Rare Komondor gives birth to record litter of pups
A rare breed of dog has given birth to a record breaking number of puppies in the UK, increasing the countries population of the breed by an astonishing 25%.
The Komondor, named Kyra was expected to give birth to just 4 pups, which is a standard litter for the breed, but surprised her owner Debi Young, when she gave birth to 9 healthy Komondors, boosting the total UK population of the breed from 40 to 49.
The rarity of the breed also makes each pup highly valued, at around £1,000 each.
The Komondor is a livestock guardian dog, originating from Hungary and is completely unique in its appearance, featuring natural dreadlocks, providing them with a ‘corded’ type look, and laying claim to the breed being dubbed the hairiest dogs in the world.
All of Kyra’s pups are identical in appearance so each has been daubed a different colour, which they have been named after temporarily.
Owner Debi, who plans to keep one of the puppies and sell the remaining 8 spoke of her amazement at the size of the new litter:-
“We were amazed when she produced a litter of nine - a typical litter is around four. I’ve never heard of such a high number. Komondors are fantastic animals - very loyal and sociable. They are quite a handful though.
They’re all doing well though and are an adorable little rabble. Looking after them is a full-time job at the moment. I think the dogs are so rare because they are very hard to breed, and are also quite a lot of work.
You have to maintain their coats, which grow as a mass of matted dreadlocks. I think generally people are often put off by all the effort.”