Komondor

History of the Komondor breed

Practically nothing is known about the ancestors of the Komondors, which gives scientists scope for imagination. The most widespread theory is that komondors are descendants of dogs born as a result of crossing a wolf with an ancient shepherd. However, when it happened, under what circumstances and with what kind of shepherd dogs, we can only guess. The original homeland of the breed was the Northern Black Sea region, where it was bred by Magyar tribes to protect sheep from predators and thieves. After the Khazars pushed the Magyars into the territory of today's Hungary, the dogs also left with them.

The first description of the exterior of the Hungarian Shepherd dog was made by the Czech teacher Jan Amos Komensky, who dubbed Komondor "the king among shepherds". However, centuries have passed over centuries, but outside Hungary the breed has not gained popularity. Moreover, during the Second World War, the animals were almost completely exterminated. American breeders helped to restore the number of Hungarian shepherds. The result of this cooperation was the appearance of the American branch of the breed, whose representatives differed significantly from their European relatives.

The modern stage in the development of the Komondor clan is usually associated with the Hungarian nursery Karcag Pusztai and its founder Jozef Bukowski. Thanks to the efforts of an enthusiast, the breed was able to get to international exhibitions and win the interest of foreign breeders. Actually, with the filing of Bukowski, the dogs were also in Soviet kennels – in 1991, the first litter of domestic komondors was born.

At one time, the popularity of Hungarian shepherds in Russia was quite high, which generated a decent demand for puppies. However, to date, domestic breeding specialists have been pushed by nurseries in Romania, the Czech Republic and Hungary. And if earlier the export of komondors from their historical homeland was officially banned by the authorities, now Hungarian breeders are loyal to the fact that their wards go abroad.

Video: Komondor

Komondor breed standard

Komondor owes its memorable "Rastafarian" image to the unique structure of the coat, which falls into gigantic "dreadlocks". At the same time, the essence of the breed representatives is serious and does not have familiarity. Sheepdog males are much more textured and larger than bitches. The minimum allowable height of a blonde "Hungarian" is 70 cm, the optimal is 80 cm. The lower height bar for "girls" is 65 cm. At the same time, komondors weigh much less than other dogs with similar dimensions – it's all about the special structure of the backbone, which makes the skeleton of the animal lighter.

The official standard recognizes only white sheepdogs, however, throughout the existence of the breed, attempts to breed komondors with other shades of wool have not stopped. In particular, completely black dogs lived in the kennels of Jozsef Bukowski. Today, komondors of alternative colors are less common, and it is important to understand that these animals acquired the shade of their "fur coats" by crossing their ancestors with other breeds. This means that all "Hungarians" who have any wool, except white, are mestizos who carry third–party genes.

Head

Arched, convex when viewed from the side, the skull is longer than the muzzle. The head itself is shortened, with a wide forehead. The stop is clearly visible, but without excessive sharpness. The broad rough muzzle has an average length.

Jaws, lips, teeth

Komondor's massive jaws are hidden under thick black lips. The number of teeth is 42. The standard jaw bow is the right scissors.

Nose

The nasal back is smooth, turning into a black lobe, the tip of which forms a right angle when viewed in profile.

Eyes

The iris is characterized by a dark brown tone. The shape of the eyes is oval, the presence of black or gray edging of the eyelid is mandatory.

Ears

Medium-sized ears have a U-shape and hang down along the head. The position of the ear flap is static: the dog does not lift it in excitement and when attacking the enemy, as other shepherds do.

Neck

In a komondor at rest, the neck looks like a natural extension of the back. The dimensions of this part of the body are impressive: the neck is thick, short, convex, but without suspension.

Housing

Hungarian Shepherds have elongated bodies with the same elongated withers and short backs. The dog's croup is distinguished by moderate sloping and good width. The chest is barrel-shaped, stretched in length, medium-deep.

Limbs

The front legs are in the form of columns, with developed muscles, thick articular joints and strong bones. The shoulder blades are located slightly obliquely and are characterized by a close fit to the body. The hind legs have a slightly vertical delivery. The thighs of the animal are dense and voluminous due to the developed muscle mass, the lower legs are very strong. All representatives of the breed have impressive paws of a rounded contour with strong grayish claws.

Tail

The drooping, low-set tail of the komondor has a slightly raised tip.

Wool

The long coat of the Hungarian Shepherd is formed by a covering hair and a soft undercoat, straying into thick cords resembling dreadlocks. On the lower back of the dog , the length of the coat reaches 20-27 cm . Shorter hair on the shoulders, sides of the chest and back – 15-20 cm. The cords on the legs, ears, head and muzzle are even shorter – 10-18 cm. The chin and lips of the animal are hidden under the fur with a length of only 9-11 cm.

Important: nursing bitches, as well as poorly fed and intensively working dogs, are able to lose part of their coat. Over time, the hair recovers and gains the necessary strength, returning the animal to its original appearance, but at an exhibition with such a pet it is easy to get the wrong rating that was expected.

