General Appearance

The Komondor is characterized by imposing strength, dignity, courageous demeanor, and pleasing conformation. He is a large, muscular dog with plenty of bone and substance, covered with an unusual, heavy coat of white cords. The working Komondor lives during the greater part of the year in the open, and his coat serves to help him blend in with his flock and to protect him from extremes of weather and beasts of prey. Nature and Characteristics: The Komondor is a flock guardian, not a herder. Originally developed in Hungary to guard large herds of animals on the open plains, the Komondor was charged with protecting the herd by himself, with no assistance and no commands from his master. The mature, experienced dog tends to stay close to his charges, whether a flock or family; he is unlikely to be drawn away from them in chase, and typically doesn't wander far. Though very sensitive to the desires of his master, heavy-handed training will produce a stubborn, unhappy Komondor. While reserved with strangers, the Komondor is demonstrative with those he loves, selflessly devoted to his family and his charges, and will defend them against any attack. The combination of this devotion to all things dear to him and the desire to take responsibility for them produces an excellent guardian of herds or home, vigilant, courageous, and very faithful.

Size, Proportion, Substance

Dogs 27½ inches and up at the withers; bitches 25½ inches and up at the withers. Dogs are approximately 100 pounds and up, bitches, approximately 80 pounds and up at maturity, with plenty of bone and substance. While large size is important, type, character, symmetry, movement and ruggedness are of the greatest importance and are on no account to be sacrificed for size alone. The body is slightly longer than the height at the withers. Height below the minimum is a fault.

Head

The head is large. The length of the head from occiput to tip of nose is approximately 2/5 the height of the dog at the withers. The skin around the eyes and on the muzzle is dark.

Eyes: Medium-sized and almond-shaped, not too deeply set. The iris of the eye is dark brown. Edges of the eyelids are gray or black. Light eyes are a fault. Blue eyes are a disqualification. Ears: In shape the ear is an elongated triangle with a slightly rounded tip. Medium-set and hanging and long enough to reach to the inner corner of the eye on the opposite side of the head. Erect ears or ears that move toward an erect position are a fault. Skull: The skull is broad with well-developed arches over the eyes. The occiput is fairly well-developed and the stop is moderate. Muzzle: The muzzle is wide, coarse, and truncated. Measured from inner corner of the eye to tip of nose the muzzle is 2/5 of the total length of the head. The top of the muzzle is straight and is parallel to the top of the skull. Underjaw is well-developed and broad. Lips are tight and are black in color. Ideally gums and palate are dark or black. Nose: Nose is wide and the front of the nose forms a right angle with the top of the muzzle. The nostrils are wide. The nose is black. A dark gray or dark brown nose is not desirable but is acceptable. A flesh-colored nose is a disqualification. Bite: Bite is scissors; a level bite is acceptable. A distinctly overshot or undershot bite is a fault. Any missing teeth is a serious fault. Three or more missing teeth is a disqualification.

Neck

Muscular, of medium length, moderately arched, with no dewlap. The head erect.

Topline
The back is level and strong.

Body

Characterized by a powerful, deep chest, which is muscular and proportionately wide. The breast is broad and well-muscled. The belly is somewhat drawn up at the rear. The rump is wide, muscular, and slopes slightly towards the root of the tail. Softness or lack of good muscle tone is a fault.

Tail

A continuation of the rump line, hanging, and long enough to reach the hocks. Slightly curved upwards and/or to one side at its end. Even when the dog is moving or excited, the greater part of the tail is raised no higher than the level of the back. A short or curly tail is a fault.

Forequarters

Shoulders are well laid back. Forelegs straight, well-boned, and muscular. Viewed from any side, the legs are like vertical columns. The upper arms are carried close to the body, without loose elbows.

Feet

Strong, rather large, and with close, well-arched toes. Pads are hard, elastic, and black or gray. Ideally, nails are black or gray, although light nails are acceptable.

Hindquarters

The steely, strong bone structure is covered with highly-developed muscles. The legs are straight as viewed from the rear. Stifles are well-bent. Rear dewclaws must be removed.

