How do I find out if this breed is really the best for me?
We strongly suggest that anyone who is thinking of getting a Komondor should make every
effort to see some adult Komondors in their homes before making a final decision. The
Komondor Club of America (KCA) or Middle Atlantic States Komondor Club (MASKC) will assist
you in locating owners of Komondors in your part of the country (or in other countries in
many cases). Many Komondor owners are willing to let you visit with their dogs and will
explain what it is like living with this unusual breed. The reason that we feel this is so
important is that Komondor puppies, with their fluffy coats and playful natures, are
extremely appealing, but they are not necessarily like the adult that you will eventually
own for many years. It is in the best interest of both you and your Komondor that you
understand what an adult Komondor is like, so that when the puppy days are over, you won't
be dismayed at what that fluffy puppy has turned into. Unfortunately this happens over and
over, and not just with Komondors. We believe that people who obtain a dog are making a
commitment that lasts the life of the dog, and we encourage people to make that commitment
with full knowledge of what it entails.
Where can I find a Komondor if I decide to buy one?
The Komondor Club of America can furnish you with a list of breeders, including
information as to who has puppies or older dogs available. Breeders listed with the KCA
have agreed to abide by the Club's Code of Ethics which specifies responsible practices to
be followed by breeders to ensure the health of the puppies and the satisfaction of
purchasers. Komondors are often available through the KCA Rescue Program. These are dogs
which have been given up by previous owners for various reasons. Occasionally Komondors
are offered for sale by pet stores, but the chances of getting a sound, healthy puppy from
this source are not good. Puppies are also sometimes available from breeders who supply
working dogs. Whatever the source of the puppy, the parents should have been X-rayed and
certified clear of hip dysplasia, and every effort should be made to ensure that the puppy
is healthy and has been well cared for.
How big are Komondors when fully grown?
The Hungarians are very clear on this subject: if it isn't big and impressive, even if
it has cords, it isn't a Komondor. The Komondor should be large enough to command instant
respect. The actual size of Komondors in the United States ranges quite a bit, but on
average males are 27 1/2 inches or taller at the shoulder and bitches are 25 1/2 inches or
taller. Males usually weigh 100 pounds on up and bitches 80 pounds or more. These are good
average sizes, but many dogs are bigger and some are smaller. There are a lot of breeds
which are more massive, are taller, or heavier. But with his thick coat and large size
there are few that are as impressive as the Komondor.
Will I have to worry about friends or acquaintances coming into the house or yard with
my Komondor?
The Komondor is a large territorial dog that is used for flock and home guarding, and
the Komondor owner must always anticipate his dog's behavior based on this fact. The
Komondor will make up his own mind about who is or is not welcome on his property if he's
not taught by you how to behave when strangers come to the house. It is important that
Komondor puppies be socialized from the beginning. Kindergarten Puppy Training classes are
excellent for Komondor puppies, as they expose the puppy to lots of people and dogs at an
early age. These classes can usually be found through obedience class instructors or clubs
in your area. Komondors learn very quickly which people are welcome in your house, and
will greet them happily, but as a responsible owner, you must be sure the dog is under
control (either through strict obedience training or physical restraint) when strangers
are introduced to him.
Are Komondors noisy? How would they do in an apartment?
As a guarding dog, part of a Komondor's job is to alert people when a potentially
threatening situation exists. He does this by barking, and a Komondor's bark is meant to,
and will, get your attention. As we have mentioned, the Komondor's nature is to decide for
himself what constitutes a threat, and they definitely tend to err on the side of caution.
Thus some Komondors are constantly barking because they hear a strange noise, or see
someone passing by on "their" road, or because a strange car pulls into the
neighbor's driveway. Obviously this sort of situation can be worse if you live in close
proximity to others and have lots of strange people and strange cars coming and going.
Having said this, however, there are people who have successfully had several Komondors
living with them in an apartment. Komondors generally are quite adaptable and can adjust
their behavior to fit the situation. If they are constantly perceiving threats (in their
own mind) however, they will be noisy, and the situation could become very uncomfortable
for both the owner and the dog.
How much exercise does a Komondor need?
Komondor puppies are as playful and energetic as any other puppy. Adult Komondors are
generally quite inactive, and require very little exercise. They take their job of
guardian seriously, and will usually position themselves in a location where they can keep
an eye on their family, rather than running around checking things out. Often the most
exercise adult Komondors get is accompanying you as you move about the house. If the dog
doesn't have access to a fenced yard or large run, however, he should be walked two or
three times a day.
Do Komondors have any particular health problems that I should know about?
There are no known health problems which are peculiar to Komondors. As with all dogs
there is a certain amount of hip dysplasia in the breed. Responsible breeders have all
their breeding stock certified as being free of dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation for
Animals (OFA).
Also as with many large breeds, there is some incidence of bloat, or gastric torsion,
in Komondors. The causes of bloat are still largely unknown, but when it occurs, the
stomach becomes enlarged and filled with gas, eventually rotating inside the chest cavity
and killing the dog if not corrected in time. Anyone with a large dog should talk to a
veterinarian in order to learn to recognize the symptoms of bloat and should know what to
do if it occurs.
How much will a Komondor puppy cost?
Prices vary from breeder to breeder, but current prices for pet quality puppies are in
the $1000 dollar range, and show/breeding quality puppies are somewhat higher in price.
Reputable breeders will usually sell pet quality puppies with limited registrations or
spay/neuter guarantees, the object of these provisions being to prevent breeding of
puppies sold as companions.