Color

All komondors have a classic white suit.

Disqualifying vices

• Short hair all over the body and in some areas (not to be confused with seasonal molting and periods of hair renewal due to pregnancy or an insufficiently balanced diet).
• Meat skin tone in open areas (lips, nose, paw pads).
• Standing light ears.
• Spots on wool.
• Short or short tail.
• Loose body, insufficiently dense condition.
• Uncontrolled aggression against a person or cowardly behavior.

Komondor's character

The main character trait of the Hungarian Shepherd is selectivity in communication. In relation to the owner and members of his family, the komondor never shows aggression. On the contrary, he will be the embodiment of patience and kindness. With his own kind, the shaggy giant also builds friendly relations. Komondor will definitely never dare to get into a fight first, so he treats all four-legged brothers with curiosity and goodwill. At the same time, it is not difficult to provoke a "Hungarian" into a conflict – it is enough to yap threateningly or step into the territory protected by him. The shepherd will not leave such rudeness unpunished, you can be sure.

As far as komondor is phlegmatic and relaxed in the company of the owner, he is also suspicious and tense in the presence of strangers. The breed is still "not letting go" of the pastoral past, in which every stranger who approached the herd could turn out to be a sheep stealer. By the way, it is easy to direct this feature of behavior in a practical direction: "Hungarians" make first-class watchmen, vigilantly guarding the house and the owner's property. Dog handlers joke that it is easy to get into the territory of the komondor, but it is impossible to get out. If the dog feels a real threat coming from a person or a predator, the attack will be lightning fast and merciless.

Komondors are very sensitive to children with whom they share living space. To the younger generation, this "blond with dreadlocks" allows everything – hugs, riding, appropriation of his toys and other things that the vast majority of shepherds would not agree to. However, innate selectivity also makes itself felt here. For example, unfamiliar babies do not arouse komondor's interest, but on the contrary, they arouse slight suspicion. It is not necessary to try to "make friends" with a dog with the children of friends or just a familiar kid. The breed has already developed the habit of dividing people into its own and others at the genetic level, so such experiments will not lead to anything good.

Education and training

In the case of komondor, it is better to put training on the back burner and concentrate on raising a pet. The reason for this is not the low intellectual indicators of the breed, but rather the excessive self–sufficiency of its representatives. Hungarian Shepherds belong to the category of "thinking" pets, subjecting any requirement of the owner to immediate analysis. As a result, animals easily remember commands, but they execute them every other time or after a certain period of time, after they thoroughly reflect on the expediency of actions.

FCI does not consider it mandatory for komondors to take training courses. However, to get a manageable and obedient pet, you will have to sweat a little. Usually, UGC, IPO and OKD programs with the involvement of professional dog handlers are recommended for the breed. Another difficulty in training komondors is the ability to develop obedience in a dog, while not turning into a despot master. The fact is that the "Hungarians" do not perceive psychological pressure and in response they are stubborn with redoubled energy. Accordingly, the right balance in the relationship will have to be sought.

You will have to get used to the dog's ability to think over every human requirement. Many inexperienced owners mistakenly believe that if a komondor does not execute a command, then he simply did not hear it. Then the demand is repeated again and again, but mostly to no avail. In fact, Hungarian shepherds have no problems with hearing, and repeating commands to them endlessly means demonstrating their own impotence. Give the pet time to think, and if they are delayed, slightly push the dog into action with a previously learned conditional signal (clap of hands, clicker).

Maintenance and care

Komondors quickly get used to living in a house or apartment, if the living space allows you to place a dog of this format without infringing on the comfort of an animal and a person. Aviary maintenance is also possible, but only if there is an insulated booth and a wooden floor-flooring. Putting an animal on a chain is strictly prohibited: freedom-loving komondors will not endure such a test.

Hygiene and grooming

Komondor is a dog with which you can completely forget about such an object as a comb. Puppies are born in delicate astrakhan "fur coats", which by 5 months turn into hard and rather dry "mantos", which are strictly forbidden to comb. Instead of massage with a comb, breeders recommend periodically "disassembling" the komondor's wool by hand, passing it through your fingers. This procedure is carried out only with individuals who have reached the age of 8 months in order to prevent the appearance of tangles.

Washing the shepherd is also mandatory, since urine often gets on the wool cords covering the croup, thighs and lower abdomen, emitting an unpleasant odor. An alternative to bathing can be collecting wool on the thighs and lower abdomen in tails, grabbed with rubber bands. This method allows the dog to go to the toilet more carefully, without dirtying the long dog. Komondors are washed with hypoallergenic shampoos for dogs as they get dirty. The sheepdog that has bathed looks very unsightly, because the wool acquires a grayish hue and seems to be unwashed, but this is exactly until the animal dries out.