Characteristic of the breed is the dense, protective coat. The puppy coat is relatively soft, but it shows a tendency to fall into cord-like curls. The young adult coat, or intermediate coat, consists of very short cords next to the skin which may be obscured by the sometimes lumpy looking fluff on the outer ends of the cords. The mature coat consists of a dense, soft, woolly undercoat much like the puppy coat, and a coarser outer coat that is wavy or curly. The coarser hairs of the outer coat trap the softer undercoat, forming permanent, strong cords that are felt-like to the touch. A grown dog is entirely covered with a heavy coat of these tassel-like cords, which form naturally. It must be remembered that the length of the Komondor's coat is a function of age, and a younger dog must never be penalized for having a shorter coat. Straight or silky coat is a fault. Failure of the coat to cord by two years of age is a disqualification. Short, smooth coat on both head and legs is a disqualification.

Color

Color of the coat is white, but not always the pure white of a brushed coat. A small amount of cream or buff shading is sometimes seen in puppies, but fades with maturity. In the ideal specimen the skin is gray. Pink skin is not desirable but is acceptable. Color other than white, with the exception of small amounts of cream or buff in puppies, is a disqualification.

Gait

Light, leisurely and balanced. The Komondor takes long strides, is very agile and light on his feet. The head is carried slightly forward when the dog trots.

The foregoing is a description of the ideal Komondor. Any deviation should be penalized in direct proportion to the extent of that deviation. Extreme deviation in any part should be penalized to the extent that the dog is effectively eliminated from competition.

Disqualifications

Blue eyes.
Flesh-colored nose.
Three or more missing teeth.
Failure of the coat to cord by two years of age.
Short, smooth coat on both head and legs.
Color other than white, with the exception of small amounts of cream or buff in puppies.

Approved June 13, 1994
Effective July 31, 1994

 

 

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1971 Standard

General appearance
The Komondor is characterized by imposing strength, courageous demeanor and pleasing conformation. In general, it is a big muscular dog with plenty of bone and substance, covered with an unusual, heavy, white coat.

Nature and characteristics
An excellent houseguard. It is wary of strangers. As a guardian of herds, it is, when grown, an earnest, courageous, and very faithful dog. The young dog, however, is as playful as any other puppy. It is devoted to its master and will defend him against attack by any stranger. Because of this trait , it is not used for driving the herds, but only for guarding them. The Komondor's special task is to protect the animals. It lives during the greater part of the year in the open, without protection against strange dogs and beasts of prey.

Head
The head looks somewhat short in comparison to the seemingly wide forehead. The skull is somewhat arched when viewed from the side. Stop is moderate. The muzzle somewhat shorter than the length of the skull. The top of the muzzle is straight and about parallel with the line of the top of the skull. The muzzle is powerful, bite is scissors; level bite is acceptable. Any missing teeth is a serious fault. Distinctly undershot or overshot bite is disqualifying.

Ears
Medium set, hanging and V-shaped. Erect ears or ears that move toward an erect position are faults.

Eyes
Medium -sized and almond shaped, not too deeply set. The edges of the eyelids are gray. The iris of the eyes is dark brown, light color is not desirable. Blue-white eyes are disqualifying.

Muzzle
In comparison to the length given in the head description, the muzzle is wide, course and not pointed. Nostrils are wide. Color of the nose is black. A dark gray or dark brown nose is not desirable but acceptable. Flesh-colored noses are disqualifying.

Neck
Muscular, of medium length, moderately arched. The head erect. Any dewlap is a fault.

Body
Characterized chiefly by the powerful, deep chest which is muscular and proportionately wide. Shoulders are moderately sloping. The back is level. Rump is wide, muscular, slightly sloping towards the root of the tail. The body is rectangular, only slightly longer than the height at the withers. The belly is somewhat drawn up at the rear.

Tail
A straight continuation of the rumpline, and reaches down to the hocks.  Slightly curved upwards at its end.  When the dog is excited, the tail is raised up to the level of the back.  The tail is not to be docked.  A short or curly tail is a fault.  Bobtails are disqualifying.

Forelegs
Straight, well boned and muscular.  Viewed from any side, the legs are like vertical columns.  The upper arms join the body closely, without loose elbows.

Hindquarters and Legs
The steely, strong bone structure is covered with highly developed muscles.  The legs are straight as viewed from the rear.  Stifles well bent.  Dewclaws must be removed. 

Feet
Strong, rather large and with close, well-arched toes.  Nails are black or gray.  Pads are hard, elastic and dark.

