Hovawart

FCI 190 - Molossoid . Mountain

The dog as guardian of the house and the courtyard has an ancient tradition in the history of humanity. Maybe thousands of years ago, private ownership of the house and yard, goods and workshops could only be established with the help of the protective role of dogs. The four-legged court guards were already highly regarded by the Teutons, which is reflected in the various laws of the last Teutonic. Of the 24 articles of the Law of Baiuvariorum, an entire article is dedicated only to dogs. Here, plus a dozen other dog breeds, the court dog is explicitly mentioned as “Houvavart”. The Houvavart was valued at 3 shillings. It was a huge amount, if you consider that in the same body of law a horse “mediocre” was valued at only half a shilling. The Hovawarts are also mentioned in various writings from the Middle Ages.

The Hovawart Today is in the intellectual and functional tradition of these old court dogs. Regarding their genetic offspring, will not be more or less related to them than the other breeds of guard dogs and native dogs. Building a direct line of descent to the old Hovavart would not be permissible, especially since it is not known at all what these dogs looked like.

After 1910 the Hovawart but without a description of the appearance. Over the years 20 established itself as a breed of dog.

In the FCI breed standard of 1998 It is said that:

“Since 1912 the reproduction of this breed has been using similar type dogs that are still in farms to restore the breed. apart from this, at the beginning of the crossing, you cross them with German shepherds, Newfoundland, Leonberger and other races were admitted. In addition to the strict measures taken in the breeders, the type of work was obtained again.”

It also, crossed the hungarian watchdog Kuvasz, what is important to understand the nature of Hovawart. After having almost died out, after the first world war, the breed was recovered by the kinophile K. F. König. In a span of time, what had been done very successfully thousands of years before was rebuilt here. Like, but mostly of the nature the right dogs were mated. The decisive criterion was performance for the intended purpose, so to speak, the work championship. It is quite possible that the Hovawart current look like the old ones Hovawart of our ancestors by this procedure of appearance and nature, but that is speculation. Only in 1944 breeding book closed. So a vast gene pool was created as the basis for this breed of dog., which is still very useful for your health and fitness today.

The Hovawart is a big dog, strong and at the same time quite thin. With the Hovi nowadays three strokes of color are allowed: Rubio, black marks (black with gold brown markings) black and white. Males have a height to the cross of 63 to 70 cm.. Considering its type and size, the Hovawart is thinner than it appears underneath its medium long wavy coat. So, a weight of 30 to 45 kg is considered normal for males. Despite this not so high weight, it is a very powerful and strong dog. Only for its strength and size it belongs to a hand with experience in dogs. The Hovawart he's a working dog, Guard and protection.

The character of Hovawart demands a person with a strong dog mind. He has a strong will, a head of its own and is very independent. Probably an heir to the pack guard dog, Kuvasz, who is one of his ancestors. He is self-assured and self-assured at the same time. The “desire to please” not as strong on him as on many other working dog breeds. Your master or caretaker still has to work and earn it. then a Hovawart well educated he is an extremely efficient off-roader and a lovely friend. Master the role of companion dog suitable for everyday life, as well as your challenges in dog sports or even as a rescue and tracking dog. He has a very good nose. Yes, and the Hovawart it is also an excellent watchdog and protection dog.

He is a defensive protector of his family and diligently protects his territory. He moves silently on the ground and faces an intruder suddenly but persistently. With built-in yard dog, the Hovawart not fully occupied, especially since today you have to monitor hardly a large enough area. He is intelligent and seeks true association with his caregiver. At the same time it is affectionate and sensitive and at the same time it radiates something primitive, archaic.

Wants and seeks connection with family. Like a well-behaved and demanded working dog, the Hovawart it is also an excellent family dog. Often rejoices with petting and hitting like a little lapdog. He is very friendly and gentle with the people he has taken to his heart. Once you meet them, will never forget them. When he is young he shows his affection sometimes very stormy.

