The large Hungarian dog breed famous for its long white corded coat is the Komondor.
Also called the Hungarian sheepdog, the Komondor was traditionally used as a livestock guardian. Its striking coat develops from a soft undercoat and coarser outer coat that naturally combine into cords as the dog matures. The cords can resemble dreadlocks or a mop, giving the breed the nickname “mop dog.”
The coat was practical as well as distinctive. It helped protect the dog from harsh weather and was traditionally thought to offer some protection against wolf bites. A mature coat may take about two years to form, and owners must separate the cords to prevent them becoming one solid mat.
The Komondor is often confused with the smaller Puli, another Hungarian corded-coated breed. The Puli may appear in several colors, whereas the Komondor is characteristically white. Historical accounts connect the Komondor with the Cumans, and a mention appears in a Hungarian codex from 1544.