Hovawart

About this Breed

The Hovawart is a German breed that has received considerable praise over the centuries. Much loved and valued in their native Germany, Hovawarts were favored among the German nobility and royal families for hundreds of years. Classified as one of the “noble dogs” in the 1400s, they were highly prized as guard dogs—in fact, their name means “estate guard dog”. Hovawarts are well documented as a breed going as far back as the Middle Ages. In fact, in 1210 a Hovawart was praised for rescuing the son of the owners of Ordensritterburg castle when Slavic soldiers invaded it. This child, named Eike von Repkow, grew up to be an important figure in the history of German law. He wrote about the Hovawart in his Sachsenspiegel, one of the oldest surviving German texts. Hovawarts were so well loved throughout history that they are frequently seen in Medieval German paintings.

Unfortunately, Hovawarts experienced a decline in popularity as newer breeds were developed in Germany. Thankfully, in the early 1900s a group of enthusiasts pledged to bring the breed back to its former glory. They suffered a setback during World War II when many Hovawarts were sent into battle because of their many talents and extreme loyalty.

While still a rare breed outside of their native Germany, Hovawarts have persevered and are still considered exceptional dogs. They excel as working dogs and have been utilized during search and rescue operations.

As a pet, Hovawarts are loyal and affectionate dogs. They do well with other dogs, and they can be socialized to accept other pets. They love children but need to be well socialized to accept outsiders. Because they were guard dogs, Hovawarts will need to be taught the difference between visitors and intruders—they will take the job of protecting their family very seriously. They also are not particularly “eager to please” and have an independent streak that can make them tricky to train. Because of both of these factors, Hovawarts are not a good choice for first-time dog owners. They will do best in a rural or suburban home—they are large and not well suited to apartment living. If prospective owners can handle this noble breed, they would make a wonderful addition to any household.