The Hovawart is a very old German working dog breed. The name’s origin stems from Middle High German (an old form of German); Hova = Hof (= yard, farm) and wart = Wächter (= watchman). Since 1922 the breeding of this breed, by using dogs similar in type still found on farms, has been restored. Apart from this, in the early years of breeding, crosses with German Shepherd Dogs, Newfoundlands, Leonbergers and other breeds were admitted. Due to the strict measurements taken in selecting the breeding stock, the original working type was attained again. In 1937, Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) officially recognized the Hovawart. The circumstances of World War II threatened the breed again. It was difficult to keep and sustain dogs. Various groups of breeders tried to revive the breed with the reduced number of dogs that remained after the War. In 1948, the Rassezuchtverein für Hovawart-Hunde e.V. (RZV) was founded from some of these groups in the Federal Republic of Germany and became a member of the Verband für das deutsche Hundewesen (VDH), the German Kennel Club.
Nutrition
You are going to want to feed your Hovawart a formula that will cater to their unique digestive needs throughout the various phases of their life. Many dog food companies have breed-specific formulas for small, medium, large and extra-large breeds. The Hovawart is a large breed with a lifespan of 10-14 years.
Grooming
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
Hovawarts are a large breed so the more running room they have, the happier they will be. It is preferable to have a large fenced yard, but substitute exercises such as hiking, trips to a dog park, etc. can make up for some lack in this area. It needs at least a one-hour walk, plus 3 or 4 shorter walks to do “its business” daily. Training for dog sports like agility, obedience and rally can also be a great way to give your dog exercise. Apartments are not typically large enough, or have room enough, for the desired activities.
Training
The Hovawart’s guarding instincts are best controlled by socialization and exposure to different situations and stimuli. This will allow the dog to understand how each situation should be approached and utilizes the dog’s intelligence to assure a measured response. Absent directions, the Hovawart will make his own decision, and it may not match what you want him to do. Training is needed so the dog understands how you want it to make decisions and not rely on its instincts. Appropriate guarding instincts are a learned process, and the dogs need to be educated by exposing them to these situations.
Health
Hovawarts are quite healthy and live to a ripe old age. One can expect an average lifespan in the 10 to 14 year range and owners should be prepared to dedicate this amount of time to their care. There are no known issues of breed-specific diseases and hip dysplasia rates have been calculated at less than 5%. For a large breed dog, this is an exceptionally low rate.
General Appearance
The Hovawart is a powerful, medium size, slightly elongated, long-haired working dog. Difference between sexes is clearly recognizable, specially in shape of head and build of body
Size, Proportion, Substance
Length of body comprises at least 110 to 115 % of height at withers.
Head
The nasal bridge is straight and parallel to the skull. Muzzle and skull are of about the same length. The skin of the head fits tightly. CRANIAL REGION : Skull : The powerful head has a broad, rounded forehead. Stop : Well visible . FACIAL REGION : Nose : Nostrils well developed. In black/gold and black dogs pigmentation is black; in blond dogs it is black; snow nose (temporary loss of pigmentation) accepted. Muzzle : Strong, tapering only slightly when seen from above and in profile. Lips : Fit tightly. Jaws/Teeth : Strong complete scissor bite with 42 teeth according to tooth formula. Teeth set square to the jaws. Pincer bite accepted. Eyes : Oval, neither protruding nor deep set. Colour : dark to medium brown. Eyelids fit tightly. Ears : The loosely fitting triangular drop ears are set on high and wide apart, thus giving the optical illusion of broadening the skull. They reach in length to the corners of the mouth (labial commisure). Their tip is slightly rounded. When the dog is at ease they are kep hanging flat, when alert they may be carried directed slightly forward. Their front edge lies approximately halfway between eye and occiput.
Neck, Topline, Body
NECK: Strong, of medium length. Skin tightly fitting. BODY : Back : Straight and firm. Loin : Strong, slightly longer than rump. Croup : Medium long and slightly sloping. Chest : Broad, deep and strong.
Tail
Bushy, reaching to below the hocks, but not to the ground. According to the dog’s mood it is carried high and curved over the back or hanging down.
Forequarters
General appearance : Forelegs strong, straight and vertical, seen from the front and side. Shoulders : Very well muscled. Shoulder-blade long and well laid back. Upper arm : Long, closely fitting to body. Elbows : Fitting well to chest. Pastern joint : Strong. Pastern : Moderately sloping.
Hindquarters
General appearance : Hindlegs strong and vertical when seen from behind. Hindquarters are well angulated. Upper and lower thigh : Very well muscled. Hock joint : Strong, well let down.
Feet
Roundish, strong and compact. Toes arched and tight. Dewclaws to be removed except in those countries where this is prohibited by law. Nails with black pigmentation in black/gold and black dogs; in blond dogs there may be less pigmentation.
Gait
In all gaits the movement of the Hovawart is on a straight line and covering the ground well. The trot is very extended, with powerful drive from the hindquarters.
Coat
The strong long-haired coat is lightly waved and lying close, with only little undercoat. It is longer on chest, belly, rearside of forelegs, rearside of thighs and tail. It is short on head and at the front side of the fore- and hindlegs. The coat is dense.
Color
There are 3 colour varieties : black/gold, black, blond. Black/gold : The coat is black and shiny, the colour of the markings medium blond. On the head the markings begin below the nasal bridge and extend round the corners of the mouth into the marking of the throat. The point-shaped markings above the eyes are clearly visible. The chest markings consist of two adjacent patches which may be connected. On the forelegs, the marking, seen from the side, extends from the toes to about the pastern and tapers off on the rearside at about elbow level. On the hindlegs, seen from the side, the marking below the hock is seen as a broad stripe, above the hock only as a narrow stripe which extends on the front side of the hindleg up to the level of the belly. A marking is also present beneath the set on of the tail. The markings are distinct in outline everywhere. Single small white spots on the chest as well as some single white hairs on toes and tip of tail are permissible. Black pigmentation on eyelids, lips and pads. Black : The coat is black and shiny. Some single white spots on the chest as well as some single white hairs on toes and tip of tail are permissible. Black pigmentation on eyelids, lips and pads. Blond : The coat is medium blond, shiny and becomes lighter towards legs and belly. Single small white spots on the chest as well as some single white hairs on toes and tip of tail are permissible. Black pigmentation on eyelids, lips and pads.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