Movement
Light, leisurely and balanced.  Takes long strides.

Coat
Characteristic of the breed is the dense, weather-resisting double coat, consisting of a long somewhat coarse, outer coat, which may be wavy or curly, and an undercoat which is woolly, soft and dense.  The coat cords easily, always tending to cling together in ribbonlike tassels, giving a somewhat corded appearance even when freshly combed. If corded, the cords of a well-formed adult coat should be strong, heavy and felty to the touch. Too curly a coat is not desired.  Straight or silky coat is a serious fault.  Short, smooth hair on the head and legs is disqualifying.
The coat is longest at the rump, loins and tail.  It is of medium length on the back, shoulders and chest.  Shorter on the cheeks, around the eyes, ears, neck, and on the extremities. It is shortest around the mouth and lower part of the legs up to the hocks.

Color
Color of the coat is white.  Any color other than white is disqualifying.
In the ideal specimen the skin is gray.  Pink skin is less desirable but is acceptable if no evidence of albinism.  The nose, lips, outlines of eyelids and pads are dark or gray.  It is good if the gums and palate are also dark.

Size
Dogs, 25 1/2 inches and upward at the withers; bitches, 23 1/2 inches and upward at withers.  While size is important, type, character, symmetry, movement and ruggedness are of the greatest importance, and are on no account to be sacrificed for size alone.

Faults
Size below limit.  Short or too curly coat.  Straight or silky coat.  Any missing teeth.  Looseness or slackness. Short or curly tail.  Light-colored eyes. Erect ears or ears that move toward an erect position.  Dewlaps on the neck.

Disqualifications
Blue-white eyes
Color other than white
Distinctly undershot or overshot bite
Bobtails
Flesh-colored nose
Short, smooth hair on head and legs.

Approved October 12, 1971

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   1937 Standard

General Appearance
The Komondor is characterized by imposing strength, courageous demeanor and pleasing conformation.  In general he is a big muscular dog with plenty of bone and substance.

Nature and Characteristics
As a houseguard as well as a guardian of herds he is, when grown up, an earnest, courageous , and very faithful dog.  The young dog, however, is just as playful as any other puppy.  He is much devoted to his master and will defend him against attack by any stranger.  On account of this trait he is not used for driving the herds, but only for guarding them. His special task is to protect the animals, and he lives during the greater part of the year in the open air without protection against strange dogs and all kinds of beasts of prey. 

Head
The head of the Komondor is covered all over with long hair, and thus the head looks somewhat short, in comparison to the seemingly wide forehead.  When the hair is smoothed, it will be seen that the skull is somewhat arched if viewed from the side; the forehead is not wide, but appears, however, wider through the rich growth of hair.  The stop is moderate, it is the starting point of the muzzle which is somewhat shorter than the length of the skull. The top line of the muzzle is straight and about parallel with the line of the top of the skull.  The muzzle should be fairly square.  The lips cover the teeth closely and are black.  The muzzle is mostly covered by long hair.  The edges of the muzzle are black or steel blue-gray.  The jaws are powerful, and the teeth are level and close together evenly.

Ears
The ears are rather low set and hang along the side of the head.  They are medium-sized, and their surface is covered with long hair.

Eyes
The eyes express fidelity.  They are medium-sized and almond shaped, not too deeply set and surrounded by rough, unkempt hair. The iris of the eyes is of coffee of darker brown color, light color is not desirable.  Blue-white eyes are disqualifying.  The edges of the eyelids are slate-gray.

Muzzle
In comparison to the length given in the head description, the muzzle is wide, coarse and not pointed.  The nostrils are wide.  The color of the nose is black.  Komondors with flesh-colored noses must absolutely be excluded from breeding. A slate-colored or dark brown nose is undesirable but may, however, be accepted for breeding purposes.

Neck
The neck is covered with long hair, is muscular, of medium length, moderately arched.  The head erect.  No dewlap is allowed.

Body
The body is characterized chiefly by the powerful, deep chest which is muscular and proportionately wide.  the height at the top of shoulders is 23 1/2 inches to 31 1/2 inches, the higher, the better.  The shoulders slope into the neck without apparent protrusion.  The body is moderately ling and level.  Back and loins are wide.  The rump is wide, muscular, moderately sloping towards the root of the tail.  The body should be somewhat drawn up at the rear, but not Greyhoundlike.

