Hovawart
霍夫瓦特犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Hovawart — Middle High German for 'farm watchman' — is an old German estate guardian re-created from farm dogs from 1922: a large, heavy-boned, long-coated dog in blonde, black, or black-and-tan. The FCI standard describes a good-natured, even disposition with protectiveness, self-confidence and the ability to take stress, and a special devotion to its family that makes it an outstanding companion, watch, guard, rescue and tracking dog. The AKC and the parent club agree it is alert, faithful, extremely intelligent, fun-loving and stubborn, slow to mature, in need of a job and not for first-time owners — but exceptionally healthy, with hip dysplasia under 5%.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 58–71cm |
| Weight | 29–45kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–14years |
| Breed group | AKC: fss FCI: 2 |
| Role | Guardian |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 45–150min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 1/ 5 |
| Good with children | 4/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 4/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 5/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is screened for, but the AKC and the parent club say the breed's rate has been calculated at under 5% — exceptionally low for a large dog. Ask your breeder for the parents' hip results and your vet about keeping a large puppy lean.
General health screening
The AKC says Hovawarts are quite healthy, live to a ripe old age (10–14 years) and have no known breed-specific diseases; the Royal Kennel Club lists the recommended pre-breeding schemes on its breed page. Ask your vet about routine screening appropriate to a large dog.
Behaviour
Good-natured, protective, devoted
The FCI standard describes the Hovawart as a recognised working dog of versatile usage with a good-natured, even disposition, protectiveness, self-confidence and the ability to take stress, a medium temperament and a very good nose, whose special devotion to its family makes it an outstanding companion, watch, guard, rescue and tracking dog.
Stubborn, slow to mature, needs a job
The AKC calls the Hovawart alert, faithful, trustworthy, extremely intelligent, fun-loving and stubborn: it likes to have a job and will use its creative nature to find one, takes about two years to mature, and needs significant time and attention, so it is not recommended for first-time owners. It is a family dog that must be part of family life and bond closely with its people, though once well integrated it does not mind an occasional hour in a kennel. The parent club adds that its guarding is done from a defensive posture, that it should not be left to run the property unsupervised, and that apartments are generally unsuitable.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 1/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Hovawart
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Hovawart (Working Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Hovawart
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Hovawart (standard no. 190, group 2)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The Hovawart Club of North America's FAQ says the breed "may not be for everyone": it suits owners who want a partner rather than a pet and can invest the time to socialise and train a large, strong-willed, guarding dog that takes two years to mature; a large fenced yard is ideal but hikes and dog-park trips can substitute, no child should be left unsupervised with a dog of this size, and the club emphasises that Hovawarts are quite healthy, with a 10–14-year lifespan.”
— Hovawart Club of North America — Hovawart FAQ via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Hovawart — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Hovawart — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Hovawart — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Hovawart — FCI standard no. 190 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]FCI-Standard No. 190 — Hovawart — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [8]Hovawart FAQ — Hovawart Club of North America — Hovawart Club of North America (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.