For those seeking the 101 on Hovawart dogs this page will give you some basics on what to expect from the breed. Overall appearance shows a medium-large sized muscular working breed; at 23-28 inches (shoulder height) and 60-100 pounds, their look is somewhat likened to a Golden Retriever-- strong but not overly muscular. The long, silky coat is often wavy and exists in 3 color varieties: black, blonde, and black and gold; the hair is longer on the chest, belly, back of legs, and tail. The head is about equal length to the muzzle with oval medium to dark brown eyes and ears that are high set, triangular and drop.
1. Intelligence- These dogs are very smart and need little to no training to excel in their guarding and protecting duties. Some say they are independent thinkers that work with you and not for you; they are also known to guard defensively-- not offensively (an important distinction). They should be fairly easy to train if you are an owner experienced with large working dogs. Hovawarts excel at agility and obedience training, therapy work, and search and rescue activities.
2. Kids, Strangers, Pets- A well socialized and trained Hovawart is an excellent family companion and playmate for children but may present an accidental hazard due to size. They will likely remain suspicious or aloof around strangers but shouldn't be aggressive unless they feel called upon to guard you. Whether they can coexist peacefully with other dogs and cats depends upon their level of socialization.
3. Exercise- This breed is of moderate energy and will need daily outdoor exercise (at least 45 minutes or so). They are great exercise partners and enjoy sports, long walks, jogs, hikes and trips to the dog park. They aren't suited to apartment living and a large, fenced yard is ideal.
