Buying or Adopting a Komondor

Should You Even Get a Dog? Are You Sure?
Important – I've been helping people choose and find dogs for nearly 40 years, and honestly, some people who decide to get a dog are making a big mistake... [read more]

The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)

The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)

The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)

Is a Komondor the right breed for you?

Komondor Review
I'll tell you what's good about 'em, and what's bad about 'em... most honest review you'll ever find

Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You? In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.

Are YOU the right owner for a Komondor?

Can you provide what this breed needs?

• Fenced yard (not an electronic/underground fence)
• No very small dogs in the household
• No dogs of the same sex in the household
• No cats in the household
• Restricted exercise when young – until maturity (at least 18 months old), no forced running (beside a jogger or bicyclist), no long-distance treks, minimal jumping
• Ample exercise after maturity – enough ongoing exercise that your Komondor stays slim and is tired enough to sleep contentedly and not get into mischief
• "Mental exercise" – interesting activities that keep the mind stimulated, such as a dog sport (carting or sledding)
• Coat care – the cords must be separated regularly to prevent matting and to remove dirt and debris, or you can regularly clip the coat short
• A meat-heavy diet, either homemade or commercial – be aware that meat is expensive
• An owner with enough money to treat the health problems Komondors are prone to (pet health insurance can really help here!)
• Commitment to establish the proper Leader-Follower relationship with your Komondor, teaching him to listen to you and do what you say

Which sex? What age?

Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?

Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Should you get a young puppy, an older puppy, or an adult dog?

Where can you buy or adopt a Komondor?

Komondors are very uncommon in the United States. Out of 189 breeds in the American Kennel Club, where 1 is most popular and 189 is least popular, Komondors rank 177th. Very hard to find. This is a good thing, because very few households should get a Komondor. It's a livestock guarding breed.

Adopting From Dog Rescue Organizations
You might find a Komondor available from a Dog Rescue group. Komondors may be turned into Rescue because of the coat care they require, or due to dominance issues, or aggression toward other animals. Owners might give up their Komondor when it becomes apparent that the dog is too much for them to handle. You would need to provide these dogs with the exercise, training, and socialization that they are lacking.

Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
Komondors are rarely found here. They're too uncommon a breed. Also, Komondor Rescue groups keep their eyes peeled on shelters and humane societies across the country. On the off chance that a Komondor turns up at a shelter, the rescue group typically moves in quickly to take the dog.

Buying From a Dog Breeder
You can buy a Komondor from a show breeder, who breeds their dogs to match a detailed standard of appearance for the dog show ring. But since this breed should really be used for livestock guarding, a puppy should be acquired from a performance breeder or a show/performance breeder, who focuses on preserving those essential flock guarding instincts.

Here's one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder – BOTH PARENTS of a Komondor puppy should have:

• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America's CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) – dated within the past year – certifying the dog to be free of eye diseases
• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) or PennHip certifying the dog to have normal hips

If a seller can't show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. You might choose to accept that risk. But then you need to be willing (and able) to pay a couple thousand bucks for future surgeries and lifelong meds if your Komondor ends up blind and crippled.

Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
I have never seen a Komondor in a pet shop. Which is good, because I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!

Which puppy?

Choosing the Right Komondor Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of Komondor puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.

AKC Registered Puppies: Are AKC Papers Important?
Should you buy only an AKC registered Komondor puppy? Do AKC papers and pedigrees really matter?