Hovawart

The Hovawart is a German working breed whose name is medieval — Hofwart, "yard watchman" — though the modern dog is a twentieth-century reconstruction.

History

German breeders in the 1920s set out to recreate a farm guardian described in medieval texts, using surviving farm dogs from the Black Forest and Harz regions with additions from other working breeds. It is therefore both an old idea and a young breed.

Temperament

The breed is known for being confident, watchful and strongly bonded to its family, with a guarding instinct that is measured rather than reactive. It matures slowly and keeps an independent streak that reward-based training suits better than repetition.

Care and training

It needs substantial exercise and mental work, and does well at tracking and search work. The medium-long coat sheds and needs regular brushing but little trimming.

Health

Known tendencies include hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism; the breed's managed gene pool has kept it relatively sound. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.