Description of the Hovawart dog breed: character, care, purpose

Breed standards

Breed characteristics

History of the breed

Hovawart (photographer Murzina L.)
Hovawart is one of the oldest German dog breeds. The first mention of the breed is described in the German book “Der Schwabenspiege” published in 1274.

During its history, the Hovawart, as a breed, has gone through a lot. From recognition by society and becoming one of the top five elite dogs to complete disappearance. But first things first.

For many centuries, dogs have been of some benefit to their owners, performing various jobs. Hovawart was one of the many dogs that performed security and guard duties.

The breed did not get its name right away; initially it was described as an ordinary yard dog. However, she stood out with qualities that were not inherent in other yard dogs.

One of the qualities is making independent decisions. These decisions may be different under identical conditions, but in different situations. Another difference is high intelligence and learning ability.

Gradually, Hovawart began to gain popularity among peasants and the military. The breed was mainly used to guard and protect houses and animals. This is how the breed got its name “Hovawart”. The name comes from two German words “hova” - yard (farm) and “wart” (wächter) - guardian (protector).

Subsequent events changed ideas about the breed and brought the dog into the caste of the best breeds in Germany.

Siege of the fortress

In 1210, the northern tribes besieged the fortress "Ordensritterburg". When all the guards and peasants capable of defending themselves were killed and the castle was on fire. Trying to save his only son, the prince decided to tie the heir to a dog and release them. The dog and the baby ran away and not only saved the child, but also brought help.

The rescued child is mentioned under the name Eike von Repkow. It was by his decree that the Hovawart breed is described in the book “Der Schwabenspiege”, which describes the events of 1210. The book was published in 1274, and in the 1320s the Hovawart became one of the five elite breeds in Germany.

Recognition and excellent qualities did not guarantee the Hovawart's preservation of the population in its original form. The lack of specialized nurseries and breeders led to the fact that by the 20th century the breed was considered lost, and if similar individuals were found, they were already distant relatives and the result of free reproduction.

The revival of the Hovawart in its current form began in 1915. This event was inspired by an amazing story that happened earlier.

A boy named Bertram Koenig had a favorite swimming spot. This area was protected, but during the daytime it was accessible to local residents. Bertam often spent time there and became friends with the guard's dog. One day Bertram decided to sneak into the territory at night and swim. But a friendly dog ​​blocked his way and did not let him into the territory. This did not stop Bertram and he jumped into the water to swim. The dog jumped after him and pulled the boy out of the water by the hand.

Son of Bertram Koenig

The boy was friends with the dog, but such an incident made him respect it even more. The watchdog was a distant relative of the Hovawart. This incident stuck in the boy’s head and as an adult, having become a geneticist and zoologist, he was obsessed with the idea of ​​recreating the population of the Hovawart breed.

It took Bertram Koenig 22 years of hard work to develop the perfect Hovawart. On March 20, 1937, a male named Castor was born. The goal was achieved, Castor was genetically ideal, according to Bertram.

During World War II, almost all newly bred Hovawarts were destroyed. However, zoologists still managed to save a small number of dogs and resume population recovery.

Character and temperament of Hovawarts

Hovawart matures quite late. The puppy's constant play and playfulness will continue until he is 3 to 4 years old. If we talk about the character of an adult and mature dog, then the following features appear in the character and temperament:

