Hovawart

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Hair type	Long
Origin	Germany
Template	Big
Head shape	Long

Weight and size
Sex	Weight	Cut
Female	From 25 kg to 40 kg	From 55 cm to 65 cm
Male	From 25 kg to 40 kg	From 61 cm to 70 cm

History of the breed

The race of   Hovawart   has very ancient German origins , since it was already known and used in the Middle Ages , when this dog was mainly bred as a keeper in farm properties (Wart: keeper / Hova: farm). Breeding took a different turn in the inter-war years, with readjusted standards and contributions from other breeds such as the German Shepherd, Leonberger and Newfoundland. In his country of origin, the Hovawart is carefully screened and monitored to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia. The Hovawart breed was definitively recognized by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) on November 21, 1955.

Hovawart Pictures

View all photos of Hovawart from Woopets members

Physical features

His hair: long, thick, tight, well lying, of greater length at the level of the chest, on the belly, on the posterior face of the forelegs and thighs, as well as on the tail. The outer coat is associated with a small amount of undercoat.
Its color: black, black marked with tan or blond (light fawn).
Its head: covered with a hair shorter than on the rest of the body, with a straight muzzle and of the same length as the skull. The latter is strong and the forehead is broad and with a rounded top. The stop is well marked, the nose is black, the nostrils well developed, the muzzle strong, the lips well joined and the jaws powerful and articulated in scissors, with a complete dentition (42 teeth).
His ears: triangular in shape, drooping, set high, set wide apart, with a slightly rounded end, a little forward when the dog is attentive.
His eyes: oval in shape and dark to medium brown in color.
Its body: writable in a rectangle, the length of the body being greater than the height at the withers. The neck is strong, moderately long and without dewlap. The back is straight and firm, the loins robust and slightly longer than the rump, which is slightly sloping and of medium length. The chest is large and powerful.
Its tail: hanging down during rest or raised on the back when the dog is awake. Covered with a bushy hair and going beyond the point of the hock.

Behavior and character

Behavior with others

The Hovawart is an excellent dog in several areas. It can be used as a companion, guard, protection or even rescue and tracking dog. Indeed, he has excellent flair and is endowed with a protective instinct . This canine is deeply kind, gentle and delicate with his master and his adoptive family. He will protect it against any intruder against whom he will be vigilant and not aggressive. He is sure of himself, loyal and very balanced . It is an ideal playmate for children. He does not necessarily appreciate at first sight congeners of the same sex.

The Hovawart
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Education

His education is simplified by his intelligence and a character of great gentleness. The Hovawart wants above all to please his master, whom he values more than anyone. He must be educated with firmness and gentleness at the same time. You should not be aggressive or impatient. On the contrary, the repetition of gestures is the best way to achieve your ends. It is necessary to start as soon as possible, in particular to socialize it and make it open to congeners or to strangers. He likes to learn and to please his master, hence the need to focus mainly on positive reinforcement methods.

Living conditions

The Hovawart is satisfied with all environments . He can live in an apartment , as long as he is walked around several times a day. He is also a big fan of country life, a lot helped by his ability to withstand the cold weather. Its fur protects it from the cold but it can hardly stand the hot weather. Bad weather doesn’t scare him, he who loves water and doesn’t hesitate to dive into a lake when he sees one. The Hovawart asks above all for the human presence and that of its master is paramount to its well-being.

Health

Thanks to drastic selection, the Hovawart significantly reduced the chances of developing hip dysplasia . However, it is advisable to regulate his physical activity in his first years of life to allow good growth and not to put too much strain on his joints. This dog may also be prone to degenerative myelopathy , which affects the spinal cord and develops late. It causes paralysis of the rear axle . Disease found in the German Shepherd and which is a sign of old age. In addition, the Hovawart has very good health .

To protect yourself from these risks and insure your companion in the event of health problems, Woopets recommends Hovawart dog insurance .

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Life expectancy

Maintenance and hygiene

The Hovawart does not need very extensive maintenance despite its long coat. Indeed, regular brushing is simply mandatory. A bath can be taken. This dog will never be against a little dip in the water.

It is recommended to brush the dog once a week using a curry comb. Brushing is more frequent during the moult, because the dog then needs to have his ears and pants cleared where dead hair can accumulate. Regular cleaning of the ears, with a piece of cotton and a specific lotion, is also necessary.

Price and budget

No name is currently proposed. Use our tool to find the name of your Hovawart!

Food

The diet of Hovawart must be adapted to its morphology. It should not promote weight gain in order to avoid putting too much strain on the joints. High quality croquettes are recommended. They will meet all of this dog’s energy needs.

Physical activity

The Hovawart is a dog that needs daily outings to exert itself, as well as games and exercises to stimulate its physical and mental capacities. Until the age of one, he must be entitled to several rather short outings. In adulthood, he needs a good hour daily, either in a single walk, or in 2 of half an hour or more.

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