Kuvasz

Size
Large to Giant (27Kg +)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Weekly
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Weekly
Barking preference
Watchdog barking
Personality
Independent + affectionate

History

The Kuvasz is an ancient breed of a livestock dog of Hungarian origin. Mention of the breed can be found in old Hungarian texts. It has historically been used as a royal guard dog, or to guard livestock, but has been increasingly found in homes as a pet over the last seventy years. (1)

Around 2000 BC, the Magyar tribes moved along the recently established trade routes of the steppes, gradually leading them to the Carpathian Basin in Hungary which they conquered in 896 A.D. With them came Kuvasz-type dogs, which primarily served as livestock guardians. In 1978, the fossilized skeleton of a 9th Century Kuvasz-type dog was discovered in Fenékpuszta near Keszthely, a discovery which was remarkable in that the morphology of the skeleton was almost identical to a modern Kuvasz. If accurate, such a discovery would mark the Kuvasz as among the oldest identifiable dog breeds as only a few breeds can be dated beyond the 9th Century. (1)

After the Magyar settlement of the Carpathian Basin, the tribes converted to a more agrarian lifestyle and began to devote more resources towards animal husbandry. Whereas the Komondor was used in the lower elevations with drier climates, the Kuvasz was used in the wet pastures of the higher mountains and both were an integral part of the economy. Later, during the 15th Century, the Kuvasz became a highly prized animal and could be found in the royal court of King Matthias Corvinus. Kuvasz puppies were given to visiting dignitaries as a royal gift, and the King was said to have trusted his dogs more than his own councilors. After the king's death, the popularity of the breed among the nobles waned but it was still frequently found in its traditional role of protecting livestock. (1)

Appearance

The bone structure is strong but not coarse. The strong muscles are lean, the joints show clear outlines.

Seen from the side, the body forms a prone rectangle, almost a square. Well muscled, he shows a strong build, a lively temperament and great agility. His appearance embodies a tireless working ability. (2)

Temperament

The Kuvasz is an intelligent dog and is often described as having a clownish sense of humor which can last throughout their adolescence and into adulthood.[2][3] They are intensely loyal and patient pets who appreciate attention but may also be somewhat aloof or independent, as well as thoroughly cunning, particularly with strangers. (2)

Sizes

Height at withers
Dogs: 71-76 cm
Bitches: 66-70 cm

Weight
Dogs: 48-62 kg
Bitches: 37-50 kg (2)

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Kuvasz you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about a Kuvasz and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

DOGSAUSTRALIA.org.au
Wikipedia.org
Kuvasz Description And History

Image: Shutterstock.com

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 02 Jul 2009)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

The dogs of this breed are strong and large and carry a dense, wavy, white coat. Their pleasing appearance radiates nobility and strength. The individual body parts fit together harmoniously, the limbs being neither too short nor too long.The bone structure is strong but not coarse. The strong muscles are lean, the joints show clear outlines.Seen from the side, the body forms a prone rectangle, almost a square. Well muscled, he shows a strong build, a lively temperament and great agility. His appearance embodies a tireless working ability.

Characteristics

Not Specified.

