At a glance the quick version
FCI figures. AKC gives about 100 lb and up for males and 80 lb and up for females.
Coat and looks how to spot one
corded coat
A big, powerful dog covered from head to tail in thick white cords that form naturally as the soft woolly undercoat tangles with the coarser outer coat. Cords are longest on the rump and thighs, around 20-27 cm, and shorter on the head and lower legs.13
Personality what they are like
A calm, dignified dog that is deeply devoted to its family and to anything it is asked to protect. It is independent, watchful day and night and reserved with strangers, but patient and affectionate with its own people.134
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate: brisk daily walks and time patrolling a secure yard. In warm weather, exercise in the cooler parts of the day because of the dense coat.4
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The cords start forming at about 8-12 months and must be separated by hand every few days while they form, then checked weekly. It does not brush out, and a bath can take hours, with thorough drying needed afterwards (Wikipedia notes air drying can take about two and a half days).42
Home where they are happiest
Best suited to a home with secure outdoor space and room to patrol.4
Company who they like around
A natural guardian that bonds closely with its family and household animals; it needs an experienced, consistent owner and early socialising.14
The story where it all began
The Komondor is an ancient Hungarian flock guardian whose ancestors are thought to have come with Cuman or Magyar migrations, and it is first mentioned in writing in 1544. For centuries it protected sheep on the Hungarian plains. The breed was greatly reduced during the Second World War and rebuilt by dedicated breeders, and Hungary regards it as a national treasure.124
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 53, Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattledogs), Section 1 Sheepdogs; accepted on a definitive basis 9 August 1954.5
- AKC
- Recognised in 1937 (per Hill's); current AKC standard approved 13 June 1994, effective 31 July 1994.3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Komondor. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 6every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 53 Komondor fci.beused for origin, history, temperament, coat, colour, size
- Wikipedia: Komondor en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, average heights, history, fun facts (secondary)
- AKC Official Standard of the Komondor images.akc.orgused for weights, coat, colour, temperament, standard date
- Hill's Pet: Komondor hillspet.comused for lifespan, exercise, grooming, AKC year, history, fun fact
- FCI nomenclature: Komondor (53) fci.beused for recognition, group
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.