Hovawart is an old dog breed whose name is derived from the German Hova = Hof (= yard, farm) and wart = Wächter ( watchman), meaning estate watchdog; the dog is of German origin and is an effective herder, home and stock guardian.
In 1992, the Hovawart breed was resurrected by crossing German Shepherd, Newfoundland and others. As a result of these measures, the original working type was attained.
General Appearance: The Hovawart is a powerful, medium sized, slightly elongated, longhaired working dog. Difference between sexes is clearly recognizable, especially in shape of head and build of body. The Hovawart’s balanced body proportions and special devotion to his family make this breed of dog an outstanding companion, watch dog, guard dog, tracking and rescue dog.
Hovawart Temperament: Recognized working dog with versatile usage. Kind and even disposition. Instincts include protective, fighting self-confidence and ability to take stress; of medium temperament; combined with a very good nose.
Size: Height at the withers: For dogs: 25 – 27 inches (63 – 70 cm) ; For bitches: 23 – 26 inches (58 – 65 cm).
Important Proportions: Length of body comprises at least 110% to 115% of height at withers.
Hovawart Colors
Coat & Colour: Skin: tightly fitting all over. With a bluish sheen in black/gold and black dogs, with a mostly pink sheen in blond dogs. Coat: the strong long-haired coat is lightly waved and lying close, with only little undercoat. It is longer on chest, belly, rear side of forelegs, rear side of thighs and tail. It is short on head and at the front side of the forelegs and hindlegs. The coat is dense. Colour: There are 3 colour varieties: black/gold, black, blond.
Black/Gold Hovawart
Black/Gold: The coat is black and shiny, the colour of the markings medium blond. On the head the markings begin below the nasal bridge and extend round the corners of the mouth into the marking of the throat. The point-shaped markings above the eyes are clearly visible. The chest markings consist of two adjacent patches which may be connected. On the forelegs, the marking, seen from the side, extends from the toes to about the pastern and tapers off on the rearside at about elbow level. On the hindlegs, seen from the side, the marking below the hock is seen as a broad stripe, above the hock only as a narrow stripe which extends on the front side of the hindleg up to the level of the belly. A marking is also present beneath the set on of the tail. The markings are distinct in outline everywhere. Single small white spots on the chest as well as some single white hairs on toes and tip of tail are permissible. Black pigmentation on eyelids, lips and pads.
Black Hovawart
Black: The coat is black and shiny. Some single white spots on the chest as well as some single white hairs on toes and tip of tail are permissible. Black pigmentation on eyelids, lips and pads.
Blond Hovawart
Blond: The coat is medium blond, shiny and becomes lighter towards legs and belly. Single small white spots on the chest as well as some single white hairs on toes and tip of tail are permissible. Black pigmentation on eyelids, lips and pads.
Head: The nasal bridge is straight and parallel to the skull. Muzzle and skull are of about the same length. The skin of the head fits tightly. Skull: the powerful head has a broad, rounded forehead. Stop: well visible. Nose: nostrils well developed. In black/gold and black dogs pigmentation is black; in blond dogs it is black; snow nose (temporary loss of pigmentation) accepted. Muzzle: strong, tapering only slightly when seen from above and in profile. Lips: fit tightly. Jaws/Teeth: strong complete scissor bite with 42 teeth according to tooth formula. Teeth set square to the jaws. Pincer bite accepted. Eyes: oval, neither protruding nor deep set. Colour: dark to medium brown. Eyelids fit tightly. Ears: the loosely fitting triangular drop ears are set on high and wide apart, thus giving the optical illusion of broadening the skull. They reach in length to the corners of the mouth (labial commisure). Their tip is slightly rounded. When the dog is at ease they are kept hanging flat, when alert they may be carried directed slightly forward. Their front edge lies approximately halfway between eye and occiput.
Neck: Strong, of medium length. Skin tightly fitting.
Forequarters: Forelegs: strong, straight and vertical, seen from the front and side. Shoulders: very well muscled. Shoulder-blade long and well laid back. Upper arm: long, closely fitting to body. Elbows: fitting well to chest. Pastern joint: strong. Pastern: moderately sloping. Body Back: straight and firm. Loin: strong, slightly longer than rump. Croup: medium long and slightly sloping. Chest: broad, deep and strong.
Hindquarters: Hindlegs: strong and vertical when seen from behind. Hindquarters are well angulated. Upper and lower thigh: very well muscled. Hock joint Strong, well letdown. Feet: roundish, strong and compact. Toes arched and tight. Dewclaws may be removed. Nails with black pigmentation in black/gold and black dogs; in blond dogs there may be less pigmentation.
Tail: Bushy, reaching to below the hocks, but not to the ground. According to the dog’s mood it is carried high and curved over the back or hanging down.
Gait: In all gaits the movement of the Hovawart is on a straight line and covering the ground well. The trot is very extended, with powerful drive from the hindquarters.
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.
Disqualification: General Appearance: Dogs which do not conform to the impression of original breed type. Distinctly “doggy” bitches. Distinctly “bitchy” dogs. Important Proportions: Distinctly differing body proportions than those quoted in the standard. Temperament: Aggressive, anxious, gunshy or lethargic dogs. Head: Lacking stop. ; Blue eye or wall eye. ; Erect, tipped ears, rose ear ; off-standing ears. ; Undershot, overshot or wry mouth. ; Absence of more than 2 of the 4 PM 1 or the 2 M3, or absence of any other tooth. Neck: Distinct dewlap or very throaty. Body: Pronounced sway or roach back. ; Narrow or barrel shaped chest. ; Abnormal tail; tail much too short; pronounced ring tail. Hindquarters: Much too high in hindquarters (overbuilt). Coat: Predominantly curly coat (ring curls) Colours: General: All colours not conforming to the standard, e.g. blue-grey, deer colour, brown, white, patched, blond with smutty touch or predominantly banded hair. White patches. Single white hairs on the inside of the upper thighs are not a disqualifying fault.
Disqualifying Black/Gold Hovawart dogs: Grey or brown patches other than the correct markings. ; Undercoat predominantly of another color than black. ; Predominantly grey or whitish markings.
Disqualifying Black Hovawart dogs: Grey or brown patches. ; Undercoat predominantly of another color than black.
Disqualifying Blond Hovawart dogs: Some single white hairs on the nasal bridge are not a disqualifying fault. ; Red-blond color throughout without getting lighter. ; Whitish-blond color, also on ears. ; Distinctly white markings. ; Dark patches or dark mask. Size: Undersize. ; Oversize by more than 3 cm.
