The kuvasz dog is a very old dog breed created in Hungary, where it was originally trained as a herding dog. In recent decades it has gained popularity as a companion dog for its imposing beauty, as well as for its loyal, courageous and very protective temperament in relation to its relatives and members of the family unit.
Origin of kuvasz
As we told you in the introduction, the kuvasz is a dog native to Hungary, a country where it has been known since the Antiquity. Although little is known about its origins, it is believed that its ancestors descended from Asian dogs that used to accompany the Magyare nomadic peoples, who migrated through the basin of the Carpathians. The Magyares used these robust and densely furred dogs to protect their herds from natural predators and eventual thieves. They could also be used in hunting wild boar, wild pigs and bears.
During the 15th century, when King Mathias Corvinus ruled Hungary and Croatia, Kuvasz dogs became very popular among the Hungarian aristocracy, accompanying the nobles on their hunting days. Subsequently, the population of kuvasz was greatly reduced during the two world wars and these furry ones were practically on the verge of extinction after the Hungarian revolution, in the decade of the years fifty.
With the expansion of urban areas on its territory and the reduction of fields dedicated to livestock, the training of the Kuvasz as a herding dog has become more and more occasional in Hungary. He is currently trained to accompany the army and police of his country, as well as being highly regarded as a companion dog
According to the official standard of the International Cinological Federation (FCI), the kuvasz is classified in section 1 of group 1, which includes sheepdogs (without working test). [1]
Physical Characteristics of Kuvasz
The Kuvasz is a large, rustic and imposing dog whose presence conveys his strength and nobility. According to the official FCI breed standard, the height at the withers of males varies between 71 and 76 centimeters, with a body weight ranging between 48 and 62 kilos. In females, the height at the withers is 66 to 70 centimeters, weighing between 37 and 50 kilos. Despite their large size and density, the body of these furry animals must be well proportioned and harmonious, without rough or abrupt lines, allowing for agile and precise movements.
His body, seen in profile, forms a flat or horizontal rectangle, resulting almost square and with remarkably outlined joints. The chest is long, deep and slightly arched, it being desirable that its depth corresponds to approximately half the height at the withers of the dog. The loin is short, the back is firm, wide, straight and well muscled, while the belly is slightly tucked up. In turn, the croup is also wide and muscular, showing slightly descending. The tail has a low insertion, accompanying the downward movement of the rump, they have a straight fall and its tip is slightly curved upwards, but without bending.
The Kuvasz's head is lean, wedge-shaped and in harmony with the proportions of the dog's body. The skull is wide, but not abrupt, the forehead being slightly marked and the stop poorly defined The snout is short, and it is desirable that its size does not exceed half the long from the head, and tapers slightly towards the black nose, never becoming pointed. The eyes are almond-shaped and slightly oblique, generally showing a shade of dark brown The ears are "V" shaped with rounded tips and set at medium height, falling parallel and well next to the dog's head.
The kuvasz's coat is very dense, entirely white or ivory-coloured, made up of a double layer of hair. The undercoat is made up of a softer, woolier coat, while the outer coat is dense and slightly wavy, with hard, stiff hairs. On the legs, ears and head, the outer hairs become shorter. Their skin is firm and well-pigmented, displaying a slate-grey hue.
kuvasz character
The temperament of the Kuvasz stands out for the great courage and security with which it performs the tasks assigned to it and carries out the interactions in your day to day. These dogs usually form a very deep bond with their guardians and relatives, who will not hesitate to defend against any threat. As they were historically trained as herding and guard dogs, they also are often protective in relation to their home/territory and their guardians' property or possessions. For this reason, Kuvasz dogs can be somewhat distrustful in the presence of strange animals and people, and they need to be properly socialized to learn to relate positively to individuals and stimuli in their environment.
When he has the affection of a family and is raised in a positive way, a calm, stable and very affectionate dog with theirs. However, he is also sensitive and has a strong personality, being able to be reactive in the face of incorrect handling by his tutors and the use of abusive techniques in his education. Therefore, it is not a recommended dog for inexperienced guardians or those who do not have the necessary time and patience to dedicate to the upbringing and maintenance that this breed requires.
Likewise, it is important to remember that a dog's behavior is not determined solely by its breed or lineage, but mainly depends on its education, environment and care provided by its guardians. of the. For this reason, if you want to obtain an obedient and balanced Kuvasz, you will need to provide him with optimal conditions for his physical, cognitive and emotional development, as well as pay attention to his early education and socialization
Kuvasz care
The Kuvasz is a large, robust and active dog that needs space to develop and express itself It is not advisable to keep it in particularly small spaces, as it is better suited to homes with an open space with a garden, where it can run, jump, play and explore its surroundings.
