KOMONDOR

large Hungarian sheepdog breed brought to Europe in the 9th century by the Magyars, who kept it primarily to protect, rather than to herd, their flocks. A powerful, heavy-boned dog, the komondor stands at least 60 cm (24 inches) tall and weighs 34 kg (75 pounds) or more. It is covered from head to tail in a heavy, shaggy white coat, which is woolly in texture and becomes matted if uncombed. The coat was left tangled and unkempt by the Hungarian shepherds, for it provided the dog with excellent protection from the fangs of wolves and other predators.