Hungarian shepherd dogs of the mudi breed: description, features. Hungarian shepherd dogs Mudi breed: description, features Hungarian Shepherd dog 4 letters

The Hungarian Shepherd Komondor is one of the largest, most "woolly" and rarest dog breeds. In total, there are no more than ten thousand of them in the world, of which about four hundred individuals live in Russia.

It is believed that the Komondors moved to the territory of modern Hungary with nomadic tribes over a thousand years ago.

Their ancestors are called:

• the oldest Tibetan dogs;
• magyar shepherd dogs;
• ancient herding dogs crossed with wolves.

Most researchers are inclined towards the "wolf" theory. As evidence, the features of the behavior of Komondors, which are more inherent in wolves than in dogs, are given: extremely developed intelligence, the ability to perform a series of sequential actions, ignoring distracting stimuli in the process of performing duties.

Be that as it may, it is absolutely indisputable that the Komondor breed of Hungarian Shepherd Dogs formed naturally without human intervention and mixing with other breeds.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, were developed and adopted detailed description and standard, and in 1924 the Hungarian Shepherd Komondor was recognized as an independent breed by most international canine organizations.

The Komondors' unique workmanship, strength, and dedication have served them in disservice during the World Wars. Brave dogs were called up to guard military facilities, and many died protecting their owners and their property. As a result, the breed was on the verge of extinction.

The Hungarian Shepherd or Komondor breed was adopted only in 1924.

The restoration of the breed in the 50s of the last century was initiated by Jozsef Bukowski, who created the first komondor kennel "Karcagpusztai" in Hungary. Almost all living Komondors have their pedigree from the dogs raised in this nursery.

The first Hungarian shepherd dogs entered the USSR in the 70s of the twentieth century, and in 1996 the National Breed Club was registered in the Russian Federation.

Standard, photographs and appearance

The Komondor standard is carefully verified and cannot be confused with any misunderstanding. The Hungarian Kennel Club patronizing the breed closely monitors any attempts to "improve" the Komondor's appearance and does not allow it to become a show dog, insisting on preserving natural features and working qualities.

The description of the breed is replete with superlative epithets - the lightest among large breeds, the most "woolen", the most intelligent, the most unusual. Indeed, the Hungarian Shepherd Dog looks very impressive. Large sizes put it on a par with such giants as,.

An additional volume to a powerful and muscular dog is given by a unique thick coat, rolled into long bundles-ribbons and completely covering the body, head, muzzle of the dog. The white color perfectly disguises the Hungarian shepherd dog among the sheep, allowing it to perform the duties of not only a shepherd, but also a guard.

The relatively low weight of the dog is due to the special structure of the bones - light, but strong. This genetic feature has been preserved since ancient times, when dogs had to make many days of trekking in the mountains, accompanying herds of nomads.

According to the FCI classification, a Komondor dog (Hungarian Sheepdog, Hungarian Sheepdog, Komondor) belongs to the Shepherd Dogs section of the group of shepherd and racing dogs.

With the same growth, Komondors are inferior in weight to large brothers. The permissible weight of males is from 50 to 57 kg, with a height at the withers of 75-80 cm. Bitches - 40-50 kg, with a height of 65-70 cm.

Hungarian Shepherd Dogs have a rough type of constitution, strong bones and muscles. The body is almost square, the length of the body slightly exceeds the height of the dog at the withers.

Adult males of the Komondor breed can reach up to 80 cm at the withers.

Among the characteristic breed traits:

• wide, convex, dome-shaped skull in proportion to the body with developed, pronounced superciliary arches;
• stop (transition from skull to muzzle) moderately pronounced;
• muzzle of a rough type, wide, of medium length;
• large nose is only black or dark brown;
• wide nostrils;
• black lips with uneven "jagged" corners tightly cover the teeth;
• powerful jaws with well-developed strong muscles;
• the bite is full, dense, scissor bite with 42 strong large teeth;
• almond-shaped dark brown eyes of medium size (blue eyes are unacceptable);
• ears hanging from the base do not rise even in a state of strong arousal;
• well-muscled, strong neck, moderately long and arched at rest, practically in line with the back;
• muscular, straight back with a pronounced powerful withers and a wide loin;
• the chest is voluminous, deep, low;
• abdomen without sagging;
• a low set tail hanging down to the hocks;
• limbs straight and very strong with firm, firm black or dark gray pads and claws;
• highly pigmented gray skin;
• movements are light, sweeping, smooth.

The Magyar Shepherd Dogs, very similar to Komondors, are consanguineous with Komondors, but they are an independent breed. Bullets are significantly smaller than Komondors. Their weight does not exceed 15 kg, and their height is 43 cm. The standards of these two Hungarian shepherd dogs differ in other essential features.

