The Komondor is a serious dog who loves the outdoors. Although he is mostly a family pet in this country, he was a guardian of sheep and cattle in his native Hungary. He is descended from herding dogs found on the rugged plains of Russia and brought to Hungary in the fifth century

The Komondor was not required to herd the sheep or to do any work except stand guard over the flock or herd. The busy work was left to other dogs. The Komondor’s stern and watchful eye kept most predators away. But when challenged by an attacker, the Komondor has always been a fearless fighter. His three best weapons are his massive strength, his thick, corded coat, and his sharp thinking.

Knowing the Komondor’s background helps explain his personality today. He can think for himself, since his ancestors usually protected the sheep with no people nearby. These qualities mean he does best in a family that knows how to handle a bold dog who needs plenty of room to run.

Excerpts from the standard

General Appearance: A big, muscular dog with plenty of bone and
substance, covered with an unusual, heavy white coat.

Size, Proportion, and Substance: Height—males, 25¹/₂ or more at withers;
females, 23¹/₂ inches or more.

Fun Facts

The Komondor’s most unique feature is his coat. Some say he looks like a mop. When he’s a puppy, his coat is soft and woolly. Then, when he reaches about two years old, it grows naturally into “cords.” As the stronger hair of his outer coat grows in, it becomes wrapped in the softer undercoat to form the cords. To keep the dog looking top-notch, the cords need to be separated by hand. Washing the coat is a major event. After washing, the cords must be carefully rinsed, and the coat should be blown dry. Washing can take an hour; drying can take four to eight hours. The plural of Komondor is Komondorok.

Excerpted from The Complete Dog Book For Kids © 1996, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.