The Kuvasz is a very old breed of dog created in Hungary, where it was developed as a cattle dog. Because it is a beautiful dog with a loyal and very protective temperament, in recent decades it has grown in popularity as a companion dog.
If you are thinking of adopting a Kuvasz or if you simply want to know more about this beautiful breed of dog, continue reading this breed sheet from PlanèteAnimal in which we will tell you everything about the Kuvasz breed, its origins, character, education and he alth.
Happy reading!
Origin
- Europe
- Hungary
FCI Nomenclature
- Group I
Physical Characteristics
- Muscular
- Proportional
Size
- Large
Height
- 70-80
Adult Weight
- 45-100
Life expectancy
- 10-12
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Balanced
- Shy
- Very loyal
- Active
- Affectionate
Ideal for
- House
- Walking
- Shepherd
- Sports
Recommendations
- Harness
Recommended climate
- Cold
Hair type
- Medium
- Smooth
- Big
Origin of Kuvasz
As we already said in the introduction, the Kuvasz is a dog originating from Hungary, where it has been known since Antiquity. Although little is known about its origins, its ancestors are believed to be descended from Asian dogs that accompanied nomadic Magyar peoples, who migrated through the Carpathian Basin.The Magyars used these sturdy dogs with dense coats to protect their herds from natural predators and potential thieves. They could also be used to hunt boar, wild pig and even bear!
In the 15th century, when King Matthias Corvinus reigned over Hungary and Croatia, Kuvasz grew in popularity with the Hungarian aristocracy and were seen accompanying nobles on their hunting trips. Subsequently, the population of Kuvasz was greatly reduced during the two world wars and this breed was even on the verge of extinction after the Hungarian revolution of the 1950s.
With the expansion of urban areas into their territory and the reduction of fields devoted to herding, the training of the Kuvasz as a herding dog has become more and more occasional in Hungary. Now, he is trained to accompany the Hungarian army and police, but he is still very popular as a companion dog.
According to the official standard of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), the Kuvasz is classified in section 1 of group 1, which includes herding dogs (without working trial).
Physical characteristics of the Kuvasz
The Kuvasz is a large, rustic and imposing dog and its presence transmits its strength and nobility. According to the official FCI standard, the height at the withers of males varies between 71 and 76 centimeters, for a body weight between 48 and 62 kilos. In bitches, the height at the withers is 66 to 70 centimeters, for a weight of between 37 and 50 kilos. Despite its large size and density, the body of this dog should be well proportioned and harmonious, without coarse or abrupt contours.
The body, seen in profile, forms a recumbent or horizontal rectangle, almost square in shape, with distinctly contoured joints. The chest is long, deep and slightly curved.It is desirable that its depth correspond to about half the height at the dog's withers. The loin is short, the back is firm, wide, straight and well muscled, while the belly is slightly raised. His croup is also wide and well muscled, slightly sloping. Its tail is set low, accompanying the downward movement of the croup, it has a straight fall and its tip is curved slightly upwards, but without curving.
" The head of the Kuvasz is filiform, wedge-shaped and in harmony with the proportions of the dog&39;s body. His skull is broad, but not abrupt, his forehead is slightly marked and the stop poorly defined. The muzzle is short, it is desirable that its size does not exceed half the length of the head, and it is slightly tapered towards the black nose, without ever becoming pointed. Her eyes are almond-shaped and slightly slanted, usually showing a shade of dark brown. Its ears are V-shaped with rounded tips and are set at a medium height."
The coat of the Kuvasz is very dense, entirely white or ivory, composed of a double coat. The undercoat is woollier and softer, while the outer coat is dense and slightly wavy, with stiff, straight hairs. On the legs, ears and head, the outer hair becomes shorter. Her skin is firm and well pigmented, slate gray in color.
Kuvasz character
The Kuvasz is characterized by his great courage and the confidence with which he performs the tasks entrusted to him. These dogs tend to form a deep bond with their guardians and human family members whom they will not hesitate to defend against any threat. Since they were historically bred as herding dogs and guard dogs, they are also often protective. Therefore, Kuvasz can be somewhat wary around animals and strangers, which is why they must be properly socialized to learn how to form positive relationships with people and stimuli in their environment.
When he enjoys the affection of a family who raised him through positive reinforcement, he is a calm, stable and very affectionate dog. However, it is also necessary to know that it is a sensitive dog and with a very marked personality which will be able to react very badly in the face of abusive training techniques. It is therefore not a recommended dog for inexperienced guardians or those who do not have the time and patience to devote themselves to their education.