Komondors are very large and massive dogs.

Coat type and color

Newborn Komondor puppies are covered with delicate down and soft guard hair. Growing up, babies gradually lose their undercoat, the guard hairs are replaced by a longer, curling hair in a spiral.

At the age of 6-9 months, the final replacement of teenage wool with an adult one takes place. From this time on, the Komondor coat consists only of the guard hair. Then the softer and shorter hair begins to form a kind of undercoat, the long stiff upper awn twists into dense bundles, the formation of which ends in 1.5-2 years.

Komondor wool has a number of unique features that are unique to this breed:

This type of wool reliably protects the Komondors from overheating and hypothermia, allowing them to easily carry the contents both outdoors and in the house. The cord structure of the wool indicates the direct purpose of the Hungarian shepherd dogs - to protect the herd from predators.

The only acceptable color standard for Komondor is white. A light shade of ivory is allowed. The coat of puppies often has a pronounced cream or yellowish tint, but after the last adolescent molt, the coat becomes pure white.

Often a misunderstanding is caused by the presence of black, black-red, black-gray, fawn color in the Hungarian Shepherd Bullet. But bullets are a separate breed.

Important. The Hungarian Sheepdog is sometimes confused with the Bergaman Shepherd, which has a similar coat structure. The color of the breed bred in Italy is all shades of gray. Bergamans with white wool are not allowed for breeding. Italian and Hungarian shepherd dogs are brought together, perhaps, by a hypothetical genetic relationship with the ancient Tibetan mastiffs.

Character and temperament

The character and temperament of the Hungarian Shepherd Dogs have been formed over the centuries. Constant resistance to predators, harsh climatic conditions of residence, long transitions contributed to the natural selection of dogs with a balanced, strong, mobile type of temperament.

Komondors are hardy and strong animals.

Komondorov is distinguished by:

• a meaningful attitude to their duties, the ability to independently make decisions and analyze the situation;
• clear understanding of teams, high efficiency, interest in work;
• dedication, dedication, responsibility;
• constant vigilance, distrust of strangers;
• restraint, dislike for unnecessary caresses;
• self-esteem, innate calmness;
• friendliness, cheerfulness.

Unlike most shepherd dogs, the Komondor performs not so much as a shepherd, but as a protective function. He does not graze the flock, but protects it.

Since ancient times, Hungarian Shepherd Dogs, accustomed to resist packs of wolves, do not betray their presence, "merging" with the flock of sheep with the color and texture of wool. They attack swiftly, unexpectedly and silently.

Komondors rarely bite the enemy, preferring to strike with a heavy head, using the power of powerful neck muscles. So a dog easily breaks the spine of a wolf, and an adult breaks the collarbone. When attacking, the Komondor is very angry. At such a moment, no commands and obstacles can hold him back. It is not for nothing that Komondors are included in the Guinness Book of Records as the best guard dogs.

Komondors attack quietly and suddenly, while they try to knock the enemy down.

Thanks to their "specialization" Hungarian Shepherds get along well with children, other family members, pets. Sometimes they bother the owners, trying to gather all the charges in one place.

The subtleties of training and education

Hungarian Shepherd Dogs - service dogseasy to learn. They do an excellent job with a shepherd, security guard service, perform the duties of a companion, a guide. In the United States, Komondors are successfully used as police dogs.

When raising a Hungarian Shepherd, a number of subtleties should be considered:

• the dog requires active physical activity, long walks, and the performance of official duties;
• komondors quickly learn new knowledge, monotonous repetition tires them, they need an alternation of games and activities;
• hungarian shepherd dogs are stubborn, education and training should be consistent, constant;
• puppies should be taken out to crowded places as early as possible, early socialization will help to avoid problems in the future;
• hungarian Shepherd Dogs are independent, the best way upbringing for them is a positive reinforcement with praise, a toy or a treat.

Hungarian Shepherd Dogs are great and enjoy learning.

Important. Bitches lend themselves to training faster than wayward males.

Features of care and maintenance

Komondor will not feel comfortable in a city apartment, he is more suited to life in the countryside, ideally on a farm, where the dog can show its working qualities. The Komondor, reliably protected by a lace fur coat, will calmly endure even harsh winters in a spacious aviary with a booth installed inside.

Caring for Hungarian Shepherd Dogs is not difficult and consists of regular examinations of the eyes, ears, nose. Most of all concerns for the future owners are caused by the care of Komondor fur. In fact, grooming "laces" is less time consuming and costly than, for example, grooming collies.

