Hovawart

She is affectionate and family-oriented.

She’s very playful and will soon tune into the family sense of humour.

If well exercised, she will remain calm in the house. Outside, she is level-headed but ready for action.

Highly so. She is a versatile dog with many abilities.

No, although some say she has hunting dog in her heritage. She’s good at search and rescue, though.

She is likely to be shy rather than aggressive towards strangers. She’s a warm host, unless she detects a threat.

Independence is within her capacity but she needs regular contact with humans.

She can get by for an hour or two by herself if exercised beforehand.

She is very intelligent and quick to learn but her manners could go awry if training isn’t prioritized from a young age.

Her loud and authoritative bark is more likely to be a benefit than a problem as the Hovawart makes an excellent watchdog.

She is not noted as an escape artist.

When not given enough exercise, the Hovawart may turn her mind – and her teeth – towards wanton acts of destruction. Otherwise, she is a patient dog.

This can certainly be an issue with the Hovawart. She shouldn’t eat before exercise, as this would upset her stomach.

The Hovawart’s name means ‘guardian of the estates’ – she is protective and alert, sounds a loud bark, and although not aggressive her size can be ample dissuasion for burglars.

This breed is recommended for first-time owners who have the capacity to deal with her energy levels, since she’s a family-oriented and reliable dog.

A countryside house with a garden is her ideal home, but she can adapt to an apartment and city life as long as she gets enough exercise outdoors.

The Hovawart requires at least one hour of proper walking/park-based exercise a day in addition to her three or four constitutional strolls. Physical and mental stimulation are very important for her well-being.

You will need a car with a large boot and dog guard to transport this dog by motor vehicle. Other means of transport may be a challenge due to her size.

She should be good around cats as long as she is accustomed to their company from puppyhood.

She can be friendly and playful with other dogs but it is important to give her lots of ‘other dog time’ while she’s still a puppy.

This dog is a dream with respectful children since she’s loving and playful. 

Her power and active needs are not compatible with people of a certain age.