Hovawart: temperament, price, health, and breeders

The Hovawart is an ancient German breed whose name comes from Hova, the farm, and Wart, the guardian. Dogs of this type were already used in the Middle Ages for guarding rural properties. Modern breeding was structured in Germany in the 20th century with careful selection aimed at preserving its guarding abilities, its balance and its sturdiness. The breed was definitively recognized by the FCI in 1955.

The Hovawart is a medium to large-sized dog, vigorous and with a slightly elongated appearance. Its body is powerful without heaviness, with a broad chest, a firm back and a well-feathered tail. Its head is strong, its expression attentive, and its triangular drop ears reinforce its noble look. Its coat is long, thick and lying close, with a little undercoat, and its colors are black, black with tan markings or blond.

The Hovawart is a gentle, attentive, sensitive and self-confident dog. Very attached to its family, it is calm in everyday life, loyal and protective without unnecessary aggression. It has a natural guarding instinct, remains vigilant toward intruders and greatly appreciates the presence of its loved ones. Well socialized, it becomes an excellent family companion, including with children.

This dog needs to share the life of its household and does not cope well with being kept apart. It likes walks, useful activities and games that engage its sense of smell and its thinking. At home, it is rather calm, but it maintains a good level of vigilance and initiative. It may seem reserved at first and sometimes less conciliatory with dogs of the same sex.

The education of the Hovawart must begin early and be based on consistency, calm firmness and positive reinforcement. Intelligent and eager to please, it learns well if the relationship is coherent and respectful. Harsh methods should be avoided with this sensitive dog. Early socialization is important to channel its protective instinct and encourage good interactions with humans and other animals.

The price of the Hovawart varies mainly according to the quality of the breeding, the screenings carried out on the breeding dogs, the genealogy and the socialization work of the puppies. For this large-sized breed, the acquisition cost must always be placed within a broader consideration of health monitoring and long-term maintenance.

The Hovawart is overall a solid and hardy dog, with good general robustness for its size. Like many large breeds, it nevertheless requires well-managed growth, controlled weight and serious joint monitoring. Careful selection of breeding dogs helps to limit certain risks, without making them disappear completely.

The Hovawart's diet must be of good quality, digestible and adapted to its size as well as to its activity level. The goal is to meet its needs without promoting weight gain, in order to protect the joints and support its muscle mass.

The Hovawart is historically a farm guard dog, but its qualities of scenting ability, calmness and versatility have also earned it a place in tracking, in rescue and in certain utility missions. Its name alone sums up its original vocation. In Germany, the selection of the breed was long carried out with particular vigilance regarding joint health.