Other names:
Hungarian Sheepdog, Mop Dog, Hungarian Commonmop
Right, this is the one. The dog you’ve been seeing around town. The one that causes small children to stop and drop their lollipops. But while yes, this dog is a big mop on legs, and at least twice as adorable in person as seen from afar, she is also a serious working dog in her own right: a shepherd and a fierce guard, whose flowing cords disguise her strength and vigour. Thus, she may be a mop but she’s nobody’s broom to push around, and without adequate training this large and determined dog can become quite a handful. Properly raised, however, she will become an affectionate and striking member of the family and a great help around small domestic spillages.
Key facts about the Komondor
Life expectancy :
Between 10 and 12 years
Size :
Large
Type of coat :
Long
FCI Group
FCI Group
Group 1 - Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
Section
Section 1 : Sheepdogs
Physical characteristics of the Komondor
Adult size
Female dog
Between 26 and 28 in
Male dog
Between 28 and 31 in
Weight
Female dog
Between 88 and 110 lb
Male dog
Between 110 and 132 lb
Coat colour
Ivory.
Type of coat
Coarse upper coat, tending towards corded; fine undercoat.
Eye colour
Dark brown.
Description
While the Hungarian Sheepdog is known for her mop-like appearance, her coat may appear more or less smooth, wavy, or matted according to the individual; and those cords can take several months from puppyhood to develop. All the same, you’re looking at one hairy dog, whose hair at its shortest is 10cm (ears, neck, and limbs) while nearing 30cm on the croup. So striking is her hair-do that many neglect to ponder, or simply can’t imagine, what’s going on underneath. What you would find were you to look is a broad, domed head, a muscled neck in perfect line to her back, a broad chest, muscled torso, big bones, yet a light gait.
Temperament
Affectionate
The Komondor is very attached to her family, but less demonstrative with others.
Playful
Before adulthood, she likes to play, but once she matures, she becomes much quieter. She prefers to watch the surroundings rather than being distracted by games.
Calm
As a shepherd, it is her professional duty – and her nature – to remain calm when times are calm, but to respond fearlessly to counter threats to her charge.
Intelligent
She is moderately intelligent, and can quickly tell the difference between a visiting guest and a malicious intrusion.
Hunter
This creature is not known for her hunting prowess.
Fearful / wary of strangers
She is at best reserved with strangers, and needs to be well-socialized from an early age with people and dogs.
Independent
The Komondor has been bred to guard sheep independently and may transfer that independent streak to other facets of her life.
Behaviour of the Komondor
Tolerates solitude
She can easily remain alone at home or in the garden where she proudly and courageously fulfills her mission of guardian.
Easy to train / obedience
The Komondor requires firm training as she is a powerful dog who can be obstinate and independent-minded.
Barking
She has a loud bark and may use it with little provocation in the pursuit of her guarding duties.
Tendency to run away
The Komondor rarely tries to scarper because her business is to stick to her observation post.
Destructive
As a solitary dog, she is not usually destructive, but can cause a fuss when bored.
Greedy / Gluttony
She is not particularly greedy, although treats can be useful in training.
Guard dog
Although a sheep ‘herder,’ the Komondor is more of a sheep ‘guard’ in practice. She is territorial and will watch your property and people with a vigilance that needs to be kept in check with the proper training.
First dog
The size, power, and obstinacy of this dog make her a problematic choice for a first dog.
Lifestyle
Komondor in a flat
No. This dog needs space, and will not gladly tolerate sharing a building with unfamiliar inhabitants.
Need for exercise / Sporty
The Komondor is surprisingly active and agile for her size and needs plenty of exercise; outdoor time will suit her temperament well.
Travelling / easy to transport
She’s a bit of a whopper to drive around but it’s not out of the question if she gets used to it from a young age.
Compatibility
Komondor and cats
If she is raised alongside cats she should be okay, but beware a Komondor can quickly damage a pesky cat if they step out of line.
Komondor and dogs
She is not especially sociable with other dogs, although she will fiercely protect those alongside whom she is raised.
Komondor and children
She is gentle and protective with children of her own family, but don’t expect her to spend hours playing or being cuddled by them. Her living space must be respected.
Komondor and the elderly
With her significant training and exercise needs and her size, this dog may not be the ideal choice for older people.
Price
You can expect to pay upwards of £1,000 for a well-bred KC registered puppy. Looking after a dog of this size typically costs between £90 to £160 a month, including food, medical/insurance, and incidental expenses.
Grooming
While this uniquely-carpeted dog may not require as frequent grooming as you may imagine (and absolutely no brushing) she needs to bathed now and then and have her cords divided and cared for a few times a year.
There are only a few dozen of these dogs in the UK so tracking down a pup can take a while.
Origins and history
Known as a Hungarian Sheepdog, her ancestors were brought to Hungary in the middle-ages by the Cumans, from whom she takes her name and at whose graves her ancestors’ remains have been found. Before that, her heritage seems to have been Tibetan. She has been a popular worker in Hungary for many centuries, guarding rather than herding sheep. It is said that many of her kind perished at the hands of the invading Nazis because no Komondor house could be taken with this fierce protector still alive.
