The Hovawart is an elegant and independent watchdog with a friendly nature. Nowadays, the breed is especially popular as a family and companion dog. Here you will find everything you ever wanted to know about this beloved dog breed.

History of the Hovawart

The Hovawart is an ancient German working dog breed that was first mentioned in writings from the Middle Ages. The name originates from Middle High German and roughly translates to “estate guardian” (Hova – estate, Wart – guardian). In reports and images from the 15th century, the breed appears as an attentive estate dog and tracker of thieves.

In the 20th century, the famous breeder Kurt Friedrich König aimed to create a breed inspired by these dogs, one that acts confidently and independently. He crossed the best estate dogs from the Black Forest, Odenwald, and the Harz Mountains with the German Shepherd, Newfoundland, Leonberger, and Kuvasz. The result was a robust and healthy estate dog that continues to be very popular in Germany today. The breed was officially recognized in Germany in 1937 and internationally accepted into the FCI Group 2, Section 2 “Molossoids” in 1964.

Character Traits and Personality

The Hovawart is an intelligent, independent, and remarkably brave dog. This powerful nature lover has a strong guarding instinct and is typically cautious around strangers. However, he is not aggressive but rather a balanced dog who would never attack lightly. He prefers to stay in the background and intervenes when he deems it appropriate.

For this reason, consistent training and good socialization are essential. The breed requires a confident and self-assured owner. If their human shows uncertainty or fear, the dogs will take the lead. The Hovawart needs a home with a family he can protect and to whom he is faithfully devoted. He is affectionate and playful with his chosen people but does not display unconditional obedience. He remains lively and active well into old age.

Is the Hovawart Right for Me?

If you are considering getting a Hovawart puppy, you should be certain that the breed is right for you. After all, the dog, with a lifespan of up to 14 years, will be a part of your daily life for a long time. Daily walks, extensive training, and cuddling are part of life with a Hovawart. He does not like to be alone and needs a consistent and loving caregiver. Ideally, you should keep your Hovi in a large house with a fenced garden that he can guard as his territory. If you are looking for a beginner’s dog, the Hovi is probably not the right choice. In that case, you should consider getting a Golden Retriever or a Labrador Retriever.

If you’re absolutely sure that the Hovawart is the right dog for you, you’ll need to find a reputable breeder. Purchasing puppies should only be done from a registered breeder associated with the AKC (American Kennel Club). You can expect to pay between $800 and $1000 for a healthy puppy. You have the choice between three different color varieties: blond, black with gold-brown markings, and black. The gender differences are clearly recognizable in the breed. Males can reach a withers height of up to 70 cm, while females are generally slimmer and reach a height of only 58 to 65 cm. You can also find Hovawarts or mixes looking for a new home in animal shelters. If you have some experience, you can also consider adopting a Hovawart in need.

How to Care for a Hovawart?

Training and Puppy Development:

Due to his strength and size alone, the Hovawart should only be handled by someone experienced with dogs. The Hovawart is a “late bloomer,” as his complete physical and mental development is largely completed at the age of three. Because he matures so late, he takes longer for everything than other breeds. In training, a Hovawart puppy must first be convinced that your commands are worth following.

You’ll usually achieve more with friendly training, play, and treats than with pressure and punishment. If you approach the matter too aggressively, the puppy may never forgive you, and the partnership may be permanently disrupted. Since the Hovawart does not have a pronounced “will to please” but prefers to decide for himself what to do, he needs strong leadership not only in his younger years.

Dog Food Recommendations

How Much Exercise Does the Hovawart Need?

The Hovawart requires a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. He enjoys extensive walks, jogging, cycling, and dog sports like agility and obedience. Bad weather doesn’t bother him, and he seems to particularly enjoy going for walks in the rain and wind. Therefore, the breed is truly only suitable for people who want to engage in sports with their dog and are willing to invest a lot of free time. The Hovawart needs a meaningful task that he can ideally accomplish with his owner. In addition to various dog sports, such as agility or obedience, training as a guard, tracking, or rescue dog is also suitable. Like any other breed, the Hovi also appreciates rest and relaxation from time to time.

Health and Grooming

Thanks to a broad breeding approach, Hovawarts are among the healthiest dogs out there. The percentage of hereditary diseases in the Hovawart is less than 1%. However, some representatives of this otherwise robust breed suffer from hip dysplasia. To counteract the condition, you should ensure a healthy and balanced diet from puppyhood. Grooming the Hovi is generally not very time-consuming. The long fur does not need to be brushed every day, as it contains only a small amount of undercoat. However, during shedding, you should support your dog and regularly remove loose hair.

Product Recommendations

Hovawarts as Helpers in Everyday Life

Due to their keen sense of smell and strong will, this breed is excellent as a search and rescue or tracking dog. For this purpose, the dog must first pass a companion dog test, and the handler must pass a dog handler test. After that, both can join a search and rescue dog team together. You can work with the Hovawart in all areas, including area search, rubble search, avalanche search, water rescue, mantrailing, and much more. The Hovawart is also very popular as a police dog and is widely used.

Do you have a Hovawart or are you planning to get one soon? Tell us in the comments what makes the Hovi so special!