GROUP 5 - WORKING DOGS

Brief History
The breed is descended from Tibetan dogs and was brought to Hungary during the 12^th and 13^th centuries by nomadic people forced westward by the Mongols. The breed has been declared one of Hungary’s national treasures. Their purpose was to guard livestock and property.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.
The average life span is 10 to 12 years.

Temperament
With the courage to guard and defend herds, or the property and home of his master, the Komondor has a suspicious nature. Socialisation and obedience training from an early age would be a must for this breed.

General Breed Description
The Komondor is large in size and powerfully built.  His ivory coloured coat is corded. It is long and thick and resembles dreadlocks that can grow to the length of the floor. Puppies have a coat that is soft and fluffy, but as the dog matures, the undercoat and coarse outer coat combines to form cords.

Coat and Care Requirements
With the heaviest amount of fur in the canine world, the Komondor’s only substantial shedding of coat occurs as a puppy before the dreadlocks form. Whilst the coat does not need brushing, it is definitely not maintenance free. The cords must be separated regularly to prevent matting and to remove debris or dirt. Bathing and drying a Komondor is a full day affair.

Size
Height: Males 70cms, Females: 65cms.
Weight: Males 50 to 60kgs, Females 40 to 50kgs.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Komondor is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally.

Suitability
The Komondor is definitely not a good choice for first time of timid owners. They need early and extensive socialisation and obedience training. At this time, there are no Komondors in Australia.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/159