The algorithm for keeping wool in order is quite simple:

Important. When bathing komondors use special shampoo with lanolin. Other products dry out the skin, wash off the natural lubricant, as a result of which the wool becomes brittle, dull, lumps, tangles form in it, the strands lose their evenness.

Diet and feeding

Hungarian Shepherd Dogs are unpretentious and economical in food. Daily rate high-quality dry food for an adult dog 1-1.5 kg. Power circuit: natural food or production feed, depends on the wishes of the owner.

The daily rate of production feed (dry, spider, canned food) depends on the intensity physical activity, type of content, age and individual characteristics of the dog. Affects ration calculation and feed grade. Premium and super premium feeds have a higher energy value and are required less than economy feeds.

Sweet foods and pastries are not suitable for feeding the Komondor.

The natural menu includes:

• oat, oatmeal, buckwheat, wheat, millet, semolina or mixtures of different varieties of cereals, cooked in meat, chicken, fish, vegetable broth, milk;
• lean meats (beef, veal, lamb, horse meat, nutria, rabbit meat, poultry);
• offal (heart, stomach, esophagus, kidneys, liver, brain);
• frozen or boiled fish without bones;
• one boiled egg in two days;
• vegetables, fruits (carrots, green onions, salad, zucchini, cauliflower, apples);
• dairy products (cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt, soft unsalted cheese, sour milk);
• as a delicacy in small quantities, unleavened biscuits, boiled sausage, hard cheese, honey;
• mineral and vitamin supplements.

It is forbidden to feed:

• sweets;
• smoked products;
• tubular bones;
• highly salty, sour, spicy foods.

Traditional feeding mode:

• puppies are fed up to six months 4-5 times a day;
• adolescents are transferred to 3 meals a day;
• after reaching the age of one year, the dog is fed 2 times a day.

Adult Komondors are fed twice a day: morning and evening.

Health and longevity

The average life span of Komondors is 10-12 years.

Due to the fact that the breed was formed in a natural way, the commanders have high innate immunity and are distinguished by good health.

However, they also have a predisposition to certain diseases:

The danger to Hungarian Shepherds is their own beard. Food debris gets stuck in its dense coat, moisture accumulates. It becomes an excellent refuge for pathogens that can cause infectious diseases... As a preventive measure, after each meal, the dog should thoroughly wipe the face.

Price and selection of a puppy

In Russia, Komondors are a rare and expensive breed. The price of a puppy in the kennel starts from 50,000 rubles. Puppies from champions of the breed, winners of international exhibitions can cost over 100,000 rubles.

When choosing a puppy, pay attention to:

• the presence of a pedigree, a veterinary passport with marks on vaccinations and vaccinations;
• compliance with the standard;
• active behavior of the puppy, no discharge in the eyes, ears, nose.

Moody is a Hungarian breed of herding dogs. It has many advantages, but is not particularly popular with dog breeders. But hunters and sheep farmers give the highest rating to these dogs. In this article, we will learn more about the rare mudi breed and consider all its advantages and possible difficulties in education and maintenance.

Origin story

The mudi dog (accent on the last syllable) is the dog of the Hungarian herders. These shepherd dogs are one of the oldest canine breeds. The breed was officially recognized only in the 19th century, but it was formed two centuries before that. The cattle were driven through the pastures by dogs, very similar to modern shepherd's assistants, who have quite well established themselves as capable beaters of large flocks of sheep.

Hungarian farmers decided to breed a breed that would be an assistant in grazing and could successfully be a hunter and guard of households. These shepherd assistants were bred by crossing different breeds Shepherd dogs with the necessary characteristics: German, Croatian, and Hungarian pumi.

As a unique breed, the mudi was noticed only in the early 30s of the twentieth century. Her discovery belongs to Dr. Dezso Feniez, who was an expert in dog breeding. He recognized that this rare and specific breed is a completely stable and homogeneous type and can be considered new. During the Second World War, mudi shepherds were practically exterminated, but by the mid-60s, the population of these dogs was restored. It was during this period that the genes of the Belgian and Scottish shepherd dogs were added to the genotype of this type of dog.

The modern Mudi shepherd dog is a versatile dog with all the qualities required for this breed. He will make an excellent company for hunting, country walks and sports games, and will also be a devoted security guard for the home and family.

Appearance

Due to the fact that during the Second World War the breed was on the verge of extinction, it had to be restored literally from scratch, modifying the standard in order to bring it as close as possible to the original image.

Color

There are several recognized colors: brown, black, white, ash, merle, their variations: for example, brown and ash merle. Sometimes there are puppies with tan, "wolf" or brindle color. A pale yellow merle may appear. But first of all, all the colors of the Hungarian Shepherd Mudi are even. Interestingly, the solid color is obtained thanks to the dominant gene K. This gene does not allow to appear, brindle or black-reddish-white, which is present in the husky.

