Subject: rec.pets.dogs:  Komondors  Breed-FAQ
Supersedes: <dogs-faq/breeds/komondors_825061644@rtfm.mit.edu>
Date: 25 Mar 1996 00:04:23 GMT
X-Last-Updated: 1995/08/20

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                                   KOMONDORS
                                       
Authors

   Richard and Therese Heaney (heaneyrj@txpcap.hou.xwh.bp.com), for the
   Komondor Club of America, Inc. Copyright 1995. Distributed with
   permission of the Komondor Club of America. This article may be
   reproduced in its entirety with credit given to the Komondor Club of
   America.
   
Table of Contents

     * Komondor Origins and History
     * Breed Characteristics
     * Komondor Temperament
     * Komondor Grooming
     * Frequently Asked Questions
     * List of Resources
       
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Komondor Origins and History

   The Komondor is believed to be a very ancient breed, although
   historical references to the dog only go back several centuries. It is
   probable that the Komondor moved to the Danube Basin (present day
   Hungary) with the nomadic tribes which settled there in the ninth
   century. These early Komondors were used to guard herds of sheep,
   goats and cattle from predators, which included wolves, bears and
   humans. The dogs lived out in the open with their charges, and often
   had to make their own decisions in the absence of a shepherd to guide
   them. Thus they developed into a very intelligent, independent and
   strong-willed breed. A few Komondors were imported to the United
   States in the 1930s, at which time the breed was recognized by the
   AKC. During World War II, Komondors were used to guard military
   installations and a great number of them were killed. The hardships
   suffered by both the people and dogs of Hungary also took their toll,
   and after the war, the dogs were extremely rare. Dedicated individuals
   who loved the breed searched out remaining Komondors, which for the
   most part still lived as flock guardians in remote rural parts of
   Hungary, and started breeding them again. Once the Iron Curtain
   separated Hungary from the western world it became quite difficult to
   export the dogs, and very few made it to the U.S. However, enough dogs
   made it through, mostly via the efforts of Hungarians living in the
   West, that the breed had become fairly well established in the U.S. by
   the late 1960s. The Komondor is still a very rare breed, and most
   people have never seen one. The largest populations of Komondors today
   are in Hungary and in the United States, with numbers of animals in
   each country probably in the two to three thousand range. The total
   number of Komondors worldwide is far less than ten thousand.
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Breed Characteristics

   A correct Komondor should give an impression of imposing strength,
   courage, dignity and pleasing conformation. The Komondor is a large,
   medium-boned, muscular dog with an unusual white (never colored or
   black) coat which consists of tassels of hair which are called cords.
   (The coat is hard to imagine, if you have never seen it, but it is
   somewhat similar to the dreadlocks worn by Rastafarians.) In ancient
   Hungary, working Komondors were out on the plains during most of the
   year with their flocks, and the Komondor coat developed to give the
   dogs protection against both predators and extremes of weather. The
   coat is also very similar in appearance to that of the Hungarian Racka
   sheep, which allowed the dog to blend in with his flock. Unlike the
   herding breeds, the Komondor is a flock guardian. When with his
   charges in the fields, a mature, experienced Komondor tends to stay
   with the flock, keeping predators away, but not allowing himself to be
   drawn away in a chase. In the United States, many Komondors are
   employed as livestock guardians (with sheep, goats, cattle, exotic
   birds, etc.), with some success. However, the majority of them are
   kept as companions and house guards. For these dogs, the family,
   including both humans and other animals, becomes the flock. Komondors
   living in households will be reserved with strangers, but
   demonstrative with those they love. They are selflessly devoted to
   their families, and will protect them against perceived threats from
   any quarter. Their devotion to those in their care and their sense of
   responsibility towards them, produces a courageous, vigilant and
   faithful guardian.
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Komondor Temperament

   The Komondor was developed to be an independent, intelligent and
   sensitive dog capable of making decisions on his own. This makes him a
   terrific family guardian, but also makes him unsuitable for some types
   of homes. The adult Komondor is a large, territorial dog, and
   prospective owners must understand that a Komondor puppy must be
   well-socialized and taught to behave in a manner acceptable to the
   owner. Because Komondors traditionally cared for their charges without
   a human to tell them what to do, they do not automatically look to
   people for direction the way herding and sporting breeds do. They are
   very smart dogs, and learn quickly, but a Komondor owner must make it
   clear from puppyhood (and continuing throughout the dog's life) that
   no means no, and must consistently correct the dog for behavior that
   is not acceptable. Having said that, the Komondor is also an extremely
   loving dog. He loves his family absolutely, and hates to have any of
   them out of his sight. The typical Komondor will follow his people
   from room to room, and actively seeks out physical contact with those
   he loves. The Komondor is a wonderful guardian of home and property,
   but must have an owner who will see to it that the character traits
   that made the Komondor valuable as a livestock guardian will not
   become a liability in the modern world.
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Komondor Grooming