Hovawart

• Friendliness and caring attitude towards family. Treats strangers with caution, without aggression. If strangers communicate with family members, the Hovawart will observe and control the situation. Many dogs begin to communicate with strangers no less than their owners, it all depends on the temperament and character of the particular Hovawart. Some may “lick themselves to death.” And this is only in the presence of the owner. If the same stranger decides to enter the territory without permission, the hovawart will no longer remember the “friendly hug.” The uninvited guest will be given a “worthy welcome”, forever discouraging the desire to check security qualities!
• A balanced and calm temperament allows you to adapt to any conditions. Moving and traveling do not make your dog depressed.
• It responds well to training, but due to its later maturation, the owner needs to be more patient.
• Independence and independence are clearly expressed. This trait is manifested in the dog's behavior. When you teach how to execute commands according to a specific execution algorithm, Hovawart can make its own changes if it considers this a more rational solution.
• The pronounced traits of a leader do not prevent the dog from recognizing its owner as the leader. But, if the owner is inconsistent in his decisions and cannot cope with the status of a leader, the Hovawart can allow himself to make decisions on his own.
• Hovawart has self-esteem and extraordinary intelligence. The dog always tries to be useful to its owner. She perceives herself not as a servant, but as a person’s companion, and expects the same attitude towards herself.

Hovawart and children

Hovawart puppy
Hovawart shows all the advantages of a companion in behavior and character. Shows affection and care towards children. A strong nervous system and balanced character allow you to ignore children’s pranks.

If children make Hovawart nervous, he will simply get up and leave. However, Hovawarts are great at distinguishing between play and bad attitude. If a child allows himself to kick or hit a pass for his own amusement, then this should be stopped immediately.

If such situations continue and the hovawart understands that the situation is not changing, then the dog will begin to independently build a relationship with the child, which can lead to painful consequences for the latter.

Children should not be allowed to walk with a Hovawart on a leash. This moment is individual for everyone, but even adults cannot always hold a dog. But you shouldn’t overestimate the Hovawart’s friendliness towards children and leave them alone. The Hovawart is a large and strong dog; when playing with children, it can be carried away with one tail.

Leaving your own and other people's children alone is generally dangerous, due to protective and watchdog instincts; the Hovawart can perceive the pranks of other people's children as an attack and rush to protect.

Animal Friendly

Hovawart is a protector and guardian by nature. Living with people who have pets and livestock, the dog knows each of them. He will not confuse his cow or sheep even in a herd.

The dog protects all family members. Even cats and dogs. The breed gets along well with other dogs. However, the Hovawart is a leader by nature and will try to take on the role of leader. If there is another dog prone to dominance, then constant conflicts between them are inevitable.

On one of the forums, I asked the owners of Hovawarts for clarification of some points. Here is an excerpt from the correspondence with the forum moderator:

Friendliness to other animals. Yours! Strangers can completely destroy you, both within their territory and beyond! Hovawart considers not only an apartment or a plot of land his own, but also ordinary walking places.

If the Hovawart is well socialized from childhood and has regular communication with other dogs, lives in a metropolis, then intraspecific aggression may not manifest itself, but if all of the above is not present, and even more so among those living outside the city, strangers do not observe “friendliness” at all! A lot depends on upbringing, but I would not reassure those interested in the breed with such characteristics!

Walk

When walking around other dogs, the Hovawart will always take the lead. This dog is a leader by nature, in this it is similar to fighting dogs .

Both in protecting the owner and in pranks, Hovawart will always be the first. If there is a body of water nearby, this will be your pet’s favorite place to walk. A better swimmer is hard to find.

The best pastime is to play, jump, walk and feel free

Regardless of the weather, a Hovawart will always be happy to go for a walk. He is very hardy: neither heat nor cold is a problem for him. The minimum time for walking is two to three hours a day. During the walk, it is recommended to arrange games and small activities. If you plan to keep your pet on a leash, it is recommended to use a dog harness .

Education and training

Hovawart puppy
In the educational process, Hovawart owners should stock up on more patience. It so happened genetically that this breed matures quite late. Full maturity occurs at 3–4 years of age.

Education should take place without forceful methods. Due to a well-developed ego and self-esteem, forceful parenting methods will only lead to resistance and refusal to do anything at all. If raised and trained incorrectly, the dog may never perceive the owner as a leader at all.

Watchdog genetics show up in early childhood. Often, for security and watchdog actions, the breed does not have to be purposefully trained. The dog intuitively understands what is required of it. A competent owner only needs to guide the dog.

