Komondor

FCI 53 - Sheepdogs

Coexistence is important that you have with your new friend. Before considering the acquisition of a dog of the breed "Komondor" you know certain factors. Not all breeds of dogs are apt to live in an apartment, you must take into account his character, their need for exercise, their interaction with other pets, their care and if you have small children, their level of tolerance towards them.

The Komondor is a breed of dog originating from Hungary, where it has been fulfilling its mission as a herding dog for more than 1000 years. Its long white fur allows it to blend in with the flocks of sheep it cares for and which it especially resembles.. So you can take threatening predators by surprise, including impressive opponents such as bears or wolves.

It probably originated from the dogs that came to Hungary with the Magyars, nomads who came from Central Asia around the year 900 d.C. and they took their dogs to tend their flocks of cattle and sheep. Other experts argue that the ancestors of Komondor they arrived with the cumans, another Turkish nomadic people who, after the Mongol invasion of 1237, took refuge in present-day Hungary.

It is this last hypothesis that we find in the name of the race, since the term “Komondor” comes from “Quman-dur“, that means “Cuman dog”. Although researchers have found the remains of these dogs in Cuman cemeteries dating back to the 13th century, the oldest written description dates from the 16th century.

At the end of the 17th century it was very popular in Hungary, and has remained so ever since. Raised and selected for their courage and strength, It was used mainly in the field to monitor farms, and in the mountains to protect the flocks of sheep. Hungarians are very proud of this dog, to which is attributed the considerable decrease in the number of wolves in his country, and that it was not crossed or modified until the middle of the 20th century.

Komondor entered the United States between the wars, and the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the breed in 1937. But, World War II and then the Cold War ended imports from Hungary.

In more general terms, the breed suffered greatly during these difficult times, seeing that their number decreased considerably. During World War II, many of their representatives were assassinated by the German military, since it was impossible for them to access the farms and houses of the country while this imposing guard dog protected them. Obviously, conflicts also limited its export to other countries.

In the Decade of 1960, Hungarian and American breeders were able to renew their ties, so the import of the Komondor to the United States. While the race was on the brink of extinction (even in your country of origin, mostly due to the consequences of the war), saw their numbers grow considerably and their notoriety do the same, both in Hungary and abroad.

In the United States, attempts in the west of the country to use it as a grazing show promise, and its use throughout the country has been increasing considerably. Logically, el United Kennel Club (UKC), another canine organization of reference in the country, recognized it as an official breed in 1983.

In Europe, over the years 50, the Komondor was crossed with him South Russian Ovcharka, to get new bloodlines. It is also at this time - and more precisely in 1954- When the Komondor was recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).

Finally, at the end of the 20th century, there was a new crossing with other breeds of sheepdogs such as the Catalan Sheepdog, the Pyrenean Shepherd, the Bergamasco Shepherd or the Cão da Serra de Aires.

But, this is a rare breed of dog, regardless of the country. In fact, even in the country where a large proportion of the population is, the United States, it is not very common. These may include, just occupy around the place 160 (of 190) in the ranking of the most popular dogs in the United States, based on number of annual AKC registrations.

In France, it is also discreet, since the average number of annual registrations in the Livre des Origines Français (LOF) it's around of 15 since the beginning of the 21st century. It has even experienced a certain decline, since this number was more or less in the thirties around the nineties. Not much better, for example, en el Reino Unido, where the number of registrations per year with The Kennel Club rarely exceeds ten.

The Komondor it is a large and strongly built dog. Your outward appearance, that of a winner and his majestic posture arouse respect in the observer and eventually also fear. Not flattering by nature. The robust body is covered by long hair, always bushy without exception, matted, tufted. Seen in profile, the body is a rectangle lying, almost a square. Protruding above the body, the head appears very densely hairy. The tail is carried hanging with the tip bent almost reaching the horizontal.

Fur: thick and bushy, holding to be felted or strung (in the latter case it is not felted). Presence of sunpelo.

Color: White, white profile.

Size: males, of 65 – 80 cm., for a weight of 50 – 60 kg; females, of 55 -70 cm., for a weight of 40 – 50 cm..

The coat may seem difficult to care for, but it doesn't really need any care. It should not even be brushed because its hardiness must be kept intact. For hygiene reasons, must bathe regularly.

Unwavering courage in the defense and care of the herds in his charge, also from his territory and his master's house. Attack silently and boldly. Consider your district as if it belonged to you, in that it does not admit any strange being. Is distrustful. Your day is happy when you can spend it controlling your territory. During the night it remains in permanent movement.

With good training and in expert hands it can be a good defense dog, although quite conflicting with other dogs, and can bite a man if he is not socialized from the earliest age. Fortunately, it is very docile and a signal from its owner is enough to stop it when it decides to attack.