Slovak Cuvacs are magnificent guard dogs, with a great protective instinct. "Cuvac" means to listen, hence the name given to these dogs for being in a constant state of alarm. For its part, the surname "Slovak" refers to Slovakia, its country of origin. In addition to being good shepherd and guard dogs, they are good life companions due to noble character, affection and great loy alty, although they also need space and long walks abroad to satisfy their instincts.
Keep reading this file on our site to learn more about the breed of dog Slovak cuvac, its origin, physical characteristics, character, care, education, he alth and where to adopt it.
Origin of the Slovak cuvac
The Slovak cuvac, as its name suggests, is a breed originating in Slovakia, used as a cattle guard dog The origin of the The breed dates back to the 17th century, although it may be even older. It comes from the European mountainous regions, found on the edge of glaciers where remains of arctic groups from the pre-glacial era were found.
This dog is part of the Slovak traditional heritage. The mountain peoples of Slovakia protected their borders and traded their sheep's cheese and were thus escaped from the serfdom of the Middle Ages.
When wolves began to disappear, this breed almost became extinct as they no longer needed these dogs to protect livestock. However, this did not end up happening thanks to the efforts of a veterinarian named Antonin Hruza after the Second World War in 1964. In that same year the breed standard was established at the Brno Veterinary School, where in addition to establishing itself as a magnificent guard dog, it also had ideal characteristics as a companion dog for the home.
Characteristics of the Slovak cuvac
Slovak cuvacs are very large dogs, with a height at the withers of up to 70 cm in males and 65 in females. Weight is 36-44 kg in males and 31-37 kg in females.
It is a race strong, majestic and harmonious. Its main physical characteristics are the following:
- The head is harmonious and strong, with short but silky hair. The skull is elongated. Naso-frontal depression is moderately marked.
- The snout is strong, medium and wide, narrowed at the tip.
- The jaw is strong, with a scissor bite and black lips.
- The eyes are dark, oval and horizontal.
- The ears are long and hang down next to the head.
- The neck is long and straight, in the male it is very strong and covered with mane.
- The limbs are strong, long and balanced.
- The back is muscular, strong and the croup is somewhat sloping, square and robust.
- The chest is broad, with arched and well-spaced ribs, giving it a quadrangular shape.
- The tail is low set and straight.
- The feet are rounded and strong, covered with hair and with thick black pads.
- The coat is dense, double layered and white. The hair is long, up to 10 cm long, and it waves more on the mane and legs than on the body.
Slovak cuvac character
Slovak Cuvacs are brave, bold, gentle, obedient, affectionate, docile and intelligent dogs. They will not hesitate to defend their handlers in the face of any possible danger, but without becoming a very aggressive dog.
They are wonderful life companions, although they are very active and love the outdoors, due to their noble and sweet character they can adapt to any situation. They are very affectionate and get along well with children. The temperament of the Slovak cuvac with strangers is a little more reserved, as they are suspicious, but as soon as they realize that they are not a threat to their own, they relax and treat them like one of the others.
Slovak cuvac care
Care for this breed is moderate. In addition to the basics for all dogs: a good, balanced and complete diet regulated so that they do not become overweight or obese, clean and fresh water, control of the mouth and teeth in search of lesions and periodontal disease or tartar, and vaccinations and routine deworming to avoid infectious and parasitic diseases, the following specific care will be necessary:
- Frequent exercise and long walks outside: as they love being in the fields, going for walks or long games on large fields. Although they can, it is difficult for them to live locked up in a home for a long time.
- Frequent brushing: due to its double layer of hair, it tends to lose a lot, so brushing, in addition to removing those dead hairs, it will promote blood circulation and the strong growth of new hair.
- Bathrooms: when they are dirty or the fur begins to look less white, you should bathe. This also helps remove hair that will soon fall out.
- Cleaning the ears: due to their long ears, special care must be taken that they do not accumulate dirt or develop any infection or parasite with check-ups and ear cleaners.
Slovak cuvac education
They are calm, docile and intelligent dogs. Education does not usually cause any type of problem in these races, they are very predisposed to learn and to give their all to achieve it. They are very faithful and willing to obey their caregiver's orders at all times.
They love rewards, so teaching them with positive reinforcement is the best training technique, since in addition to being much more effective, fast and less traumatic, it will further strengthen the bond between handler and dog.
He alth of the Slovak cuvac
Slovak cuvacs have a life expectancy of 11 to 13 years if care is optimal and veterinary check-ups are up to date. Despite not being predisposed to congenital and hereditary diseases, being such a large dog it may be predisposed to developing bone problems such as:
- Hip dysplasia: characterized by poor congruence between the acetabulum (hip joint area) and the head of the femur (hip joint area). thigh joint). This poor union of the hip joint causes joint laxity, damaging and weakening it that can cause lameness, osteoarthritis, muscle atrophy and discomfort or pain.
- Elbow dysplasia: When these dogs reach the months of maximum growth, lesions can appear in the elbow joint between the three bones involved: the humerus, the radius and the ulna. These alterations that can appear isolated or together, are the fragmented coronoid process, the non-union of the anconeal process, the incongruity of the elbow or osteochondritis dissecans.
- Patellar luxation: or patellar luxation, especially the lateral or bilateral one, consists of a protrusion of the patella from the trochlea of the knee joint. There are four degrees according to gravity. This can cause joint weakness, pain, crackles, and increased sensitivity in the area.
- Gastric torsion: which consists of a rotation of the stomach that causes a strong dilation of it. It usually occurs when the dog eats or drinks very desperately and intensely before or after moderate exercise. The symptoms that the dog presents are restlessness, hypersalivation, distended abdomen, dyspnea, weakness, depression, anorexia, unsuccessful vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, pale mucous membranes, fainting, and shock.
To prevent or quickly treat any of these or other diseases that dogs can suffer from, you should go to routine reviews at the center veterinary.
Where to adopt a Slovak cuvac
Slovak cuvacs are not very easy to adoptIn addition, it must be taken into account that they may not be the most suitable dog for the general public, since they need to be outside for a long time or have a large house or a large garden or patio so that they can enjoy the brightness. and fresh air, while protecting the house from possible aggressors or threats.
If this is the case, the next step is to ask at the protectors or nearby shelters If you still don't have information, always You can search for an association of the breed and ask about the availability of a Slovak cuvac dog for adoption.
