meet the...Komondor
Breed Summary
Breed Group Group 10: Pastoral and Stock Dog Breeds
Sub-group 9-A: 9-A Large Mountain/Pastoral Dogs Shepherding Type
Origin Country Hungary
Weight Males: 100-135 pounds. Females: 80-110 pounds.
Height Males: 25-32 inches. Females: 23-30 inches.
Other Name(s) Hungarian Komondor, Hungarian Sheepdog
Breed Type Pure
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Origins
Although the origin of the Komondor is not well documented, it is believed that his ancestors descended from ancient Eurasian Ovcharka-type dogs that were brought to Hungary by the nomadic Cuman people. Their estimated arrival in Hungary is believed to be between the 1100s–1200s. While the etymology of the name is not certain, it is believed to be a corruption of Koman dor, or “Cuman dog.” There, they accompanied shepherds, working closely with and protecting their herds from such predators as wolves and Eurasian brown bears. The first historical mention of the dogs was in the mid-sixteenth century in Peter Kakonyi’s History of King Astyages. The breed reached a critical low after WWII but has slowly made a comeback and is now considered a dog show staple.Breed Characteristics
Head: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size and in proportion to the rest of the body. The head exhibits good bone and substance. The topskull is broad, with width (measured across the top in front of the ears) equal to or just slightly less than the length (from occiput to stop), with the width no less than 40% of the length. It is rectangular in shape and slightly wider than the muzzle. The topskull, when felt, may be almost flat to slightly arched. The supraorbital ridges are well-defined. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to almond shape, gray, amber, hazel, or medium to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Medium to somewhat large in size. Set on level with the eyes. They are triangles in shape and drop to pendant-shaped. Erect ears or semi-erect ears are incorrect. Natural ears should hang fairly close to the head.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight and level. It is truncated, wide, and somewhat rectangular throughout, with very little taper from the base to the nose. Upper and lower jaws are well developed, approximately equal in length, have good bone substance, never snipey or weak.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black. Seasonal fading, or “snow” or “winter” nose, is permissible. The nostrils are well-opened. The nose is flush with the vertical line of the end of the muzzle.
Neck: Moderate length to allow for good head carriage and powerfully muscled with a moderate arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The forechest is well-developed without being excessively pronounced. The depth of the chest (from the withers to the brisket) may range from 45%-56% of the dog’s total height.
Body: Substantial, solid, and powerful, yet agile. The body is never racy or refined or heavy and cloddy. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Feet: Oval to round, compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Tail: May be set somewhat low to neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, usually approximately level with the topline, but never tucked or carried up over the back. The tail is of a moderately long length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be almost straight, gently curved, sabered, or sickled, all with a curve or “hook” at the end.
Movement: Surprising agile and light in movement, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: Although their coat may make them appear novel and high-maintenance, the Komondor is a rugged and tough dog. Their low-key demeanor and even temper often give them the impression of being lazy and unaware. However, they still retain their guarding instincts and independent personality. With that combination of temperament traits, they can discern friends from foes and act accordingly. For this reason, coupled with their size, it is recommended that they be well-socialized and well-trained from puppyhood to ensure that they maintain the ability to discern danger from safety. To those who know and love them, they are a loyal and affectionate companion. Indifference or reservation around strangers is not out of character for mature individuals, and they should not be penalized. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 10: Pastoral and Stock Dog Breeds
Proportions: Somewhat off-square, to slightly rectangular, with the length of the body, measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being just slightly greater than the height at the withers. The ideal body length is between 100%-108% greater than the body height, or with the body length being equal to or up to 8% greater than the body height. The ideal body-height-to-length ratio is between 1:1 and 10:9. Females may be slightly longer. The body is well put together, with sturdy substance and solid, sturdy (yet never overly heavy) bone. Males should appear masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females should appear more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. Although the Komondor is a large dog, they are not a giant breed. They should appear substantial yet agile. Heaviness or cloddiness should be avoided. The weight of males or females is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size and in proportion to the rest of the body. The head exhibits good bone and substance. The topskull is broad, with width (measured across the top in front of the ears) equal to or just slightly less than the length (from occiput to stop), with the width no less than 40% of the length. It is rectangular in shape and slightly wider than the muzzle. The topskull, when felt, may be almost flat to slightly arched. The supraorbital ridges are well-defined. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Expression: Noble and alert.
Stop: The stop is well-pronounced but never overly steep.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is approximately 2:3, with the topskull being just longer than the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight and level. It is truncated, wide, and somewhat rectangular throughout, with very little taper from the base to the nose. Upper and lower jaws are well developed, approximately equal in length, have good bone substance, never snipey or weak.
