The Hovawart is a very old German working
breed.
References to dogs closely resembling the
Hovawart have been found in drawings and
written form as early as the 13th century.
Until the 1920's the breed became almost extinct.
Kurt König began a reconstruction of the Hovawart
in the early 1920's. He found specimens
resembling the breed in the German countryside.
König mixed them with German Shepherd Dogs,
Kuvasz, Newfoundlands and Leonbergers. Due
to strict measures taken in selecting the breeding
stock, the original working type was attained
again.
The German Kennel Club recognized the Hovawart in 1937.
Norwegian CH. Hauswart Blonde Charmy Chabina.
Pictured by Torunn Olsen.
The Hovawart is recognized as a working dog with versatile usage.
The breed is calm at home, but energetic outdoors. Loyal to the family, but with the tendency to become strictly devoted (?) to one person in the family. Determined, obedient, and affectionate, especially towards its master.
The Hovawart has a protective, fighting instinct, self-confidence and ability to take stress, of medium temperament, combined with a very good nose. He will protect your property against intruders with great passion. When his handler indicates that visitors are welcome, he will accept them immediately.
The Hovawart is intelligent and highly trainable, he learns quickly what you expect of him. To achieve the best results, the training must be extremely, loving and well balanced.
They are excellent with children (when the dogs are well socialized with them from puppy-hood). They may as well be puppy-like in their old days!
Their balanced body proportions and special devotion to their family makes them an outstanding companion, watch, guard, tracking and rescue dog.
This breed needs a firm experienced master.
Norwegian CH. Hoffen Hills Harmlos de Noir, "Chakira".
Pictured by Torunn Olsen.
Head:
The scull is powerful, has a broad rounded forehead and moderate though clearly defined stop.
Face:
The nostrils are well developed. Black & Tan and Black dogs have a black pigmentation on the nose.
Blonde Hovawart have also black nose, but "pink" nose (snow nose) is not unusual.
The muzzle is strong, tapering only slightly seen from above and in profile.
The lips are fit tightly. Teeth are strong complete scissor bite with 42 teeth according to tooth formula. Pincher bite is acceptable.
Eyes are oval, neither protruding nor deep set, medium sized. Colour is dark to medium brown and the eyelids fit tightly.
The ears are loosely fitting triangular drop, and are set on high and wide apart. In this way to give the optical illusion of broadening the scull. They reach in length down to the corner of the mouth. The ear-tip is
slightly rounded. When the dog is at ease they are hanging flat, but when alert they may be carried
directed slightly forward. The ears front edge lies circa halfway between eye and occiput.
Norwegian CH. Hauswart Black Heavy Charon.
Neck:
Strong, of medium length with skin tightly fitting.
Back:
Straight and solid.
Loin:
Strong and slightly longer than rump.
Croup:
Medium long and slightly sloping.
Chest:
Broad, strong and deep.
Tail:
Reaching down to below the hocks, but not to the ground. Bushy. Is carried high and curved over the
back, or hanging down, according to the mood.
Limbs:
Forequarters:
Shoulders are very well muscled. Shoulder blades are long and well laid back.
Forelegs are strong, straight and vertical (seen from the front and the side).
Long and closely upper arm, fitting to the body, and elbows fitting well to the chest.
Postern joint are strong and moderately sloping.
Hindquarters:
Hind-legs are strong and vertical when seen from behind.
The hindquarters are well angulated without exaggeration.
Upper and lower thigh is very well muscled.
Hock joint are strong, well let down.
Feet:
Are roundish, strong and compact.
Toes arched and tight.
Black & Tan and Black dogs have nails with
black pigmentation, while Blonde dogs may have less pigmentation.
Picture by Torunn Olsen.
Skin:
The skin is tightly fitting all over, with a bluish sheen in Black & Tan and Black dogs, and with a mostly
pink sheen in Blonde dogs.
Coat:
There are three variations of colour; Black & Tan, Black, Blonde.
The strong longhaired coat is lightly waved and closely lying, with only little undercoat.
It is longer on the chest, belly, rear of the forelegs (feathering) and rear of the thighs and tail.
On the rib cage and thighs it is not so long.
Short hair on the front of the fore and hind legs.
The coat is dense.
Black;
The coat is black and shiny. Some single white spots on the chest, toes and tip of the nail are
permissible.
Black & Tan;
The coat is black and shiny, the colour of markings are medium blonde.
On the head the markings begin below the nasal bridge and around the corners of the mouth into the marking of the throat.
The points shaped markings above the eyes are clearly visible. On the chest there are two markings that
may be connected, but shouldn't extend continuously to the forelegs.
On the forelegs (seen from the side), the markings starts at the rear side of the elbow, extends to pastern and down to the toes. The markings on the hind-legs are seen (from the side) below the hock as a broad stripe, and above the hock as a narrow stripe. The marking extends on the front of the hind-leg up to the level of the belly.
In some speciments there are a marking present beneath the set of the tail.
Most of the Black & Tan Hovawarts have a marking around their bottom below the tail.
Blonde;
The coat is middle blonde. It's shiny and becomes lighter towards legs and belly.
Picture by Torunn Olsen.
Size:
The males are 63-70 cm. (24-27 ˝ inches) at the withers, and weights between 30-40 kg (66-88 pounds).
Females are 58-65 cm. (22 ˝ - 25 ˝ inches) at the withers, and weights between 25-35 kg. (55-77 pounds).
Gait and movement:
In all gaits the movement of the Hovawart is in a straight line, covering the ground well. Powerful drive
from the hindquarters, and the trot is very extended.
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