Hovawarts stop growing in height between 18 to 24 months of age. They will continue to fill out and gain muscle mass until they are about three years old. Proper nutrition and exercise during their growth will support healthy development and overall health.

Hovawarts come in a few coat colors: black and gold, black, brown, or blonde. Black and blonde are the only breed standard colors, though.

Hovawarts are medium to large dogs, weighing 65 to 90 pounds and standing 23 to 28 inches tall.

Hovawarts are moderate shedders. Regular brushing will keep the Hovawart’s shedding at bay and keep their coats looking clean and healthy.

Yes, Hovawarts are good with kids — even wonderful, as they are protective and gentle.  This breed is suspicious of strangers, though, and that includes new children. 

As with any breed, supervise your child when interacting with your Hovawart to keep both safe and happy. Teaching children how to properly approach and handle dogs is crucial to ensure positive experiences for both the dog and the child, as is teaching dogs how to interact gently with children.

Yes, Hovawarts are good with cats. This tolerant breed will peacefully coexist with most other pets in the home. Proper socialization will help the Hovawart understand that the cat is family and should not be chased.

Yes, Hovawarts get along well with other dogs, especially when properly socialized from a young age. Their natural guarding instincts and protective natures might make them initially reserved or cautious around unfamiliar dogs, but with proper introduction and positive experiences, this tolerant breed will get along with other canine companions just fine.

Golden Retrievers and Hovawarts differ significantly in appearance, temperament, and historical roles. Golden Retrievers are friendly and outgoing. They have long, golden coats and are slightly larger than Golden Retrievers, with black, blonde, or brown medium-length coats. Deeply loyal, Hovawarts were bred to protect their families and property. Golden Retrievers, on the other hand, are more likely to befriend an intruder.

Hovawarts are from Germany. The breed’s name comes from the German word meaning “guardian of the homestead” or “yard keeper.” This breed has ancient roots stretching back to the Middle Ages, but the modern Hovawart was officially developed in the early 20th century through selective breeding. The goal was to refine and standardize the breed while preserving its long tradition as a guard and working dog in Germany.

There is just one type of Hovawart.

Yes, Hovawart dogs are rare, especially outside of Germany. While they have a dedicated local following in their home country (and surrounding neighbors), they are not as well-known or as widely recognized in other parts of the world.

Hovawarts live 10 to 14 years. Like all breeds, their longevity is influenced by genetics, overall health, diet, exercise, and regular veterinary care. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and addressing any breed-specific health concerns can help ensure that a Hovawart lives a long, healthy life.

Yes, Hovawarts bark — you’d expect as much from a dog bred to keep the homestead safe! These protective pups use their voice to communicate and safeguard their family and property from perceived dangers. They are not an excessively noisy breed, though; their barking is purposeful and aimed at defending their territory or loved ones. As with any dog, they can be discouraged from barking as frequently with proper training and exercise.

Yes, Hovawarts are good family dogs. Good-natured, even-tempered, and docile, the Hovawart is fiercely devoted to their humans. They are gentle and playful with children and adults alike. Early training and socialization are important, as their guarding tendency and wariness of strangers are innate. This breed loves having a job and will be happiest if given adequate mental and physical stimulation.

Yes, Hovawarts are relatively easy to train. This smart, eager-to-please breed is highly motivated by positive reinforcement. Hovawarts have an independent streak and respond to consistent, clear, and positive training. Once trained, the Hovawart is an exceptional helper used in search and rescue missions and as therapy dogs. Just keep in mind that even if a certain dog breed is known to be easy to train, training any dog requires a long-term commitment.

Yes, Hovawarts make good pets — some would say excellent! Loyal, affectionate, and protective, this brave, steadfast breed wants to keep your family safe and will get along with other animals in the house. With enough exercise and mental stimulation, Hovawarts make excellent companions.

Yes, Hovawarts are smart. As a breed with a strong working background, they have keen problem-solving capacities and are adaptable — all signs of emotional and intellectual intelligence.

Yes, Hovawarts are friendly dogs, particularly with their family members. They are devoted to those they are close to, though they might be wary of strangers due to their guarding instincts. While they may not be as outgoing as some breeds, once they are secure with an environment and the people present, their affectionate demeanor shines through.

The Hovawart is a very hardy, healthy breed with no known breed-specific issues. They are one of the few breeds in which hip dysplasia is an extremely low occurrence — only 5%.

• Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from adequately meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Though the main complication with hip dysplasia is joint instability, the abnormalities present in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing a Hovawart, have them checked out by a vet to see if they are prone to dysplasia.

• Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a thyroid malfunction that results in low hormone production and slows down the metabolism. Common signs of hypothyroidism include obesity, low energy, and a brittle coat.

Others: Kidney problems and arthritis are occasional issues observed in Hovawarts.

No, Hovawarts aren’t hypoallergenic — no dog is. Hovawarts have a dense, medium-length coat that sheds. If you or someone in your household has allergies, spend time with a Hovawart before bringing one into your home for good.