The Hovawart is a German dog breed that ranges in size from medium to large. These are purebred dogs. The Hovawart dog breed was established in Germany as a guard dog. This dog was trained to track.
They have a lot of personality and make an excellent family dog. They act as search and rescue and guard dogs. The breed’s name means “guardian of the estate” in German, and its puppies are also known as “hovie” for short.
Hovawart contain moderate to high amounts of energy. They live with cats or other household pets. They will flourish in a house with a spacious, fenced-in yard. Hovawart are not suggested for first-time dog owners.
Highlights/Content
- History of Hovawart Dog
- Breed Overview
- Appearance
- Temperament
- Health
- Hovawart Dog Care
- Advantages and Disadvantages
- Photo gallery
History of The Hovawart Dog
The Hovawart is a German word. Hovawart is a traditional German working dog breed. He is descended from the Newfoundland and Leonberger tribes. These tough dogs were designed to be excellent search and rescue dogs that are able to cope with the varied terrain around them as well as track dogs.
Hovawart fame began to wane in the medieval period. Other breeds, such as the German Shepherd Dog gradually supplanted the Hovawart as a guard and working dog. It almost disappeared in the early twentieth century.
The group of enthusiasts began trying to save the breed around 1915. They began to search for dogs in the pastures of the Black Forest region.
The German Kennel Club officially recognized the Hovawart in 1937. All this progress was almost undone when World War II broke out. In 1964 the Hovawart was named Germany’s eighth working breed by the German Kennel Club.
Hovawart Dog Overview
- Origin: Germany, Black Forest
- Nick Name: Hovie
- Life Span: 10-14 Years
- Height: 23-29 Inch
- Weight: 55-110 Pound
- Coat: Medium/long glossy coat
- Color: Black, Blond, Black & Gold
- Litter Size: 6-8 Puppies
- Breed Size: Large
- Energy Level: High
- Exercise Need: High
- Barking level: Low
- Breed Group: Working
Appearance
The Hovawart is a large working German breed with a muscular body, long hair. Hovawarts with golden fur resemble golden retrievers and are easily distinguished by their solid black or black and tan coats.
They have a lean and athletic body type. The Hovawart is a medium-sized, long-haired working dog. Hovawart comes with three different color schemes. Dogs with black markings have dark top coats and paler bellies and bibs.
Body shape and head shape distinguish the male Hovawart from the female Hovawart. Hovawart have oval eyes that are dark to medium brown in color. It has triangular ears that hang down and are wide.
It has long hair on its bottom, back of legs, breast and tail. While it has a thin undercoat, the topcoat is thick. It has three coat colors: solid black, solid blond, and black and gold.
Temperament
The Hovawart is a large and strong dog. Size is friendly and affectionate despite his frequent fears. Their main personality attribute is their persistent drive to defend their territory and protect their pack’s loving human members.
While they are normally peaceful dogs, their powerful bark will deter any outsider who may feel intimidated. They are frequently distrustful of strangers and skeptical of them.
Hovawart dogs have a strong and stubborn personality and training should begin as early as possible. They are not suitable for first time dog owners as they need someone who is firm, consistent and acts as a pack leader.
Their high intelligence allows them to learn quickly, but their strong personalities make training more difficult. Hovawart dogs make excellent companions for both active singles and families.
Health
The Hovawarts are generally a healthy breed. They are prone to certain health problems like all breeds. They live an average life of 10 to 14 years. Owners must be prepared to devote time to their care.
Hip Dysplasia: affects several big breed dogs. This illness wreaks havoc on your dog’s joints, causing them to deteriorate.
Hypothyroidism: This disorder causes the thyroid to generate less than normal amounts of essential hormones.
Degenerative myelopathy (DM): This condition eventually results in paralysis. Diabetes mellitus damages tissue in the dog’s spine, causing lameness in the hind legs. In extreme situations, the front legs may be compromised as well.
Hovawart Dog Care
The Hovawart as a working dog breed, requires a lot of activity to keep happy and healthy. Care should also be taken to clean the ear, nails and teeth of the Hovawart.
The ideal Hovawart diet should be formulated for a medium to high energy large breed. It is very important to take care of training them. It is also critical for them to be aware of their health status.
Feeding
Feeding Hovawart is not complicated. This breed can eat any high quality dog food. As with any other dog, the focus should be on a balanced diet for this dog.
Their food usually contains all the essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements. They should be aware of the high meat content in their diet. Constantly check the quality of grains, rice, and other vegetable components.
The dietary needs of a Hovawart will change from puppyhood to adulthood and continue to change in their senior years. This breed should be fed twice a day. Prevent overfeeding, which can lead to canine obesity and other health issues in the future.
Also Read: Pug Dog Breed
Exercise
Hovawart should exercise extensively every day in order to maintain physical and mental health. They will like their elevated level of energy. This breed is not suited to apartment living.
Hovawarts are a huge breed, thus the more space they have for running, the happy they will be. It is preferred to have a wide fenced yard, but substitute workouts such as hiking, outings to a dog park, and so on can compensate for any deficiencies in this area.
It requires at least one hour of walking every day, plus three or four shorter walks. Training for dog sports such as agility, obedience, and rally may also be a terrific way to exercise your dog.
Grooming
The Hovawarts have no undercoat and require little care. Except during shedding times, a little brushing is all that is required. The occasional bath will keep them clean and help them look their best.
Their strong, fast-growing nails should be clipped on a regular basis using a nail clipper or grinder to minimize overgrowth, splitting, and breaking. Their ears should be examined on a regular basis to prevent the accumulation of wax and debris, which can lead to infection. Brushing your teeth on a regular basis is recommended.
Hovawart is considered an average shader. Most shedding is seasonal. They have a smooth, long coat that requires occasional bathing and weekly brushing to keep it clean and prevent tangling.
Training
The Hovawarts are easy to train because of their intelligence, eagerness to please, and love of their work. They require a lot of time, attention and consistency from their owners.
Training is very important for this breed. His intelligent, free-thinking nature means he will face a situation and make up his own mind about how to react.
Hovawarts also have a stubborn streak. While these dogs can be difficult to teach at first, harsh or disciplined training methods should be avoided. This type of instruction can reverse and exacerbate behavioral problems.
Training such as obedience, behavior and socialization is very important for dogs. The Hovawart responds well to positive reinforcement just like other dog breeds.
Advantages and Disadvantage of Hovawart Dog
Advantage
- They usually live long, healthy, active lives
- Hovawarts are kind, loyal and affectionate with children
- They are excellent guards and great dogs.
Disadvantage
- They need more space and exercise.
- These dogs are often aggressive.
- They have a lot of shade.