The Hovawart it is a low maintenance dog. Apart from the change of coat, it does not need to be brushed every day., because her coat doesn't tend to tangle due to the small amount of undercoat. Well educated and managed he is an excellent companion. But, cannot be recommended as a family dog ​​without further ado. If you are thinking of having a puppy Hovawart for the first time, must first consider practical challenges, they are only related to their strength and size. Not a beginner dog.

The Hovawart develops creativity and perseverance to realize his ideas about the world and its order. Here the owner of the dog is challenged with all the consequences, but paired with patience and empathy. And this already with the puppy. Hardness alone does not help the Hovawart at all. It is important to create and maintain trust, that the Hovawart wants to show his pack leader. By the way, pack leader: One Hovawart usually test thoroughly, who will take this position. Here its owner must assert himself with the consequent insouciance, then he will follow faithfully and with good behavior and accept the leadership of his humans without problems.

One must bring with him time and knowledge for an intensive education and, the best of all, training. If one loses the basic elements of education, you will hardly be able to go for a walk with him without stress. Then your self-confidence could even become a leadership statement.. Otherwise, the Hovawart it's the ideal companion dog image. He wants his humans to guide him, but without ever being submissive. The Hovawart maintains its own head and its own will. For some people this is perhaps too much of their own personality. But only this profile of the Hovawart can be an excellent basis for a respectful and intense human-dog relationship.

The Hovawart it is a low maintenance dog. Except in times of coat change, twice a year, needs to be brushed regularly but not every day, because his coat does not tend to tangle due to the low amount of undercoat.

The Hovawart it is considered a completely healthy breed. Hereditary diseases are systematically fought, such as knee joint cartilage disease (OCD), which is more common in Hovawarts. Dysplasia of the hip joint (HD) “often a problem especially with large dogs” has been under control for a long time.

Nutrition / Food

The Hovawart they don't make any special demands. He is consistently straightforward. For a dog of its size and strength it needs little food.

Hovawart life expectancy

The Hovawarts can reach 12 years and not rarely even more with a good physical condition. It is a good life expectancy for such a large dog.

Puppies should only be purchased from an FCI registered breeder. For a puppy you should plan to 800 to 1000 EUR. The adult dogs of Hovawart they can also be taken out of shelter or emergency aid and offered a loving home..

Hovawart 6

Hovawart 5

Hovawart 4

Hovawart 3

Hovawart 2

Hovawart 1

Photos:

1 – Hovawart by https://pixabay.com/es/photos/hovawart-perro-perro-de-raza-pura-2611448/
2 – Hovawart black and tan by Faigl.ladislav / CC BY-SA
3 – Hovawart by https://pixabay.com/es/photos/perro-hovawart-negro-marrón-1194081/
4 – The three permitted colours of the Hovawart by Oxborrow / Public domain
5 – Blond Hovawart female (10 months) by Faigl.ladislav / CC BY-SA
6 – Hovawart by https://www.pxfuel.com/es/free-photo-xxpba

Hovawart – Breed of dog

Hovawart Odin’s World, part 1

Hovawart Odin’s World, part 2: Odin and friends

Hovawart Odin’s World part 4: Vacation with friends

• FCI CLASSIFICATION: 190
• Group 2: Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs
• Section 2.2: Molossoid, mountain type. Without working trial.

Federations:

• – FCI – Pinscher and Schnauzer-Molossoid type dogs – Swiss Mountain Dogs and Cattledogs. Section 2.2 Molossoid, mountain type. ⓘ
• – AKC – FSS ⓘ
• – CKC – Group 3 – Working dogs ⓘ
• – ​KC – Working dogs ⓘ
• – UKC – Watchdog ⓘ

FCI - Hovawart

1. Hovie (English).
2. Hovawart (French).
3. Hovawart (German).
4. Hovawart (Portuguese).
5. Hovie (español).