General Information

Dog NameHovawart
Other NamesHovie
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypePurebred
GroupWorking
Breed ForFarm Dog
ExtinctNo
Country of OriginGermany

Physical And Size

SizeLarge
Min Life Span10
Max Life Span14
Min Ideal Weight for male34
Max Ideal Weight for male36
Min Ideal Weight for female29
Max Ideal Weight for male36

Ranking

Intelligent Rank
Trainability
Playfulness
Affection Level
Social Needs
Barking
Watchdog Ability
Territorial
Mouthiness
Adaptability

Characterisitics

TemperamentFaithful, Smart, Alert
Prey DriveNo
Fighting DogNo

Friendliness

Stranger FriendlyLow
Child FriendlyHigh
Cat FriendlyMedium
Dog FriendlyLow
Office FriendlyLow
Apartment FriendlyLow
Senior Citizens FriendlyLow
Service DogLow
Search and Rescue DogLow
Biting PotentialMedium
Country of OriginGermany
Nicknames and Other NamesHovie
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypePurebred
GroupWorking Group, Guardian Group
Bred ForFarm dog
SizeLarge-sized
Recognized ByAKC, FCI, UKC, CKC, KC
Life Span10-14 years
Ideal Weight65-90 pounds (male and female)
Ideal Height23-28 inches (male and female)
Fur TypeDense, slightly wavy, medium length
Common ColorsBlack, Blonde
MarkingsGold markings
AvailabilityModerately available
AchievementsEnrolled in the German army
Suitable for ApartmentsNot suitable
Used in World WarNo
Most Similar ToEstrela Mountain Dog

The Hovawart is beautiful dogs often confused with Golden Retrievers. Hovawarts were bred for guarding and herding dogs. Its name Hovawarts means, “guardian of the estates” which they are no doubt!

If you are looking for a dog with different personality than other dogs, then the Hovawart won’t let you down. However, there are some information you must know about the Hovawart before adding one.

Brief History of Hovawarts

The Hovawart dates back to 1220 as guard dogs but were declined in the coming years. However, in the 1920s, the German breeder Kurt Konig redeveloped the breed crossing with the farm dogs from the region of the Harz Mountains and the Black Forest. Konig wanted a dog who is beautiful with high stamina, large but not cumbersome with even temperament.

Although Hovawart had earned some popularity in German history, it started declining gradually when breeds like German Shepherd grew in popularity.

Hovawarts were recognized by the German Kennel Club in 1936 and reached the United States in 1980.

How Is The Behavior Around Children?

Hovawarts are excellent with children being gentle and protective. They are very playful and love learning new tricks taught by the kids. Hovawarts are very patient and responsive towards children.

Hovawart helping his playmate to dig.
Helping My Playmate In Digging. Photo Credit- Instagram @lennon.und.smillas.welt

They are highly protective towards children and make sure you socialize them with other kids too, as they may become wary of other kids. Early socialization with people and other animals can help avoid this kind of behavior. However, as with every breed, you should always supervise both your pet and your child while playing.

Character And Temperament

Hovawarts are very devoted to their families and will risk their lives for their loved ones if needed. They have loud booming barks making them excellent alert and guard dogs.

Hovawart love their family.
Hovawart Sharing A Bond With Its Owner. Image Source-hovi.dayna

Hovawarts are happy when they are trained and have enough playing time. To make your Hovawarts happy they will need a well-balanced life with active owners with constant leadership.

They tend to be reserved and shy if not socialized properly. Hovawarts easily develop separation anxiety if left for a long time which may lead to depression and aggression. These breeds are strong which often makes it difficult to handle them.

Trainability

Hovawarts might be hard to train like every other working breed, they are also not always eager to please types of dogs. They rarely obey their masters when it comes to training. They will thrive during training when followed by treats and positive reinforcements.

Hovawarts tend to be stubborn and strong-willed if they are treated harshly and rudely. They will need to be handled carefully and patiently.

Facts About Hovawarts

  • Hovawarts means the “guardian of the estate”.
  • Hovawarts are often confused with Golden Retrievers.
  • They are known to be developed crossing between Leonbergers, Newfoundlands and kuvasz.

Potential Health Problems

General HealthHealthy
Common Health IssuesHip Dysplasia, Underactive Thyroid,
Elbow Dysplasia, Cataracts
HypoallergenicNo
Vaccination RequiredRabies, Canine Distemper,
Canine Parvovirus, Canine Parainfluenza, Kennel Cough,
Canine Coronavirus Leptospirosis,
SheddingModerate Shedder
DroolingLow Drooler
GroomingEasy and Minimal Grooming Required
Weight Gain PotentialAverage
Separation AnxietyHigh Chance
AllergiesNone
Diets and SupplementsProtein: 23%
Fat: 8%
Multivitamins
Glucosamine
Probiotics
Fish Oil

Hovawarts are extremely healthy breeds and they do not have any hereditary problems as well. These breeds don’t have specific health problems and are unlikely to have canine health issues. However, hip and elbow dysplasia may occur due to environmental factors like injuries while jumping or running or maybe due to a high-calorie diet.

Color Patterns

Hovawarts are found in three colors.

  • Black
  • Black and Brown
  • Blond

How Much Does Hovawarts Puppies Cost?

If you want to adopt a Hovawart puppy then it will cost you $300. However, buying a Hovawart puppy is slightly expensive usually costing anywhere from $1,500-$2,700 depending on the quality of the breed.

The Hovawart gives birth to an average 6-9 puppies at a time.

Height And Weight

The adult Hovawart reaches 23-28 cm, whereas, the female stands 2-3 inches shorter than males.

The average weight of Hovawart is 55-90 pounds. They should not weigh more than their average weight or else it may suffer from obesity.

Breeds Similar To Hovawart

To wrap up, Hovawart are beautiful, healthy and loyal dogs who have won the heart of million people around the world.

Visit Doglime For More Dog Breed Information.

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