Standards

• General form- proportional body structure, small size. Males - 43-45 cm, females - 40-42 cm.
• Weight- 8-13 kilograms.
• Wool - wavy along the body, smooth on the head and forelegs.
• Head - wedge-shaped, sloping forehead, flattened occiput.
• Skull - domed.
• Muzzle - elongated, less than the entire length of the skull.
• Nose - narrow, rounded towards the lobe. The color is black in both white and black dogs. The rest have a brown lobe or the color of the coat.
• Lips - adjoin tightly, the line of the mouth drops slightly when passing to the neck.
• Teeth - small, scissor bite.
• Eyes - almond-shaped, planted under a slight diagonal. There should be only dark eyes, blue are acceptable in the harlequin.
• Ears - erect, like a German shepherd, with a thick coat.
• Torso - compact, the back is always straight, muscular, has a descent to the rump. Withers approximately equal in height to body length.
• Neck - located at an angle of about 50 degrees to the spine, muscular, strong, no collar. Males have a mane.
• Chest - with an inconspicuous bend in the front, the ribs are flattened.
• Tail - Set on high, long, hanging, with thick hair. When the dog moves or is happy, the tail takes on a crescent shape. Docked tails are acceptable.
• Paws -medium, with pronounced muscles, black claws, round paw pads.

disadvantages

The only drawback of the Hungarian shepherd dog can be considered that the representatives of this breed are very playful and mobile. If you are looking for a dog that would spend hours lounging next to you on the couch, then this is not about mudi.

Disqualifying vices

The nose of black, yellow, ash, white dogs is flesh-colored, spotted or brown. Teeth may be missing (one or more).

The upper jaw protrudes beyond the lower jaw and vice versa. Light brown eye color in black dogs. Hanging, not pointy ears... Hair is short and straight all over the body, long on the head. Total white, zonal coat color, black and tan with splashes of yellow and brown. Insufficient growth or too tall.

Character and behavior

Although this fearless, hardy and strong dog has an inexhaustible supply of energy, it is obedient, easily trainable. These are very brave and brave dogs. They will never simply remain silent if something threatens them or their owners. When danger threatens, the size and intimidating appearance of the enemy of mudi does not frighten at all.

Did you know? Sometimes the Mudi shepherd dog, as a service dog, cooperates with the Hungarian police and customs service thanks to its keen sense of smell. These shepherd dogs successfully find hidden drugs in their luggage. Moody are also known as courageous rescuers in mountainous areas such as Finland.

For this reason, the Hungarian pet needs an eye and an eye, and it is also necessary to constantly pay attention, otherwise the representative of this breed, left without proper education, will turn into a "natural disaster" for its owners. Moody are very psychologically sensitive, they have an independent character. Ideal for grazing large herds. The representatives of this breed have a keen instinct, so the owners take the mudi to hunt wild boar.

Moody and man

The most important thing in the life of a Curly Hungarian Shepherd Dog is its owner, because Mudis are Monogamous. Therefore, these dogs do not show aggression towards a person, but on the contrary, they adore their owners and are ready to serve and protect them until their death. In a friendly home environment, they are very playful and affectionate. Such dogs fit perfectly into large families and become full members of them. With strangers, these dogs can behave a little aggressively.

Important! Mudi owners should pay attention to the fact that these dogs have a tendency to bite, so it is not advisable to leave them alone with small children.

The Hungarian Shepherd Dog has highly developed hunting instincts, so they can be dangerous for small animals in the house.

Moody are excellent exterminators of rats and mice, which are often a big problem for residents of private country houses.

In care, these Hungarian shepherds are unpretentious: after walking, it is enough to wipe the paws, tail and belly of the dog with a damp towel. You don't need to bathe your mudi dog often, as these dogs are very clean. For this you need to use special means... If the dog lives in a small apartment, then his energy can harm the owners and pretty much ruffle their nerves. You cannot chain this freedom-loving shepherd dog. By constantly combing the fur of their pet, trimming the claws in time, keeping an eye on the healthy condition of the ears and eyes, caring owners will receive a pleasant bonus from the well-groomed appearance of their pet, its cheerful and playful disposition.

Hair care

Mudi wool is practically maintenance-free. She does not get confused, does not require frequent washing and combing. It is advisable to comb it out with a metal brush little by little every day, but at least once a week.

