The Hovawart dog breed is considered universal. Energetic and versatile, self-confident, courageous, eternal puppy - these numerous adjectives describe the beautiful Hovawart imported from Germany. The breed has a long to medium coat and is valued for its intelligence and responsiveness to training. They can act as police dogs, assistants to the blind, and avalanche dogs. Also an excellent watchman, rescuer and protector.
Hovawarts are dogs that are not particularly popular in our country. Much more often they can be found abroad, where dogs work in the police and other intelligence agencies. They are also used as rescuers and guides for the blind. These versatile pets are always on the move.
History of the Hovawart breed
The Hovawart comes from rural dogs from the area around the Harz and Black Forest. In the Middle Ages, the name of the breed meant “yard watchman.” The first mentions of dogs of this breed appear in German literature of the Middle Ages. The breed disappeared with the collapse of the German aristocracy. In 1922, work began in Germany to restore the breed. Already in 1936, the German Kennel Club recognized the breed. The amateur breeder Kurt Koenig made a significant contribution to the restoration of the breed.
Appearance
The Hovawart dog is considered a large sized dog. Has a slightly wider silhouette. The height of the bitches ranges between 58 and 65 cm and weighs 30 kg. Males measure from 63 to 70 cm and reach a weight of 40 kg. A disadvantage is considered to be height below the minimum and 3 cm higher than the maximum.
The coat of this breed is long, slightly wavy, with a small amount of undercoat. The coat is longer on the chest, belly, thighs, back of the forelegs and tail. There are three types of coloring:
- black – the coat is uniformly black, no values
- blond – golden yellow with a lighter belly and paws
- black and tan – values range from light yellow to brownish-golden.
The breed has dark brown eyes. The neck is strong and of medium length. The tail reaches the hock, but not to the ground, and is well feathered. When walking, the limbs move in parallel.
Character
The Hovawart dog is brave and confident, making it a good choice as a police dog. He is brave, loyal and stress-resistant. He has significant intelligence, loves human contact, is therefore easy to train and loves dog sports. He has a cheerful disposition, loves to play with his owner and spend time with him.
Pets are distinguished by cunning and a tendency to dominate, therefore they require an owner with a strong, strong character. Of course, this is a loyal dog, with a strong bond with its owner. Ripens relatively late, only in the third or fourth year of life. A sensitive and devoted owner, the Hovawart should not be isolated from the family. Feels good in the company of children, but you need to remember that general fun is under control.
Hovawart accepts pets as well as other dogs, as long as it is not an animal with an equally strong personality. An excellent, brave guard. He easily recognizes even old friends, but is distrustful of strangers. A dog, when it feels a real threat, becomes aggressive for no apparent reason. Hovawarts do not tolerate inactivity well. He needs to move a lot.
photo source
Training and education
Hovawart is distinguished by a good memory, accuracy and the ability to quickly compare facts. Smart, enjoys learning, but can be stubborn. Absolute obedience and mechanical execution of commands are alien to him. An appropriately motivated Hovawart may be a master in his field, but will become uncooperative when bored. Hovawart is greedy and his favorite treat can work wonders.
Who is this breed for?
Hovawart is not suitable for everyone. The owner must lead a sporty lifestyle (Hovawart needs 1.5 hours of intense exercise per day), be a determined, patient person and have basic knowledge of the canine psyche. The Hovawart is a one-owner dog.
Dogs of this breed become attached to all family members, but they can certainly be called dogs of the one person who spends the most time with them. The dog will be inextricably linked with this person until the very end of its life.
He will do best in a house with a garden. This is a time-consuming breed, so is not suitable for busy people who are away from home. When training, you should be firm, as dogs tend to be independent and dominant. They will be excellent companions for families with children.
Pros and cons of the Hovawart breed
Flaws
- conflicts with unfamiliar dogs
- loves collecting trash
- sheds profusely
- requires training and education
Advantages
- tied to the owner
- suitable for families with children
- universal dog
- you can do any sports with it
- accepts pets
- easy-to-clean wool
Health and care
This breed is considered immune. A potential health problem could be hip dysplasia. Occasionally, diseases of the eyes, heart and thyroid gland, as well as torsion and dilatation of the stomach, occur. However, compared to other breeds, they have good health. The lifespan of a Hovawart dog is 12-14 years.
Hair care should be taught from childhood - the dog should be calm about brushing. Ear care, dental condition monitoring. It is enough to comb an adult pet thoroughly once a week, paying attention to the hair behind the ears and in the groin, as it has a tendency to felt. Do not brush the coat dry - first moisten it with conditioner for long coats. This will prevent your hair from tangling.
