«No, the dog doesn’t need to be bathed, it should look like this.»
Owners of mop dogs, i.e. dogs with so-called cord hair, do not have it easy.
Dogs’ fur naturally forms dreadlocks, which means that they become matted into cords.
This is not a fashionable hairstyle, but helps against cold and animal bites.
In Germany they are rarely found – but dogs like No. 2 are really eye-catching!
1. Puli
The Puli is an old breed of herding dog from Hungary. The plural is pulik.
The Magyars brought them with them over 1,000 years ago when they settled in Eastern Europe.
Hungarians feel very close to the breed and consider them more of a family member than a livestock.
There is even the Hungarian proverb: «It’s not a dog, it’s a Puli», when you want to express that something is particularly important.
The blow was all the deeper when the Habsburgs in Austria-Hungary banned the breeding of Hungarian dogs and thus also the Puli until 1867.
The cords of fur begin to form between the ages of 1 and 2 when the fine undercoat and top coat become matted.
The fur is always either pitch black, pearly white, or fawn with a black mask. Since the fur on the face also becomes matted, the dreadlocks can block the Puli’s view.
With a Puli you win one watchful herding dog, who barks a lot and loudly. But he is too very independent and can therefore be left alone.
As puppies they are still very water lovingbut this disappears as the fur becomes more matted. Because the cords quickly soak up water and then become very heavy.
2. Komondor
The Komondor also comes from Hungary and is related to the Puli.
It owes its name to the Cuman tribe, also known as Kipchak or Polovtsians.
He’s the proverbial big brother you threaten bullies with: you don’t want to mess with him.
At 80 cm and 60 kg, it is twice as tall and twice as heavy as the Pulik.
He shows one strong waking instinct and is extremely suspicious of strangers.
Since he usually barks loudly, he is only suitable as an apartment dog for those owners who hate their neighbors.
When used as a guard dog, it defends its territory and its human pack fearless and if necessary also bloody.
To make matters worse, its fur obscures its eyes and much of its face. This makes it harder for people to read his state of mind.
Owners should therefore already have experience with guard dogs before getting a Komondor.
The coat of the Komondor resembles that of the Puli in every way. It also forms the characteristic matting from the age of 1 or 2.
Because of its size, a careful grooming is essentialotherwise it will be too heavy and cause skin problems.
3. Bergamasca Shepherd Dog
The cheerful Bergamasque shepherd dog is, along with the Maremman shepherd dog, the oldest dog breed in Italy.
According to the breed standard, its fur should not become matted in the head and neck area, which is called «Doppio Pelo» in Italian.
Also, keepers should shave the dogs’ belly and only let the shag hang down the sides.
In terms of colour, the Bergamasque shepherd dog moves in all shades of gray to match its mountainous homeland, with white markings rarely appearing.
As the name suggests, he worked intelligent quadrupeds formerly primarily as a help dog for shepherds.
His tasks were both herding and guarding as well as the sheep drive.
However, its guarding instinct is comparatively easy to handle for a herding dog. Therefore, it is now finding new uses in many areas.
As family dog inspires the young and old, but also with demanding dog sport you win your heart.
However, the ambition in agility must not be too great, because the sluggish four-legged friend likes to run, but slowly.
Be affable being in the presence of people he is familiar with also make him a great therapy and visiting dog.
He also encounters other animals and even cats in a friendly and affectionate manner.
Because he usually no fear of heights owns, you can also find him occasionally in rescue dog squadrons.
Caution: Twist dreadlocks on dogs yourself
Some dog breeds also have a coat that is suitable for dreadlocks. However, they do not form them naturally.
Owners who want to give their four-legged friend such a hairstyle must ensure that this does not become a torture for their darlings.
Matted fur can tug painfully and cause skin rashes. It retains heat, which these dogs aren’t used to and can cause serious problems.
In the worst case, a fungus can also settle in wet fur.
Such a procedure therefore definitely belongs in the experienced hands of a certified dog hairdresser.
Dogs whose fur is suitable for dreadlocks include poodles, Havanese and water dogs such as the Lagotto Romagnolo or the Irish Water Spaniel.