Physical exercise

Mudi shepherds are suitable for keeping in a country house. They can also be kept in a spacious city apartment, but subject to daily walks and physical exercise and loads. Only frolic on the street, the four-legged mischief will spend its energy in full, and then temporarily calm down. Physical activity helps the representatives of this mobile breed get tired faster and at the same time maintain their health. You can include teaching various tricks here.

Food

Like all shepherd dogs, the Hungarian shepherd dog needs a properly balanced diet: all the necessary fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It is necessary to include animal products in the diet of mudi: meat and its by-products, dairy products, add cereals, vegetables, fruits to the diet.

Dog handlers also recommend giving the dog boiled eggs, boneless fish and cheese. There is also a taboo in the diet for Hungarian pets - these are sweet, smoked, spicy foods, as well as baked goods.

Important! Do not forget about a bowl of fresh water, which should always be in the pet's field of vision.

All this can cause allergies and stomach diseases. Also acceptable in food and dry balanced feed with a set of trace elements necessary for a dog.

Training and education

Because of their independent nature, training Hungarian Shepherd Dogs requires a long and persistent effort. The most important thing here is to be patient. But in no case should you show aggression or irritation towards your pet. From the age of three months, puppies of this shepherd breed need to be trained, accustoming them to the place assigned to it in the house, and also develop the habit of asking them to do their natural needs on the street.

Important! It is best to teach the mudi while playing so that she does not lose interest in the learning process.

Like any dog \u200b\u200bof any breed, the Moody Shepherd must understand and strictly follow the owner's specific commands. You can start training your pet with a simple walk together. Let the puppy run, look around, explore its territory, let it satisfy its guardian instinct and mark the boundaries. In walks, you also need to know when to stop: it is impossible for the pet to overwork, because if the dog is tired, then it may not want to learn the commands of its owner. One of the merits of the Hungarian herding dog breed is that they are capable of long time, despite the heat or frost, do the same thing. Therefore, in the long process of training, they feel quite comfortable. Another plus - this dog is very obedient and not aggressive. These dogs love to please the owner, while he will be glad to any encouragement. All these qualities will manifest themselves in the dog's behavior in the future.

Today, Mudi dogs do not have to be taught herd protection. They like to participate in sports games of agility, flyball.

Did you know? The French corsair Robert Surcouf earned the nickname "The Baron of the Dogs" due to the fact that he used mudi dogs during the capture of ships. Pirates threw planks onto the conquered ship, along which a horde of angry dogs rushed onto its deck with loud barking. Subsequently, on the grave of the pirate next to the inscription "All in the name of France!" a mudi paw print was applied.

Health and disease

No hereditary or specific diseases of the mudi are known. The main thing is to do all the vaccinations on time and monitor the health of the pet. Sometimes there is dysplasia. Dogs whose owners pay enough attention to the physical activity of their pet do not have problems with the musculoskeletal system. Proper nutrition, the possibility of a permanent active lifestyle for the mudi shepherd will be a guarantee of its beauty and health.

Moody's average life expectancy is 14 years.

Breeding

The most successful days for mating are considered from the 11th to the 15th day from the onset of estrus in the female. It is ideal to knit a bitch and a mudi dog about 2 years old. If you do this in more early age, then this will adversely affect the health of both parents and offspring.

For successful mating You do not need to feed the animals, but it is better to walk them well, to give them the opportunity to get to know each other well. It is best to do this in neutral territory, so that they can frolic and run. It is advisable to mate only on the territory of the dog.

After ejaculation, the female's pelvic muscles spasm. It happens that after this process, spasm does not occur, and the male may lose interest and desire to mate again. Then you need to repeat the knitting in a day or two.

Choosing the right puppy

The breed of the Hungarian Mudi shepherd dog is very rare, so acquiring a puppy is fraught with certain difficulties. On average, a puppy will cost several thousand hryvnia. Because of such a high cost, it is best to purchase it in a nursery from good breeders or in a club, where the relevant documents from the parents' pedigree will be provided, as well as a certificate of health of the future pet. This will ensure that the purchased puppy will be vaccinated, free from developing diseases and will meet the standards. There you can also get expert advice on feeding, health and caring for your pet.

Important! The optimum age for purchasing mudi puppies is one and a half months.

It is not recommended to acquire a mudi puppy older than 2-3 months, this may be fraught with certain difficulties: at this point, he may already have formed unwanted behavioral habits, from which it will be difficult to wean the dog.

The Hungarian Shepherd Dog - Komondor - is a herding dog, with amazing coat and docile character, able to be invisible in the flock.

History

It is believed that the Komondor originally worked in the pastures of the Black Sea, where the Magyar tribe lived. But under the onslaught of the "Golden Horde" the tribe migrated to the territory of modern Hungary, taking the dogs with them.

