The Komondor is a big dog that appears even larger with its unique mop-like coat. While they are easily recognizable, the Komondor is a very rare dog breed, so do not expect to see them often. This working dog was bred to herd flocks and guard them, and they do a remarkable job at it. As house pets, these dogs will display their protective traits by guarding their family. The Komondor makes an excellent watchdog and will be ready to defend their family with their life. Weighing between 80-100 pounds, this dog can put up a fight against any threat that comes it’s way.
The Komondor dog breed was developed in Hungary and is believed to be many hundreds of years old. The first written description of the breed can be dated back to the 16th century, but they are a much older breed than that. These dogs descended from the Caucasian Ovcharka, which is another livestock guarding dog breed, so this line of work is certainly embedded in the Komondor’s DNA. Interestingly, the Komondor has been able to continuously succeed at their job guarding flocks due to their unusually long, white, corded coats. These coats allow them to blend in with the sheep that they are guarding, making their presence unknown to the predators until it is too late.
While the Komondor is an amazing working animal to have on the farm, the challenges of having them at home can be overwhelming for many people. Due to their strong protective instinct, they tend to cling to their owners and try to guard them against any emerging danger, often inexistent dangers. This behavior can lead to your pup feeling threatened by strangers and other dogs and potentially behaving aggressively. They will need a firm owner who is ready to dedicate plenty of time to training and properly socializing them. While the Komondor does not require much brushing, their fur does need to be tended to regularly. Their coat must be kept free from parasites and dirt that can get trapped in the fur. It is for these reasons that the Komondor is not recommended for an inexperienced dog owner.
Being the highly intelligent animal that they are, the Komondor will love to be stimulated mentally. This is not always an easy task, as repetition will bore them, and their owner must always think of new ways to train and play with them. These pups can be stubborn and will not obey commands if they feel like they are unnecessary. The Komondor also has very high levels of energy and will need plenty of exercise daily. Despite the above-average difficulty that comes with owning a Komondor, these dogs are incredible and are extremely loyal. They will display plenty of affection, and they love their family more than anything!
