Komondors (Kw Dog Breed Series) [Hardcover]

Oscar Beregi (Author), Leslie Benis (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Tfh Pubns Inc; 1St Edition edition (September 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0866225773
• ISBN-13: 978-0866225779
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 1.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,346,944 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Pictures, no substance, March 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Komondors (Kw Dog Breed Series) (Hardcover)

There are some lovely color photos of Koms here. That is the extent of the nice things I can say. Most of the book is low-rate filler and shameless product promotion. There is a disclaimer at the front, in tiny type, that states the only original text written by the "authors" is the chapter "introduction to the breed". All the rest is hackneyed, dated generic blather on "how to raise your dog" - much of it incorrect, and potentially harmful to your animal. If you must buy it, look at the pretty pics, but ignore the textual twaddle.

2.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely do not use if considering adopting a Kom, April 29, 2010

By 

Anonymous (San Diego) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Komondors (Kw Dog Breed Series) (Hardcover)

I purchased this several years before actually adopting my Komondor, and, as the other reviewer stated, the pics are nice--and they are the only reason for purchasing the book. The other reviewer was accurate regarding the text.

I would like to add that the information omitted is actually dangerous to the well-being of both the potential owner and the Kom. This breed requires someone well-informed on its behaviors and potential problems or it will end up in rescue. It might sound desirable on paper to hear of its independence, stubborness, power and strength, but the reality of that in a litigious world can be a nightmare. Although these are wonderful dogs, they do not submit to alpha domination as GSDs, Dobies and Rotts do, and their protectiveness transcends human directives. Unlike the 'gentle giants' like Great Pyrenees, they play roughly and can be very intimidating to other breeds. (Not Pugs or Yorkies--just Mastiffs, Filas, etc.) Socialization is critical, and none of the drawbacks which cause naive owners to give up on them are discussed in this book. The uniqueness of Komondor appearance attracts persons who may find themselves unwilling to devote the amount of time the coat and constant vigilant socialization (except for LGDs)require.

I haven't yet read Joy Levy's book but do intend to purchase it. She has decades of experience and intelligent insight--some of which she has shared on the Middle Atlantic Komondor Club's website--which is invaluable to any prospective or current Komondor owner. Although each Kom has their individual personality, they have some common characteristics which are extremely important to consider before purchase or adoption. (They will go through a picture window in pursuit of the predator mailman. I replaced mine with security glass and have a large wooden Chinese screen in front of it, as both the mailman and I were getting pretty anxious.)

This is a wonderful breed but rare in today's society for good reason. Read Joy's book, visit club websites and speak with breeders who screen new homes carefully. (Under no circumstances buy from a 'puppy mill'--and several dogs out of Ohio are ending up there--pet store or backyard breeder.) Kom's have a lot to offer, but it is critical that new owners know what they're getting into to provide the right environment for a well-adapted and happy dog. I love my adopted Kom to pieces, but I wish I'd read Joy's book instead of the one reviewed. (I'd met Les Benis, now deceased, at a National Specialty for Pulik, and he certainly had the experience to write comprehensively on Komondorok, it just isn't here in this book. I've kept it for the photos.)

After looking at this book again I wanted to just update my review by adding: The photos are great and there aren't many available of Koms, so, if you buy this at a reasonable price, it is worth it for the photos. I'm upgrading the review to two stars for the pics.

There is a terrific website written by a vet on 'choosingyourpurebredpuppy' which gives pros and cons of 180 breeds. They're dead on, and it'a a great place to determine whether you can deal with breed characteristics. Despite losing the cartilage from my left shoulder (the orthopod is at a loss for the etiology) likely from my girl's protective leaps at runners (so instinctual it's very hard to eradicate), she is so loving that she makes all the 'cons' bearable. If you plan to walk a Kom, it helps to be young and a strong 6-footer.

Note: It's now December, 2011, and, since I'd written this, there have been some changes in my Kom's behavior which I think may be encouraging to potential owners, particularly of rescues. Even a couple of years ago, my vet had commented on her complete turnaround on vet appt's, now sitting there with a smile, unmuzzled and unrestrained, while he shaved her inflamed ear, in comparison with two persons holding her while he did a routine exam, muzzled, etc. After her initial visit, they had insisted on that. At the time, she weighed half of her current weight and was a recent rescue. (My vet in SD was actually afraid of her, although she was fine with females.) Our current vet said that not many people would have had the patience to bring her to this point. She made me feel it was worth it :)

I've worked as a behavior modification specialist, but my unusually friendly Puli did most of her training. She hated being held back as he went up to people and was petted, while I made sure she was not going to be aggressive. She would accept them if the Puli boy did, but, even today, if he barks, she's on full alert, which includes bounding forward, although she is way more easily redirected. At some point a little after I wrote the review, she started dragging me towards people, which at first alarmed me, although I didn't want her to smell my adrenalin or feel my tension... She had made a transition from seeing her job as protecting me from potential 'predators' to seeing her job as 'meeting and greeting' potential fans who would pet and adore her, particularly if she shoved in front of my Puli, which is her norm now. I think that after we had a strong bond, she started to pick up signals of what I wanted from her, and was happy to comply. (She does tend to think everyone wants to meet her, which is close to the truth... (She goes out in the morning and lies by the back door to guard the house, inert as a log, and I feel like I should pack a little brown bag lunch for her sometimes...)

I still watch out for sudden bicyclists zipping within inches of us, or a runner coming up from behind, but responding to that is typical for any protective breed. So, if you're willing to put in the work and to realize that it may take a few years, Kom's can be socialized enough to almost make it to a reasonable level in an urban setting, although those years can be quite tough. For someone who is physically strong and starts with a puppy, it should be less of an ordeal. I can't say if part of her mellowing is due to age, she's now seven, in which case an older rescue might be the answer. I will say that I knew my girl had a sweet temperament from the first encounter, or I would have sent her back to Kom rescue, which was a consideration at one point. But, honestly, she is so loving that I was willing to deal with all the issues. I'm not saying this to in any way diminish the work it can take, but there are Koms in rescue who will likely make terrific companions. Get Joy's book and don't be afraid to speak with Kom rescue and breeders, if you need help, most Kom people are terrific, as well.