   The most striking and unusual aspect of the Komondor is the coat, and
   because it is so unusual Komondor owners seem to have more problems
   with coat care than anything else. The Komondor's puppy coat is fluffy
   and curly, with a tendency to fall into curly ringlets. At about 8 or
   10 months of age, the coat begins to shed and mat. This matting is the
   beginning of the cording process. The larger mats must be torn apart
   into smaller mats (the cords), which is a simple procedure, although
   it can be physically demanding and time consuming if the mats are
   really tight and large. Once formed, the cords will lengthen with age,
   eventually reaching the ground if not cut. The Komondor sheds his
   undercoat twice a year like all dogs do, and the softer undercoat
   binds together with the long, strong outer coat, lengthening the cords
   from the skin out. The cords will have to be separated again each time
   the coat goes through this stage, as they will tend to mat together
   near the skin. This is not difficult once the cords are established,
   requiring a few hours of work each year. To many people the cords
   resemble the strings of a mop or spaghetti, and many Koms have names
   which play on this resemblance (Mop or Pasta, for example). Other than
   separating the cords twice a year and bathing the dog, there is not
   much special grooming required. The hair must be plucked from the ear
   canal, as with all long-haired breeds, and the hair kept trimmed from
   the bottoms of the feet. Many pet Komondor owners keep the cords
   trimmed to a length of 8 or 10 inches. This looks nice and is easier
   to care for than a floor length coat. The dogs also may be sheared 2
   or 3 times a year, if desired. Either way, the Komondor should be a
   handsome, well-cared-for looking dog.
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Frequently Asked Questions

   How do I find out if this breed is really the best for me?
   
     We strongly suggest that anyone who is thinking of getting a
     Komondor should make every effort to see some adult Komondors in
     their homes before making a final decision. The Komondor Club of
     America (KCA) or Middle Atlantic States Komondor Club (MASKC) will
     assist you in locating owners of Komondors in your part of the
     country (or in other countries in many cases). Many Komondor owners
     are willing to let you visit with their dogs and will explain what
     it is like living with this unusual breed. The reason that we feel
     this is so important is that Komondor puppies, with their fluffy
     coats and playful natures, are extremely appealing, but they are not
     necessarily like the adult that you will eventually own for many
     years. It is in the best interest of both you and your Komondor that
     you understand what an adult Komondor is like, so that when the
     puppy days are over, you won't be dismayed at what that fluffy puppy
     has turned into. Unfortunately this happens over and over, and not
     just with Komondors. We believe that people who obtain a dog are
     making a commitment that lasts the life of the dog, and we encourage
     people to make that commitment with full knowledge of what it
     entails.
     
   Where can I find a Komondor if I decide to buy one?
   
     The Komondor Club of America can furnish you with a list of
     breeders, including information as to who has puppies or older dogs
     available. Breeders listed with the KCA have agreed to abide by the
     Club's Code of Ethics which specifies responsible practices to be
     followed by breeders to ensure the health of the puppies and the
     satisfaction of purchasers. Komondors are often available through
     the KCA Rescue Program. These are dogs which have been given up by
     previous owners for various reasons. Occasionally Komondors are
     offered for sale by pet stores, but the chances of getting a sound,
     healthy puppy from this source are not good. Puppies are also
     sometimes available from breeders who supply working dogs. Whatever
     the source of the puppy, the parents should have been X-rayed and
     certified clear of hip dysplasia, and every effort should be made to
     ensure that the puppy is healthy and has been well cared for.
     
   How big are Komondors when fully grown?
   
     The Hungarians are very clear on this subject: if it isn't big and
     impressive, even if it has cords, it isn't a Komondor. The Komondor
     should be large enough to command instant respect. The actual size
     of Komondors in the United States ranges quite a bit, but on average
     males are 27 1/2 inches or taller at the shoulder and bitches are 25
     1/2 inches or taller. Males usually weigh 100 pounds on up and
     bitches 80 pounds or more. These are good average sizes, but many
     dogs are bigger and some are smaller. There are a lot of breeds
     which are more massive, are taller, or heavier. But with his thick
     coat and large size there are few that are as impressive as the
     Komondor.
     
