
The big white herding dog is a majestic sight to behold. They typically stand between 24 and 27 inches tall at the shoulder.
Their thick, double coat is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, with a soft undercoat and a coarser outer coat that sheds water and dirt.
Big white herding dogs are highly energetic and require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.
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General Information
The big white herding dog is a breed that's known for its intelligence and energy level. They were originally bred to herd livestock, which means they have a strong instinct to chase and gather animals.
One key fact about this breed is that they require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. A minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity per day is recommended.
Their herding instincts can sometimes get them into trouble, so it's essential to provide them with plenty of mental stimulation and training.
Polish Tatra
The Polish Tatra Sheepdog is a wonderful breed that makes a great companion. They are quite large, weighing between 80-130 pounds and standing 26 to 28 inches tall.
One of the things that sets Polish Tatra Sheepdogs apart is their unique alert technique. They will move between the flock and predator, alert barking until the predator gets too close.
While they are protective of their family, Polish Tatra Sheepdogs are not typically aggressive unless challenged. This makes them a great choice for families with children or for people who want a gentle guard dog.
If you're looking for a breed that is easy-going and doesn't require a lot of socialization, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog might be a good fit. They are known for their affectionate nature, which is a bonus for frequent visitors who want a friendly face to greet them.
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Etymology and History
The Komondor's name is a reflection of its origins, derived from the Turkic speaking Cumans who brought the breed to Hungary in the 12th and 13th century.

The name Komondor literally means "Cuman dog" or "dog of the Cumans", distinguishing it from other Hungarian breeds.
Komondors were first written about in 1544 in the History of King Astiagis by Péter Kákonyi, marking the first recorded mention of the breed.
The breed has a long history, with remains of Komondors found in Cuman gravesites, providing a tangible connection to its past.
Komondors have a unique relationship with other breeds, being related to the South Russian Ovcharka, the Puli, and the Pumi, among others.
In 1947, Komondors were used to introduce fresh blood into the rare South Russian Ovcharka breed, highlighting the importance of genetic diversity.
On a similar theme: Origin of Shetland Sheepdog
Physical Description
The Komondor and Akbash are two large breeds of white herding dogs that share some physical characteristics. The Komondor is a large breed of dog, many are over 30 inches tall.
Their bodies are robust, with long legs and a short back. The Komondor's coat is a long, thick, and strikingly corded white coat that resembles dreadlocks or a mop. It can grow up to 27 cm long and takes about two and a half days to dry after a bath.
Female Komondors typically weigh between 88-110 lb and stand between 25.5-27.5 inches tall at the withers.
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Komondor
The Komondor is a breed known for its distinctive appearance and impressive coat. Its coat is a long, thick, and strikingly corded white coat, about 20 – 27 cm long.
This coat is made up of a soft undercoat and a coarser outer coat that combine to form tassels or cords. It takes about two years to form and requires some help in separating the cords to prevent matting.
The Komondor's coat is wavy and tends to curl as the dog matures. A fully mature coat is formed naturally from the combination of the soft undercoat and the coarser outer coat.
The coat is also remarkably low-maintenance when it comes to shedding. Minimal shedding occurs once the cords are fully formed, and the only substantial shedding occurs as a puppy before the dreadlocks fully form.
Here are some key facts about the Komondor's coat:
- Coat length: 20 – 27 cm
- Coat type: Long, thick, and corded
- Coat color: White
- Coat formation: Takes about two years to form
- Maintenance: Requires some help in separating cords
- Shedding: Minimal once cords are fully formed
Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees is a large breed of dog, typically weighing between 80-120 pounds and standing between 26 to 32 inches tall.
One of their defining physical characteristics is their size, which makes them a formidable presence on a farm or ranch.
If you're considering bringing a Great Pyrenees into your life, it's worth noting that they're nocturnal, meaning they're most active at night.
Despite their gentle nature, Great Pyrenees may need extra training to reinforce their guardian temperament, especially if you plan to use them as companion dogs.
Here are some key physical characteristics of the Great Pyrenees breed:
- Weight: 80-120 pounds
- Height: 26 to 32 inches
Appearance
The Akbash has a double coat that's usually white, with some shading towards a biscuit color, and it's always easy to distinguish from a predator, even in the dark.
The coat is either long or of medium length, and there's considerable feathering behind the legs.
The Komondor has a broad head with a muzzle slightly shorter than half of the head's length, and its nose and lips are always black.
Its coat is a long, thick, and strikingly corded white coat, about 20 – 27 cm long, which resembles dreadlocks or a mop.
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The Komondor's coat takes about two and a half days to dry after a bath, and it's wavy and tends to curl as the puppy matures.
The Akbash is a large and powerful dog, with a mean body weight of approximately 45 kg (99 lb), and a mean height at the withers just over 75 kg (165 lb).
The Komondor's coat protects the dog from possible wolves' bites, as the bites would not penetrate the thick coat, and it's traditionally been a vital part of the breed's defense mechanism.
The Komondor has a robust body, strongly muscled with long legs and a short back, and its tail is carried with a slight curl.
Dog Behavior
The Komondor is a calm and steady dog when things are normal, but it will fearlessly defend its charges in case of trouble.
Its temperament is built for livestock guarding, and it's instinctively very protective of its family, home, and possessions.
This means it can be wary of strangers, but it will accept them when it's clear no harm is imminent.
The Komondor is also very good with other family pets, often protective over them, but it's intolerant to trespassing animals.
It's not a good dog for an apartment due to its vigilant nature and tendency to patrol its territory at night.
Hungarian breeders used to say that an intruder may be allowed to enter the property, but it won't be allowed to leave or escape.
Uses
The Komondor is a natural guardian of livestock, with a strong instinct to protect sheep and goats from predators. It's fast, powerful, and will leap at a predator to drive it off or knock it down.
This breed is particularly effective at guarding against wolves, bears, and other large predators. Its thick coat provides protection against wild animals, weather, and vegetation.
As a big, strong dog, the Komondor can easily blend into a flock of sheep and camouflage itself, giving it an advantage when predators attack. Its coat looks similar to that of a sheep, making it the perfect disguise.
The Komondor has seen a significant increase in use as a guardian of sheep and goats in the United States, where it's been successful in protecting against coyotes, cougars, bears, and other predators.
Expand your knowledge: Border Collies Herding Sheep
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