History
The hovawart is an old German working dog. The name Hovawart means
watchdog, a dog that guards your house or farm and that is the hovawart´s
original task.Now it is used as a very all-round working dog. The breed it
is relatively new and was reconstructed in 1922 by the german Kurt F
König. In a number of villages set up in the mountains, a few specimens of
old hovawart were found. To improve the breed these dogs were cross-bred
with Leonberger, Newfoundland dogs, Kuvaz and old german shepherd. In 1937
the german kennel club recognized the breed Hovawart.
To Sweden The breed came to Sweden in 1967.
Kennel Hejderidarens imported a black bitch from Switzeerland called Cara
Von Goldigtor.Boy Von Goldigtor arrived the following year.
Breeding
The first litter born in Sweden were registered in 1970. During the
seventies, more and more breeders began to take interest in the breed. The
hovawart is a helathy dog compared to many other breeds, but as with many
large breeds hip problems exist and some cases of disfunctional thyroid
gland have also been registered..
Approximately 160-200 hovawart a year are registered in Sweden - a number
that has been almost pepetual for the last couple of years. There are at
rough estimate 2.000 hovawarts in Sweden today(1998)
Apperance
The hovawart have three different colours: black and tan, blond and black.
The average height for a bitch is 58-65 cm, for a dog 63-70 cm. The breed
is very attractive, wich unfortunately means that sometimes a not suitable
owners has got themselves a hovawart. The coat is really easy to groom,
and it usually is enough with a good combing once a week to keep it shiny
and beautiful.
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Mentality and temper
The Hovawart is an active and intelligent dog that loves to work. It must
have a very firm and konsistent uppbringing. The hovawart is very attached
to its family and is s happiest when it can come along on different
activities. It warns its family if strangers are coming, but does not go
to extremes. It is a sturdy breed with a lot of charm. it should not be
kept in a dog kennel, it is dependent on a leader and can be very rough
when playing with others dogs.
How I look upon the breed
The hovawart is a working dog and it really needs to be activated. My
opinion is that it is not suitable as a sole pet dog, it is far too active
and demanding for that. The breeders of the hovawart have many different
goals and ambitions, so it is important to be careful when you buy a puppy.
Go and see a breeder, and make sure you get to the puppies mother, who
must be good-natured.
Ulla-Britt Norgren
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