Komondor  

 The Hungarian sheepdoge,  

Sheepdogs are the assistants of the shep-man and the herd protection. In forner times, there were many sheepdos also with us; since the extermination of the native wolves, they have become superfluous. They were led by sheep-man at the rope and only with danger or in the night was let go. Sheepdogs, Sheep-male dogs or " Schafbudel " were called here them earlier. Always, they were from white hair-color. So, they could distinguish them in the darkness from the wolves easily. In the east Europe, where itself the big predatory until today, has held, there is another number of established thoroughbred sheepdogs, from wich the Hungarian have found in all coutries their lovers and breeders His name admits different interpretation-possibilities and even experts is there itself not quite united. Some hold Komor = dim, other Komandeur for sense-gives, additonally they found at excavations in the biblical city Ur orignal clay-tablet, on wich big straggly hair dogs portrayed together with cows and were marked with ku mund ur. The narrow relationship to the Tbet-mastiff is certain and over them the desent of the Mollosser and bronze-dog. The word of Komonor becomes with emphasis of the first syllable pronounced. Millenium and Millenium served the Komondor the shepherd of the Hungarian, Turkisch and Asian area as trusted friend and helper. Shepherds, her cattle herd was the life-basis, the highest value of the community, that protected under all circumstances, and had to be gotten. The Komondor granted this protection. Nothing his attention.  Completely silently and from the silence, he attacked, incorruptible, reliable, effectve, also and especially at the night. The Komondor withstood the extreme continental climate, his staggly hair made summer-heat of over 30 degrees Celsius one the one hand as well as extaordinary rough winters with deficit-degrees under 30 degrees Celsius and storms resitant, futrthermore it protected him from bite-injuries effectvely. The Komondor is a quiet, dignified dog. His high intelligence and his memory are unsurpassable, he is very assertive. Extremly independently thinking and reliably dealing he fulfills his tasks, he follows from affection. The Komondor is friendly to the child very much if he is educated accordingly. Loving and patient consistent education do an agreeble family-dog from Komondor. Hardness and force make him for only dangerous. Caging and put on the chain are necessarily to avoid, that endure, these dogs change nature-alteration. Under his big straggly hair are hidden stong limbs and a harmonic stong muscle-buildings. Also head and face are total coverd with straggly hair, therefor no facial expression is visible, only the connoisseur can read the feelings of the Komondor from his stand.

General appearance *** is one of imposing strength, courageous demeanor and pleasing conformation. The Komondor is a big muscular dog with plenty of bone and substance, and covered with an unusual, heavy, white coat.  Height is important but type, character, symmetry movement and ruggedness are of greater significance and are never to be sacrificed in favor of height.

Characteristics *** The Komondor, being naturally wary of strangers, makes an excellent house guard dog. They are devoted to their master and will defend him against attack by any stranger. This trait makes it advisable that the dog only be used as a herd/flock guardian/protector, not for driving. When mature, the breed is an earnest, courageous, very faithful herd/flock guardian. While a puppy, the Komondor is playful. It is capable of living the majority of the year in the open, without protection against strange dogs and beasts of prey.

Head & Skull  ***  The head is held erect. In comparison to the wide-appearing forehead, the head looks somewhat short. In profile, the skull is somewhat arched. The stop is moderate. The length of the powerful muzzle is shorter than the length of the skull. The straight muzzle top is about parallel with the line of the top of the skull. The muzzle is wide, coarse and not pointed in comparison to the length of the head. Lips are dark or gray. A dark palate and dark gums are preferred.

TEETH *** A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite.

Serious fault ***  Any missing teeth. Undershot or overshot bites.

EYES  *** The medium size, almond-shaped eyes are not too deeply set. They are dark brown. The eye rims are gray. The eye outlines are dark or gray.

Fault ***  Light-colored eyes.

NOSE  *** The nose is black. A dark gray or dark brown nose is acceptable, but not desirable. The nostrils are wide. EARS  ***  The medium-set, hanging ears are V-shaped.

Faults  ***  Erect ears. Ears that move forward toward an erect position.

Neck *** The muscular, medium length neck is moderately arched.

Fault ***  Any dewlap.

ForeQuarters *** The shoulder slopes moderately.

FORELEGS  ***  The straight, well-boned forelegs are muscular. The legs are like vertical columns from any angle. The upper arm joins the body closely.

Fault ***  Loose elbows.

Body **** shape is rectangular, the length being only slightly longer than the height, measured at the withers.

The body  ****  is characterized chiefly by the powerful, deep, muscular, proportionately wide chest. The back is level. The abdomen is somewhat drawn up toward the hindquarters.

 HindQuarters ***  The wide, muscular rump slopes slightly toward the root of the tail.

HIND LEGS  ***  Bone structure is steely and strong, covered by highly-developed muscles. When viewed from the rear, the legs are straight. The stifles are well bent. Rear dewclaws must be removed.

 Feet *** The strong, rather large feet have close, well-arched toes. The hard, elastic pads are dark or gray. The nails are black or gray.

Tail ***  The tail is a straight continuation of the rump; and reaches down to the hock joint. It is slightly curved upward at the end. The tail is raised up to the level of the back when the dog is excited. The tail is never docked.

Faults ***  Short tail. Curly tail.

Coat *** The dense, weather-resistant double coat is breed characteristic. In mature dogs, the undercoat is dense, soft and woolly; the outer coat is coarser, and wavy or curly. Cords are formed when the coarse outer coat hairs trap the softer undercoat. The cords are felty to the touch. Grown dogs are covered with a heavy coat of tassel like cords. The cords form naturally and require no care other than washing. The coat is longest at the rump, loins and tail. The back, shoulders and chest have a medium-length coat. It is shorter on the cheeks, and around the eyes, ears, neck and on the extremities. The shortest cost is found around the mouth and on the lower part of the legs up to the hocks.

Although the immature, puppy coat is relatively soft, it does show the tendency to fall into cords.

Serious faults  ***  Straight coat. Silky coat.

Faults ***  Short coat. Too curly coat.

 Colour  *** The only acceptable coat color is white. Ideally, the skin is gray. Pink skin is acceptable, but less desirable, as long as there is no evidence of albinism.

Height ***  is measured at the withers. Height ranges are: dogs, 25½ inches and upward; bitches, 23½ inches and upward.

Fault  ***  Height below the stated limit.

Gait ***  Long strides are characteristic. Gait is light, leisurely and balanced.

DisQualifications ***  Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Blue-white colored eyes. Flesh-colored nose. Bobtail. Short, smooth hair on the head and legs. Failure of the coat to cord by two years of age. Coat color other than white.

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