This might come as a huge shock to some people, especially those who know I’m very allergic to cats and dogs, but Hubs and I would like to introduce you to the new addition to our family: a komondor puppy! (UPDATE 2023: our sweet Komondor puppy has grown into a beautiful adult Komondor and we’ve spent an absolutely amazing decade with her so far. She has been the absolute best dog and I love her so much – feel free to ask any questions and I’ll do my best to answer what it’s been like raising a Komondor puppy and having a Komondor dog by my side).
What Do Komondor Puppies Look Like?
Komondor puppies have dark brown eyes, big black noses, and curly white coats – they sort of look like little lambs! Meet Szuka (pronounced “Sooka”), our four month old Komondor puppy. Yup, this little pup in the photos above is a puppy still, weighing in at 36 lbs already. So four month old Komondor puppies sort of look like full grown doodles, haha. We missed out on the itty-bitty Komondor puppy stage for Szuka, but here are some photos from the breeders, a sweet couple who have a beautiful farm and a few of their own Komondors (or “Komondorok” in Hungarian).
What is a Komondor Dog?
Komondors are a Hungarian sheep-guarding breed, bred to watch and protect flocks. They are a formidable breed, weighing between 90-130+ pounds (UPDATE: 10 years later, Szuka weighs 114 pounds!). Komondors have a striking look, with an impressive height (very leggy!) and a beautiful white coat that will mat and needs to be coaxed to be neatly corded. Their amazing coat helps them blend in with a flock – but also protects against predator attacks. I’ve read that a fully corded coat can weight around 15 pounds – although we intend to keep Szuka clipped in a puppy cut.
Why Get a Komondor Puppy?
Being (half) Hungarian myself, I have always been fascinated by Hungarian dog breeds. My great aunt and uncle had a Hungarian Puli/Pumi mix when I was a child, and he was just the most entertaining pup. I always thought it was so neat that my Hungarian relatives had a dog breed from Hungary. Once I heard that Komondor puppies are hypoallergenic, I was hopeful that I could have one someday – because my allergies to dogs put a damper on owning most other breeds. So hubby and I talked about getting a Komondor for years, waiting until we had a large enough property. Now that we’re moving to our rural lake house, I think having her around will help me feel more safe in the country. Also, look at how cute these Komondor puppies are – how could we NOT want one?
How Big Do Komondor Puppies Get?
Male Komondor dogs can weight upwards of 130 pounds, but I read that for females a healthy Komondor weighs 80-100 pounds? I have read different weights from different sources, but my Komondor puppy grew to be 114 pounds (although she put on extra pounds when we got another dog – Szuka started to eat more, maybe to have the energy to keep up!). I’m happy we got her at four months, because we immediately began treating her like a big dog. If we got her teeny, I would not have been able to resist getting her accustomed to sleeping on my lap (or bed), something I might not love when she grows to her full size. Her relatives are a beefy lot.
UPDATE 2023: We have had Szuka for a decade! I have absolutely loved having her as my companion and love her so much. Having learned so much about this beautiful breed, I thought I would answer some frequently asked questions about having raised a Komondor puppy!
Are Komondor Dogs Easy to Train?
My Komondor was easy to train – she learned tricks very quickly (one or two tries) and she also was housebroken almost immediately. She is incredibly smart – however, Komondors have been bred for centuries to be independent. They would guard flocks and have to make important decisions independently, and that stubbornness definitely shines through with Szuka. She knows what to do and what is expected, but sometimes she is wilful, especially when it comes to her recall and protecting the property. But overall I’d say she is a very good dog! Obedience training was a must for her and we worked diligently to help train her. As a result, she is well behaved: she is never destructive, can be left alone in the house without worry, and will listen to us 7 times out of 10 – which is good for a Komondor. There was a time when our neighborhood was very isolated and we could have her off leash in our yard, even without a fence, but as the area became more populated we have had to keep her on leash. She is older now, with arthritis, and so her slower pace timed well with her need to be on a leash, even in our yard. But she doesn’t seem to mind, in fact I think she likes being by my side at all times, on our property or going for walks. I just miss the days she was free to run and wish we could fence the property for her. If we got another Komondor puppy, I’d try to install a fenced area (which would be difficult, given what our yard is like, with hills and trees and lake access).
Is a Komondor a Good Pet?