Local legend says that the Komondor was born from the passionate love of a ferocious wolf and an adorable sheep.

The artifacts found, dating from 1544, contain a description of the commanders. In the "History of the ruler Astyagis", by Peter Kokoni, dogs with sheep's wool are mentioned. 100 years later, Amos Comenius, in his notes, characterized the commander as an unsurpassed guard and shepherd. An entry from 1778 describes the meeting of the author (Michael Klein), with sheep-like dogs on the banks of the Hungarian river Raba, where the dogs were grazing cattle.

The second world War greatly reduced the number of Hungarian Shepherd Dogs. Before the seizure of the village, the invaders killed the dogs, the surviving animals, without owners, died of exhaustion. The commanders were also used as demolitions, which also influenced the decrease in the number of livestock.

Hungarian Shepherd Dog is a rare and expensive breed. The dog is in greatest demand in Hungary and America, where it is used for its intended purpose.

Appearance and character

The Hungarian Shepherd Dog is a large dog, up to 80 cm at the withers, with a skeleton that is quite light for its height, 45-50 kg. The voluminous coat, twisted into original white ropes, makes the dog even more impressive.

In the puppies of the Commander, the coat is soft, silky, with age, gradually begins to curl and braid in cords. The coat grows, all life and reaches the ground by old age. The weight of the dog due to the coat increases by 7-8 kg. The number of plaits can reach 2500. The breed has no undercoat, only puppy down, which crawls out by the age of 2 years. Despite the abundance of wool, the commander almost does not shed and does not have a characteristic doggy smell at all.

The Hungarian Shepherd is calm and balanced. Natural intelligence allows the dog to make it easy to train. An obedient dog, at a critical moment, is able to make an independent decision.

Affectionate with his family, he can give a worthy rebuff to the ill-wisher. He is loyal to other animals if they do not show aggression.

We tolerate children, will generously endure all their harassment and pranks.

Hungarian Shepherd Dogs on display.
Hungarian Shepherd Dog - Komondor in flight.
Komondor with a child.

A born shepherd on a walk vigilantly watches that someone does not stray from the company.

An active dog is very mobile and dynamic. Likes to run free. Therefore, he needs long walks and physical activity.

komotoz.ru

History of the breed

It is believed that the Komondors moved to the territory of modern Hungary with nomadic tribes over a thousand years ago.

Their ancestors are called:

• the oldest Tibetan dogs;
• magyar shepherd dogs;
• ancient herding dogs crossed with wolves.

Most researchers are inclined towards the "wolf" theory. As evidence, the features of the behavior of Komondors, which are more inherent in wolves than in dogs, are given: extremely developed intelligence, the ability to perform a series of sequential actions, ignoring distracting stimuli in the process of performing duties.

Be that as it may, it is absolutely indisputable that the Komondor breed of Hungarian Shepherd Dogs formed naturally without human intervention and mixing with other breeds.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, a detailed description and standard were developed and adopted, and in 1924 the Hungarian Komondor Shepherd Dog was recognized as an independent breed by most international canine organizations.

The Komondors' unique workmanship, strength, and dedication have served them in disservice during the World Wars. Brave dogs were called up to guard military facilities, and many died protecting their owners and their property. As a result, the breed was on the verge of extinction.

The Hungarian Shepherd or Komondor breed was adopted only in 1924.

The restoration of the breed in the 50s of the last century was initiated by Jozsef Bukowski, who created the first komondor kennel "Karcagpusztai" in Hungary. Almost all living Komondors have their pedigree from the dogs raised in this nursery.

The first Hungarian shepherd dogs entered the USSR in the 70s of the twentieth century, and in 1996 the National Breed Club was registered in the Russian Federation.

Standard, photographs and appearance

The Komondor standard is carefully verified and cannot be confused with any misunderstanding. The Hungarian Kennel Club patronizing the breed meticulously monitors any attempts to "improve" the Komondor's appearance and does not allow it to become a show dog, insisting on preserving natural features and working qualities.

The description of the breed abounds in superlative epithets - the lightest among the large breeds, the most "woolen", the smartest, the most unusual. Indeed, the Hungarian Shepherd Dog looks very impressive. Its large size puts it on a par with such giants as Tibetan Mastiffs, Scottish deer hounds, Alabai.

An additional volume to a powerful and muscular dog is given by a unique thick coat, rolled into long bundles-ribbons and completely covering the body, head, muzzle of the dog. The white color perfectly disguises the Hungarian shepherd dog among the sheep, allowing it to perform the duties of not only a shepherd, but also a guard.

The relatively low weight of the dog is due to the special structure of the bones - light, but strong. This genetic feature has been preserved since ancient times, when dogs had to make many days of trekking in the mountains, accompanying herds of nomads.