Hovawart wool has self-cleaning properties, making it very easy to remove dirt from it. Dogs of this breed are bathed only when clearly necessary. Before washing, comb thoroughly. After bathing, dry your dog thoroughly with a towel.
Nutrition
The Hovawart tends to have a large appetite, so you need to monitor his weight and the amount of food he eats. During the period of active growth, a well-balanced food for large breed puppies with the addition of glucosamine and chondroitin is required. The pet can also be fed with homemade food, provided that we take care of a balanced diet.
The diet of an adult Hovawart dog should be adapted to his lifestyle (it is worth giving medications that protect the joints all the time). The daily portion must be divided into at least two meals, not counting treats. Due to the risk of stomach rotation, the pet should be provided with 30 minutes of rest after eating.
Interesting Facts
Training of the breed should be based on games, and not develop in the dog aggression resulting from fear. Hovawart will easily distinguish an artificial situation from a real threat and will not allow himself to be intimidated.
Breeding and cost
If, after reading the description of this breed, you dream of adopting this breed, make sure that you purchase the puppy from a legitimate kennel. Only in this case will you be sure about its origin, state of health and corresponding mental and physical state. In legal cultures, professionals take care of their pets. They are regularly examined, vaccinated, and socialized from a very young age.
The price of a puppy of this breed is from 25 to 60 thousand rubles. Amounts are set individually by breeders, so they can vary significantly.
Large dogs are distinguished by their cheerful character, intelligence and desire to work. They are responsive and friendly towards children. Suitable as a guard dog that will protect its family from threats.
Interesting for you:
Breed standards
| Breed name: | Hovawart |
| Alternative title: | Hovawart |
| Country of origin: | Germany |
| Breed size: | MediumLarge |
| Breed group: | Mountain Molossians |
| Height at withers: | Males: 63 - 70 cm Females: 58 - 65 cm |
| Average weight: | Males: 40 - 45 kg Females: 35 - 40 kg |
| Color standards: | Black Fawn Black with golden tan |
| Coat type: | Longhair Wavy |
| Character and personality: | Vigilant Loyal Intelligent Mental stability Lack of aggression Pronounced leadership traits |
| Lifespan: | 11 – 13 years |
| FCI Standards: |
Coat color
It has two layers of wool - an undercoat and a base coat. The coat is wavy, dense, thick and elastic. On the muzzle the hair is short and dense.
Three colors are considered standard:
- Pale yellow. It is the main color of the coat. But at the same time, the fur on the belly can be lightened. The standard allows the presence of white spots.
- Black - fawn. The main color is black, while fawn is an additional color, which is located on the lower parts, as well as the face. The standard allows for the presence of a white spot on the chest, as well as the presence of white hairs.
- Black. The coat is monotonous, without marks or spots.
Breed characteristics
| Activity and energy: | Read more Moderately active, adapts to the life rhythm of the owner |
| Training: | More details Amenable to training. The Hovawart breed is considered one of the smartest and most trainable breeds. |
| Ease of care: | More details No maintenance is a hassle. Regular grooming and hygiene required |
| Child Friendly: | Read more Hovawart can be a great friend for children of any age. Instinctively understands the need to supervise children when children are left without adult supervision |
| Friendliness to other animals: | Read more Gets along well with other animals |
| Shedding level: | Read more Constant hair loss, profusely during the shedding season |
| Bark frequency: | Read more Hovawart is a quiet, calm breed, barks only when the situation requires it. |
Catering
This is the most unpretentious dog breed. All of them, including puppies, eat excellent natural foods, a third of the diet of which is boiled meat, offal or cow's stomach. Dogs enjoy eating vegetables and fruits. The Hovawart diet can consist of ready-made premium or super-premium food for large breeds leading an active lifestyle.
For Hovawarts, a mixed diet is strictly contraindicated and unacceptable, for example, when food is given in the morning and porridge with meat for dinner.
History of the breed
Hovawart (photographer Murzina L.)
Hovawart is one of the oldest German dog breeds. The first mention of the breed is described in the German book “Der Schwabenspiege” published in 1274.
During its history, the Hovawart, as a breed, has gone through a lot. From recognition by society and becoming one of the top five elite dogs to complete disappearance. But first things first.
For many centuries, dogs have been of some benefit to their owners, performing various jobs. Hovawart was one of the many dogs that performed security and guard duties.
The breed did not get its name right away; initially it was described as an ordinary yard dog. However, she stood out with qualities that were not inherent in other yard dogs.
One of the qualities is making independent decisions. These decisions may be different under identical conditions, but in different situations. Another difference is high intelligence and learning ability.
Gradually, Hovawart began to gain popularity among peasants and the military. The breed was mainly used to guard and protect houses and animals. This is how the breed got its name “Hovawart”. The name comes from two German words “hova” - yard (farm) and “wart” (wächter) - guardian (protector).
Subsequent events changed ideas about the breed and brought the dog into the caste of the best breeds in Germany.
Siege of the fortress
In 1210, the northern tribes besieged the fortress "Ordensritterburg". When all the guards and peasants capable of defending themselves were killed and the castle was on fire. Trying to save his only son, the prince decided to tie the heir to a dog and release them. The dog and the baby ran away and not only saved the child, but also brought help.
The rescued child is mentioned under the name Eike von Repkow. It was by his decree that the Hovawart breed is described in the book “Der Schwabenspiege”, which describes the events of 1210. The book was published in 1274, and in the 1320s the Hovawart became one of the five elite breeds in Germany.
Recognition and excellent qualities did not guarantee the Hovawart's preservation of the population in its original form. The lack of specialized nurseries and breeders led to the fact that by the 20th century the breed was considered lost, and if similar individuals were found, they were already distant relatives and the result of free reproduction.
The revival of the Hovawart in its current form began in 1915. This event was inspired by an amazing story that happened earlier.
A boy named Bertram Koenig had a favorite swimming spot. This area was protected, but during the daytime it was accessible to local residents. Bertam often spent time there and became friends with the guard's dog. One day Bertram decided to sneak into the territory at night and swim. But a friendly dog blocked his way and did not let him into the territory. This did not stop Bertram and he jumped into the water to swim. The dog jumped after him and pulled the boy out of the water by the hand.
Son of Bertram Koenig
The boy was friends with the dog, but such an incident made him respect it even more. The watchdog was a distant relative of the Hovawart. This incident stuck in the boy’s head and as an adult, having become a geneticist and zoologist, he was obsessed with the idea of recreating the population of the Hovawart breed.
It took Bertram Koenig 22 years of hard work to develop the perfect Hovawart. On March 20, 1937, a male named Castor was born. The goal was achieved, Castor was genetically ideal, according to Bertram.
During World War II, almost all newly bred Hovawarts were destroyed. However, zoologists still managed to save a small number of dogs and resume population recovery.
Walk
When walking around other dogs, the Hovawart will always take the lead. This dog is a leader by nature, in this it is similar to fighting dogs .
Both in protecting the owner and in pranks, Hovawart will always be the first. If there is a body of water nearby, this will be your pet’s favorite place to walk. A better swimmer is hard to find.
The best pastime is to play, jump, walk and feel free
Regardless of the weather, a Hovawart will always be happy to go for a walk. He is very hardy: neither heat nor cold is a problem for him. The minimum time for walking is two to three hours a day. During the walk, it is recommended to arrange games and small activities. If you plan to keep your pet on a leash, it is recommended to use a dog harness .
Character and temperament of Hovawarts
Hovawart matures quite late. The puppy's constant play and playfulness will continue until he is 3 to 4 years old. If we talk about the character of an adult and mature dog, then the following features appear in the character and temperament:
Hovawart
- Friendliness and caring attitude towards family. Treats strangers with caution, without aggression. If strangers communicate with family members, the Hovawart will observe and control the situation. Many dogs begin to communicate with strangers no less than their owners, it all depends on the temperament and character of the particular Hovawart. Some may “lick themselves to death.” And this is only in the presence of the owner. If the same stranger decides to enter the territory without permission, the hovawart will no longer remember the “friendly hug.” The uninvited guest will be given a “worthy welcome”, forever discouraging the desire to check security qualities!
- A balanced and calm temperament allows you to adapt to any conditions. Moving and traveling do not make your dog depressed.
- It responds well to training, but due to its later maturation, the owner needs to be more patient.
- Independence and independence are clearly expressed. This trait is manifested in the dog's behavior. When you teach how to execute commands according to a specific execution algorithm, Hovawart can make its own changes if it considers this a more rational solution.
- The pronounced traits of a leader do not prevent the dog from recognizing its owner as the leader. But, if the owner is inconsistent in his decisions and cannot cope with the status of a leader, the Hovawart can allow himself to make decisions on his own.
- Hovawart has self-esteem and extraordinary intelligence. The dog always tries to be useful to its owner. She perceives herself not as a servant, but as a person’s companion, and expects the same attitude towards herself.
Hovawart and children
Hovawart puppy
Hovawart shows all the advantages of a companion in behavior and character. Shows affection and care towards children. A strong nervous system and balanced character allow you to ignore children’s pranks.
If children make Hovawart nervous, he will simply get up and leave. However, Hovawarts are great at distinguishing between play and bad attitude. If a child allows himself to kick or hit a pass for his own amusement, then this should be stopped immediately.
If such situations continue and the hovawart understands that the situation is not changing, then the dog will begin to independently build a relationship with the child, which can lead to painful consequences for the latter.
Children should not be allowed to walk with a Hovawart on a leash. This moment is individual for everyone, but even adults cannot always hold a dog. But you shouldn’t overestimate the Hovawart’s friendliness towards children and leave them alone. The Hovawart is a large and strong dog; when playing with children, it can be carried away with one tail.
Leaving your own and other people's children alone is generally dangerous, due to protective and watchdog instincts; the Hovawart can perceive the pranks of other people's children as an attack and rush to protect.
Animal Friendly
Hovawart is a protector and guardian by nature. Living with people who have pets and livestock, the dog knows each of them. He will not confuse his cow or sheep even in a herd.
The dog protects all family members. Even cats and dogs. The breed gets along well with other dogs. However, the Hovawart is a leader by nature and will try to take on the role of leader. If there is another dog prone to dominance, then constant conflicts between them are inevitable.
On one of the forums, I asked the owners of Hovawarts for clarification of some points. Here is an excerpt from the correspondence with the forum moderator:
Friendliness to other animals. Yours! Strangers can completely destroy you, both within their territory and beyond! Hovawart considers not only an apartment or a plot of land his own, but also ordinary walking places.
If the Hovawart is well socialized from childhood and has regular communication with other dogs, lives in a metropolis, then intraspecific aggression may not manifest itself, but if all of the above is not present, and even more so among those living outside the city, strangers do not observe “friendliness” at all! A lot depends on upbringing, but I would not reassure those interested in the breed with such characteristics!
Advantages
- Has pronounced territorial behavior. In ancient times, dogs were used to guard yards.
- Constantly confident in himself, very devoted to his owner.
- It can quickly learn all the training, but for this the owner must have special patience and understanding of the pet. This will be due to a later maturation process than in other dog breeds.
- Hovawart has a calm nervous system, although he is always on the alert.
This breed is quite active and also requires the owner to take long and regular walks.
Education and training
Hovawart puppy
In the educational process, Hovawart owners should stock up on more patience. It so happened genetically that this breed matures quite late. Full maturity occurs at 3–4 years of age.
Education should take place without forceful methods. Due to a well-developed ego and self-esteem, forceful parenting methods will only lead to resistance and refusal to do anything at all. If raised and trained incorrectly, the dog may never perceive the owner as a leader at all.
Watchdog genetics show up in early childhood. Often, for security and watchdog actions, the breed does not have to be purposefully trained. The dog intuitively understands what is required of it. A competent owner only needs to guide the dog.
Pregnancy
From the first mating to birth it takes about 72 days. The owner needs to keep track of the timing: mark the day of the first mating and monitor the due date.
Obvious signs of pregnancy appear in dogs at a very late stage.
Signs of a dog being pregnant:
- a condition similar to a disease;
- obsessive demand for affection;
- frequent urge to urinate;
- swelling and lightening of the nipples;
- prolapse of the abdomen;
- just before childbirth - yellowish or greenish discharge from the loop.
During this period, the Hovawart bitch needs special care and rest, supporting the body with an additional complex of vitamins. If the owner is concerned about her condition, she should contact a veterinarian, making sure to warn that she has recently been mated and pregnancy is possible.
Care and maintenance
Caring for a dog
Hovawart is more suited to life in the yard than in an apartment. The dog needs constant physical and mental exercise.
It is not advisable for the breed to live on a chain or spend most of its time in an enclosure. They are more likely to have freedom of movement.
There are no special care requirements for the dog. It is enough to adhere to proper nutrition (with consultation of a breeder specializing in these breeds).
The only difficulty may arise when caring for the coat. Since the coat is long, it requires regular brushing. Shedding is regular and abundant during the season.
Application
This is not only a good guard dog. In Europe, it is used in rescue services in very difficult conditions - in the mountains or on the water.
The dog's good sense of smell was appreciated by police services, and now it, along with other service breeds such as the Groenendael , is used to search for illegal substances on patrol.
Neither cold nor heat is a problem for this dog.
They are no less useful for people with poor vision. Dogs do an excellent job as guide or therapy dogs for children.
Hovawart Health and Diseases
Strict selection and German pedantry of the IHF (International Hovawart Federation) organization allowed modern Hovawarts to have absolute health.
Thanks to this approach, the risk of Hovawart's hereditary diseases (heart disease, OCD and joint problems) is minimized. But in no case can we say that the breed has gotten rid of them, as some claim! Much depends on the pedigree and the specific breeder.
Although the IHF has strict requirements, it is quite difficult to keep track of each breeder and his priorities in breeding work. Despite excellent health, every Hovawart owner must watch and not forget about basic things:
- Condition of the hip joints. The joint disease was hereditary, but has now been eradicated. But it's still better to watch.
- Vaccinations.
- Fight against parasites (worms, lice, ticks).
- Proper diet.
- Maintaining hygiene.
- Physical and mental stress.
Feeding
The Hovawart is a large dog that grows quickly. To do this, she needs good nutrition, supplying the body with proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. You can create a diet from natural products - meat, offal, cereals and vegetables.
The daily amount of food is calculated based on the dog’s physical activity. If it is active for at least 3 hours, then the diet is increased by 40%. The diet of a pregnant and lactating bitch is increased by 1.5 times.
The food of a growing puppy should consist of 30-40% protein foods. In an adult dog, the proportion of proteins decreases. If the Hovawart eats homemade food, then it must be supplemented with vitamins for growth and strong bones, a beautiful and silky coat.
All the elements are present in the finished dry food, so additional mineral and vitamin supplements are not necessary. An active dog should always have fresh water. Even when going for a walk, the owner should take a container of water to give the playful Hovawart a drink.
Hovawart loves to eat, so you need to monitor his diet and control his weight. To prevent your dog from becoming obese, it is enough to feel its ribs. They should be easily identified, but not stick out excessively.
Owner reviews about the Hovawart breed
Hovawart owners, speaking about the breed, unanimously praise it. When preparing this article, I was unable to find at least one owner who was dissatisfied with the dog, and at the same time, there weren’t many reviews. This is due to the fact that the breed is quite rare. If you are the owner of this amazing breed, share your opinion in the comments to the article.
What temperatures can Hovawarts tolerate in winter?
Thanks to its long wool, the Hovawart does not freeze at temperatures of -15 ºС. If a dog lives outdoors and in an unheated shelter from an early age, then -25 ºС frost is not critical.
Pros and cons of the breed
When preparing an article about this amazing breed, it was difficult to find the disadvantages of the Hovawart. However, it is still possible to highlight several of them. Below is a summary table of the pros and cons of the breed. This is a purely subjective opinion of the author.
| Pros of the breed | Cons of the breed |
| A great companion | Shedding |
| Suitable for families with children | Problems may arise when kept in small apartments |
| Excellent security guard and watchman | Hovawart conflicts with other dogs claiming dominance (subject to cohabitation) |
| Easy to train and learn | You must always prove leadership and consistency, otherwise the Hovawart may refuse to follow commands and listen to the owner |
| Intelligence | Long period of growing up |
Appearance
This dog breed is medium in size and relatively light in weight. However, in terms of strength, she can easily compete with some breeds that are more massive than her, for example: Kangal , Komondor , Swiss Mountain Dog and Tosa Inu .
The dogs' heads are strong with a wide skull and a somewhat convex forehead. The fur is long all over the body except the front legs and head.
Important! The Hovawart color is allowed to have white hairs on the tip of the tail and chest.
The dog has an attractive appearance. Some even confuse it with a Golden Retriever . However, behind the sweet appearance , there is a strong leader, a friend, but far from a servant.
Despite the long coat, there are not many problems with it. After a walk in rainy weather, if the dog has not gotten dirty anywhere, he just needs to shake himself off to be dry
This dog has a black rim around its eyes that gives the appearance of glasses. The eyes themselves are almond-shaped and hazel-colored.
The ears are triangular in shape and can be high hanging or medium set.
How to choose a Hovawart puppy
Hovawart puppy
If you decide to get a Hovawart, then you should choose a breeder very carefully, since the breed is rare and its development is monitored by the IHF (international hovawart federation) organization.
You should carefully read the existing breeding regulations and legalized nurseries in your country. It may be better to make a request to the organization to recommend nurseries where you can buy a purebred Hovawart puppy.
The IHF positions the breed as non-commercial and makes a number of requirements for struggling owners. Before purchasing, you should study the IHF requirements and breed standards in order to be savvy in these matters.
How much does the Hovawart breed cost?
The cost of a puppy varies depending on the litter and pedigree. Also, the price of a Hovawart puppy depends on the examination and certificates performed.
In Russia, the price tag starts from 25,000 rubles, the maximum price is about 60,000 rubles. Abroad, the price varies from 700 to 1500 euros.
