Overview
The Slovak Cuvac is a white livestock guardian from the Carpathian mountains, bred to watch sheep and farms against wolves and bears. It is related to the Hungarian Kuvasz.
It is alert, brave and naturally protective, but warm with its family. It suits spacious homes with room to patrol, and owners who understand guardian dogs.
History
The breed has been documented since the 17th century. As wolves vanished from the mountains and herding changed, it nearly became a relic, and few dogs remained by the 1950s.
Dr. Antonin Hruza of the veterinary school in Brno set up organised breeding in 1929, a breed club followed in 1933, and a written standard was approved in 1964. Foundation dogs came from the Tatra and Carpathian districts.
Appearance
An imposing, sturdy dog with a slightly longer-than-tall body, a large head and strong jaws. The dark oval eyes are lively, the ears hang close to the head, and the thickly furred tail hangs low at rest.
The coat is always pure white, which let shepherds tell the dog from predators at night. Males stand up to about 70 cm.
Temperament
Lively, watchful and undaunted, the Cuvac is a natural guardian that is suspicious of strangers. With its family it is gentle, loyal and affectionate.
It thrives with children and livestock to look after, and needs firm, experienced leadership and early socialisation.
Care and exercise
Needs space, a secure fence and a purposeful life, ideally on a farm or large property. Daily walks and patrolling suit it better than intense sports.
The dense white coat needs regular brushing, with vigorous grooming through the heavy spring moult.
Health
Generally a hardy breed. Hip dysplasia can occur, so screening of breeding dogs is advisable.
