Hovawart

Watchful at home and active by your side

A Hovawart may pay close attention to activity around its home, reflecting its background as a farm guardian. In family life, however, the dog should not have to decide who is allowed onto the property. The dog can learn to go to a familiar resting place away from the door when visitors arrive. That routine and calm greetings can help it get used to the situation. Guiding the dog from the beginning gives you opportunities to reward the behaviour you want.

The German breed club Rassezuchtverein für Hovawart-Hunde describes a dog closely involved with its family. In practice, that makes shared daily life important. A dog spending most of its time in a garden has few opportunities to get to know its people and the world beyond the fence. Suitability around children, cats or another dog should be considered according to the individual Hovawart’s experience and behaviour.

Everyday life

The UK’s Royal Kennel Club gives more than two hours of daily exercise as a broad guide for a healthy adult Hovawart. Shared walks with time for sniffing and exploring fit well within that day. A securely fenced garden is useful, but does not replace outings and involvement with the family.

Scent can provide a different sort of task. When searching for a familiar toy, the dog can first watch where it is hidden. The search can become more challenging as the game becomes familiar. In mantrailing, a dog follows an individual person’s scent to find them. A suitable class develops the task and teamwork gradually. Scent work complements physical activity. A young dog should not start with an adult’s workload. Exercise, rest and sporting tasks should change as it develops.

Everyday dog training: recall, a loose lead and clear communication ↗

Day-to-day care

The long coat lies close to the body and, according to the international standard, has relatively little undercoat, the shorter, softer hairs beneath the outer coat. A Hovawart still sheds and needs thorough brushing several times a week. Tangles can develop behind the ears and in the longer hair on the legs. A comb helps you check those areas before larger mats form.

Drying the dog after a walk also provides a chance to look at its paws and skin. Trapped plant material or an irritated patch may be easier to notice then. A puppy should begin learning a brief, comfortable grooming routine early on. Appropriate food portions, nail checks and regular toothbrushing also belong in care. Training treats should count towards the overall amount of food.