Hovawart: origin, temperament, care basics

The Hovawart is one of the oldest German dog breeds. Animals have excellent security qualities and at the same time very friendly towards the owner. Initially, the breed received recognition only at home and is only now beginning to gain popularity in America and European countries. This article will examine the history of the origin of such dogs, their temperament, as well as the basics of grooming.

The Hovawart is considered to be a fairly old dog breed. The first written information about it appeared in 1274, although official recognition took place much later - in 1959. Breeds such as Hungarian Kuvasz, Newfoundland and Leonberger were used for breeding. In the manuscripts of the 13th century, there are references to yard guard dogs, referred to as "hovewart" or "hofwart".

In 1473, dogs were recognized in Germany as one of the noblest species. The animals received such a title thanks to their character and intelligence. The dogs had good hunting qualities, and also were distinguished by the ability to instantly make important decisions in stressful situations. There are many references to dogs in books from different centuries.

For example, in the oldest literary source in 1274, events that occurred in 1210 were described. During the siege of the German fortress by the northern peoples, the owner of the castle entrusted the life of his little son to his pet, who was a representative of the Hovawart breed. The child was tied to the dog, after which the animal was released outside the fortress.The dog saved the boy's life, and also brought the soldiers to the castle for help.

Throughout its history, the breed has undergone more than one exterior change. If we talk about modern representatives of the Hovawarts, then Kurt and Bertram Köning made a huge contribution to their development. The beginning of the recovery period is 1915. Breeders selected the strongest representatives of this species, crossed them and were engaged in the cultivation and training of offspring.

The first nursery appeared in 1922, and in March 1937 the ideal representative of the breed, according to breeders, was born. The puppy was named Castor, the characteristics of this dog are considered the standard to this day. 32 litters were obtained from Castor, but the Second World War made adjustments to the development of the breed. Almost all ideal representatives of this species have died.

A new stage in the restoration of the breed began in 1949. In Germany, dogs were registered as service dogs in 1959. However, the breed was recognized worldwide only in 1964.

The Hovawart is a medium-sized breed, with distinct differences in appearance depending on gender. The weight of animals may vary depending on the height - it is important that the pet's body is proportional. Adult males over 7 months of age can reach 40-45 kilograms, and bitches - 35-40 kilograms.

Height is measured at the withers and according to the standard in males it can vary from 63 to 70 centimeters. Female dogs can be between 58 and 65 centimeters tall. The length of the body depends on the height of the animals and should have an indicator in the range from 110% to 115%. The coat of dogs is rather dense, with long, wavy hairs.

Only 3 colors of wool are officially recognized.

• Solid black, without any marks of extraneous shade.
• Pale yellow - rich color of the coat. The presence of lightened zones on the body in the chest and abdomen is allowed. This color can also be called light red.
• Black and tan. The predominant color is black, pale yellow spots can be found on the muzzle, in the chest area, on the legs and near the tail.

The skull in dogs is quite powerful, with a wide frontal part. The ears are triangular and set wide apart, and the bite is scissor bite. The muzzle is about the same length as the skull. The size of the neck in dogs is medium, the skin is tight. The body of the breed is quite strong, with a straight back and a powerful loin.

The tail reaches in length below the complex motor joint on the hind legs, which is called the hock. The coat is long and thick. The fore and hind legs are well muscled and straight. The paws are rounded and the toes are tightly pressed together. In black dogs, the nails should be the same color.

Like all dog breeds, Hovawarts have their own advantages and disadvantages. The pluses of animals include the following:

• representatives of this breed are friendly and very loyal to the owner;
• good learning ability due to a high level of intelligence;
• Dogs do not need careful grooming, so they are suitable for keeping even inexperienced dog breeders.

As for the disadvantages of the breed, first of all it should be noted high cost of puppies... In addition, when choosing a pet, you need to be extremely careful, since any discrepancy with the exterior standard is considered a marriage. Also, the disadvantages can be attributed to the independent nature: despite the fact that the Hovawarts are easy to train, they always prefer to make independent decisions, rather than act strictly by order.

The Hovawarts are excellent guards, but at the same time they are devoid of aggression. Animals are distinguished by a strong stable psyche, they can sensibly assess a dangerous situation and do not bother with loud barking for no good reason. Representatives of this breed are very intelligent and have all the qualities of a leader.

Hovawarts are good companions and quickly become attached to their master. These dogs mature quite late. The body and psyche of Hawavarts is finally formed only by the second year of life. The pets are quite active and need regular walking and outdoor play. It is not recommended to leave the pet alone with the child, as the animal can harm him through negligence. With its rather large size and playfulness, the dog can accidentally knock a child down.

Due to its independent nature, this breed needs proper training. Otherwise, a naughty and unbalanced dog can grow out of a puppy.

Each member of the family will love the dog, but only one will be considered the owner and obeyed. In a relationship with a pet, it is important to show love and respect, otherwise the animal can be very offended and even withdrawn into itself.

Hovawarts easily tolerate changing places, so you can take them with you on vacation. In the company of other animals, representatives of this breed will clearly show leadership qualities and defend territory. Therefore, Hovawarts will easily get along only with representatives of those breeds that by their nature do not seek to take a leading position.

Also, the pet's behavior may not meet the general standard due to improper upbringing. However, the protective instinct in such dogs will be present in any case, since it is laid down by nature.

The most suitable place for keeping Hovawarts would be a private house. It is best to arrange a place for the dog in the area adjacent to it. However, it should be remembered that you cannot put representatives of this breed on a chain. You can keep your pet in the aviary, but not all the time, since the animal needs freedom of movement.

