Hovawart

The Hovawart is a medium-temperament working dog with versatile usage and has a very good nose. He is kind, devoted, and watchful.

Daily Care

Grooming Tips

Because the Hovawart does not have much of an undercoat, it does not need much grooming. Apart from the period of shedding, an occasional brushing will suffice.
Beyond this, the occasional bath will keep them clean and looking their best. Their strong fast-growing nails should be trimmed regularly with a nail clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting and cracking.
Their ears should be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of wax and debris which can result in an infection. Teeth should be brushed regularly.

Exercise Tips

Hovawarts were bred to be hard workers and require at least an hour’s worth of vigorous exercise each day. When not provided with an outlet to release their excess energy these dogs can become stubborn and destructive.
They make excellent jogging, running and hiking partners. Like most working dogs, Hovawarts too require a “meaningful” task to which they can devote themselves to each day in order to be happy.

Feeding Tips

Hovawarts are hard workers and need a well-balanced diet. They can be fed on most high-grade dry foods. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Health Tips

Hovawarts are an extremely healthy breed and do not suffer from any hereditary ailments. They can, however, suffer from hip dysplasia occasionally, as is common with large breeds of dogs.

Trainability

Unlike most other working breeds Hovawarts are not as eager to please their masters and require various reward-based training methods.
If positive encouragement is not used, these dogs can lose interest and become stubborn during training. It is also important that owners display a loving but firm style of leadership with these powerful dogs.

History

The Hovawart is a very old German working breed. It is a yard and farm watchdog. The breed was nearly lost in the early 20th Century.
Breeding was restored by using dogs of the old type that were found on farms, and crossing them withGerman Shepherds,NewfoundlandsandLeonbergers, among others, and selecting for dogs that were of the original working type.