Hovawart character

The dog breeder should remember that the Hovawart matures quite late and retains the traits of puppy behavior for a long time - up to three years. It needs to be raised gently and patiently, since forceful methods lead to the dog becoming embittered and becoming untrainable.

Even at an early age, the Hovawart shows watchdog tendencies and often does not require special training to perform the functions of a protector and guard.

These dogs have a strong will and a developed sense of self-esteem, and this requires the owner to be able to gently subdue the dog and become the “leader of the pack” for it.

The excellent qualities of a dog of this breed are its unpretentiousness and ability to work in any weather. This is a self-confident and fast dog, distrustful of strangers. She tends to dominate other dogs, but never displays unreasonable aggression. In general, for the entire breed, individuals with atypical behavior are extremely rare.

Care and maintenance

Caring for a dog
Hovawart is more suited to life in the yard than in an apartment. The dog needs constant physical and mental exercise.

It is not advisable for the breed to live on a chain or spend most of its time in an enclosure. They are more likely to have freedom of movement.

There are no special care requirements for the dog. It is enough to adhere to proper nutrition (with consultation of a breeder specializing in these breeds).

The only difficulty may arise when caring for the coat. Since the coat is long, it requires regular brushing. Shedding is regular and abundant during the season.

Catering

This is the most unpretentious dog breed. All of them, including puppies, eat excellent natural foods, a third of the diet of which is boiled meat, offal or cow's stomach. Dogs enjoy eating vegetables and fruits. The Hovawart diet can consist of ready-made premium or super-premium food for large breeds leading an active lifestyle.

For Hovawarts, a mixed diet is strictly contraindicated and unacceptable, for example, when food is given in the morning and porridge with meat for dinner.

Hovawart Health and Diseases

Strict selection and German pedantry of the IHF (International Hovawart Federation) organization allowed modern Hovawarts to have absolute health.

Thanks to this approach, the risk of Hovawart's hereditary diseases (heart disease, OCD and joint problems) is minimized. But in no case can we say that the breed has gotten rid of them, as some claim! Much depends on the pedigree and the specific breeder.

Although the IHF has strict requirements, it is quite difficult to keep track of each breeder and his priorities in breeding work. Despite excellent health, every Hovawart owner must watch and not forget about basic things:

• Condition of the hip joints. The joint disease was hereditary, but has now been eradicated. But it's still better to watch.
• Vaccinations.
• Fight against parasites (worms, lice, ticks).
• Proper diet.
• Maintaining hygiene.
• Physical and mental stress.

Historical reference

The first mentions of Hovawarts are found in German chronicles of the 13th century. A case is described in which a dog selflessly defended its owners during a robbery of an estate.

The word “Hovawart” itself is literally translated from German as “guardian of the yard.” This perfectly defines the character of the dog and the area of ​​its use over the centuries.

At the end of the 19th century, there were almost no Hovawarts left. This is largely due to the industrial boom in Germany, when interests other than industry itself were excluded. In the revival of the breed, a large role belongs to zoologists and geneticists father and son Koening (Bertram and Kurt). They founded the Hovawart nursery, receiving their first litter in 1922.

In addition to the Hovawarts, the following people took part in the recreation of the breed:

• Newfoundlands;
• Leonbergers;
• Kuvasz;
• German Shepherds;
• African hounds.

They largely determined the modern appearance and standard of this breed.

Shortly before the Second World War, the ideal representative of the Hovawart was born in the kennel - the male Castor, who fully complies with modern standards. He left 32 litters of equally perfect puppies.

The Second World War slowed down breeding work, which resumed only 5 years after its end. The breed received official recognition from the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) only in 1964. In 1983, the International Hovawart Federation (IHF) was formed.

The Hovawart is a rare breed these days; its breeding is monitored by the International Canine Federation and the International Hovawart Federation.

Owner reviews about the Hovawart breed

Hovawart owners, speaking about the breed, unanimously praise it. When preparing this article, I was unable to find at least one owner who was dissatisfied with the dog, and at the same time, there weren’t many reviews. This is due to the fact that the breed is quite rare. If you are the owner of this amazing breed, share your opinion in the comments to the article.

What temperatures can Hovawarts tolerate in winter?

Thanks to its long wool, the Hovawart does not freeze at temperatures of -15 ºС. If a dog lives outdoors and in an unheated shelter from an early age, then -25 ºС frost is not critical.

Pros and cons of the breed

When preparing an article about this amazing breed, it was difficult to find the disadvantages of the Hovawart. However, it is still possible to highlight several of them. Below is a summary table of the pros and cons of the breed. This is a purely subjective opinion of the author.

Grooming

The coat of this dog breed is quite long. But its advantage is that it does not tangle much.

Even if your pet gets into the water during a walk, its fur will not completely absorb moisture. It will dry quickly and all you need to do is comb it.

At home, regular weekly brushing with a furminator will save you from the unpleasant consequences of shedding. Bathing at home should only be done using special cosmetics for long-haired dogs.

During the cold season, you need to additionally monitor your paw pads. It is advisable to trim the wool in these areas.

How to choose a Hovawart puppy

Hovawart puppy
If you decide to get a Hovawart, then you should choose a breeder very carefully, since the breed is rare and its development is monitored by the IHF (international hovawart federation) organization.

You should carefully read the existing breeding regulations and legalized nurseries in your country. It may be better to make a request to the organization to recommend nurseries where you can buy a purebred Hovawart puppy.

The IHF positions the breed as non-commercial and makes a number of requirements for struggling owners. Before purchasing, you should study the IHF requirements and breed standards in order to be savvy in these matters.

How much does the Hovawart breed cost?

The cost of a puppy varies depending on the litter and pedigree. Also, the price of a Hovawart puppy depends on the examination and certificates performed.

In Russia, the price tag starts from 25,000 rubles, the maximum price is about 60,000 rubles. Abroad, the price varies from 700 to 1500 euros.

Choosing a puppy

Acquiring a new family member , and for the Hovawart breed puppies cannot be classified in any other category, is a responsible process . First, you should get to know the parents of the litter, and remember that dogs have highly developed gender differences - a male is much larger than a female , and looks more impressive and presentable. Therefore, you need to understand for yourself whether a boy or a girl will move to your place of permanent residence.

The second, and no less important factor in buying a puppy is the health of the parents . Although the breed is considered the healthiest of the large canine family, the breeder must provide health certificates for the father and mother of the litter.

Before viewing the litter, pay attention to how the dogs greeted you, how aggressive they are, or, conversely, friendly towards a new person, or cowardly hiding away - these are the most important character traits of the Hovawart.

Puppies of the litter should be playful, active, without signs of rickets. But bloating can indicate both the presence of worms and problems with the digestive system. Therefore, watch how the puppy eats and empties its stomach. By this age, breeders, as a rule, teach the puppy to walk on a diaper while he is kept at home.

If you have the opportunity, invite a veterinarian and breeder - an expert on Hovawarts - to the viewing. Such a consultation has never failed when choosing a puppy.

Nicknames and names

Any pedigree dog receives its official name literally at birth. But they can be so pompous and unpronounceable that new owners give the puppies pet names.

There are many interesting names for the Hovawart - short, succinct, and perfectly conveying the friendly nature of the breed:

• for males - Klaus, Peter, Ralph, Hermes, Wagner, Til, Caesar, Erwin;
• for females – Eva, Rikka, Terra, Zena, Hera, Bianca, Gabby.

Price

If a couple of decades ago no one had heard of such a breed in our country, today you can easily find Hovawarts in the Urals and in other regions that do not have the most favorable climatic conditions. Based on the numerous reviews about Hovawart, finding such a devoted friend and reliable guard is very difficult. You can currently buy a Hovawart for an amount of 40,000 Russian rubles and more.