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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+11
Dogs
# The Hovawart: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Germany
A large protective family dog, gentle and remarkably well-balanced.
Size LargeLife expectancy 13–14 yearsBudget ≈ €140/monthPuppy €900 – €1,100
[Find a breeder 15](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-hovawart) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=hovawart)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Excellent
Daily exercise needs High
Apartment living Fair
First-time owners Fair
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Excellent
Strengths and weaknesses
- Balanced protector: He naturally watches over his family without a marked tendency toward aggressiveness.
- Very good family companion: His gentleness and loyalty make him a dog that is pleasant to live with on a daily basis.
- Versatile: He can thrive in guarding, scent activities, or an active family life.
- Needs company: He doesn't cope well with a life that is too isolated or a lack of interactions with his household.
- Shedding and coat to monitor: His long coat requires regular brushing, especially during shedding periods.
- Growth to monitor: His large size makes it necessary to manage exertion and weight well during the first years.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Families often at home: He becomes strongly attached to those close to him and enjoys taking part in household life.
- Calm and consistent owners: He responds well to stable, patient and respectful training.
- House with outdoor space: A spacious setting makes it easier for him to expend energy and suits his size well.
Not recommended for
- People who are often absent: He needs social connection and daily availability.
- Fans of very independent dogs: The Hovawart seeks closeness and involvement from its owner.
- Households without time for outings: He needs regular exercise and stimulation to remain balanced.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
63 cmHovawart
- Height at the withers
- 55–70 cm
- Weight
- 25–40 kg
- Coat
- Long, thick
- FCI group
- 2
- Origin
- Germany
- Grooming
- Easy to care for
## Photos and videos
See the Hovawart in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
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.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
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.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
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.
Affectionate Intelligent Sociable Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
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.
Training
## Training and socialization
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.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Hovawart
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.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/hovawart/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
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.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/hovawart/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
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.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/hovawart/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
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.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Hovawart
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Hovawart a good family dog?
Yes, if it is well trained and properly socialized, the Hovawart makes an excellent family dog. It is gentle, protective, close to its family and generally appreciates children a lot.
### Can the Hovawart live in an apartment?
It is possible, but it is not its ideal setting. It can adapt to an apartment if its needs for outings, exercise and human presence are truly met every day.
### Does the Hovawart shed a lot?
Yes, its long, thick coat leads to noticeable shedding, especially at certain times of the year. Regular brushing helps limit dead hair and keep the coat clean.
## Find a Hovawart breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Hovawart breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Hovawart breeders in Nouvelle-Aquitaine3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-hovawart/nouvelle-aquitaine)
### Hovawart breeders by country
[188 breeders of Hovawart in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-hovawart/germany) [18 breeders of Hovawart in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-hovawart/italy) [15 breeders of Hovawart in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-hovawart) [9 breeders of Hovawart in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-hovawart/netherlands) [7 breeders of Hovawart in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-hovawart/austria) [7 breeders of Hovawart in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-hovawart/denmark) [2 breeders of Hovawart in Hungary](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-hovawart/hungary) [2 breeders of Hovawart in Poland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-hovawart/poland) [1 breeder of Hovawart in Estonia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-hovawart/estonia) [1 breeder of Hovawart in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-hovawart/spain)
[All breeders of Hovawart in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-hovawart)
## Ready to welcome a Hovawart?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-hovawart)
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