The dog has always been the favorite pet for humans; among many of its qualities, its intelligence and loyalty are the main reason for this preference. Throughout history, dogs have accompanied man and played important roles in the development of civilizations.
Initially they helped with hunting tasks, at the same time they monitored their master's surroundings. As time went by, they adapted to other types of work and man dedicated himself to searching for dogs with specific qualities for different tasks. All this gave rise to different breeds, guide dogs, hunting dogs, guard dogs, herding dogs, among others.
Among so many breeds, today we are going to talk about the komondor or Hungarian shepherd . One of the most popular breeds in Hungary, frequently used as guard and shepherd dogs. Its unique characteristics arouse the curiosity of many, learn a little more below.
- Size : Giant.
- Weight : Between 40 and 80kg.
- Hair type : Curly and long.
- Character : Calm and calm.
- Health : Possible problems derived from size such as hip dysplasia and gastric torsion
- Life expectancy : 10 to 12 years.
Origins of the komondor
The Komondor race has a rather uncertain origin, with several theories being put forward. However, they all point to migration from Asia. It is believed that it accompanied the Magyar tribe when they settled in the steppes of Hungary around the year 900, it was used for combat and to protect their settlements. Other theories indicate that it was the Mongols who brought it or that it is related to the Tibetan dogs that were found in the Himalayas. In 1920 it was established as a modern breed class , by defining the standards that characterize it.
The Komondor breed is the largest of all Hungarian shepherds . Its great size and ferocity led humans to involve it in different tasks over time, especially highlighting its ability in shepherding and as protector of flocks. Its padded fur was an advantage, as it protected it from the elements and attacks from wolves.
It was even brought to North America to protect flocks of sheep from coyote attacks. However, currently this breed is very rare to see , with Hungary having the highest population density of these specimens. Although they are still used as herding dogs, this is not very common. The most common thing is to see it as part of a home as a pet or companion dog.
The Komondor is a very obedient dog . By nature they adopt a hierarchical behavior, they identify a leader to follow, if you want to have it as a pet you must take this into account. This quality leads it to develop strong bonds of friendship, protecting its owner as if it were a worried friend. They will support you when you are sick, in painful situations, when you find yourself in dangerous situations... they will become tireless companions in your life.
Physical characteristics of the komondor
It is a large breed of dog . It is characterized by being robust and muscular. It falls within the typology of the molosser dog. They reach a height of approximately 70 cm for males and 65 cm for females. They can weigh between 35 and 60 kilograms. This breed of dog has the heaviest coat in the world, to the point that if it is cut it can weigh up to 7 kilos.
It is recognized for its beautiful, long and abundant white fur. Its appearance is quite curious , because as its fur grows it forms curls, which look similar to a mop or mop. Many compare them to the dreadlocks or dreadlocks used by Rastafarians. It is a truly wonderful coat, considerably woolly, it covers its face, acting as protection against climatic variations. It can measure up to 27 cm in length, while the shortest fur, the one found under its extremities, can measure up to 11 cm.
Its head is large, proportionate to the body, its snout is also very large. It has oval brown eyes. They generally have a black truffle. Long hanging ears, long forechest, neck without dewlap, hanging tail at rest.
Although this is an extravagant and unusual breed, it is not the only one that has this appearance, there are some similar breeds, mainly Hungarian Shepherds. Among these we find: the Pulí, with similar fur, this can be found in different colors and is smaller; the Pumi, with curly fur but much shorter, and the Mudi, another breed of sheepdog with curly fur.
komondor puppy
Komondor puppies have short curly fur close to the skin. As the 8 to 9 months pass, it becomes thicker, beginning to form the characteristic coat of the Komondor. This is the right time to educate him and soften his character, teach him to adapt to his environment both with people and other animals, especially dogs of other breeds. The exercise need of this breed is quite high, especially in the first stage. It will be necessary to have spacious places for him to run and release his energy. Whoever chooses to have one of these specimens as pets must be aware of this characteristic.
Food and care
Like any other canine, it must be fed in a balanced way that meets all its nutritional needs and helps keep its teeth clean. It is a surprise to see this dog feeding, due to the amount of food it can swallow, it is important to administer correct amounts of food , although it is not common to see this breed gain weight, it should not be overfed. Always keep in mind the veterinarian's recommendations in this regard.
As for care, keep in mind that this breed of dog requires high aesthetic maintenance:
- The Komondor should not be combed , its hair strands should be separated with the fingers from time to time. It is necessary to separate each curl or dreadlock from the roots or, otherwise, they will join together, which changes the dog's appearance and can cause problems.
