Hovawart
Temperament:
The Hovawart is a proud dog with a strong personality. Due to its past as a working dog, it is very agile and eager to run. It is a loyal companion for sporty people or as a rescue dog. With consistent and loving leadership, Hovawart dogs are very people-oriented, alert and tolerant.
Characteristics
Typical for the Hovawart is the strong head with the large, gentle eyes and the triangular, drooping ears. The body is elongated and athletic. The posture is upright with expansive movements. It is persistent, strong and alert.
The sexes are easy to distinguish in this breed. Females have a slimmer head and reach a height at the withers of 58 to 65 cm. Males have a strong, broad head with a clearly arched forehead. They reach a height at the withers of 63 to 70 cm.
The Hovawart comes in three colors. Black markings are dogs with a dark outer coat and light belly and bib. Other markings can be found on the face, above the eyes and on the sides of the muzzle. Blond is the cream-colored dog type. Blonde Hovawarts are sometimes mistaken for Golden Retrievers. However, the physique of the Hovawart is more elongated and the coat more wavy. Finally, they are also available in pure black. This coloration is rarer.
As a former working and farm dog, the Hovawart likes to be outside and active. It is not suitable as an indoor-only dog. These pedigree dogs are for active people who enjoy exercise. The dog should be kept busy all day.
Spending time on a large property or in the garden can make a Hovawart happy. Nevertheless, the dog needs extra exercise and walks. If he builds up too much energy, he can become oversensitive. This sometimes manifests itself in an exaggerated protective instinct.
A young Hovawart is only suitable for beginners to a limited extent. It needs a secure and loving handler. A weak handler is quickly overwhelmed by these dogs. They need clear communication and clear boundaries. Only then will this very alert dog feel comfortable and secure.
The Hovawart is an ideal family dog for active people. It is suitable for individuals if there is enough free time. They enjoy accompanying you on the bike, jogging or dog sports. Hovawarts can have a pronounced hunting instinct. It is better to keep them on a lead in fields and near woods. The dog should be able to let off steam regularly. Dog play groups or joint sports such as agility or tracking are also suitable for this.
Due to its size, the breed had to struggle with hip dysplasia (HD for short) for a long time. Through breeding selection, this disease in the Hovawart has now been well suppressed.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.
Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.
Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.
Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.
Health & Care
The amount of grooming required also depends on what you do with your dog. A Hovawart that runs around outdoors a lot will bring a lot of dirt into the home. Branches, grass and other small debris from the woods and fields like to get stuck in the medium-length coat. Despite the additional grooming effort, you should allow your dog this outdoor pleasure.
The medium-length coat of the Hovawart must be brushed regularly. On the one hand, you can remove plant debris and dirt. On the other hand, you are always removing dead hair from the coat before it can become matted. Your dog will also look nice and shiny again after brushing. A Hovawart's coat should always have a slight sheen to it and should flow around the dog's body in loose waves.
Parasites can quickly settle in an unkempt coat. These may not be noticed so quickly. They can settle in the undercoat, under the armpits or in other warm places. The situation is similar with ticks. To find these uninvited guests, you should search the dog thoroughly several times.
In winter, lumps of snow or slush can accumulate in the fur and between the pads. Many dog owners have a fixed grooming ritual before entering the home. The dog usually gets used to this quickly and doesn't push. A garage or the garden are ideal places to remove the worst of the dirt from your dog.
You may need to trim the hair between the pads from time to time. You should also remove matted areas. If the claws do not wear off by themselves, they must be trimmed regularly.
Suitable accessories
A harness or wide collar is suitable for the Hovawart. A harness always offers better support for dogs of this size. If you have to intervene, you won't choke the dog as easily with a harness.
The Hovawart has an uncomplicated build. Most accessories in large sizes fit him. As these dogs like to get dirty and wet, you should have several harnesses. Overall, you will have to wash your Hovawart's clothes more often. Therefore, look for easy-care materials. Leather may look smart, but it quickly becomes brittle if it gets too wet and dirty.
The situation is similar when choosing a suitable dog bed. Young Hovawarts in particular can be seized by sudden fits of lust. A dog bed made of plush may not survive the wild play of an exuberant dog. Baskets made of wicker or plastic make more sense. This makes it easier to change blankets and cushions.
There are also plenty of dog toys and activity material for large dogs. It is important not to leave the Hovawart to its own devices with toys. You should spend enough time with your dog. Bicycle tours together are a good way to work out. You can find special bike sets in accessory shops.
Other accessories that are part of every dog's basic equipment: water and food bowl, tick tweezers, claw clippers, mild dog shampoo, brush and comb, toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs, transport box for transportation in the car and a first aid kit. Ask your vet what belongs in the first aid kit.
Origin & History
The Middle High German word "Hova" means yard and the "Wart" is still known to us today as a guard. Hovawart therefore simply means yard guard. For a long time, the term was used for all types of farmyard dogs. Mention of the Hovawart can already be found in medieval writings. Unfortunately, there is no record of what these dogs looked like.
At the end of the 19th century, Hovawarts were described for the first time that clearly corresponded to today's breed standard. The actual breeding began after the First World War. Two gentlemen named Bertram and Kurt Friedrich König were looking for a special type of dog. He should be alert and react appropriately to the situation. The aim of the breeding was to produce guard dogs. The kennel was eventually built up from a stock of local farm dogs.
German shepherds, Newfoundlanders, Leonbergers and the Hungarian Kuvasz were cross-bred. Legend has it that the king even introduced an African wild dog.
The Hovawart has been recognized as an independent breed since 1937. Today's breed is geared more towards being a family-friendly leisure companion. The suitability as a guard and watchdog is still present, but has faded into the background.
