The Kuvasz dog is a large breed of dog, of Hungarian origin and is an ancient livestock breed. He is very protective of his people and aloof of strangers.
Origins
The Kuvasz dog is the oldest of the Hungarian ancient dog breeds, the other two being the Komondor and the Puli. They probably arrived around 1,200 years ago with Magyar tribes who invaded Hungary.
When King Mattias of Hungary was crowned on March 29, 1464, due to the times of political unrest the country was going through, he knew he could not even trust his own family. So he would never even sleep without his Kuvaszok (plural of Kuvasz) by his side.
Kuvaszok became very popular as royalty dogs. The AKC officially recognized them as a breed in 1931.
Physical characteristics
The coat of the Kuvasz dog is white in color and can go from wavy to straight. This coat is double, dense, and odorless. Just like all other sheepdogs, the Kuvasz dog was intentionally bred in a light color to better distinguish them from wolves.
Males are typically 28 to 30 inches tall and with a weight of 100 to 115 pounds. Females stand at 26 to 28 inches and weigh 70 to 90 pounds.
Personality
This dog is very intelligent but also very sensitive. He is alert, intelligent, determined, curious, and courageous. The Kuvasz dog is highly devoted to his family and will protect them against danger. Whenever he sees that a member of his family is in any kind of danger, he will act on his own initiative.
Caring for a Kuvasz dog
These active dogs need lots of exercise. They are not suited for apartment life and need a large yard for them to run around. Even with a yard, they need to exercise and take long walks. If left alone for a too long time, he can become destructive.
Since they have dense coats, they should be provided with enough water and shade during the summer.
Training
This dog is intelligent but it is also bold and has a mind of his own. He needs a strong and firm trainer to stand as an alpha. The Kuvasz dog is not recommended for first-time or timid owners.
Fun facts
- The Kuvasz dog originated in Tibet.
- Only friends in the royal circle were allowed to have a Kuvasz dog.
- The name Kuvasz comes from the ill spelling of the Turkish word kawasz which means “armed guard of the nobility” and the Arabian kawwasz (archer).
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