The Hovawart is a powerful, medium-large, slightly elongated, long-haired working dog from Germany — a loyal and self-confident guardian of the homestead. The breed name stems from Middle High German: "Hova" = Hof (yard, farm, estate) and "wart" = Wächter (guardian). Hovawarts have been guarding homes and farms for centuries.
The Hovawart is a recognized working dog for versatile usage, with a good-natured and even disposition, protectiveness, self-confidence, and the ability to take stress. Its balanced proportions and special devotion to its family make it an outstanding companion, watch, guard, rescue, and tracking dog.
A Medieval Farm Guardian, Resurrected
The "hovewart" is mentioned in writings from the 13th century, described as a dog guarding someone's homes or farms, with an appearance of "big, robust, and strong." It was a valuable dog — stealing one was strictly punished with a high fine and the thief had to supply a comparable substitute.
Following the medieval period, the Hovawart's popularity declined as newer breeds such as the German Shepherd Dog replaced it as a guard and working dog, until it had almost disappeared by the beginning of the 20th century. Around 1915, a group of enthusiasts decided to save the breed, led by the zoologist Kurt Friedrich König, who started by looking for dogs in the farms of the Black Forest region. Breeding actually began in 1922 when breeders in Thale in the German Harz Mountains founded a Hovawart Club, crossbreeding the surviving farm dogs with German Shepherd Dogs, Newfoundlands, Kuvasz, and Leonbergers to regenerate the breed. In 1922 the first Hovawart litter was entered into the German Breeding Registry.
The German Kennel Club officially recognized the Hovawart in 1937, and the FCI accepted it on a definitive basis in 1955. World War II threatened the breed again — many Hovawarts were used in the German war effort and perished, and by 1945 only a few remained. Enthusiasm persisted, and in 1948 the Rassezuchtverein für Hovawart-Hunde (RZV) was founded in Coburg and joined the German Kennel Club (VDH). In 1964 the German Kennel Club recognized the Hovawart as the country's seventh working breed. Since 1965, breeding has been strongly influenced by the fight against hip dysplasia, with the disease almost entirely forced back through persistent selection. Since 2010, the breed has been part of the AKC's Foundation Stock Service.
A Powerful, Long-Haired Working Dog
The Hovawart is a muscular, medium-large, long-haired working breed, slightly long in proportion, with length being between 110% and 115% of the height at the withers. Dogs are 63–70 cm (25–28 in) at the withers and bitches 58–65 cm (23–26 in), weighing 55 to 110 pounds. The difference between the sexes is clearly recognizable, especially in the shape of the head and the build of the body.
About 60% of Hovawarts are black and gold, 30% are blonde, and 10% are totally black. The Hovawart has a medium temperament and a very good nose. It matures very slowly, both mentally and physically, taking 3 to 4 years to fully mature and considered an adult — some dogs take 3.5 years to develop a perfect coat.
Protective, Self-Confident, and Even-Tempered
The Hovawart has a good-natured, even disposition with protectiveness, self-confidence, and the ability to take stress. They are kind, self-confident, dignified, intuitive, and discerning — alert and highly intelligent with a medium temperament. Like other guardian breeds, Hovawarts are extremely loyal and protective of their families and can be reserved around strangers, but early socialization can help these dogs embrace new people.
Hovawarts have a heritage of thinking and working independently for centuries to watch and guard property. This is not obstinate stubbornness, but intelligent thinking — it is up to the Hovawart owner to be more alert, intentional, directive, and consistent than the dog. The Hovawart needs a leader it can trust and does not respond positively at all to harsh training methods. They can be willful and dominant toward other dogs and are frequently distrustful of strangers. The Hovawart will enjoy working with you and not for you.
Exercise and Activity
The Hovawart has intense mental and physical exercise needs — more than 2 hours per day according to the Kennel Club. The Hovawart needs to have a "job," doing exceptionally well in search and rescue, tracking, and working dog activities.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 45–60 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 30–40 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for this working breed.
Training a Hovawart
Positive reinforcement is essential for successful training and obedience work. Because the Hovawart has been bred for centuries to think and work independently, consistency is needed every day from day one. It is not as eager to please as other working dog breeds, and patience is required to raise a Hovawart puppy because it matures very slowly.
The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming a Hovawart
The Hovawart has a medium-long, weather-resistant coat that needs brushing more than once a week to keep it in good condition and control shedding. Routine care includes nail trimming, ear cleaning, and tooth brushing.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 3–4 times a week | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
| Professional trim or clip | Every 6–8 weeks | Keeps the coat tidy and hygienic |
The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a long-haired working breed.
Feeding a Hovawart
A Hovawart should be fed high-quality food appropriate to its age, size, and activity level, typically in two meals per day. As a large, active working breed, sound nutrition supports daily exercise and helps protect joint health.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1.5–2 cups | Use a large-breed puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 3–4 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 2.5–3.5 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
The Hovawart is generally a very healthy dog breed, living an average of 10 to 14 years. Through decades of selection starting in the 1960s, severe hip dysplasia has been almost entirely forced back. Responsible breeders also screen for eye disorders and bloat, which can affect deep-chested large breeds.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Hip/elbow dysplasia and bloat awareness | Discuss with your vet | OFA/PennHIP on parents |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 5–6 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
The Hovawart is even-tempered and aware of its surroundings — quiet by nature, but will bark at strangers who seem like a threat, making it an excellent watchdog. It suits a large house with a large garden and active families that can meet its exercise needs. Hovawarts form strong bonds with their families and are great for active households.
If you're weighing whether a Hovawart fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning a Hovawart means committing to an independent, self-confident guardian that needs a trusted leader, is reserved with strangers, and can be dominant toward other dogs. It needs more than two hours of daily exercise and a job to do, matures very slowly (3–4 years), and doesn't respond to harsh training methods.
Yet for the right owner, the Hovawart is incomparable — a loyal, courageous, even-tempered companion and protector whose medieval heritage still lives in every bark.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Extremely loyal and protective
- Good-natured and even-tempered
- Excellent guard and watchdog
- Very good nose — excels at tracking and rescue
- Versatile working dog
- Generally very healthy
Disadvantages
- High exercise needs (2+ hours daily)
- Can be dominant toward other dogs
- Distrustful of strangers without socialization
- Needs an experienced, consistent leader
- Very slow to mature (3–4 years)
- Medium-to-heavy seasonal shedding
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Hovawart get? Males 25–28 in; females 23–26 in; weight 55–110 lb.
How long do Hovawart live? Typically 10 to 14 years.
Are Hovawart good family dogs? Yes, when trained and socialized — loyal and protective.
Are Hovawart easy to train? Intelligent but independent — needs a trusted, consistent leader.
Are Hovawart good with other pets? Can be dominant toward other dogs.
Are Hovawart good guard dogs? Excellent — they've guarded homesteads for centuries.
Are Hovawart rare? Yes — a relatively rare German working breed.
What were Hovawart bred to do? Guard farms and homesteads; now also rescue and tracking.
Do Hovawart bark a lot? Quiet dogs, but they will bark at perceived threats.
Are Hovawart good apartment dogs? No — they need a large house and garden.
Do Hovawart shed much? Medium-to-heavy seasonal shedding.
What health problems do Hovawart have? Historically hip dysplasia (largely bred out), eye disorders, bloat.