Description

Sometimes mistaken for the Golden Retriever, the Hovawart has a heavier build than the former, with clear differences between the sexes. Females are smaller, whereas males are larger and heavier. The Hovawart has a rounded forehead, with a slightly tapered muzzle, an even scissor bite, and floppy triangular ears. The eyes are oval and usually dark.

The body is straight and strong, with a broad deep chest, and a long bushy tail that is carried high. The legs are strong, ending in round, compact feet.

Origin: America

Look

The Hovawart has long, dense fur with a slightly wavy texture (ringlets or curls are not accepted), and minimal undercoat. The hair is longer on the chest and belly, and there is heavy feathering on the legs and tail. They shed lightly throughout the year, but weekly brushing will help to remove any loose hairs. The Hovawart’s coat can be black, blonde, or black & gold. The breed standard does not accept dogs with white, grey, or brown patches.

Health

While generally a healthy breed, the Hovawart can suffer from one or more of the following health issues:

• Hip dysplasia
• Hypothyroidism

At Newdoggy.com, we recommend that you buy your dog from reputable breeders, who use genetic testing and good breeding practices to remove genetic conditions from their breeding lines.

Learning

This breed is very intelligent but tends to be an independent thinker: without instruction, the Hovawart will make his/her own decisions. They can be a little stubborn, but with consistent training, you’ll be amazed at how much your Hovawart is able to learn. The breed is amazingly versatile, and has been successful at guarding, search and rescue, and tracking, among other activities. Be aware that the Hovawart does not respond well to harsh training.

Temperament

The Hovawart is an excellent family dog. They adore their family, and have a strong protective instinct. Since they were bred to be guard dogs, Hovawarts are somewhat reserved with strangers, so proper socialisation is a must. If you expose your Hovawart to a wide variety of situations and people, this intelligent breed will soon learn the proper way to behave.

Living with

The loyal and affectionate Hovawart is a wonderful family dog. If properly socialised, these even-tempered dogs are wonderful with children. As they remain playful and puppy-like throughout their lives, they make great playmates for your kids.

The Hovawart does need to be properly exercised; ideally they should have access to a fenced garden or yard, and should also be walked several times a day (one long walk, and a few shorter walks). If you live in an apartment, this might not be the breed for you.

If you are interested in canine sports, the Hovawart is an excellent choice. They have proved to be excellent at tracking, but also do well at obedience and canine agility.