It is also important to remember that a dog's behavior is not determined solely by its breed or lineage, but mainly depends on the education, environment and care provided by his guardians. That is why, if you want to have an obedient and balanced Kuvasz, you will have to provide him with the optimal conditions for his physical, cognitive and emotional development, and pay attention to his early education and socialization.
Dealing with a Kuvasz
The Kuvasz is a large, robust and active dog that needs space to grow and express itself. It is not advisable to keep it in too confined spaces and it is best suited to houses with a garden where it can run, jump, play and explore its environment.
It is advisable to brush it 4 times a week to remove dead hair, prevent the accumulation of dirt and the formation of knots in its coat. Kuvasz dogs also tend to shed a lot during the shedding period, so it is advisable to brush them daily during this period. At the same time, it should only be washed when the dog is really dirty and you should try not to bathe it more than once every 15 days. Excessive bathing removes the layer of fat that naturally covers and protects the dog's body, making it more susceptible to many diseases and skin problems.
The Kuvasz is also a curious dog, very energetic and likes to be very trained. Daily exercise will be essential for him to maintain a good weight, to maintain a stable and calm demeanor and thus prevent symptoms of stress and behavioral problems, such as destructiveness. You should walk your dog at least 2 or 3 times a day, offering 30 to 45 minute walks, trying to vary the routes and incorporate new activities and games into the traditional walk. You may also consider introducing your dog to agility or another canine sport.
Mental stimulation and enrichment of your Kuvasz's environment is just as important as physical activity. In this regard, we recommend that you try searching, which is one of the best activities to encourage the cognitive development of your best friend. You can also introduce him to homemade intelligence games.Also, remember that training is the most complete and best exercise you can offer your Kuvasz dog.
Like any other dog, the Kuvasz dog needs a complete and balanced diet to fully develop their physical, emotional, cognitive and social abilities. These days, there are several types of diets you can consider feeding your best friend, ranging from a diet based solely on consuming good quality balanced kibble, to the benefits and benefits of a BARF diet. Before making a decision, do not forget to consult a veterinarian, who can guide you on the most appropriate type of food for your dog, taking into account its size, age, weight and state of he alth. he alth.
Dressage and education of the Kuvasz
If you want to have an obedient and balanced adult Kuvasz, you will have to bet on his education and socialization from an early age.Your puppy's education should begin as soon as he arrives at home, when you can gradually teach him the rules of living together by teaching him the positive behaviors you expect him to respect and perform on a daily basis. Remember not to reinforce behaviors in his youth that you don't want your dog to pick up as an adult, such as the habit of climbing on the bed or asking for food when you're eating.
During this early phase, you will also need to start properly socializing your puppy. Remember, the socialization phase in dogs is between the first three weeks and the first three months of their life. During this period, it is essential that you allow your dog to meet other dogs, animals and people, just as he will need to explore a variety of stimuli and environments, ensuring that these interactions and experiences are always safe and positive for your little kuvasz.As it is also a dog with a strong herding instinct, the socialization of the kuvasz will be essential to teach it to have positive relationships with other animals and children.
In this first phase of training your kuvasz puppy, we also advise you to teach him to relieve himself on the newspaper or in the outdoor space of your home (such as a yard or garden), and to properly manage its bite.
Later, when your kuvasz has started his vaccines, you can start walking him outside and continue his socialization by introducing him to new environments and new people. This will be the ideal phase to teach him to relieve himself in the street and to establish a routine of walks, always bearing in mind that it will take at least 2 or 3 outings a day with your kuvasz. At this point you can also begin training sessions, introducing basic obedience commands to your kuvasz, which will be essential to stimulate his mind and encourage balanced behavior.
When your kuvasz reaches adulthood, you will continue to work obedience with him and can introduce him to new tasks and tricks. It will also be essential to provide your dog with brain games and opportunities to engage in activities that exercise both body and mind. In basic and advanced training, use positive reinforcement to stimulate learning by rewarding good behavior and success with treats, petting, praise and words of encouragement. Remember that negative and/or abusive methods, such as physical and emotional punishment, should not be used,
Kuvasz He alth
Like all breeds of dogs, Kuvasz can be genetically predisposed to developing certain hereditary and degenerative diseases. Hip dysplasia and dermatitis are the most common ailments in these large dogs, but they have some predisposition to be affected by cataracts and deafness in dogs.[3]
In addition, the kuvasz can also common canine diseases and can also be somewhat prone to obesity. He will therefore have to benefit from appropriate preventive medicine throughout his life. Don't forget to go to the vet every six months to check your dog's state of he alth, to follow his vaccination schedule and to deworm him regularly with good quality products adapted to his size, weight. and at his age.
With proper care, a positive environment and the affection of their owners, a Kuvasz has an estimated life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
Pictures of Kuvasz
