Hovawart
A medium-large German farm guardian with a long, wavy coat, a calm temperament and a strong bond with its family.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 63–70 cm · Females 58–65 cm
- Weight
- Males 30–40 kg · Females 25–35 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–14 years
- Exercise
- 90–120 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Wavy, long
- Colours
- Black, Gold, Black and tan
- Bred for
- Guarding, Companionship, Rescue work
- Country of origin
- Germany
- FCI
- Group 2, no. 190 · Pinschers, molossers & mountain dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 5/5 – Very high |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want an active, outdoorsy companion
- have a house with a garden
- enjoy tracking or search work
Think twice if you …
- want a dog that is obedient without effort
- live in a small flat
- want a dog that ignores visitors
Care
Temperament
Self-assured, loyal and watchful, with a natural guarding instinct and a calm, balanced nature. It can be independent and takes time to mature.
Exercise
Needs at least an hour or two of daily activity; tracking, search and rescue, hiking and obedience suit it well.
Grooming
Brush the long coat a few times a week, more often during seasonal shedding; it does not need trimming.
Training
Intelligent but independent and slow to mature; patient, consistent training with plenty of motivation works best.
Health
The breed is generally robust; hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and some heart conditions are the main concerns. Ask the breeder for the parents' hip and other health results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Heart
- Thyroid
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The name Hovawart comes from the old German for "guardian of the farmstead", and dogs of this type are described in medieval texts. The modern breed was recreated in the early 20th century by Kurt Friedrich König and others, using farm dogs from the Black Forest and Harz regions.
Hovawarts are devoted, active and confident. They are loving with their family, sensible with visitors once introduced and alert to anything unusual. They mature slowly and need consistent, patient guidance and plenty of outdoor activity.
Did you know?
The Hovawart comes in only three accepted colours: black, black and gold, and blond.