rare
Today, the Komondor is relatively common in its home country, Hungary; however, this breed has experienced endangered levels and is still considered a rare dog breed today. During World War II, this dog was often killed on sight by invading German and Russian forces as this canine would fiercely protect the farms and homes where their owners lived.
The ties between the U.S. and Hungary were blocked during the war, disallowing anymore Komondorok from being exported out of the country, and no active breeding was done to increase its population. Due to this, the Komondor’s population drastically plummeted to just around a dozen individuals.
When the Hungarian Kennel Club was able to reconnect with the American Kennel Club (AKC) during the 1960s, the importation of Komondorok proceeded to continue. In the 1980s, around 50 litters were produced in a year in the U.S. alone! Though having significantly recovered compared to before, the Komondor is still a very rare: only around 10,000 individuals exist today worldwide. The Komondor Club of America has also been established in 1967 to preserve and maintain the integrity of responsibly owning this large dog breed.
5. The Komondor’s Coat Serves a Purpose
The Komondor’s hairstyle isn’t just for snazzy looks; this canine’s coat serves a variety of important purposes/functions. For starters, the Komondor’s thick dreadlocks provide protection against wolves and other predators. As this breed was bred to defend livestock, having protection from wounding bites from wolves and other animals would be ideal for keeping a useful dog alive.
The Komondor’s coat also provides the dog’s camouflage. This dog appears visually like the wooly sheep and goats from a distance. If any predators approached the herds, the Komondorok would catch them off-guard and pursue them.
Another benefit of the Komondor’s unique pelt is to provide protection not just from predators, but from the elements as well. Like other livestock guardian dogs, the Komondor spends most, if not all of its life outside; therefore, it is essential that this breed would need to survive harsher weather. The double coat provides insulation during colder temperatures, and despite its woolly appearance, it also keeps the dog nice and cool when temperatures warm up. The cords also serve as a protective barrier against precipitation, such as rain and snow, keeping the dog’s body dry.
6. Komondors Are Generally Healthy Dogs
The Komondor is a breed that isn’t known for any specific health problems. This canine can, however, experience common health issues that other dog breeds can be prone to. Hip dysplasia, bloat, and eye problems are just some of the more common issues that Komondorok may face.
Hip dysplasia is a relatively common issue that affects the hip joints in a dog’s body; while it mostly affects larger breeds, any dog can develop this issue. Hip dysplasia can be hereditary, or a dog can simply be born with malformed hips. Though hip dysplasia can be life-threatening, it can usually be resolved if detected and treated early.
Bloat, or gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV), is another condition that Komondorok and other dogs can develop. It is a dangerous condition that occurs when the stomach twists, cutting off blood supply and causing painful gas buildup. GDV is a serious issue that requires immediate emergency attention should it ever occur, and its causes are often debated.
The chances of bloat can increase if your dog is stressed or anxious, particularly if other dogs are present. Fast eaters can also develop bloat as well. Separating dogs during feeding time, using slow feeder bowls, and addressing your dog’s anxiety are a few ways to lower your dog’s chances of GDV.
To promote your dog’s health, you should schedule an annual veterinary check-up. General maintenance, such as ear cleaning and teeth brushing, should also be performed to prevent ear or mouth infections. Though highly recommended to brush your dog’s teeth every day, two to three times a week can suffice. Your dog will also enjoy any dental chews offered, but be aware that dental treats are not a substitute for brushing teeth.
7. The Komondor’s Coat Requires Extra Special Care
It is without a doubt that the Komondor’s fur coat requires special care. The Komondor’s iconic cords start forming in around two years (this dog’s coat takes on a “fluffier” appearance before cording). This canine is a double-coated breed, but the outer and inner coats intertwine with one another as the dreads form.
While puppies should be brushed, Komondor owners recommend not to brush their coats when cording begins to start forming. While cording forms on its own, some manual assistance is needed for the dreadlocks to properly grow, including debris removal.
In terms of bathing, some owners recommend bathing monthly, while others prefer bathing their dogs weekly. To deal with dirt or mud stains, some people recommend using a whitening shampoo to keep their fur nice and clean.
8. This Breed is for Experienced Owners
The Komondor is a loyal, protective breed that can be very affectionate toward its family and loved ones; however, this dog isn’t suitable for first-time owners. Their territorial instincts amongst their roots as guard dogs can make them rather protective. Komondorok are often not very fond of strangers. Socialization must be done at an early age, and a lot of time and positive reinforcement is needed to properly raise a Komondor from adolescence to adulthood.
It would also be beneficial to consult experienced Komondor owners/breeders as they would be able to offer useful advice in raising one of these unique dogs. As Komondorok were bred to also alert their owners to any potential threats, the deep, noisy bark of these dogs can be bothersome to neighbors.
Obtaining your Komondor from a reputable breeder or rescue group is an absolute must. Finding a breeder may be tough as this breed is still considered rare. As always, never purchase a dog from a pet store. With the proper owners, the Komondor can be a loyal companion as long as its physical and social needs are fully met.