A Komondor can be a good pet, but there are some pros and cons to consider with this beautiful breed. When we reached out to the breeder, she carefully matched the characteristics her Komondor puppies displayed with potential homes. We did not need Szuka to be a livestock guardian and so the breeder selected her for us because she wasn’t deemed a successful enough candidate to be a livestock guarding dog. I don’t know much about this, not being a breeder myself, but I guess like all working dogs, some puppies make the cut and others do not. Despite this, Szuka is very watchful and protective of the house, but she is also very sweet and loves to be snuggled. I do notice she will position herself to have a good vantage point while watching over us, but she does also enjoy a puppy massage and being loved on. However, she is very wary of strangers (even though we tried so hard to socialize her as a puppy – she just does not like when new people are in the home and she demands the chance to inspect them before they can continue into the house). She also barks quite often throughout the day – and night. Much to my dismay, the sound of snow sliding off the roof sounds like someone breaking in, and so some winter nights she barks all night long, although she has learned what “it’s just the snow on the roof” means and if I say that, she will stop – but it’s already too late, for I am wide awake and cannot fall asleep again, haha.
Is a Komondor a Good First Dog?
My Komondor was only my second dog, ever!, but Hubby had many large dogs growing up. We were still inexperienced, though, and spent a lot of time researching and training her. Szuka has also not been alone a lot as I have mostly worked from home. Komondors can be stubborn, and aggressive, if not raised properly. They are also VERY large and very strong and so, in the wrong house, could be very destructive. They can also be difficult to re-home, due to their reputation, so please think long and hard before getting a Komondor puppy! Their temperament is not for everyone and you must be very patient and firm to raise a Komondor puppy. Also note that not all Komondors can be placed to guard herds – especially not rescued, adult Komondors that have lived their lives as house pets. Work with a reputable breeder if you desire a Komondor puppy as a lifestock guardian and do not assume an adult Komondor that was a house pet can suddenly watch your flock – and vice versa.
Are Komondor Dogs Hypoallergenic?
Vets and groomers will say there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, but I have allergies to most dog breeds, and Szuka (as an adult) does not set off my allergies. When she was a puppy, and her coat was very fluffy, she did sometimes set off my allergies, which had me worried! I thought I might need to spend a lifetime on allergy pills – I was committed to get an allergy shot even though I hate needles. The first few months were the most difficult, but once she became an adult dog and her fur sort of changed. As a result, I no longer struggled with allergies. So, for me, Komondors are hypoallergenic. Bichons, Poodles, and Schnauzers also do not set off my allergies, but German Shepherds, Jack Russel Terriers, Huskies, etc., do. So I do have a dog allergy but am not affected by adult Komondor dogs. However, my Mom, who also has allergies, does struggle with feeling allergic to Szuka. If you are considering this breed but have allergies, try to find an adult Komondor you could interact with before committing. I just recently saw on a Komondor rescue forum a beautiful 9 month old being re-homed due to allergies (and I can’t help but wonder if that person’s allergies would have subsided at the 1-year mark, like mine did). It’s a terrible shame to take a risk like this. Before we got Szuka, I was able to meet an adult Komondor at a shelter. I spent quite a few hours with her and did not have an allergic reaction. I wish we could have adopted her, but before we could she found the perfect home on a farm.
Are Komondors Born with Dreads?
Komondor puppies are not born with dreads or cords – they have curly hair as puppies and their coats remain curly and fuzzy for the first year. A Komondor coat with mat and those mats needs to be shaped into cords and you will see some Komondors have thinner or thicker cords – and some are longer (to the ground!) while others are short. It all depends on how their coats are groomed for them. You can see in the photos below, of Szuka’s mom and Szuka’s Komondor puppy siblings, that the puppies just have very short and curly hair while the adult Komondor has some matting and cording happening (her cords are not really shaped – like the kind you will see in dog shows, which are impeccably groomed).
Should Komondors Be Shaved?
I will draw ire from the Komondor community but I have always shaved my Komondor. Her puppy coat grew quite shaggy, and it had the cutest tendrils but eventually became matted and we did not want to go through the process to cord her. So one sad day we said goodbye to her puppy coat and trimmed it down. We struggled with brushing and matting, so eventually we took to actually shaving her down every few months. She hates the process, but loves the feeling – she is always happier and bouncier after she is shaved down. The Komondor coat serves a purpose for dogs who are outdoor dogs and working as guardians. It protects them and even helps regulate their temperature. But for a Komondor puppy of leisure, like Szuka, who is an indoor dog, she is more comfortable without a corded coat. When her coat starts to get too long, we know because she is lethargic and pants and just seems miserable. She appreciates being shaved. And we appreciate less work to keep her clean and groomed! We have never once regretted shaving our Komondor. One interesting thing is that she is very oily! If you rub her for a long time, or she rubs against dark colored upholstered furniture, she will leave a silvery sheen. I usually have to wash my hands after really giving her a puppy massage – unlike our Bichon, who has very dry skin and dry fur.
