Komondor

The Komondor looks really funny. From the first sight you can think a mop has come to live, trying to lick your face, happily barking and greeting you. Although this breed has a very tangled coat, which hides its big heart, anyway, it’s quite easy to see its kind nature.

The Komondor, according to the first recorded description, is originated in Hungary in the XVI century. Of course, the breed appeared long ago before that, and it is believed to descend from another type of sheepdogs – the Russian Owtcharka and Tibetan dogs.

The breed is also called the Mop Dog, the Hungarian Komondor or the Sheepdog. It’s interesting to know, that its official name Komondor derives from «Komandor», which means «Cuman dog».

In 1544 this breed was for the first time mentioned by its modern name – the Komondor, but only in 1910 it was established as a breed.

The Komondor was used as a shepherd, and such type of dogs could easily cope with their mission, mingling with sheep, thanks to their mop-like coat. Predators had practically no chances to escape.

The public recognition of the Komondor happened in 1937 with the help of the American Kennel Club (AKC). This breed is still successfully used as a shepherd, although these amazing creatures gladden their masters, sitting at home and playing good boys.

The Komondor represents itself as an intelligent, aggressively protective and independent breed. Such dogs do really well as guardians or watchdogs, since they are suspicious and sometimes even fierce with strangers. Timid owners are not recommended to have the Komondor as the first dog.

Nevertheless, the Komondor is attached and loving in attitude to its family, it gets along well with children, who know how to treat an animal.

As a rule, the Komondor isn’t friendly with other dogs, but it can be tolerant with cats and livestock animals.

The most common problems for the breed include:

• entropion;
• gastric torsion;
• canine hip dysplasia.

The Komondor’s grooming is not an easy affair. Good news – Komondors’ coat doesn’t need brushing, but you need to separate cords regularly to prevent matting and remove dirt. You should trim around the mouth of your moppy to make eating process easier.

Some owners even prefer to trim all their dog’s corpse several times a year. Bathing must be done only when medically necessary and then dried with a hand-drier, as it can take the hole for the Komondors’ hair to dry compeletly.

Brush its teeth at least three times a week, better daily. When you hear your dog clicking on the floor with his paws – its time to make his nails shorter. Check its ears and eyes, clean them when it’s high time. All these procedures are necessary not only to keep your Komondor in a good shape, but also healthy and happy.

The Komondor is a clever and easy trainable breed especially when it’s young. Every training shouldn’t be a challenge for both sides, but also an entertainment. Make each lesson different and interesting, otherwise, your pet will be bored.

You should be an understanding pack leader, who can use the policy of the carrot and the stick. Your dog will need an early and extensive socialization, which always helps to expose to lots of sounds, sights, people and so on.

The Komondor asks for moderate exercise daily. Walking in your fenced yard or in a park two or three times a day will satisfy your pet. It will also appreciate playing and rustling in a company of his master or other household. This mop on four legs is a big chap, with whom you’ll never be bored or feel alone.