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Hovawart: Origin, Personality, Fitness & Health
About Hovawart
Country of Origin, History of Hovawarts
The Hovawart’s country of origin is Germany. Some hundred years of so back an attempt was made in Germany to recreate the great estate-guarding dog of the ‘Middle Ages’. Selected farm dogs acquired in the Black Forest and Hartz mountain regions of Germany together with perhaps the Hungarian Kuvasz, German Shepherd and Newfoundland were used by a group of dedicated breeders to give rise to the Hovawart- an elegant worker.
There is written evidence of the existence of this versatile and intelligent breed in Eike von Repgow’s Sachsenspiegel. Mention of the dog is made here as ‘Hofewart’. The breed had become nearly extinct in the 1200s. However, records from the 1400s available illustrate and describe the Hovawart dogs tracking robbers. The reconstruction/recreation of the breed took place in the 1920s. It was Kurt Konig whose efforts in this regard proved to be successful and the german Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1937. This breed of dogs is particularly popular in Germany and it has been learnt that in the US only about 100 Hovawarts are there.
Hovawart Tools
Breed Selector Tool - is the Hovawart the right breed for you?
Is the Hovawart the right breed for you and your family?
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Are you aware dogs also have a learning style that can greatly affect their ability to housetrain as well as be trained correctly. Evaluate your Hovawart's learning style and personality using our free Learning Style tool so that you are better able to provide him with the proper Hovawart training methods.
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Hovawart Calorie Calculator
Do you know how many calories your Hovawart needs every day and how many cups of food you should be giving it every day? Click here to use our Hovawart Calorie Calculator.
Description of the Dog
The dog has a large and robust appearance. However, it is not heavy. The Hovawart looks somewhat like the Golden Retriever. Its body is slightly longer than tall. It has a straight back and gentle slopping croup. The head is powerful and has a rounded forehead. The muzzle is shorter than the skull. The dog has dark eyes. Its triangular shaped ears are set low and they hang down.
The dog has a single, flat-lying, dense, longhaired and wavy coat. There is feathering on the chest, legs, undersides and tail of the Hovawart. The colors of the coat are black, blonde or black and tan. Certain markings may also be there as specified in the standard. The colors of the eyes, the nose and the nails match with those of the coat. The dog’s tail is well feathered. The dog carries it low. It hangs past the hocks.
Height
Male Hovawart dogs have heights
ranging between 24 inches and 28 inches.
Bitches have heights ranging between 22 inches and
26 inches.
Weight: The dogs weight between
55 pounds and 90 pounds.
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Hovawart Personality Traits
Temperament of the Breed
The dog qualifies as an excellent watchdog. It also makes a wonderful family dog. However, it is somewhat reserved towards strangers. The Hovawart remains calm while at home but becomes energetic once it goes outdoors. It is a determined and obedient dog. It remains loyal to the owner's family but has the tendency to become greatly affectionate and strictly devoted to a particular person (its master). If well socialized with children from a young age then the Hovawart can become their great friend later on. They may also well adjust with non-canine household pets if socialized properly from puppy-hood.
The dogs have good scenting noses and are intelligent and highly trainable. A consistent, loving and balanced training of the Hovawart can yield remarkable results. The dog needs a firm, experienced handler.
Some Hovawart strains have been found to be prone to fear biting. Again, others may be rather timid. However, Hovawart dogs have by and large been known to be having a strong sense of territory and do not readily desert their owners and owners' homes and properties.
Living Conditions
The dogs stay best with at least an average sized yard provided for them alongside their place of shelter. They are just moderately active indoors and apartment life is not recommended for them. Being especially suited for the role of outstanding watchdogs (for stables, fields, country houses etc.) they are adapted to sleeping outdoors and prefer cooler climes.
Hovawart Activity Level
Exercise requirement
Though the Hovawart dogs possess the nature of herding dogs and watchdogs, they can adapt themselves to the circumstances in which they are placed, provided they are taken out for a daily walk, jog or run. The dogs immensely enjoy getting opportunities to run and play off the lead. This keeps it in good mental and physical health too. The dogs would love to hike and go backpacking too. Their ability to run easily run over difficult terrain places them in good stead in this regard.
Grooming
The coat of the dog is easy to groom. The Hovawart is an average shedder. It only calls for an occasional brushing and combing to keep the coat clean and free from shed hair. However, extra care needs to be taken while brushing/combing in the tangle prone areas of the coat/dog’s body.
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Health and Care
Though a very healthy breed the European lines of this breed have been found to be having a widespread under active thyroid problem. The breed is also pretty prone to hip dysplasia. However, with stringent breeding practices being adopted this has been kept well under check.
National Breed Clubs
Life Expectancy: About 10-14 years.
Group: Herding Group
AKC Popularity Ranking: Foundation Stock Service.
Also Known As: Hovie
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How to lead and think like a pack dog - the new psychology.
3 dangerous mistakes that most Hovawart owners make when they are trying to potty train their dogs.
The 2 main reasons why your dog barks excessively and how to control its excessive barking.
How to obedience train your Hovawart to permanently end behavioral problems like Jumping, Aggression, Pulling on Leash.
A surprisingly easy way to teach your dog cool new tricks.
How to improve your dog's lifespan and keep it from getting overly heavy with a healthy and nutritious diet.
Getting Pro help fast - how to get access to our expert trainers when you need them most.
One hidden psychological trigger that all Hovawarts have... that practically allows you to "analyze" and "control" your dog's every action.
Priority access to the free online seminars conducted by our training experts.
Whereas other dog training related web sites and books offer generic information for dogs in general, ours is the ONLY web site that offers Hovawart information specifically, from a renowned panel of experts - because as you probably know, Hovawarts have their own special training requirements that other dogs don't have.
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