Page 96 - World of Animals - Issue #41

Bizarre!

The Hungarian guard KOMONDOR
Canis lupus familiaris
Class Mammalia
dog that looks like a mop

Yes, there really is a dog under there. The komondor is a rare Hungarian Territory Most popular in
Hungary and the US
breed of dog with some extreme physical features, and was bred to guard Diet Carnivore
Lifespan Up to 10 years
and live among livestock Adult weight 36-61kg (79-135lb)
Conservation Status
The puppies LEAST CONCERN
are completely

‘cordless’ It’s treated

Komondor puppies look rather angelic, as like a sheep
they have soft, white curls. These ‘cords’
or ‘tassels’ don’t develop until they’re Not only does this dog look
about nine months old. This happens like a sheep, it was bred to
without human interference; cords defend them from thieves
are formed when the coarser outer and predators. Keeping
coat twists around clumps of the and raising them among
puppy coat, and later around the sheep heightened the

the fine undercoat. However, komondor’s protective
owners need to ‘encourage’ instincts. It’s said it was
the hair into neat cords.
even sheared like a sheep!
Much like a pet dog views
It served komondor dogs saw their
its family as its pack,
in WWII fellow sheep as their kin.
and nearly
went extinct

This dog was burdened with
the duty of guarding military
installations during WWII.
Many komondorok (the
Hungarian plural) were killed by
invading German soldiers as
their size and strength made
them potential weapons.
It wasn’t until the 1960s
that the breed was stable
again, but it remains rare,
partly due to its high
maintenance coat, small
litters and expensive
price tag.

The other breeds It was a secret for Its coat needs
with mop coats hundreds of years constant attention

There are other breeds with similar corded While it may have existed for longer, the This dog is not for inexperienced owners; its

coats, such as the Hungarian puli, a similar first mention of the komondor in writing coat needs expert care. Daily grooming and
but smaller breed, and the Bergamasco, an dates back to the 16th century. However, the separating of the tassels is essential, which
Italian dog whose coat isn’t quite as extreme, breed was completely unheard of outside of requires patience from the owner and the

as the hair on its head is not as corded. Hungary until the 20th century. Interest in dog. Young komondor dogs can get fidgety

There’s also the corded poodle, bred from breeds, and selective breeding for specific when their cords first start to come through.
the standard poodle, but not recognised as a traits or talents, didn’t become fashionable The length, diameter and base-width of the
breed in its own right. until the Victorian times. cords are crucial factors to avoid pulling. © FLPA
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