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Kuvasz
Hungría FCI 54 - Sheepdogs.

The Kuvasz (PL. Kuvaszok) is an old Hungarian breed of cattle dog.

Kuvasz

Content

Characteristics "Kuvasz"

Coexistence is important that you have with your new friend. Before considering the acquisition of a dog of the breed "Kuvasz" you know certain factors. Not all breeds of dogs are apt to live in an apartment, you must take into account his character, their need for exercise, their interaction with other pets, their care and if you have small children, their level of tolerance towards them.

Adaptation ⓘ

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friendly dog ​​ⓘ

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hair loss ⓘ

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Affection level ⓘ

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Need for exercise ⓘ

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Social need ⓘ

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Home ⓘ

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Toilet ⓘ

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Friendly with strangers ⓘ

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barking ⓘ

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Health ⓘ

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Territorial ⓘ

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Cat friendly ⓘ

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Intelligence ⓘ

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Versatility ⓘ

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Child friendly ⓘ

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Surveillance ⓘ

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joy ⓘ

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History

The Kuvasz is an ancient herd guardian breed that originated in Hungary, although their distant ancestors were probably type dogs Tibetan Mastiff.

While the Komondor was used on the grounds lower with drier climates, the Kuvasz was used on the wet pastures of the highest mountains and the two were an integral part of the Hungarian economy. Later, during the century 15, the Kuvasz became a prized animal, the dog belonged to the Royal Court of the King Matthias Corvino. Y, from the kingdom Kuvasz puppies were offered to visiting dignitaries as a royal gift, Legend has it that the King was more confident their dogs than in their own Councillors. After the death of the King, the popularity of the breed among the nobles decreased, but even so the dog continued to have its traditional role in the protection of livestock.

At the end of World War II, almost all Kuvasz in Hungary had been killed. The dogs were used for the protection of their families, reason why were actively sought and killed by German and Soviet soldiers, while at the same time, some German soldiers were a large number of copies to their homes. After the Soviet invasion and the end of the war, the breed was nearly extinct in Hungary.

The word Kuvasz, probably, comes from the Turkish "kavas" which means guard, soldier or a protector. A related theory postulates that the word may have originated from ancient Russian farmers., the Chuvash, who has contributed many words to the Hungarian language.

For a long time, the property of the Kuvasz was restricted, but they were finally used by the shepherds as guardians of the flock. That's the job they're known for today.. The dog's white fur allowed the shepherd to easily distinguish it from a wolf as it blended in with the flock..

Physical characteristics

The Kuvasz should be of good size, solidly built and with a dignified air. The skull should be slightly arched and not too long, wedge-shaped snout. Leads the small ears hanging in the form of V. The body is rather long, with the slightly outgoing ribs. The legs are strong and not too long. The tail is long, slightly curved at the tip, which wears a beautiful plume. The coat is long, rough and undulating. The color has to be pure white, Although the white ivory can be accepted.

Although the skin is white, the pigmentation of the skin of Kuvasz should be dark and the nose should be black. The eyes must have an almendrada form. The females usually weigh between 35 and 50 kg, While males weigh in 50 to 70 kg, tieneto a bone structure medium. The height at the cross in the males is of 71 to 76 cm and the females of 66 to 70 cm..

For a casual observer, the Kuvasz may be similar to a Pyrenean Shepherd, to the Akbash, a dog “Maremma Shepherd”, a Samoyed, a Pudelhund white mixed with a Labrador Retriever, or some Slovakian dog like him Polish Tatra Sheepdog.

As with many livestock guardian dogs, the color of the layer of the Kuvasz serves a functional purpose and is an essential breed criterion. To develop the breed a purpose clear in the Kuvasz was to realise a mantle of color, to provide pastors distinguish the dog of wolves attacking animals at night. The Komondor, a close relative of the Kuvasz, It has a white coat for the same reason.

The Kuvasz lose a lot of hair from time to time. The rest of care are complicated. We must bear in mind that it is a dog of strong personality, which is why their education must be early and can be put to the test the patience of the educator. You need a suitable space of movement and exercise.

Fur: short, smooth, closed and thick on the head and on the front of the extremities. in the trunk, brazos, tie and tail is long and wavy, and often forms ridges and locks. it's pretty rough, a little stiff and in no case felted. the undercoat is fine and woolly.

Color: white.

Size: males of 71 to 75 cm.; females of 66 to 70 cm..

Character and skills

The Kuvasz he is a tireless keeper of flocks, defending the predators. Previously it had also been used as a hunting dog to chase wolves, boars and bears. It is also a great guardian. In his country the police and the army use him as an auxiliary. In recent decades it has also become a companion dog..

Good working dog, reliable watchdog, Pleasant Home Companion, that's the Kuvasz.

It has been used as a livestock guardian, but in recent years it can be found in homes as a pet.

The Kuvasz he is a smart dog and is generally said to have a clown sense of humor, that can last throughout adolescence and adulthood. They are very loyal but patients animals who appreciate human attention, but it also needs its space, they are very independent animals.