This was her Komondor puppy coat right before we shaved her (gosh she was SO CUTE HERE):
When she was very young, we took her to a dog groomer for a bath (we had a free coupon) and they brushed her coat out which looked so funny! Had we wanted to cord her, I think this would have ruined her coat for that, anyway. I have read that you have to be very careful and purposeful with their coats and the Komondor cording process. I do love the brushed out Komondor fur though, it’s so adorable. She was not pleased this day, lol, but she was so patient and behaved so well for the groomer.
I love my Szuka so much – and I can’t believe 10 years has passed. She was a wonderful puppy and a truly special dog.
ahhh sooooo cute! congrats on the new addition 🙂 I have 3 cats and a dog…. and an allergy problem. Clartin is my best friend. Also, mopping the floors and washing the curtains way more often then I otherwise would have.
Nice to know it can be done (allergies+furries). Good tip about the curtains!!
How adorable is that face?! Hope you bought stock in Claritin because, speaking from experience, resisting cuddle time with an 80 lbs dog is futile!! Wishing you nothing but the best in your new adventures!P.S. I'd be happy to takeover the guesthouse!
Stock in Claritin – such a good idea!! LOL. Thanks for the kind words.
A family friend had Komondors on her farm and they need a lot of training (but then again, most dogs do). You might want to look into some puppy obedience classes soon. Dogs are social creatures. They want to be part of a pack so, please don't leave this poor thing on her own outside. That would not be very nice. Also, I'm very allergic to cats but my in-laws have them. In addition to antihistamines, I have an inhaler to use as needed. It helps.
Yup, she's definitely a handful. Whip smart, but also a bit willful. I will enroll in obedience as soon as I am settled in one city for the 8 week course. I did classes with my Jack Russel years ago and they helped her a lot. Right now we're doing daily training and getting lots of exercise 🙂 The breed is bred to be somewhat more independent than other dogs and like to patrol at night.
Sweet! Congratulations – dogs are a lot of work, but the best companions 🙂
SO much work. I have only had a tiny little dog before, so it's an adjustment to have a big girl around!
She's so cute!!! My parents lived in the country and always had big dogs. They did make my mom feel safer and less lonely when my dad had to be out of town. She'll be your best buddy.
I'm learning she's not the bravest thought, lol. But definitely cuddly!! Already my best buddy 🙂
oh now that is a cute dog! love her. i understand about allergies but if you keep her groomed you might be ok. Plus, the neti pot is a life saver for me! congrats on your new family member!
I will look into the neti pot, thanks for the tip.
Congratulations on an adorable addition–and in crisp white, no less. 🙂
Haha, although she looks awfully beige against our white walls!! And getting beiger and beiger each day – bath time soon!
They are so cute as puppies! my hubs has the same problems with allergies. I want a cat so bad, but I don't know if he could breathe around it 😛
Cats are so much worse for me, allergy-wise. Shame you can't add a kitty!!
Congrats, T! I know you have been thinking of getting one for a long time – so glad you were able to find a new family member. She's adorable.
Thanks! I can't wait for you to meet her – I hope she's still in this sweet puppy stage when you do. She's so playful and cuddly right now.
oh, I looove her. Allergy shots gave me my life back, the needle is very tiny so you hardly feel the shot. I had to go weekly at the start and after a year I was down to once every six weeks.We had a puli when I was small, she used to herd my little sister to keep her on the grass and off the sidewalk.
I have actually researched allergy thoughts and am seriously thinking about getting them, despite a serious fear of needles. My allergies interrupt so much of my life, puppy or no puppy, I'd love to live without them. Thanks for sharing your experience – you've given me hope!! Pulis are great dogs – so adorable!!
If you end up getting shots, can you let me know how it goes? I'm undergoing rigorous allergy testing right now and so far I have 75+ pages of things I'm allergic to. I'm thinking shots might be a good way to help me live my life, but they kinda make me nervous.
