Hovawart Complete Breed Guide

Meaning “estate guard dog,” Hovawarts are a herding breed and like to work. They will herd, hunt, or be your loyal watchdog. Hovawarts will also be your playful puppy - even as they get older - and can be a devoted family member.

Sometimes mistaken for Golden Retrievers, Hovawarts are actually of a herding breed and don’t share any retriever qualities. From Germany, their funny-sounding name actually translates to “estate guard dog.” Dating back to the 1200s, this breed was used for herding, hunting, or guarding purposes. Hovawarts are protective of their family and territory yet have big personalities and a puppylike playfulness about them, even as they become older.

Lifestyle & Living Conditions

Hovawarts have spent hundreds of years working in rural settings and still thrive in similar environments today. They can even live outdoors, but they should be around their family and socialize with new people and pets to maintain their manners. They can become restless in small spaces, so they're not an ideal breed for apartment-style living. With their fill of exercise and socialization, Hovawarts are playful, gentle giants around children.

Exercise & Activity

If you like to try new things, a Hovawart could be a perfect companion. These dogs have high IQs and need to be kept on their toes – or paws. In addition to being good watchdogs, this breed has been employed for their keen nose as search-and-rescue dogs. Overall, a happy Hovawart is one that gets more than two hours of exercise per day.

A Hovawart’s personality can vary from class clown to calm and stoic. Their deep, powerful bark can make strangers a bit cautious about entering your home, which makes them effective watchdogs. Be sure to socialize these dogs as puppies, though. Guard dog traits can turn into unwanted behaviors. Extremely playful and sometimes dominant, Hovawarts also need to learn doggie manners for playing with canine friends. They like to roughhouse, which can escalate to aggression with new dogs. On the other hand, they generally get along with other pets. These smart dogs have a stubborn streak and early consistent training is recommended. Hovawarts are not driven by food but rather pleasing their owners.

Some Hovawarts have long golden coats, which is why many are confused with Golden Retrievers. Their coats can range, though, from blond to black – and a mix of black and gold. Their beautiful soft fur needs regular maintenance. Comb through the long wavy hair seen on their front legs regularly to prevent matting. Groom Hovawarts with a bristle brush one to two times a week to keep their coat healthy and shiny.