I remember the first time I saw a dog with dreadlocks. I was twelve years old and walking my pet terrier, Sugar, through the park, when I spotted a large off-white dog that resembled an old-fashioned mop. Its owner was glad to explain to me that his dog was a Komondor, a relatively rare dog breed known for its thick, wiry dreadlocks.
Two AKC-recognized, dreadlocked dog breeds exist today– the Komondor and the Puli. Both breeds have dense coats made of heavy cords that resemble dreadlocks. The trait was bred into both breeds to serve as a protective shield. Dreadlocks can help to protect a dog in case of an attack, and can keep the dog’s skin protected during bouts of inclement weather. Their thick cords of fur also give the fur a woolly appearance, so the breeds could blend in more effectively with herds of sheep.
Komondors are a nearly-direct descendant of the ancient Aftscharka breed, which originated in the steppes of Russia. It was taken to Hungary, where the breed was adapted specifically to the challenges of protecting livestock. Komondor-like dogs with dreadlocks were also bred to dogs similar to the Kuvasz, to develop the breed now known as the Puli. Due to their common ancestry and breeding criteria, both breeds have similar behavioral and physical features, including that gorgeous corded fur.
Only one unrelated breed can be shown with thickly corded fur. The Havanese, a bichon-type toy dog, has naturally lightweight, silky fur that can easily be teased or backcombed into dreadlocks. The Havanese does not grow dreadlocks naturally– the breed requires extensive grooming to create and maintain that corded appearance. When it has been groomed into this style, the Havanese adopts a charming appearance similar to a miniature Puli.
Despite many external similarities, breed standards are very different between the Puli and Komondor breeds. Puli does are generally 15-18 inches tall at the withers, while Komondors stand much taller at 25-28 inches. Acceptable colors for the Puli include black, gray, rusty-black and white, while Komondors can be only white (including off-white and gray-white). Both breeds have a quick, agile and balanced gait, but the Puli tends to be slightly more quick-footed because of its relative size.
Pulis and Komondors are both quite rare. During the 17th century, the Puli became so severely inbred that it was almost driven to extinction. However, dedicated breeders revived the breed in the early 1900s, and it became formally accepted in 1915. The Komondor has been recognized as a working breed in the AKC since 1937, but remains uncommon as a pet in the United States. Both breeds persist in Hungary, where they are marginally more popular than elsewhere in the world.
Pulis and Komondors, although uncommon, are among the most lovable, hardy, hard-working breeds available. These unusual breeds may be striking because of their eccentric and humorous appearance, but the breeds’ striking personalities and fascinating histories are far more valuable than their corded fur alone.
The American Kennel Club offers more information about the Puli, the Havanese and the Komondor.