- Bathing them is a complicated task, which can take hours. This dog should not be bathed frequently , even 3 or 4 times a year will be enough. If you think it is more convenient, you can take him to specialists for his bath and hairstyle.
- It is vital to take care of their eyes and ears , especially since they are covered by all that fur.
- Don't forget that any dog's teeth require sufficient care to avoid cavities, be sure to clean them regularly. It is important to accustom the dog from a puppy to brushing its teeth periodically . You can take a cloth or gauze and rub it on the oral area. If necessary, apply special products for the dog's oral hygiene.
- In addition, it is necessary to take him to the vet frequently and keep his vaccinations up to date. Also make sure to clarify all your doubts with the specialist so that you can have a healthy and happy pet.
Komondor dog health
In general, these dogs are in good health . The center of their attention continues to be their coat, because if not properly cared for, the dog can suffer from frequent skin irritations, such as dermatitis. To dry your hair, you need a good electric dryer, at a low temperature so as not to curl it, since drying at room temperature will take more than 24 hours, and this humidity is a risk factor for the health of your fur.
The Komondor does not usually present hereditary diseases, but because it is a large dog , it can present hip dysplasia . Likewise, you can suffer from otitis and ectropion, an eye disease that consists of the unfolding of the eyelid.
It must be kept in mind that any disease can be prevented as long as it is detected in time, so at the slightest symptom, you should visit the veterinarian.
Komondor training
The Komondor is a one-owner dog. This means that, although he will be affectionate with all members of the family, there will only be one that he considers his owner. It will be with this person that you develop a greater degree of rapport and dependency.
The key to training a Komondor is not strength or the number of times we teach it things, on the contrary, this usually bores it. The idea is to make training happy and fun for both the owner and the dog. The Komondor's ability to think for itself will lead it to decide that some commands are worth learning and others are not.
Training a specimen of this breed is not an easy task , there are many factors that you must take into account:
Space and freedom
The garden is the perfect place for these dogs to feel comfortable. It is their nature to be outdoors. It is not the most suitable breed to live in small environments such as apartments, much less if they are small. Even if it feels like another member of the family, it avoids staying inside the house. On rainy days it is important to avoid getting it wet, since its fur dries with great difficulty, making it a candidate for the proliferation of fungi.
Character
Their character is very strong: they are self-confident and somewhat stubborn . Do not hesitate to show him that you are the leader at all times, do not let him confuse you because of his cute characteristics, this dog will seek to dominate. If he loses respect for you, it will be very difficult to regain it, because he will have the idea of being the leader of the pack. To achieve good training you must have a firm, secure, coherent, constant, inflexible and energetic attitude.
A Komondor must be trained from a puppy , since it is somewhat restless and is characterized by its strength and speed, if it does not know its limits it can become very aggressive.
Advantages of having a komondor
This dog has a great guardian and protective instinct . When strangers approach, they will react based on their intuition; by nature they try to detect if a person is approaching with good or bad intentions. With great effort, especially in its care and training, it will be an excellent pet , very loving and affectionate even with the little ones in the house.
They are calm, brave and determined dogs, they do not usually have problems with regular visits as long as their owner has shown them that they are trustworthy people. On the other hand, he is very independent, balanced and discreet, he loves having his own space and freedom of movement.
An advantage that is interesting to highlight is that, despite what you may believe, it does not shed its coat, it is one of the few dog breeds that does not leave hair all over the house .
Considerations to take into account
- Due to their size, it is not advisable for them to live in an apartment, as they require space to exercise properly.
- It is not a dog recommended for people with a docile personality.
- You will always be alert in order to protect those you love in any circumstance.
- Depending on the environment where the puppy grows and develops, it can become aggressive with other dogs. Therefore, it is important to introduce him to socialization from an early age.
- The first thing we must take into account are its basic needs, so if you are not willing to have the patience necessary for its care, this is not a dog for you.
Conclusion
The Komondor dog breed is one of the most beautiful in the world , its main characteristic being its serenity and its nature as guardian of its family or pack. It is an imposing dog not only in height and appearance, but also in strength and speed.
Despite being a very widespread breed, there are not many specimens outside its land of origin, mainly because it requires extreme care and a diet that involves large amounts of food, constant veterinary check-ups, frequent walks and living in large places.
Remember that having a pet is one of the greatest responsibilities we can acquire. It involves care, dedication, time, and effort, all of which will be rewarded with a lot of love and loyalty.
It will not be easy for those of us who really love dogs to choose the breed that best suits our family environment. A Komondor is an imposing dog, and if we are willing to give it everything it needs, it will be completely worth having.