By the way, about drying – prepare a powerful hair dryer or a dozen towels. The wool of the "Hungarians" dries for days, so you will have to speed up the process in all possible ways. The best option is to bathe the shepherd dog living in the apartment for the night. Completely during this time, the komondor, of course, will not dry out, so the time of the morning walk will have to be reduced as much as possible, by dressing the pet in a protective jumpsuit for safety. As for the yard dog, after washing it will have to be placed in a heated room for a while so that the animal dries normally and does not catch a cold.

The wool between the paws of the komondor should be cut regularly so that it does not interfere with movement. Cord-shaped curls on the rest of the body are strictly forbidden to touch. The exception is the workers dissecting the meadows, to whom the shearing of wool is shown for hygienic reasons. Always pay attention to the chin area and ears. The fur on the muzzle gets dirty whenever the dog eats and drinks, which creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. To prevent fungi that provoke skin diseases from growing in the komondor's beard, every time after eating, the dog's muzzle must be wiped with a dry clean cloth or a napkin.

Careful care is also necessary for the ears. They are tightly pressed to the head of the "Hungarians" and covered with thick hair, which makes it difficult for air to enter the funnel. The ear cloth should be regularly inspected and ventilated manually, removing dirt and excess sulfur with clean wipes or burying hygienic ear lotions from the vetapteca inside.

Feeding

Not only the health and well-being of the komondor, but also the structure of its coat depends on a properly compiled diet. It happens that with a lack of certain vitamins and trace elements, the breed's hair is badly twisted into cords, and the undercoat becomes rare. The choice of the type of food is left to the owner. The dog itself can quite happily exist, eating both high-quality "drying" and "straight".

The main products that will be useful to the Hungarian Shepherd dog: water-boiled buckwheat and rice porridge, flavored with boiled vegetables (except legumes and potatoes), lean beef and tripe, raw liver, boiled offal. Low-fat cottage cheese and kefir, which are sources of calcium and protein, should be added to the menu. Puppies are given meat from one and a half months. The standard norm of meat products for komondor by age:

• from 1.5 to 2 months – 150 g/day;
• from 2 to 3 months – 200 g/day;
• from 3 to 4 months – 300 g/day;
• from 4 to 5 months – 400 g/day;
• from 5 to 6 months – 500 g/day;
• from 6 months onwards – 600 g.

Once a week, the meat is replaced with boiled sea fish (fillet). However, due to the reduced caloric content, the weight of a fish portion should exceed the proportion of meat by at least 20%. Twice a week, komondor is offered a chicken egg – boiled whole or raw yolk. As tasty stimuli in the process of training, you can use rye crackers, unsweetened drying and biscuits. And of course, always keep dietary supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin on hand – the joints of the breed are not the most hardy.

Important: for komondors who live permanently on the street (aviary, booth), there are increased food standards for the seasons. For example, in summer, the caloric content of the diet of yard pets should be 15% higher than that of apartment dogs, and in winter – by 25-30%.

Health and diseases of komondors

Hungarian shepherds were lucky in the sense that professional breeders were not interested in them for a long time. As a result, komondors have avoided many genetic diseases that are usually provoked by interbreeding. In particular, despite a solid physique, representatives of this family do not suffer from hereditary and age-related hip dysplasia. Problems with joints can make themselves felt, but mainly in adolescence, because komondor puppies grow very unevenly. Jogging and walking at a fast pace (acceptable only for young dogs), chondroprotectors and a balanced diet help to avoid deformation of the articular tissue.

How to choose a puppy

• Please note that Komondor puppies have not yet a cord-like coat, but curly and fluffy. Full-fledged "dreadlocks" in Hungarian shepherds appear by the age of two.
• Always be interested in the age of the manufacturers. The RCF does not register offspring from komondor bitches who are under 18 months old.
• Usually Hungarian Shepherd dogs have a more severe character and are less capable of learning than bitches. It is recommended to choose a male animal for grazing and protection of the territory.
• Carefully inspect the puppy's tail. The congenital bend on this part of the body is sometimes confused with such a defect of the exterior as a hall. To make sure that there is not a defective baby in front of you, try to straighten the "curl" – this is usually easy to do. In addition, the correct bend often straightens itself when the puppy is sleeping.
• Skinny or overly well-fed komondor babies are not considered an enviable acquisition. It is optimal when the puppy is in a moderate condition.
• Place your palm in a horizontal position (fingers forward) and try to push it into the space between the front legs of a Hungarian Shepherd puppy. If the hand does not pass, the set of limbs is too narrow, which is considered a defect of the exterior.

Komondor price

The average cost of a komondor puppy from Russian breeders is $450. But since the popularity of the breed in the country has declined in recent years, the search for a trustworthy seller will require effort. Alternatively, you can consider buying a dog in Hungarian kennels such as "Somogy Betyar". In many of them, they are ready to give the buyer the necessary documents for the export of komondor and in every possible way to assist in fast transportation.