Definitely, I will. I have to undergo the allergy testing first, although I already know what my allergies are: the world and everything and everyone in it. But I seriously think you are allergic to more, lol. Perhaps targeting the most obtrusive allergies would be more feasible? Anyway, I'll be sure to update you. Unless I die of fear. Needles, my gosh.
I'll just chime in quickly and say that I had allergy shots over a period of years, and so did my husband. Don't be afraid of the needles! Recent research has improved the effectiveness of the tests and the shots a whole lot, and the relief you will achieve will make it worth your while to do some deep breathing exercises and overcome your fears. For what it's worth, I found that nurses give ten times better shots than doctors (more experience, more confidence!) and that the injection itself lasts such a short time that it's more like getting bumped when you're stepping on or off a bus than anything else. The biggest nuisance is that sometimes you get something like a mosquito bite where the shot went in – you're allergic to the stuff they're injecting, after all. In the meantime, Tanya… get a nice washable blanket to put on any surface where you will be cuddling with Szuka, so you can throw it in the washer often. (Not getting dander on the couch or rug could be a challenge, otherwise.) And do keep her clean. The dirtier the dog, the higher the dander content. I used to use a shower massage attachment in the tub for my dog — easy to get at all sides, and actually soothing for the dog if you have the gentle setting on. Hand-held hairdryer works well, too. Don't let her outside before she's dry, or she'll just go and pick up more stuff that you're allergic to and bring it back in. Having said all that, I'll just say I'm envious! What a sweet pooch. I'm sure you're going to love having her.
Thanks so much for the information about the allergy shots. I'm nervous about them, but knowing they work makes it worth it. Even without a dog, my allergies are a daily inconvenience and I have had trouble breathing sometimes when a really bad attack hits. Once we're settled I'll track down a good allergist and give it a go! You've given me confidence to do it. Thanks for the other tips, too. I will definitely designate a Szuka blanket and keep her clean. Right now she's scared of any hose/shower but we've given her one bath already (I used a watering can to rinse her, lol).
Awww! She is beautiful… and I just love big dogs. We have property in Haliburtion and looked into a few different guarding breeds b/c of bears. I am not dreadfully fearful of bear encounters but knowing that these large breeds, bred to guard sheep from wolves & bears too, makes me less worried about the kids trekking off in the forest. I'd never heard of Komondors but I'm smitten. We have listed our house and are on the hunt for a new one near hubby's new job. And we've been waiting to get a dog until then. We're excited for the move but especially about finally picking out another dog. Congrats, on the pup and perhaps your allergies won't be too bad because of the type of coat she has. My mom has terrible allergies that trigger asthma, however, she only chooses a breed that is crossed with poodle or terrier. Breeds with coats that mat rather than shed cut down on the amount of air-bourne dander. She doesn't have a problem unless she has to bathe the dog herself. But a groomer helps with that. Best of luck with the new family member- it's pretty exciting.
We picked the Komondor partly because they can reportedly best a bear or wolf and are fiercely protective. I'm not super worried about bears, but there is a whack of bear poop on our lawn so I know they are around. I hope just having her will make sure they keep their distance. I've never had a big dog, only a wee little Jack Russel Terrier, so it's different but I'm excited for her to grow big, although I will miss this fun puppy-stage. I understand about waiting – we were going to wait until we actually live at the lakehouse and aren't split between the two cities but we just couldn't wait any longer and this litter popped up and they weren't insanely expensive like at some breeders so we took the plunge. I hope your selling/buying goes smoothly and I can't wait to hear what kind of dog you get!!
Cute dog! I am allergic to cats, so I know how hard it can be. I hear there is a shampoo you can use on cats (fun times) that reduces the dander which causes the allergy. I wonder if there is a similar shampoo for dogs? You can also get a special dog brush that reduces shedding if you use it regularly. Maybe your husband can brush her outside for a few minutes a day. And train her early that she is not allowed in your bedroom….at least then you won't be sneezing at night.
Hi, we’ve been researching Komondors in thoughts of adding one to our family/farm. She is beautiful. Could you share the information in the breeders to obtained her from, please? Thank you!
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I’m so sorry but I lost that information a few years ago shuffling contacts to a new phone, and I’ve been kicking myself because Szuka has been the absolute best. Great temperament! It’s been over eight years, but I do remember that they were located about an hour outside of Toronto and the woman’s name was Gabrielle (Gabriella?).