Temperament

The Kuvasz is brave and fearless. He defends the people entrusted to his care and his protection and their property, even with his life. He is self ,confident and may become aggressive if ill treated. He is faithful, dependable and loves his master and his surroundings. He needs plenty of exercise and must be kept busy. He is undemanding. His care is easy and he can stand very severe weather conditions. He appreciates any love and solicitude given to him.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	The Kuvasz's head is typically wedge shaped, in harmony with his body, pleasing, noble, and it shows a considerable strength. The Kuvasz can mainly be distinguished from other breeds by his head shape. The head is characteristically lean and dry. In dogs the head is slightly more massive than in bitches.The skull is broad and the forehead slightly protruding. In the middle of the forehead, there is a distinct furrow. The stop is barely pronounced. The facial region is broad, long and well muscled. The black noseleather is cut off blunt. The bridge of the nose is straight. The muzzle tapers gradually but is never pointed. The lips are black and tightly fitting. The corner of the mouth has jagged rims.
Eyes	Set in slightly slanting, almond shaped, dark brown. The rim of the eyelids is black and close fitting to the eyeball.
Ears	Set on at medium height. One third of the ears lifts from the base away from the skull in a curve, then dropping, lying close to the head. The leathers are V-shaped with rounded tips. When alert, the ears are slightly raised. Never prick or twisted.
Mouth	The teeth are well developed, strong, regular and with a complete scissor bite, according to dentition formula.
Neck	Rather short than of medium length and well muscled. Forms an angle of 25 to 30 degrees to the horizontal. Crest of neck is short. Skin on the throat taut, no dewlap. In male dogs, collar and mane are significant.
Forequarters	The front legs, supporting the body, are vertical down to the carpal joints. They are parallel and moderately far apart. Seen from the front, the position of the front legs is correct if a vertical line drawn from the shoulder joint runs along the axis of the front legs and meets the feet between the 3rd and 4th toes. Seen from the side, the position is correct if a vertical line drawn from the elbow joint to the ground, runs through the centre of the legs down to the carpal joints.The shoulder blade is long, sloping and muscled. They are close fitting and tight to the rib cage, but flexible.The upper arm is of medium length and well muscled. The upper arm and the shoulder blade form an angle of 100 to 110 degrees. The elbows are dry, close fitting to the rib cage, turning neither in nor out. Upper and lower arm forms an angle of 120 to 130 degrees. The forearm is relatively strong, straight, compact with lean muscles. They have strong sinews reaching down to the carpal joint. The Carpal joint is well developed, taut, with sinews of steel. The pastern is relatively short, lean, sloping slightly (angle to vertical 10 to 15 degrees).
Body	Seen from the side, the body forms a prone rectangle, only slightly differing from a square. The withers are long, rising markedly above the level of the back. The back is of medium length. Straight, broad, well muscled and taut. The loins are short, in taut continuation of the back. The croup is slightly sloping, well muscled and broad. The very dense coat gives the appearance of being slightly overbuilt. The forechest, because of the strongly developed muscles, is rounded. The point of the sternum is only slightly protruding. The chest is deep, long and slightly arched. The underline and belly are in continuation of the rib cage, tucked up towards the rear.
Hindquarters	The position of the hind legs seen from the side is correct if the stifle joint is positioned vertically below the iliac crest and the foot under the hip joint. A vertical line from the ischiatic tuberosity touches the heel bone. Seen from the rear, the position of the hind legs is correct if a vertical line from the ischiatic tuberosity runs along an axis of the limbs, being parallel to both sides and meeting the ground moderately wide apart.The upper thigh has long, broad, massive muscles closely connected to the pelvis. The pelvis and upper thigh form an angle of 110 to 120 degrees. The stifle is voluminous with the angle between the upper thigh and lower thigh being 110 to 120 degrees. The lower thigh has long massive muscles extending to the hock with strong sinews. Seen from the rear, vertical and parallel on both sides, also to the axis of the body. The hocks are broad, voluminous, dry and sinewy. Angle of the hock is 130 to 140 degrees. The rear pastern is long and vertical.
Feet	The forefeet are round or slightly oval and taut. The toes are short and highly arched so that their middle part does not touch the ground. Elastic and well knit. The pads are springy and black. The nails are hard, strong, black or slate grey in colour. The hind feet are oval but otherwise like the forefeet.
Tail	Set on low following the lightly sloping croup in a straight line. Vertically down with the tip curved slightly upwards, but no crooked. When the dog is alert or roused it may, at most, be raised to the level of the topline.
Gait/Movement	Wide, slow steps. When trotting, the movement is light footed, springy, ground covering, lively, constant and tireless. Elbows turning neither in nor out.
Coat	Moderately harsh, wavy, slightly stiff, not tending to mat. Under the coarser topcoat, there is a finer downy undercoat. The head, ears and feet are covered by short (1-2 cm long) dense, smooth hair. The front and sides of the front legs as well as the hind legs below the stifles are covered by equally short (1-2 cm long) straight hair.There are featherings of 5-8 cm in length on the back of the legs; on the hind legs they reach to the hock. The neck has a ruff, which extends to a mane reaching to the chest. This is particularly pronounced in male dogs. On the body, upper thigh and upper arm, the coat is of medium length (4-12 cm long), abundantly wavy and it forms crests, ridges and tassels. The tail is covered, along its entire length, by dense, wavy coat, which can even reach a length of 10-15 cm at the tip of the tail.
Colour	White, ivory colour is permitted. Noseleather, rim of eyelids and lips are black. Pads are black or slate grey. A dark colour is desired for the roof of the mouth but pink patches are permissible. The skin is well pigmented, slate grey and tight.
Size	Height at withersDogs: 71-76 cmBitches: 66-70 cmWeightDogs: 48-62 kgBitches: 37-50 kgImportant proportionsThe body length slightly exceeds the height at the withers.The deepest point of the brisket is approximately on a level with half of the height at the withers.The muzzle is slightly shorter than half of the length of the head.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.DISQUALIFYING FAULTSPronounced stop.Lack of pigment on noseleather, lips, and rims of eyelids.One or more teeth missing (Incisors, canines, pre-molars 2-4, molars 1-2). More than 2 PM1 missing. The M3 are disregarded.Under or overshot, wry mouth. Gap between upper and lower incisors of more than 2 mm.Entropian, Ectropian.Prick ears.Tail, which is raised above the topline, even in repose or curled towards the rear.Coat tending to be shaggy, curly or not wavy or wiry.Legs covered by long hair.Any departure from the permitted colour.