According to the FCI classification, a Komondor dog (Hungarian Sheepdog, Hungarian Sheepdog, Komondor) belongs to the Shepherd Dogs section of the group of shepherd and racing dogs.

With the same growth, Komondors are inferior in weight to large brothers. The permissible weight of males is from 50 to 57 kg, with a height at the withers of 75-80 cm. Bitches - 40-50 kg, with a height of 65-70 cm.

Hungarian Shepherd Dogs have a rough type of constitution, strong bones and muscles. The body is almost square, the length of the body slightly exceeds the height of the dog at the withers.

Adult males of the Komondor breed can reach up to 80 cm at the withers.

Among the characteristic breed traits:

• wide, convex, dome-shaped skull in proportion to the body with developed, pronounced superciliary arches;
• stop (transition from skull to muzzle) moderately pronounced;
• muzzle of a rough type, wide, of medium length;
• large nose is only black or dark brown;
• wide nostrils;
• black lips with uneven "jagged" corners tightly cover the teeth;
• powerful jaws with well-developed strong muscles;
• the bite is full, dense, scissor bite with 42 strong large teeth;
• almond-shaped dark brown eyes of medium size (blue eyes are unacceptable);
• ears hanging from the base do not rise even in a state of strong arousal;
• well-muscled, strong neck, moderately long and arched at rest, practically in line with the back;
• muscular, straight back with a pronounced powerful withers and a wide loin;
• the chest is voluminous, deep, low;
• abdomen without sagging;
• a low set tail hanging down to the hocks;
• limbs straight and very strong with firm, firm black or dark gray pads and claws;
• highly pigmented gray skin;
• movements are light, sweeping, smooth.

The Magyar Shepherd Dogs, very similar to Komondors, are consanguineous with Komondors, but they are an independent breed. Bullets are significantly smaller than Komondors. Their weight does not exceed 15 kg, and their height is 43 cm. The standards of these two Hungarian shepherd dogs differ in other essential features.

Komondors are very large and massive dogs.

Coat type and color

Newborn Komondor puppies are covered with delicate down and soft guard hair. Growing up, babies gradually lose their undercoat, the guard hairs are replaced by a longer, curling hair in a spiral.

At the age of 6-9 months, the final replacement of teenage wool with an adult one takes place. From this time on, the Komondor coat consists only of the guard hair. Then the softer and shorter hair begins to form a kind of undercoat, the long stiff upper awn twists into dense bundles, the formation of which ends in 1.5-2 years.

Komondor wool has a number of unique features that are unique to this breed:

This type of wool reliably protects the Komondors from overheating and hypothermia, allowing them to easily carry the contents both outdoors and in the house. The cord structure of the wool indicates the direct purpose of the Hungarian shepherd dogs - to protect the herd from predators.

The only acceptable color standard for Komondor is white. A light shade of ivory is allowed. The coat of puppies often has a pronounced cream or yellowish tint, but after the last adolescent molt, the coat becomes pure white.

Often a misunderstanding is caused by the presence of black, black-red, black-gray, fawn color in the Hungarian Shepherd Bullet. But bullets are a separate breed.

Important. The Hungarian Sheepdog is sometimes confused with the Bergaman Shepherd, which has a similar coat structure. The color of the breed bred in Italy is all shades of gray. Bergamans with white wool are not allowed for breeding. Italian and Hungarian shepherd dogs are brought together, perhaps, by a hypothetical genetic relationship with the ancient Tibetan mastiffs.

Character and temperament

The character and temperament of the Hungarian Shepherd Dogs have been formed over the centuries. Constant resistance to predators, harsh climatic conditions of residence, long transitions contributed to the natural selection of dogs with a balanced, strong, mobile type of temperament.

Komondors are hardy and strong animals.

Komondorov is distinguished by:

• a meaningful attitude to their duties, the ability to independently make decisions and analyze the situation;
• clear understanding of teams, high efficiency, interest in work;
• dedication, dedication, responsibility;
• constant vigilance, distrust of strangers;
• restraint, dislike for unnecessary caresses;
• self-esteem, innate calmness;
• friendliness, cheerfulness.

Unlike most shepherd dogs, the Komondor performs not so much as a shepherd, but as a protective function. He does not graze the flock, but protects it.

Since ancient times, Hungarian Shepherd Dogs, accustomed to resist packs of wolves, do not betray their presence, "merging" with the flock of sheep with the color and texture of wool. They attack swiftly, unexpectedly and silently.

