Meet our lovable and courageous gentle giant breed this week, the Kuvasz! These big hairy dogs have a naturally sweet temperament and love to be around the people their family. Although having a Kuvasz may mean a lot more hair in your house, they make it all worth it with their wonderful personalities!
The Kuvasz is a very old breed originating from Hungary. Original Kuvasz’s were much larger than the ones we see today. During the 14th century, only royalty were allowed to own a Kuvasz. They became very popular with royals who enjoyed hunting game, as the Kuvasz was a great hunting companion. As time passed, the Kuvasz started to become more accepted for common-folk to own. Farmers were big fans of the Kuvasz as they made fantastic guard dogs for sheep and livestock. The breed continued to be used as a guard dog for livestock all throughout the 1900’s. This breed makes an excellent guard and watch dog as his size alone can be quite intimidating. They have a very loud and deep bark (but they only make noise when necessary) and they are naturally very wary of strangers.
Kuvasz today are smaller in size compared to their ancestors, but still remain to be known as a gentle giant. They absolutely love their family and are very loyal dogs. Kuvasz’s do have a tendency to be wary of strangers still, just like their ancestors; be sure to do a lot of socialization with them so they know not to be aggressive or fearful towards strangers. Although they may seem big and tough, they are sensitive dogs and respond best to positive training as opposed to any gimmicks or harsh training methods. Most Kuvasz’s are great with other dogs and pets, but some can be very nervous or anxious around them, so it is extremely important before deciding to get this breed, that you have committed to training and socializing your Kuvasz for the rest of this life (not just while he’s a puppy!).
The Kuvasz sheds quite a bit and also is prone to mats with that thick double coat of his. Be sure to brush him with a good quality slicker brush 3-4 times a week to keep his coat looking its best. They will also need to see the groomer for hair clipping on a regular basis. They amount of time in between grooms depends on the individual dog as well as how long the owner prefers to keep the hair, but generally every 4-6 months.
Kuvasz are great family dogs and will always stay loyal to their family. Although very bonded to ‘his people’, Kuvasz don’t typically have much separation anxiety. To keep him from developing separation anxiety, make sure to not make a big deal about leaving or coming home, wait until your dog is calm before giving attention and affection. The Kuvasz may not be for everyone as this breed generally needs continuous training and socializing throughout most of his life. But if you are looking for a wonderful and outdoorsy companion, the Kuvasz might be the right dog for you!
