Chris Wilson Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 We had Komondors for 25 years, our last died 2 years after moving here, aged 12. They had all but died out in the Uk, at the time there were about 6 left. A few enthusiasts have imported some new bloodstock from Hungary, now there are around 20 of them. We never thought we'd see another litter, so all but gave up looking and keeping tabs on the owners club. Mid way through a pint at the local, on Wednesday night, I get a phone call. A litter is around, and due to sad circumstances a pup is no longer able to go to a couple who had put a deposit on one years ago. I said not interested, but now I'm wavering. Would be rude not to at least have a look, wouldn't it? His litter mate went to Macclesfield yesterday, to his new home. Here is where fate decreed i should at least have a peep at him. It seems the new owner of this pup is friends with a couple who bought one of our Russian Black terrier pups, who also live in Macclesfield, and their Irish Wolfhound used to play with Pasha, our terrier we sold them, as pups. Such a coincidence is remarkable. Is it fate? This is a pic of the pup that's in Macclesfield, 6 week old: http://www.gatesgarth.com/kom.jpg Here's a juvenile, still without his proper coat: http://www.gatesgarth.com/juvenilekom.jpg and here's an adult male in full coat: http://www.gatesgarth.com/adultkom.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieSteve Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 Rastamut! That's class Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 What a cute little pub, but what a monster dog he'll grow to I've never seen one of these before. Are they a working dog? What were they used for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 Jeeze! that's a monster! Great dreads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 Aah so cute! Bit of a handful for me though!! Wouldn't trust him with the cats (or the Mal come to that). Worth a look at least, what harm can it do! //edit: From wiki: It can be used successfully to guard sheep against wolves or bears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted October 24, 2008 Author Share Posted October 24, 2008 Hmm, they are kind of specialised. we like livestock guarding breeds, they are possibly the most unspoilt of the working dogs. The Komondor is probably, after the Caucasian Ovcharka, the most extreme of the livestock guardians. We had two (not simultaneously) in a suburban environment, and they were hard work to be honest. Here would be far better as they could be given a "job" to do, which they thrive on. There's not a lot of really good info on them in English, here are a couple of links: http://www.terrificpets.com/dog_breeds/Komondor.asp http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/komondor.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 They would blend in well with sheep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian R Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 aww he looks cute now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 aww he looks cute now That's not the same dog you crazy man! how many have you had?! The post pub crowd have arrived. ..and I remember when this was a serious dog forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Shane_ Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 cool dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garethr Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 They would blend in well with sheep That's not coincidence. Flock guardians are usually the same colour as the flock they are protecting. Dogs like the Komondor are actually coming back into use, for example, in areas where predators are protected. There's a lot of good stuff on the web about how they are trained to do their job. Google flock guardian or livestock guardian. If you're interested, there are some good links from the Livestock Guardian Dog page on Wikipedia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 I love those dogs. I begged my M&D to get one when I was a lad but we already had 2 Pyreneans so the answer was a resounding No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Raven Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 WTF is that! I never seen one of those before! Coat cleaning must be a total pain in the you know what. Awesome looking thing though. Im still on the look out for a hardy dog for the yard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garethr Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 WTF is that! I never seen one of those before! Coat cleaning must be a total pain in the you know what. Awesome looking thing though. Im still on the look out for a hardy dog for the yard. If the Komondor is too big, there's a smaller version called a Puli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 If the Komondor is too big, there's a smaller version called a Puli Mate of mine has a Hungarian Puli (black) and its an awesome looking dog! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Looks awesome, are they hard work as in both handling and grooming etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazB Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 If you go to the links Chris added it states:- Grooming Their hair must never be brushed or combed. It is divided into cords and trimmed. Its coat needs a lot of bathing and takes a long time to dry. It sheds very little if any. What a nice looking dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted October 25, 2008 Author Share Posted October 25, 2008 The coats have lanolin in them, like a sheep's fleece. hence they smell, and despite what the link says (it's basically wrong), if you wash them often you wash out the lanolin and the cords drop out Anyway, went over Nottingham way and now we have yet another dog in the family. Our 6.5 month old Bouvier came along, at first she was nervous of it, as the pups mum was very protective and kept growling at her the whole time, so she was loath to go close to the pup in the car, but by the time I was near Donington on the way home there was a play fight in the passenger foot well It's dog tired () with the journey and excitement, and under the kitchen table, comatose. I'll grab a picture later. Yes they are hard work, and definitely not to be taken on lightly. Our last one was a big softy, and a useless guard, plus he was a bit small. Our first one was a stunner though, looks, size and temperament wise. Sadly it was before digital cameras, so not having a scanner and having to probably search for hours to find a decent paper photo, I can't show you a pic right now. You either love `em or hate `em. As The Magic Roundabout was in its heyday when we had our first one every kid used to point and shout "Dougle, it's Dougle" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Do they sleep wherever they want ? and do you need a separate trolly for dog food when shopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guru Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Lovely dog Chris! If there are so few left would you consider breeding the pup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted October 26, 2008 Author Share Posted October 26, 2008 There's an imbalance of dogs to bitches, so as he's not a bitch I doubt there'd be a big demand for him as a stud unless he turned out to be exceptional. Fresh bloodlines are what's needed, but importing and quarantining one is very expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 BBC news online - front page link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/uk_enl_1226587510/html/1.stm Any new pics from you Chris? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexJames Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 thats not a dog thats a bear... id def go for it if u love em i think they are gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraAyf Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 What an incredible looking animal. I much prefer the puppy-size version though:d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 I completely missed this thread before! Mid way through a pint at the local, on Wednesday night, I get a phone call. What a cute little pub Well I don't know that I'd call any pub cute, and I've only seen the outside of this particular one once... but Chris does seem to spend a fair amount of time in there. Anyway, went over Nottingham way and now we have yet another dog in the family. ...and I just knew you would before I'd even finished reading the first post How many dogs do you have now? I've lost track. Any new pics from you Chris? Yes please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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