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Our Hungarian-language tip of the day: the plural of komondor is komondorok. Now, let’s have a look at the dog. What we are seeing is a large and powerful guardian covered in prolific white cords. A large male can stand more than 27.5 and weigh over 100 pounds, with a heavy bone, a deep chest, and a lot of muscle. Despite this, the huge Komondorok are agile and light-legged, and make long rounds. With their unique look, it is impossible to mistake Koms for anything else.
For many centuries Komondor has been the king of the Hungarian herd dogs. The Koms raise sheep on the pasture. They are convinced and strict to drive wolves and other ferocious animals of prey. Dreadlocks give the dog a cool, funky look, but they are not meant to show. They provide protection from predators with extreme weather and sharp teeth. The cords allowed the Koms to be mixed with the sheep, giving them an element of surprise..
Komondor is characterized by strength, dignity, courageous demeanor and pleasing composition. He is a large, fleshy dog with lots of bone and substance, covered with an unusual, heavy coat of white cords. The working comondore lives in the open for the greater part of the year, and his coat serves him to blend in with the herd and protect him from the weather and the hunting of animals.
The gestation period in lasts for 60-64 days The primary period of the reproductive cycle of the female is called Proestrus and goes on for around 9 days. During this time the females begin to draw in males. The subsequent part is the Estrus when the bitch is receptive to the male. It goes on for around 3 to 11 days. The third part is the Diestrus. Usually, it happens around day 14. In this period the bitch’s discharge changes for distinctive red and reaching its end. The vulva gets back to average, and she will no longer allow mating. The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time span between heat periods ordinarily keeps going around a half year. The litter size ranges between 6 to 8 puppies at a time.
A beautiful corded coat is the result of special care. An experienced breeder report. We never brush, but bathe dogs regularly. When the coat starts to ‘plate up’ in 9 or 10 months, we begin to divide the clamp or plate into areas that exit an area on the skin about the size of a quarter. They grow in cords. There is no reason for a corded coat to deteriorate or get dirty. Bathing with thin shampoo is useful. To end the bath, be sure to rinse each hint of shampoo, and then squeeze, using a towel, and then dry it in front of a strong fan overnight. If the coat is not dry or there is residual shampoo, it can smell badly.
Early socialization and puppy training classes are important for Komondor, as are obedience training and a clear understanding that the “person” is in charge. They are independent thinkers and can be highly protective if not trained. Because by this age one the dog should have learned to obey orders constantly. Working towards the title AKC CD obedience is the perfect way for Komondor to achieve this.
Komondors are agile and athletic for their size, and adequate exercise is important to keep them healthy and happy. Free-running time in a large, securely fitted yard, going for walks, and playing with their housemate dogs helps all the comondores stay in shape. Dog parks are often a bad idea for Komondors. Developed as a livestock guardian breed, their guard instincts may cause them to react badly to loose stranger dogs, or to the notion that a group of dogs may be a threatened pack.
Komondors do not eat a lot for their size and will do well on high quality dog food suitable for the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some owners note that too much protein content can lead to scratches, hotspots, or other skin reactions. “Breeders do not require too much volume and will sometimes skip food when they are not hungry,” says a breeder. “In his traditional job he probably shared what the shepherd was eating.” Give very little to table scraps, if not at all, especially avoid cooked bones and foods with high fat content. Know which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not.
There are no specific health problems for commonders. Responsible breeders have stock breeding certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) as being free of hip dysplasia. The parent club of the breed, the Komondor Club of America, also asks the breeder for an eye health certificate. As with many large dogs, the comondor can develop a stomach, a sudden, life-threatening increase in the abdomen and sometimes even twisting. Owners should be aware of the signs of bloat and take quick action if those symptoms appear.
Recommended health tests from the National Breed Club: