Find a Hovawart Breeder
Place an Ad

Rescue a Hovawart
List Your Rescue

Description

The Hovawart looks somewhat like a Golden Retriever. The head is powerful with a broad, rounded forehead. The skull is about the same length as the muzzle, with a well defined stop. The nose is black with well developed nostrils. The teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. The dark to medium brown eyes are oval in shape. The triangular drop ears are set high and wide apart. The front legs are straight. The feet are round, compact and strong, with well arched, tight toes. Dewclaws may be removed. The long-haired, dense coat is slightly wavy, laying flat. There are longer hairs on the chest, belly, back of the legs, and the underside of the tail. Coat colors come in black and gold, black or blond.

Temperament

The Hovawart has a strong, deep-throated bark. They will be calm inside the house provided they receive enough daily exercise. Determined, obedient, and affectionate, especially towards its master. Loyal to the family. Excellent with children when they are well-socialized, well exercised and see humans as alpha. They are highly devoted and have a strong sense of territory and will not generally wander far away. Remaining playful and puppy-like in its old age. Reserved with strangers but is a pleasant family dog. Good natured and even-tempered. Brave, this dog is protective, alert, and a good watchdog. It will protect your property against intruders with great passion. When its handler indicates that visitors are welcome, it will accept them immediately. Hovawart have good scenting noses. Intelligent and they can be trained to a high degree, learning quickly what you expect of them. The best results are achieved with extremely consistent, loving and well-balanced training. Unneutered males can be very challenging to handle. The Hovawart is a dominant breed, who requires a firm, experienced owner. If owners are not there to communicate their leadership they may be aggressive with other dogs but does well with non-canine pets in the household if well socialized. If owners do not treat them in such a way that their canine instincts are fulfilled with the proper leadership and release of physical and mental energy it can cause them to start fear biting, or be rather timid. Hovawarts are ideally suited for tracking, avalanche rescue, watchdog, and defense situations.

Height, Weight

Health Problems

Living Conditions

Exercise

The Hovawart needs to be taken on a long as they are taken on a daily walk, jog or run. While out on the walk make sure the dog heels beside or behind the person holding the lead, never in front, as instinct tells a dog the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Regular long walks, hikes, and chances to run and play off the lead will be greatly enjoyed and will keep them healthy. Run easily over difficult terrain.

Life Expectancy

Grooming

The Hovawart originates from Germany. It is a very old working breed descended from the German Shepherd Dog, Newfoundland, Leonberger, and possibly the Hungarian Kuvasz. The goal of it's developers were to re-create the great estate guarding dog of the Middle Ages. The Hovawart is rare in the USA, but popular in Germany. Eike von Repgow wrote about the "Hofewart," as an estate guard dog in the Sachsenspiegel. They were also illustrated in writings in the 1400's tracking bandits. The breed almost became extinct in the 1200's, however by the 1920's a breeder by the name of Kurt Konig worked on a program reconstructing the breed. His efforts were successful and the breed was recognized by the German Kennel Club in 1937. Some of the Hovawarts talents are watchdog, schutzhund, search & rescue and tracking.

Group

Recognition

CKC = Continental Kennel Club
FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
NKC = National Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.

The Material contained herein may not be reproduced without the prior written approval of the author. (C) 1998-2009 All Rights Reserved