Lips or Flews: The lips are well-pigmented, fairly clean, and fit rather tightly over the teeth and jaws. They should never extend beyond the lower plane of the bottom jawline. They are dry, never wet and loose, or with excessive drooling.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black. Seasonal fading, or “snow” or “winter” nose, is permissible. The nostrils are well-opened. The nose is flush with the vertical line of the end of the muzzle.
Cheeks: The cheeks are well-developed and powerfully muscled. The zygomatic arches are broad, and the cheeks give the face substance, breadth, and depth.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth are preferred. The bite may be level, scissor, or reverse-scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work are not to be penalized.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to almond shape, gray, amber, hazel, or medium to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Medium to somewhat large in size. Set on level with the eyes. They are triangles in shape and drop to pendant-shaped. Erect ears or semi-erect ears are incorrect. Natural ears should hang fairly close to the head.
Body and Tail
General Description: Substantial, solid, and powerful, yet agile. The body is never racy or refined or heavy and cloddy. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Moderate length to allow for good head carriage and powerfully muscled with a moderate arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The forechest is well-developed without being excessively pronounced. The depth of the chest (from the withers to the brisket) may range from 45%-56% of the dog’s total height.
Topline: Straight and level from slightly prominent withers to croup. The back is sufficiently long to allow for sufficient brisket length below, broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, flat, level, or slightly arched yet supportive. The back is never swayed or roached.
Croup: Broad, powerful, and gently sloped (no more than 15 degrees from the horizon).
Underline: A slight to moderate tuck-up is present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: May be set somewhat low to neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, usually approximately level with the topline, but never tucked or carried up over the back. The tail is of a moderately long length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be almost straight, gently curved, sabered, or sickled, all with a curve or “hook” at the end.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. The shoulder blades are fairly long and approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The distance from the withers to the brisket may be equal to, or just greater than, the distance from the elbows to the ground.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of strong and sturdy bone, and parallel to one another.
Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are long, equal in length, of strong and strudy bone, and well-muscled.
Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round, compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog. Genetically, the Komondor is a black dog that’s color has been suppressed by the recessive red (e/e) gene. Therefore, the skin should exhibit its normal black or gray coloration. The skin should be darkly pigmented at all points (eye rims, nose, lips, nails, foot pads), as well as the roof of the mouth. Lighter pigmentation is also permissible, such as pink skin with dark points.
Coat Type: The Komondor coat does not mature until approximately two years of age. Therefore, puppies and dogs under that age should be evaluated based on the progress of their coat. Therefore, CKC recognizes three varieties of the coat in the Komondor breed: the immature coat, the intermediate coat, and the mature coat. All varieties are double-coated, with a soft, dense, and protective undercoat.
Immature coat: Soft, somewhat fluffy, with a tendency to fall into long curls, sometimes showing a tendency to mat or lightly cord a bit. The coat may be straight, wavy, or curly.
Intermediate coat: The coat may be wavy or curly. The outer coat is somewhat longer and coarser. This outer coat is essential in trapping and matting the soft undercoat and forming cords. The coat exhibits some very short cords starting close to the skin, with tufts of hair at the ends of the cords. The intermediate coat may appear rather lumpy and knotty prior to gaining length. Sometimes, even oftentimes, this cord will obstruct the outline of the dog.
Mature coat: By two years of age, the mature coat should exhibit a completely corded coat. Cords are strong and permanent. They may be either small and round, like rope, or flat, like braids or plats. Many dogs will have cords of both sizes. Coat length is immaterial to function in this instance, and length often comes with age, so younger dogs should not be penalized for lacking a sufficiently long corded coat. Nor should an older dog be penalized for lacking a long corded coat, as the length is just aesthetic.
Coat Color or Pattern: White, buttercream, pearl, bone, or ivory, with a small amount of cream or buff. Stains on a coat that is as old as the dog itself should not be penalized.
Movement
Surprising agile and light in movement, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
Although their coat may make them appear novel and high-maintenance, the Komondor is a rugged and tough dog. Their low-key demeanor and even temper often give them the impression of being lazy and unaware. However, they still retain their guarding instincts and independent personality. With that combination of temperament traits, they can discern friends from foes and act accordingly. For this reason, coupled with their size, it is recommended that they be well-socialized and well-trained from puppyhood to ensure that they maintain the ability to discern danger from safety. To those who know and love them, they are a loyal and affectionate companion. Indifference or reservation around strangers is not out of character for mature individuals, and they should not be penalized. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