Tail
The tail is as a straight continuation of the rump-line, and reaches down the the hocks slightly curved upwards at its end.  it is covered in its full length with long hair, which when the dog is at ease almost touches to the ground.  When the dog is excited the tail is raised up to the level of the back.  The tail should not be docked.  Komondors born with short tails must be excluded even for breeding purposes.

Forelegs
The forelegs should be straight, well boned and muscular.  Viewed from any side, the legs are like vertical columns.  The upper arm joins the body closely, without loose elbows.  The legs are all covered all around by long, evenly hanging hair.

Hindquarters and Legs
The steely, strong bone structure is covered with highly developed muscles, and the legs are evenly covered with long hair, hanging down in matted clods.  The legs should be straight as viewed from the rear.  Stifles well bent.  Dewclaws must be removed.  The body and the legs should about form a rectangle.

Feet
The feet should be strong, rather large and with close, well-arched toes.  The hind feet are stronger, and all are covered with long hair.  The nails are black or slate-gray.  The pads are hard, elastic and black.

Coat
The entire body of the Komondor is covered with a long, soft woolly, dense hair of different length on the different parts of the body, with inclination to entanglement and shagginess.  If the dog is not taken care of, the hair becomes shaggy on the forelegs, chest, belly, rump and on the sides of the thigh and the tai.  The linger and the more ragged, the better, though, as above stated, the length of the hair varies on the different parts of the body.  The longer hair begins on the head and ears and lengthens gradually on the body, being longest on the thighs and the tail.  A somewhat shorter, but still long hair is found on the legs, the muzzle and the cheeks. Too curly hair is undesirable.

Color
The color of the hair is white.  Any other color is disqualifying.

Size
The bigger the Komondor, the better, a minimum height of 25 1/2 inches at top of shoulders for males and 23 1/2 inches for females is required.

Faults
Light of flesh-colored nose, albino or blue eyes, highly set and small ears.  Short, smooth hair, on the head and legs, strongly curled tail, color other than white.

Disqualifications
Blue-white eyes, color other than white.

Approved November 9, 1937

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Abonyi-Anghi-Müller Standard 1936

The 1936 Komondor Standard specified the ideal Komondor based on a point system, with maximum of 140 points.

Height:   15 points
For males at least 65cm at the withers 5 points, 70cm 10 points, above 70 cm 15 points.  For females at least 55cm at the withers 5 points, 60cm 10 points, above 60cm 15 points.

Color:   10 points
White color 10 points.  Cream-colored ear or behind ear 5 point.  Spotted disqualifying.

Coat on the Head:   10 points
Well covered, long-coated, shaggy head 10 points.  Well covered, medium-long coated head 5 points.  Short-coated head disqualifying.

Coat on the Body:   10 points
Closed, thick, long coat 10 points.  Medium-long coated disqualifying.  Note: the groomed, well looked after komondor coat always is shorter from frequent combing of its clumps!

Coat on the Limbs:   5 points
Long coat on the leg front, side and rear surface; well coated paws 5 points.  Short or medium long coat on the leg no matter which surface 0 points.  Note: In regard to the coat, pay attention to it's structure that it is also overgrown, long, closed outside its core structure, that is in general, the coat is an influential physical element.

Ear:   5 points
Hanging, large, bluntly rounded, long-coated, medium high attached ear 5 points.  All other earshape and coat, as docked ear 5 points.

Hindquarters:   5 points

Eye:   10 points
Brown iris; black or slate-gray eye-rim 10 points.  Light-colored iris, unpigmented eye-rim 0 points.

Nose:   10 points
Black or slate gray nose 10 points.  Spotted, flesh-colored nose 0 points.  Note: if some other characteristic is already 0 points, then a 0 point nose is disqualifying.

Lips:   5 points
Black or slate-gray lip color, closed lips 5 points.  Patchy lips, the patches reversed in gold 0-2 points.  Light-colored lips 0 points.  Note:

Paws:   0-8 points
The closedness measurement and the dark color of the pads conforms to: the tighter of the paws and darker the pads, the more the points.

Toenails:   2 points
Horn-colored toenails 2 points.

Head Shape:   10 points

Leg Positioning:   0 - 10 points

General Impression (temperament, body symmetry, neatness):   25 points


Maximum points: 140

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