Maintaining its coat requires time and dedication on the part of the tutor, it is advisable to brush it 4 times a week to remove the hair dead, avoid the accumulation of dirt and the formation of knots in its coat. Kuvasz dogs also tend to lose a lot of hair during the shedding season, so it is advisable to brush it daily during these periods. At the same time, baths should only be given when the dog is really dirty, trying not to bathe it more than once every 15 days, the ideal being to perform a bath every two monthsExcessive bathing removes the layer of fat that naturally covers and protects the body of dogs, leaving them more exposed to numerous diseases and skin problems.
The Kuvasz is also a curious dog, with a lot of energy and a predisposition to training. The daily practice of physical exercise will be essential to manage a he althy weight, maintain a stable and calm behavior, and prevent symptoms of stress and behavioral problems, such as destructiveness. You will need to take your dog for a walk at least 2 or 3 times a day, offering him walks of 30 to 45 minutes, and trying to vary his paths and incorporate new activities and games into the traditional walk. They will also be able to evaluate the option of starting him in agility or in another canine sport.
Just as important as physical activity will be the mental stimulation and environmental enrichment of your kuvasz. In this sense, we advise you to try searching or sowing for dogs, which is one of the best activities to encourage the cognitive and sensitive development of your furry, in addition to presenting some homemade intelligence games. Likewise, remember that training will be the best and most complete exercise that you can provide your kuvasz dog, so we recommend you read the 5 training tricks that every tutor should know.
Like any other dog, the Kuvasz dog also requires complete and balanced nutrition to fully develop its physical, emotional, cognitive and social. Currently, there are several types of food that you can consider offering your best friend, being able to choose from basing their diet solely on the consumption of good quality balanced feed, to opting for the advantages and benefits of a BARF diet. Before deciding, don't forget to consult a veterinarian, who will be able to guide you on the most suitable type of nutrition for your dog, considering its size, age, weight and state of he alth.
Kuvasz dog education
If you want to have an obedient and balanced adult Kuvasz dog, you will need to commit and pay attention to his education and socialization from his earliest age. Your puppy's education should start when he arrives at home, when you can gradually introduce him to the rules of the house, transmitting the positive behaviors that you expect him to respect and perform in his day-to-day life. Remember not to reinforce behaviors during youth that you do not want your dog to assimilate in his adulthood, such as the habit of getting on the bed or asking for food when you enjoy your meal.
In this first stage, you will also need to start to properly socialize your puppy, since the socialization stage in dogs is understood from their first three weeks to three months of life. In this period, it will be crucial that you allow your dog to live with other dogs, animals and people, as well as to explore varied stimuli and environments, ensuring that these interactions and experiences are always safe and positive for your little kuvasz. As it is also a dog with a strong herding instinct, the socialization of the kuvasz will be essential to teach him to relate positively with other animals and also with children, helping him to understand them as members of his family, and not of a "herd" that he must shepherd.
In this first phase of learning your kuvasz puppy, we also advise you to teach him to relieve himself on the newspaper or in the outside area of your house (such as a patio or a garden), and to manage correctly your bite.
Later, when your kuvasz puppy has already started his vaccination schedule, you can start taking him for walks in the street and follow up on his socialization, introducing him to new environments and individuals. This will be the ideal phase to teach him to relieve himself in the street and set his routine of walking times, always considering that it will be necessary to make at least 2 or 3 daily outings with your Kuvasz. In this phase, you can also start the training sessions, presenting the basic obedience commands to your kuvasz, which will be essential to stimulate their mind and encourage behavior balanced.
When your kuvasz reaches adulthood, you will continue working obedience alongside him and you can introduce him to new tasks and tricks, even considering resorting to to a training circuit to receive guidance from a professional. It will also be essential to propose intelligence games to your dog and provide him with opportunities to practice activities that exercise his body and mind. Both in the basic education of your Kuvasz and in the advanced one, you should use positive reinforcement to stimulate their learning, rewarding their good behavior and achievements with treats, caresses, praise and words of encouragement. Do not forget that negative and/or abusive methods, such as physical and emotional punishment, are counterproductive and dangerous, since they harm the bond between the dog and its guardian, as well as favor the development of behavioral problems, such as aggressiveness. [two]
If you decide to adopt an adult Kuvasz, you should know that it is also possible to train and socialize an adult dog, always counting on a lot of patience, affection and the help of positive reinforcement to stimulate it.
Kuvasz he alth
Like all canine breeds, Kuvasz dogs may have a certain genetic predisposition to develop some hereditary and degenerative diseases. Hip dysplasia and dermatitis are the most common conditions in these large furry dogs, but they can also eventually be affected by cataracts and deafness in dogs. [3]
In addition, the kuvasz can develop other common diseases in dogs and is somewhat prone to obesity. Therefore, you will need to receive adequate preventive medicine throughout your life. Remember to make preventive visits to the vet every 6 months to verify the state of he alth of your furry, respect his schedule of vaccinations and deworm him periodically with good quality products suitable according to your size, weight and age.
With proper care, a positive environment and the affection of their guardians, the Kuvasz dog has an estimated life expectancy of between 10 and 12 years.