According to the classification made by Stanley Coren after analyzing the responses of more than 200 work of the AKC judges ("The Intelligence of Dogs", Stanley city, Ediciones B, 1995), the Kuvasz and el Nº 42 from the list.

Despite his intelligence, It should not be perceived as easy to train. His independent personality can make training a difficult task that, You can exhaust the patience, even for experienced owners. As a result, It is not recommended for beginners and those who do not have time to train and socialize in a manner appropriate to their Kuvasz.

On the other hand, many of these qualities make the Kuvasz excellent guardians for sheep or large farms. The Kuvasz has a very special and close relationship with his owner.

It is a sober and suffered dog, It resists weathering in the toughest conditions, Frequent brushing is therefore, necessary to keep their fur clean. A Kuvasz should not smell bad, This is usually a sign of illness or poor nutrition.

Homemade dog is friendly, affectionate and intelligent, and above all an excellent guardian, brave and quiet, suspicious and even reserved with strangers. Under its dignified appearance hides a playful temperament which makes him a loyal friend of children.

It is generally a healthy and robust breed whose life expectancy is about 12 or 14 years.

Kuvasz Health

In the Kuvaszok, more serious health problems include hip dysplasia, osteocondrosis (a joint disorder that damages cartilage and bone) and a propensity for cruciate ligament injury. An eye disease called progressive retinal atrophy (ARP) is a potential concern, just like hypothyroidism (a common hormonal disease in dogs in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroxine) and vonWillebrand's disease (a disorder of blood clotting).

Not all of these diseases are detectable in a growing puppy, and it can be difficult to predict whether an animal will be free of these diseases, so you need to find a reputable breeder who commit to raise healthier animals possible. Must be able to produce an independent certification that the parents of the dog (and grandparents, etc.) have been screened for these defects and considered healthy for breeding. That's where health records come in..

Do not buy a puppy from a breeder who cannot provide you with written documentation showing that the parents were exempt from health problems affecting the breed.. If the breeder tells you that the tests are not necessary because they have never had problems in their lines, that the dogs have been “reviewed by the veterinarian”, or offers you any other excuse to skimp on genetic testing of your dogs, leave immediately.

Careful breeders screen their breeding dogs for genetic diseases and breed only the healthiest and best looking dogs, but sometimes Mother Nature has other ideas. A puppy can develop one of these diseases despite good husbandry practices. Advances in veterinary medicine mean that in most cases dogs can still live a good life. If you are going to have a puppy, ask the breeder about the ages of the dogs in their lines and what are the most common causes of death.

Remember that after you have welcomed a new puppy into your home, has the power to protect you from one of the most common health problems: the obesity. Keeping a Kuvasz at the right weight is one of the easiest ways to extend its life.. Make the most of diet and exercise to help ensure a healthier dog for life.

observations and advice

not a very well-known dog and, therefore, it is difficult to find a puppy of this breed. However, it is more widely used than Komondor, whose cloak scares many potential buyers. In fact, the coat of the Kuvasz is more difficult to care for, Since it must be brushed periodically to avoid the formation of knots, although it should be washed as little as possible.

Kuvasz toilet

The Kuvasz has a beautiful white double coat that loosens dirt but also loosens hair. Brush weekly with a pin brush to remove dead hair and keep the skin and coat healthy. Trim the hair between the toes to keep your feet looking good. Its coat repels water and removes dirt easily with brushing, so a bath is rarely necessary.

When summer comes, don't think your Kuvasz has suddenly developed a disease causing hair loss. It is normal for the Kuvasz to lose most of its long coat in hot weather.

The rest is basic care. Trim nails as needed, normally each week the. Brush your teeth frequently with a veterinarian-approved pet toothpaste for overall good health and fresh breath.

Images "Kuvasz"

Videos "Kuvasz"

Type and recognitions:

  • FCI CLASSIFICATION: 54
  • Group 1: Swiss Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs)
  • Section 1: Sheepdogs. Without working trial..

Federations:

  • FCI – Group 1 Herding dogs, Section 1 Sheepdogs
  • AKC – PASTORAGE
  • ANKC – Group 5 (working dogs)
  • CKC – Group 7 – Herding dogs
  • ​KC – Pastoral
  • NZKC – Working dog
  • UKC – Herding dogs


FCI breed standard "Kuvasz"

FCIFCI - Kuvasz
Kuvasz

Alternative names:

1. Hungarian Kuvasz (English).
2. Kuvasz (French).
3. Kuvasz (German).
4. Pastor Húngaro (Portuguese).
5. Kuvaszok (español).

Photos:

1 – kuvasz by Vkoves / Public domain
2 – KUVASZ by Svenska Mässan from Sweden / CC BY
3 – Kuvasz Prince of The Dogs Kennel by Kuvaszprince / CC BY-SA
4 – 7.5 months old kuvasz bitch by Sprays / Public domain
5 – Female kuvasz in Ópusztaszer, Hungary by DenesFeri / CC BY-SA
6 – Nine-week-old Kuvasz dog by Vkovesz / Public domain

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