# Hovawart Also known as: Hovie, Hovawart Dog - **Group:** Mastiff & Mountain (FCI group 2) - **Size:** Large - **Origin:** Germany - **Height:** 58–70 cm - **Weight:** 25–45 kg - **Life expectancy:** 10–14 years - **Temperament:** Protective, Loyal, Confident, Alert, Family-Oriented - **FCI standard:** No. 190 A German farm guardian named for the old word for yard-watcher, rebuilt in the 20th century from old farm dogs. A strong, long-haired, loyal family guard. ## Overview The Hovawart is a muscular, medium-to-large German working breed whose name means yard or farm watcher. It is a guardian by nature, and also a keen partner for search and rescue, tracking and other dog sports. With firm, kind training it can be a devoted and steady family companion. ## History The breed echoes medieval farm guard dogs, but its popularity faded as the German Shepherd Dog took over guard work, and it almost disappeared by the early 1900s. Around 1915 enthusiasts led by Kurt Friedrich König gathered farm dogs from the Black Forest and crossed them with Kuvasz, Newfoundlands, German Shepherds, Leonbergers and others. The first litter was registered in 1922 and the German Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1937. The war nearly undid this work, but a new club formed in Coburg in 1947 and the breed was recognised as Germany's seventh working breed in 1964. ## Appearance A slightly longer-than-tall, muscular dog with a straight nose bridge, oval dark-to-medium brown eyes and triangular drop ears. Males stand about 63 to 70 cm and females 58 to 65 cm. The long coat lies close to the body with little undercoat and is longer on the chest, belly and back of the legs. The tail reaches the hocks. ## Temperament Hovawarts are protective, watchful and keen to be part of the family pack. They are confident with strangers rather than aggressive, and are usually calm in the home when well trained. They are intelligent but can be slow to mature and need an experienced, consistent owner who provides early socialisation. ## Care and exercise They need daily exercise, activity and training with a job to do, such as tracking or obedience. They are happiest living with their family rather than kept outdoors. Brush the coat a few times a week, with more during seasonal shedding. The coat is quite easy to maintain. ## Health Hip and elbow dysplasia are the main concerns, and breeders usually screen for them. Bloat is a possible risk in deep-chested dogs, so feed several small meals. ## Ratings (1 to 5) - Energy: 3 - Exercise needs: 4 - Grooming: 3 - Shedding: 3 - Trainability: 4 - Barking: 3 - Good with children: 4 - Good with other dogs: 3 Page: https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/hovawart Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hovawart · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38368 Photo: Ursula Schneider / Nürmbrecht (CC BY-SA 3.0), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Helos_11.jpg Profile written by an AI model from the sources above.