Kuvasz
As an ancient breed of livestock dog, The Kuvasz is Hungary’s hunting companion of kings and majestic guardian breed with white, thickly coat and medium bone. He combines power and agility stems from versatile roots, which also makes him a good herder. They are skill at problem solving with a great sense of humor. Kuvasz usually is gentle with children, but quick and agile to protect their loved ones.
| Other Names | HUNGARIAN Kuvasz |
| Color | White |
| Height | Males: 28-30 inches. Females: 26-28 inches. |
| Weight | Males: 88-137 pounds. Females: 66-110 pounds. |
| Life Span | 10-12 years |
| Personality | Loyal, Fearless, Courageous |
| Exercise | Regular Exercise |
| Origin |
| Popularity | #166 |
| Groom Needs | Weekly Brushing |
| Kids Friendly | Yes with supervision |
| Dog Friendly | Yes with supervision |
| Watch Dog | Yes |
| Family Dog | |
| Litter Size | 6–8 pups |
Kuvasz Video
Introduction
Kuvaszok are well-muscled and balanced, not appearing sluggish or too bulky. They are the ideal dogs for one who wouldn’t want to stress about training a dog, as these dogs are least interested in learning new tricks. A Kuvasz (singular) comes in a white coat, that varies from straight to wavy in appearance. The muzzle should be black and the stop, not abrupt. They are highly intelligent and humorous in a strange way, although they can get into their independent mode and withdraw from the crowd (especially toward strangers). Originally bred to guard farmsteads, and herd livestock, Kuvaszok have migrated into homes to become loyal members of the family.
A male Kuvasz is likely to stand between 28 and 31 inches from shoulder to paw, weighing around 100-110 at maturity. Females come in smaller molds, weighing 70-90 pounds on a frame that measures 26-29 inches at the shoulder. The Kuvasz is a true member of the Working Group and has an average life expectancy of 9-12 years.
Living with Kuvasz
The Kuvasz has a beautiful white double coat that does not require any special grooming. During the spring and autumn the Kuvasz moults, and he will lose copious amounts of hair very quickly. Frequent brushing is therefore needed to keep his coat tidy.
His coat repels water and sheds dirt easily with brushing, so a bath is rarely necessary. In fact, bathing too frequently could strip their coat of its natural protective oils, causing your dog to get dirty faster.
Brush him weekly with a pin brush to remove dead hair and keep the skin and coat healthy. To remove stubborn knots, use a curry comb or a large-toothed comb.
Trim the nails as needed, usually every week or two. As overly long nails can cause him discomfort.Also you should trim the fur between his toes to keep his feet in good condition. Handle their paws frequently–dogs are touchy about their feet–and look inside their mouth and ears.
Brush your dog’s teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and bacteria. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath.
Start getting your Kuvasz used to brushing and handling when they’re a puppy. Make grooming a positive experience filled with praise and rewards, and you’ll lay the groundwork for easy vet exams and grooming sessions when they’re an adult.
Having been developed as a strong, active working dog, the Kuvasz requires daily activity for his health and happiness. Adequate and controlled exercise is a necessity for the rapidly growing Kuvasz puppy.
They’re not suited to apartments or homes without access to a large, fenced yard. Even with a yard, they need exercise such as long walks or runs once they’re physically mature. When left alone for long stretches, they can become destructive or aggressive. When you must go to work, it would be wise to leave toys out that require the dog to figure out how to get the treat hidden within.
Kuvaszok are happiest when they feel that they are doing a job that will be beneficial to their loved ones. You can get a backpack for your dog and go hiking together; this will make him feel needed.
As an active dog, the Kuvasz is best suited for an active family. He will have no issue relaxing on the couch after a hard day of work.
This breed especially enjoys cold weather.
Because the Kuvasz is a large breed of dog, he will require a fair amount of high-quality dog food. How much your adult dog eats depends on their size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level.
The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference–the better the dog food, the further it will go toward nourishing your dog and the less of it you’ll need to shake into your dog’s bowl.
Kuvoszok breeders strongly advise that all dogs be fed dry kibble from the time they are young puppies, which can help to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. It also helps to cut down on bad breath by leaving less plaque on the dog’s teeth.
Puppies should be fed a balanced diet. The Kuvasz has a very efficient metabolism and is predisposed to rapid growth—vitamin supplements are not necessary and, in fact, should be avoided.
Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level to keep your Kuvasz in good shape. Measure their food and feed them twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time.
Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.
The Kuvasz is a healthy breed overall, but sometimes they may suffer from some health conditions, such as cardiac conditions, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, autoimmune thyroiditis, and progressive retinal atrophy.
Large and deep-chested breeds can develop bloat, a sudden, life-threatening distention of the stomach that can be accompanied by twisting.
The dog’s ears should be checked regularly for signs of infection, and the teeth should be brushed often, using a toothpaste designed for dogs.
There are several health tests considerations specific to the breed, such as hip evaluation, elbow evaluation, and thyroid evaluation.
Responsible breeders test all breeding stock for conditions that can affect the breed. Regular visits to the vet for checkups and parasite control help to ensure the dog a long, healthy life.
Total Annual Cost: $3562.9
Cost is estimated for the first year and may vary depending on many factors, such as dog food, health care, leash, collar, licensing, possible fencing, crates, training and obedience classes, dog-walking, grooming, treats, toys, flea, tick, and heart-worm meds, microchips, etc.
The Kuvasz possesses keen intelligence and determination and is extremely devoted to his family, which make them wonderful companions, they can also challenge the novice dog owner.
Kuvaszok are very strong-willed and tend to have minds of their own. Training must be started as soon as they have received their first series of vaccinations, if you are going to formal classes. Otherwise, you can start training as soon as the puppy has become comfortable in your home.
Training a Kuvasz takes patience, as this independent breed matures slowly. Sensistive problem-solvers, training should be consistent and of a positive nature. Yelling, screaming or physical punishment should never be used as it will have a detrimental effect on the dog and can truly come back to bite you in the butt.
The Kuvasz was bred to guard livestock, and he is a natural guardian and will protect family, house, and property.
History
The Kuvasz breed is an ancient breed known to have its origin in Hungary. It is believed to have originated from local herding dogs of many centuries ago. The Magyars are cited to have stirred up the roots for the creation of the breed. During their migration around the 2000s B.C, according to historians, they settled in Central Asia and other parts of the world in their numbers. It is believed that the Magyars conquered Hungary around the 896 A.D, invading the Carpathian Basin. When they entered the region, they came along with their dogs. In the 1970s, fossils of dog skeletons (dating back to the 9th century AD) resembling the modern Kuvasz dog were excavated in Fenékpuszta. These are believed to have been remains of the ancient dogs of the Magyars, which were ardent herd dogs of the wet uplands and mountain regions. These dogs are believed to be ancestors of the Kuvasz breed.
By the 1400s, the Kuvasz had gained favor amongst the highly placed, even the royals of Hungary kept a special kennel for these dogs. A notable example was King Matthias Corvinus, who promoted the popularity of the breed, gifting Kuvaszok to dignitaries. After his death, the popularity of Kuvaszok in Hungary declined. A major setback to the Kuvasz breed came during the Second World War, when the German and Soviet troops to Hungary destroyed these dogs, taking some of them to their homelands. After the war, it was estimated that the population of Kuvasz available for breeding was fewer than forty. The problem was later solved by adopting open studbook systems till extinction was averted. The Kuvasz was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1931.
Helpful Information
Breed Club: KUVASZ CLUB OF AMERICA
Breed Club Link: https://kuvaszclubofamerica.org/
Breed Club Rescue: