Description

The Kuvasz is a majestic, well-proportioned white sheepdog with a very handsome head. (Some standards accept an ivory coat, but it is usually not preferred.) The stop is well-defined, but not abrupt. The muzzle tapers slightly to a black nose, but is not pointed. The lips and inside of the mouth are black. The ears are folded and close to the head, and the eyes are almond-shaped and dark brown. The medium-boned body is slightly longer than it is tall. The dog is muscular, but not bulky. He is light-footed and agile for his size. The lower abdomen is tucked up. Though the coat is white, the skin is generally dark. The more dark pigment in the skin, the better. The coat is medium-length, either straight or quite wavy, with a thick undercoat. It forms an abundant mane around the neck and chest. The coat is much fuller in the winter. The hair is short on the head and feet, but on the body and legs it is wavy and can be as much as 4-6 inches (10-15 cm.) long. The tail, which is carried low, is raised when the dog is excited. The back of the legs are feathered. Dewclaws on the rear legs should be removed, but those on the front legs should be left natural.

Origin

Some authors claim that the Kuvasz has been known since the age of the Huns. Others describe it as a sheepdog that accompanied the Turkish refugees and their flocks fleeing the Mongols into Hungary in 1200. Its name in Turkish means "protector." The Kuvasz had its great moment of splendor in the fifteenth century in the court of King Matyas I, who lived from 1458-1490. The King claimed to trust only his Kuvasz dogs and not people. The Kuvasz were often given as royal gifts. At the death of the King, the Kuvasz returned to being a sheepdog throughout the medieval period. Many of these dogs were trained to hunt big game such as bear and wild boar. The first written reference to the Kuvasz comes in the 16th century. Later the Kuvasz became popular as a village flock guardian. The breed may have contributed to the development of several similar looking sheep guard dogs, such as the Polish Tatra Sheepdog, the Marema Sheepdog, the Great Pyrenees and the Anatolian Shepherd. Hungarian herdsmen took their cattle, along with their guard dogs, to sell in several foreign lands. Along the way, their dogs may have bred with local dogs. Some animals may have been left behind when their jobs were finished. By the end of the second World War, only about thirty Kuvasz remained in the world. The dedication of several breeders resulted in the resurrection of this noble breed. Today this beautiful dog serves primarily as a companion and home guardian, in addition to its historical flock-guarding role.

Temperament

The Kuvasz is an intelligent and curious dog. Bold, determined, brave and fearless. Easy to housebreak. This livestock guardian is very territorial with strong protective instincts. It makes an excellent guard dog. It is an outstanding herder and defender of the flock against wolves. This is not a breed for everyone. His large size and strong protective instincts demand extra owner care and responsibility. He will fiercely defend his people and territory. The Kuvasz is devoted to his family, forming a strong bond with them, though the Kuvasz is a very independent breed and may even be stand-offish with his owners. If the dog is going to live with children, it is best, if possible, to select a Kuvasz pup from Kuvasz parents who love children. The Kuvasz is usually gentle and patient with his own family's children, but may not be trustworthy with others. To prevent accidental injury, do not leave this dog unsupervised with small children and their friends. Individuals vary in sociability, but for the most part, the Kuvasz is quite reserved with and even suspicious of strangers. This breed must be extensively socialized early in life to combat his extremely protective personality. He should be trained firmly by an experienced, dominant person, and should be taught to accept the family's welcome guests. The Kuvasz is not an easy breed to obedience train, as he was bred to work independently of men. He is willful, but also quite sensitive to criticism. Do not treat this dog harshly. Young dogs may test authority frequently. All family members should be taught how to handle the dog. It is highly advisable to accustom the puppy to handling strangers, both for your veterinarian's sake and if you wish to show the dog. Choose a puppy carefully - after seeing both parents, if possible. Some lines of Kuvasz are much more easy-going than others. Though puppies can easily accept other animals, adult Kuvasz are quite combative and may resent intrusions of a new canine or other animal into the household, but they can also be very gentle with other pets and livestock. Be sure to supervise and teach your Kuvasz that the newcomers are part of the family. Do not leave the new dog alone with an adult Kuvasz until you are absolutely certain they will not fight. Male to male aggression is common. If you wish your Kuvasz to be a livestock guardian, special training is necessary. Consult an expert to learn how to train your dog. From the age of 6-7 weeks, the puppy should spend most of his time with the animals he will later be called upon to guard, so he can form a strong bond with them. The biggest key to training a Kuvasz is to understand the nature of the breed as an independent guardian. It is very important NOT to use harsh training methods. Just FYI as an example, a police dog trainer would be exactly the wrong kind of trainer to use. A police dog type of temperament is not what the Kuvasz is. They make terrible police dogs because they are too independent. They judge, not you, what force is necessary in any situation, based on what they believe. That comes out of instinct, and then what they are "taught." They are really remarkable judges of how forceful to be in a situation. You need to "teach" Kuvasz, you don't "train" them. This does not mean physically forceful; you must understand that "impression" is what creates dominance. The same Kuvasz who will drive off a wolf, bear, etc., without hesitation, will stand by in the field, helping a ewe with a lambs delivery and making sure the lamb can find its mother. The key to successful introduction into livestock guarding seems to be an experienced older dog to guide the puppy. If not, then the owner will have his work cut out for him during the first six months to a year. You will need a lot of patience and some guidance from other people with experience. Once bonded to the livestock, the Kuvasz is going to make sure that nothing, ever, can harm them. That is their nature. It is the details along the way to that balance (the growing up process) that is stressful for the owner.

Height

Height: Dogs 28-30 inches (71-76cm.) Bitches 26-28 inches (66-71 cm.)

Weight

Weight: Dogs 100-115 pounds (45-52kg.) Bitches 70-90 pounds (32-41kg.)

Known Health Problems

Prone to hip dysplasia, (check with your breeder to make sure the parents have hip clearance). Some minor issues are osteochondritis dissecans (a disease causing lameness from inflammation of the shoulder joints), hypertrophic osteodystrophy, skin problems and allergic reactions. This breed may drool and slobber.

Conditions for Living

The Kuvasz is not recommended for apartment life. They are fairly active indoors and do best with at least a large yard. Do not leave this dog alone in the backyard for long stretches of time, as he may become destructive. Vigorous exercise should help with this. Kuvasz should never be left outside all tied up, for this could lead to viciousness. It will do best in a large enclosed yard. It especially enjoys cold weather and can live outdoors in temperate to cold climates as long as it has a doghouse and fresh water, but will do best if allowed access to both the house and yard. The Kuvasz's thick coat makes him very uncomfortable in warm weather or humid conditions; it should always have plenty of shade and fresh water.

Exercise Requirments

The Kuvasz needs vigorous daily exercise. If they are not actively working as a flock guardian, they need to be taken on a daily, long problems - in hopes that it will tire the dog out.

Life Expectancy

About 10-12 years.

Grooming

The thick, medium coat of the Kuvasz should be brushed weekly. Avoid bathing this breed, as the coat naturally sheds dirt and bathing will remove the oils that give the coat this property. The more you bathe this dog the more it will need to be bathed! Instead of bathing, the dog should be brushed frequently. Some people rub talcum powder or cornstarch into the coat and then brush it out again as a cleaning strategy. Check behind the ears for matting. In cold climates it will only shed seasonally, but in warmer climates, it will most likely shed all year around.

Group

Flock Guard, AKC Working