However, the pet needs a lot of attention from the owner and regular walking. It is necessary to walk with the animal every day and preferably at least 2 hours. It is best to find a suitable place where you can let the Hovawart run without a leash or muzzle. During walks, the dog must be physically exhausted, which will maintain its health and psyche.

When developing a Hovawart diet, it is important to remember that the menu must be balanced. The dog should receive every day all the substances in the right amount necessary for growth and development. First, it is recommended to feed the pet with the same foods that the dog ate from the breeder. Make changes to the menu and feeding schedule gradually.

There should not be a bowl of food at the feeding site all the time. Feeding is desirable to carry out at the same time, and then remove the leftover food that the dog did not eat. It is also recommended to pay attention to the temperature of the food - the food should be warm.

You need to give food to the animal after walks, and not before them. The fact is that during the digestion of food, strong physical activity is undesirable for dogs. The feeding regimen largely depends on the age of the pet and its temperament. Puppies eat at least 6 times a day. Gradually, the frequency of feeding should be reduced. After 9 months, dogs are usually transferred to two meals a day.

There is no clear menu for dogs, and the diet for each pet can be made individually. You can feed the animal with both ready-made feed and natural food. It is important not to mix these types of foods while feeding.

If you plan to give the animal dry food, then the amount of regular food in the diet should be reduced to a maximum of 30%. Finished feed must be of good quality and balanced in composition. It is recommended to purchase dry formulations and canned food of the same brand.

As for natural products, then the first thing a dog needs is meat. It is recommended to feed it raw to animals for better assimilation of protein. It is best to give your pet beef and various offal. Fatty meats can negatively affect the digestive system of the animal, and are also less assimilated by the body.

You can add grated fresh vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers or zucchini to cereals. Some individuals like sweets, but they can only be useful in the form of some fruits. They should only be given to your dog as a treat and in small quantities. These can be apples, bananas, pears, melons, and so on. It is allowed to give berries together with fruits.

Eggs are also good for dogs, but in small quantities and also no more than 3 times a week. Sometimes it is good for a pet's teeth to gnaw fresh bones, but they are of no benefit to the body. As a preventive measure for the appearance of caries, it is better to buy a dog special hard treats at pet stores.

Dogs should not be given pastries such as rolls or chocolate. Regular consumption of sweets can lead to weight problems and diabetes. Animals are also prohibited from unsweetened pastries. It is allowed to occasionally feed the dog a few small pieces of toasted bread.

Otherwise, the nervous and cardiovascular systems of the pet will be under attack. Some fruits are contraindicated for dogs - first of all, these are all citrus fruits. Too fatty foods, as well as mushrooms, are dangerous for animals. In no case should your pet be given alcohol or vitamin supplements intended for humans..

Despite the fact that Hovawarts have a rather long and beautiful coat, they do not need complex care. The coat of this breed has the ability to repel water and is resistant to pollution. Animals do not need to be bathed every time they walk. Frequent bathing, on the other hand, can harm your pet. Water negatively affects the condition of the skin, drying it.

For bathing, you must use special products for long-haired dogs. After water procedures, you need to rub the dog thoroughly with a towel to remove excess water from the coat. To prevent the coat from tangling, it is necessary comb periodically. This procedure is enough to carry out 2 times per week... During the molting period, it is advisable to comb the pet every day in order to remove excess hairs that have fallen out.

It is necessary to trim the long hair between the toes in winter, and this is done primarily for the convenience of the dog itself. If you do not remove long hairs, snow will adhere to them during walks.

Not only the coat, but also the ears and jaw, requires special attention from the Hovawarts. To prevent tooth decay and tartar formation, dogs are advised to purchase special bones from pet stores. It is advisable to periodically brush your pet's teeth using a special brush and toothpaste for dogs.

Ears should be cleaned at least once a week. You can also purchase a special lotion for cleaning at a pet store or veterinary clinic.

Also, at home, there should be products for cleansing the eyes. The eyeball should be treated only as needed in case of contamination. Hovawarts have rather stiff and long claws that can get in the way of a pet. It is advisable to teach your pet to trim its claws from a young age.

The importance of education and training of representatives of the Hovawart breed has already been noted. If you do not train your pet from an early age, then it can grow up naughty and unbalanced. Immediately after the puppy has appeared in the house, it must be accustomed to the nickname, its place and walking on a leash.

It is worth remembering that Hovawarts mature longer than representatives of other dog breeds. Adults can retain some of the traits of small puppies up to 3 years. Therefore, in the process of training, you need to be patient, not be angry with the animal for being playful and in no case physically punish it.

It is believed that females learn commands faster, and males follow instructions more conscientiously.

In order to be able to control the behavior of the dog, it is necessary to train it in the following commands: “Near”, “Lie down”, “To me”, “Sit”, “Fu”, “Voice” and “Stand”. The pet may be extremely reluctant to follow some instructions, for example, "Lie down". Hovawarts are by nature a leader and do not like to be in a position of complete submission.

Hovawarts have fairly good immunity and do not have hereditary diseases. Health status largely depends on proper nutrition and proper care. Life expectancy is 13 years on average. but with proper care, Hovawarts can live 17 years while feeling good... Like all dogs, representatives of this breed need timely vaccination. In addition, the pet needs to be regularly treated for worms and skin parasites.

For the characteristics of the Hovawart breed, see below.