Komondors rarely bite the enemy, preferring to strike with a heavy head, using the power of powerful neck muscles. So a dog easily breaks the spine of a wolf, and an adult breaks the collarbone. When attacking, the Komondor is very angry. At such a moment, no commands and obstacles can hold him back. It is not for nothing that Komondors are included in the Guinness Book of Records as the best guard dogs.

Komondors attack quietly and suddenly, while they try to knock the enemy down.

Thanks to their "specialization" Hungarian Shepherds get along well with children, other family members, pets. Sometimes they bother the owners, trying to gather all the charges in one place.

The subtleties of training and education

Hungarian Shepherd Dogs are service dogs that are easy to train. They do an excellent job with a shepherd, security guard service, perform the duties of a companion, guide. In the United States, Komondors are successfully used as police dogs.

When raising a Hungarian Shepherd, a number of subtleties should be considered:

• the dog requires active physical activity, long walks, and the performance of official duties;
• komondors quickly learn new knowledge, monotonous repetition tires them, they need an alternation of games and activities;
• hungarian shepherd dogs are stubborn, education and training should be consistent, constant;
• puppies should be taken out to crowded places as early as possible, early socialization will help to avoid problems in the future;
• hungarian Shepherd Dogs are independent, the best way to educate them is positive reinforcement with praise, a toy or a treat.

Hungarian Shepherd Dogs are great and enjoy learning.

Important. Bitches lend themselves to training faster than wayward males.

Features of care and maintenance

Komondor will not feel comfortable in a city apartment, he is more suited to life in the countryside, ideally on a farm, where the dog can show its working qualities. The Komondor, reliably protected by a lace fur coat, will calmly endure even harsh winters in a spacious aviary with a booth installed inside.

Caring for Hungarian Shepherd Dogs is not difficult and consists of regular examinations of the eyes, ears, nose. Most of all concerns for the future owners are caused by the care of Komondor fur. In fact, grooming "laces" is less time consuming and costly than, for example, grooming collies.

The algorithm for keeping wool in order is quite simple:

Important. When bathing Komondors, use a special lanolin shampoo. Other products dry out the skin, wash off the natural lubricant, as a result of which the wool becomes brittle, dull, lumps, tangles form in it, the strands lose their evenness.

Diet and feeding

Hungarian Shepherd Dogs are unpretentious and economical in food. The daily norm of high-quality dry food for an adult dog is 1-1.5 kg. Diet scheme: natural food or industrial feed, depends on the owner's desire.

The daily rate of production feed (dry, spider, canned food) depends on the intensity of physical activity, type of maintenance, age and individual characteristics of the dog. Affects ration calculation and feed grade. Premium and super premium feeds have a higher energy value and are required less than economy feeds.

Sweet foods and pastries are not suitable for feeding the Komondor.

The natural menu includes:

• oat, oatmeal, buckwheat, wheat, millet, semolina or mixtures of different varieties of cereals, cooked in meat, chicken, fish, vegetable broth, milk;
• lean meats (beef, veal, lamb, horse meat, nutria, rabbit meat, poultry);
• offal (heart, stomach, esophagus, kidneys, liver, brain);
• frozen or boiled fish without bones;
• one boiled egg in two days;
• vegetables, fruits (carrots, green onions, lettuce, zucchini, cauliflower, apples);
• dairy products (cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt, soft unsalted cheese, sour milk);
• as a delicacy in small quantities, unleavened biscuits, boiled sausage, hard cheese, honey;
• mineral and vitamin supplements.

It is forbidden to feed:

• sweets;
• smoked products;
• tubular bones;
• highly salty, sour, spicy foods.

Traditional feeding mode:

• puppies are fed up to six months 4-5 times a day;
• adolescents are transferred to 3 meals a day;
• after reaching the age of one year, the dog is fed 2 times a day.

Adult Komondors are fed twice a day: morning and evening.

Health and longevity

The average life span of Komondors is 10-12 years.

Due to the fact that the breed was formed in a natural way, the commanders have high innate immunity and are distinguished by good health.

However, they also have a predisposition to certain diseases:

The danger to Hungarian Shepherds is their own beard. Food debris gets stuck in its dense coat, moisture accumulates. It becomes an excellent refuge for pathogens that can cause infectious diseases. As a preventive measure, after each meal, the dog should thoroughly wipe the face.

Price and selection of a puppy

In Russia, Komondors are a rare and expensive breed. The price of a puppy in the kennel starts from 50,000 rubles. Puppies from champions of the breed, winners of international exhibitions can cost over 100,000 rubles.

When choosing a puppy, pay attention to:

• the presence of a pedigree, a veterinary passport with marks on vaccinations and vaccinations;
• compliance with the standard;
• active behavior of the puppy, no discharge in the eyes, ears, nose.