   Will I have to worry about friends or acquaintances coming into the
   house or yard with my Komondor?
   
     The Komondor is a large territorial dog that is used for flock and
     home guarding, and the Komondor owner must always anticipate their
     dog's behavior knowing this fact. The Komondor will make up his own
     mind about who is or is not welcome on his property if he's not
     taught by you how to behave when strangers come to the house. It is
     important that Komondor puppies be socialized from the beginning.
     Kindergarten Puppy Training classes are excellent for Komondor
     puppies, as they expose the puppy to lots of people and dogs at an
     early age. These classes can usually be found through obedience
     class instructors or clubs in your area. Komondors learn very
     quickly which people are welcome in your house, and will greet them
     happily, but as a responsible owner, you must be sure the dog is
     under control (either through strict obedience training or physical
     restraint) when strangers are introduced to him.
     
   Are Komondors noisy? How would they do in an apartment?
   
     As a guarding dog, part of a Komondor's job is to alert people when
     a potentially threatening situation exists. He does this by barking,
     and a Komondor's bark is meant to, and will, get your attention. As
     we have mentioned, the Komondor's nature is to decide for himself
     what constitutes a threat, and they definitely tend to err on the
     side of caution. Thus some Komondors are constantly barking because
     they hear a strange noise, or see someone passing by on "their"
     road, or because a strange car pulls into the neighbor's driveway.
     Obviously this sort of situation can be worse if you live in close
     proximity to others and have lots of strange people and strange cars
     coming and going. Having said this, however, there are people who
     have successfully had several Komondors living with them in an
     apartment. Komondors generally are quite adaptable and can adjust
     their behavior to fit the situation. If they are constantly
     perceiving threats (in their own mind) however, they will be noisy,
     and the situation could become very uncomfortable for both the owner
     and the dog.
     
   How much exercise does a Komondor need?
   
     Komondor puppies are as playful and energetic as any other puppy.
     Adult Komondors are generally quite inactive, and require very
     little exercise. They take their job of guardian seriously, and will
     usually position themselves in a location where they can keep an eye
     on their family, rather than running around checking things out.
     Often the most exercise adult Komondors get is accompanying you as
     you move about the house. If the dog doesn't have access to a fenced
     yard or large run, however, he should be walked two or three times a
     day.
     
   Do Komondors have any particular health problems that I should know
   about?
   
     There are no known health problems which are peculiar to Komondors.
     As with all dogs there is a certain amount of hip dysplasia in the
     breed. Responsible breeders have all their breeding stock certified
     as being free of dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
     (OFA).
     
     Also as with many large breeds, there is some incidence of bloat, or
     gastric torsion, in Komondors. The causes of bloat are still largely
     unknown, but when it occurs, the stomach becomes enlarged and filled
     with gas, eventually rotating inside the chest cavity and killing
     the dog if not corrected in time. Anyone with a large dog should
     talk to a veterinarian in order to learn to recognize the symptoms
     of bloat and should know what to do if it occurs.
     
   How much will a Komondor puppy cost?
   
     Prices vary from breeder to breeder, but current prices for pet
     quality puppies are in the $600 to $800 dollar range, and
     show/breeding quality puppies are somewhat higher in price.
     Reputable breeders will usually sell pet quality puppies with
     limited registrations or spay/neuter guarantees, the object of these
     provisions being to prevent breeding of puppies sold as companions.
     
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
List of Resources

   Unfortunately, due to the rarity of the breed, there are no books on
   the Komondor that we can recommend. However, the following
   organizations can furnish additional information on request: 
   
   Komondor Club of America, Inc.
   Sandra Hanson, Corresponding Secretary
   W359 S10708 Nature Road
   Eagle, Wisconsin 53119-9998
   (414) 594-3374
   
     For breeders list, breed information, livestock guardian
     information, grooming information, club membership applications,
     information about rescue dogs.
     
   Middle Atlantic States Komondor Club, Inc.
   Joy Levy, Corresponding Secretary
   102 Russell Road
   Princeton, NJ 08540
   (609) 924-0199
   
     For breed information, newsletter subscription information.
     
   Komondor Komments
   Quarterly publication of the Komondor Club of America
   Lyn Bingham, Editor
   26036 SE 27th Street
   Issaquah, WA 98027
   (206) 391-3776
   email address: lwbrdogs@aol.com
   
     Subscriptions, back issues.
     
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
    Komondor FAQ
    Richard and Therese Heaney, heaneyrj@txpcap.hou.xwh.bp.com
