Kuvasz
Working

Group:

Working

Size:

large

Lifespan:

9-12 years

Exercise:

high

Grooming:

medium

Trainability:

very low

Watchdog ability:

very high

Protection ability:

very high

Area of Origin:

Hungary

Date of Origin:

Middle Ages

Other Names:

Hungarian Kuvasz

Original Function:

guardian, hunting large game

History

Kuvasz in Turkish means "protector." The Kuvasz was mainly known as 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 a courageous dog with great intelligence. Because of its size and ancestral work, it needs early socialisation and training. It does have a special affinity with children and will be quite protective; it forms a strong and devoted bond with its family.

Upkeep

The Kuvasz needs daily exercise and enjoys a long walk or good run in a safe area. It especially enjoys cold weather and can live outdoors in temperate to cool climates. It does best when allowed access to both house and yard. Its coat needs brushing one or two times weekly, more often during heavy shedding periods.

Official Breed Standard

Translated by:
Mrs A Mitchell from the French & German versions. Please Note: Words placed in normal brackets (…..) are as in the Standard. Words placed in square brackets […..] are explanations of alternative translations. Mrs Ann Mitchell, ANKC Breed Standards Co-Ordinator. Country of Origin: Hungary

BRIEF HISTORICAL OVERVIEW:
The Kuvasz is an excellent shepherd dog. According to certain authors, it was imported by the early Hungarian people, according to others it was introduced into the Carpathian Mountains by the Koumans, a nomadic shepherd race of Turkish origins who came to Hungary during the 13^th Century fleeing from the Mongols.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The Kuvasz is a tall dog. His pleasing appearance denotes both nobility and strength. The various parts of its body are well proportioned, not too long and not too short. Musculation is dry, bone structure strong but not coarse. Angulations are dry. Legs stand straight. Deep chest with slightly sloping croup indicating great endurance for work. Rectangular in form _ almost square. Strong teeth. Its white coat with thick, wavy hair is a characteristic of the breed.

CHARACTERISTICS:
The thick, wavy, white coat.

Temperament:
It is a faithful dog, affectionate but not demonstrative [not fawning]. An excellent guard, with a very keen nose. In the past it hunted wolves and wild boar. It is of undoubted courage and boldness.

Head and Skull:
The head of the Kuvasz, full of nobility and strength, is one of the most attractive features of the breed. It is elongated without being angular, of moderate width and of fair length. Moderately pronounced frontal extends to the foreface. Eyebrows moderately pronounced with slight stop. The foreface is broad, long and strong with straight muzzle, narrowing towards the nose but not becoming snipy. The nose is black, as are the eyelids and lips.

Eyes:
Set obliquely; almond shaped; dark brown in colour; occasionally the expression may be not over friendly. Eyelids must be tight.

Ears:
The ears, in the shape of a V, are set high on a horizontal line. Their upper third stands slightly away from the head at the base and then lies flat and close to the head for the rest of their length. When the dog is alert, the ears are raised without being pricked.

Mouth:
Strong, well-developed and regular teeth. Scissors bite. Tight, well closed lips to the corner of the mouth. The roof of the mouth is dark, the tongue bright red.

Neck:
The neck forms an angle of 25-30% from the horizontal; it is of medium length or rather short, strongly muscled. No dewlap.

Forequarters:
Forelegs straight and vertical. Long upper arms with dry muscles attached to the wrist by strong tendons. Angulations are dry. Pasterns are at angle of 45% with the horizontal.

Faults:
Short muzzle - skull too domed. Eyebrows insufficiently developed.
Yellow eyes.
Loose eyelids and hanging lips.
Ears - lying flat and close to the head or thrown back.
Long neck. Broad chest, wide shoulders.
Insufficient pigmentation of the skin (light grey). Coat yellow or flecked with yellow.

Serious Faults:
Stop too pronounced. Erect ears
Under or overshot. Ring tail, carried above the loin when relaxed.
Wiry or felty coat. The whole colour other than white.

Height at the withers:
Weight above 60kg [135lbs] less than 65 cm [28ins] for the male and less than 60 cm [24 ins] for the female (leads to de-registration [in the country])

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normally developed testicles fully descended into the scrotum.