Komondor

It starts to, but it needs help. Somewhere between 9 months and 2 years, the soft puppy coat begins to clump as undercoat and outer coat tangle together. You then split these clumps by hand into separate cords, right down to the skin, repeating every week or two. Left alone, the coat becomes a solid felted mat that traps moisture and dirt and can be very uncomfortable.

Yes, and some owners of working or older dogs do exactly that for practical reasons. Cords take a long time to regrow, often years to reach full length again. A clipped Komondor still has enough coat for winter, though it loses some protection from sun and from bites during a confrontation. Dogs being shown must stay fully corded.

With its own family's children, a well-socialized Komondor is usually gentle and protective. Trouble tends to come with visiting children, whose running, shouting and play fighting can look like an attack to a guardian dog. Always supervise when friends come over, and give the dog a separate space during busy gatherings. A dog this size is also a poor match for toddlers.

Both are Hungarian and both are corded, but the Puli is a small to medium herding dog of roughly 10 to 15 kg, most often black, bred to move sheep quickly. The Komondor is a giant white guardian bred to protect the flock rather than move it. Temperament differs as much as size: the Puli is quick and busy, the Komondor calm and watchful.

Rarely. Giant size, a strong protective instinct, independent thinking and a demanding coat add up to a lot to learn at once. People with experience of livestock guardians or similar breeds, plus the time and land to manage one, usually cope best. If the look appeals, spend time with established breeders and owners before deciding.