Hovawart Puppies: Traits, Care, and Everything You Need to Know
Published: 14 Mar 2025
Adopting a puppy is a big decision, and picking the right breed is vital. If you’re considering getting a Hovawart puppy, you’re in for a great experience.
Hovawarts are known for being loyal, intelligent, and protective, which makes them a great option for families who want a playful, loving, and easy-to-train dog—making them a perfect fit for families looking for a playful, caring, and easy-to-train companion.
In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about raising Hovawart puppies—from their appearance and personality to what’s required in training, grooming, and care.
Table of Contents
Overview & History of the Hovawart
Here, we will talk about where the Howawart breed originated and how it developed over time.
Where Do Hovawarts Come From?
The Hovawart is an old dog breed from Germany, where they were initially bred to guard homes and farms. The word “Hovawart” itself means “farm guard.” These dogs are hardworking and have a strong instinct to protect. Over time, they were also used for search and rescue tasks, showing how skilled they were at following instructions and keeping their owners safe.
A Working Breed
Hovawarts belong to the working group of dogs, which means they are energetic and always ready to have a job. This is great for families who enjoy an active lifestyle and have enough time to give them attention. Because they were bred to work, they require daily exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy.
Physical Features of the Hovawart
In this section, we will cover the physical characteristics of the Howawarts, including their typical size and build.
How Big Are They?
Hovawarts are medium to large dogs. Males usually weigh between 65 and 90 pounds, while females weigh around 55 to 75 pounds. They are strong and fit, made for tasks like guarding and running.
Their Beautiful Coat
One of the most notable features of the Hovawart is its thick, long coat. This breed comes in three primary colours: black, blonde, and sable. Their double coat helps protect them from harsh weather but requires regular care. Expect shedding all year round, so brushing your Hovawart often is necessary.
Coat Care
Brushing is essential to prevent mats and should trim their nails and clean their ears regularly to keep them healthy.
Personality and Temperament
In this heading, we will discuss how smart they are and how easy it is to train them.
Smart and Trainable
Hovawarts are highly intelligent, which makes them easy to train if you start early. They’re eager to please but also have an independent streak, so it’s essential to be consistent with your training approach. Using rewards like treats and praise is the best way to teach them.
When Smith brought home our Hovawart puppy, Max, he quickly learned the basic commands like ‘sit’ and ‘stay’. But we also had to work harder to teach him the ‘come’ command because he sometimes tends to think for himself.”
Loyal and Protective
Hovawarts are incredibly loyal to their families. They form strong bonds with their owners and are very protective of them. This makes them excellent guard dogs but also means they might be cautious or even a little standoffish with strangers. For more information on how guard dogs differ from companion dogs, check out this guide on guard dogs vs companion dogs.
Max is always ready to greet us at the door, but he’ll bark if someone unfamiliar enters the yard. It’s his way of making sure we’re safe.”
Socialization is Key
Every puppy needs initial socialization. Socializing puppies with various human contacts, animal interactions, and environmental experiences leads to mature and civilized behaviour in adulthood.
If a Hovawart isn’t socialized early, they may become overprotective or anxious in new situations.
How to Care for a Hovawart Puppy
In this part, we will explain how to care for a Howawart puppy, including what food they should eat.
What Should They Eat?
A balanced diet is essential for a growing Hovawart puppy. Choose high-quality puppy food with protein for muscle growth and healthy fats for energy. You should also ensure your puppy gets enough vitamins and minerals to support their development.
Look for foods that list meat as the first ingredient, like chicken or beef, and avoid ones with many fillers, like corn or soy.
Health and Common Issues
Hovawart puppies are generally healthy, but like many large dogs, they can be prone to joint issues such as hip dysplasia. Regular vet visits will help catch any potential problems early, and joint supplements may be recommended to keep their joints healthy.
Keeping your Hovawart at a healthy weight and giving them plenty of exercise can reduce the risk of joint issues.
Exercise and Stimulation
Hovawarts are energetic, so they need daily exercise. Long walks, playtime, and even running or hiking will help burn off their energy. Mental stimulation is equally important, and activities like puzzle toys, training sessions, or learning new tricks can keep them mentally sharp.
Hovawarts love to stay busy, so if you enjoy outdoor activities, they’ll be the perfect companion for hikes or runs.
Grooming
Regular grooming is essential. Brushing your puppy’s coat twice weekly helps maintain its glossy appearance while preventing tangling. Regular checks of their ears, together with periodic nail trimming, will help your pup maintain proper hygiene.
Training Your Hovawart Puppy
Here, we will cover how to start training your Howawart puppy with basic commands and routines.
Starting With the Basics
Training should begin as soon as you bring your Hovawart puppy home. Teach simple commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” Be patient, use positive reinforcement like treats and praise, and keep sessions short to maintain their focus.
A good rule of thumb is to train for 5-10 minutes at a time, several times a day, to keep your puppy engaged without overwhelming them.
Advanced Training
As your Hovawart matures, they can take on more advanced training. They excel at obedience and can even be trained for tracking, search, and rescue. If you’re interested in more specialized training, consider hiring a professional trainer specialising in working breeds.
Managing Behavioral Issues
Like all puppies, Hovawarts can develop habits like chewing or barking. It’s important to start dog behavior early to prevent bad habits from forming. If your Hovawart is chewing, redirect their attention to toys or other activities they enjoy.
What to Expect When Owning a Hovawart
This section will discuss the benefits of having a Howawart as a pet.
The Benefits of Having a Hovawart
- Loyal and affectionate: They are loving companions who enjoy spending time with their families.
- Protective: They make excellent watchdogs.
- Trainable: They’re eager to learn and enjoy tasks that keep their mind and body active.
Challenges to Consider
- Exercise needs: Hovawarts need daily physical and mental stimulation.
- Grooming: Their thick coat requires regular care.
- Socialization: Early exposure to people and pets is crucial to avoid excessive guarding behaviour.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Hovawart
You must select a reliable Hovawart breeder who practices ethical breeding when obtaining a Hovawart puppy. Hovawart puppies typically cost around $1,000 and $3,500. Before buying a puppy, you should choose breeders who perform health tests on their dogs and provide early socialization experiences for their puppies. Breed-specific rescue organizations let you adopt puppies or adult dogs for those interested in second-hand pet opportunities.
Conclusion
Hovawart puppies are energetic and playful. They love to run and explore, so they need lots of exercise. These puppies are also inquisitive and intelligent, which makes them fun to train. Early training is essential to help them learn good habits and become well-behaved dogs. They enjoy being part of the family and will follow you as they grow.
Despite their playful nature, Hovawart puppies are also protective. They have strong guarding instincts so that they may be cautious around strangers. Early socialization helps them feel more comfortable with new people and pets. With the proper care, they grow up to be loyal and loving companions who are great for active families.
FAQs
How big will my Hovawart puppy get?
Hovawarts are medium to large dogs. Males typically weigh 65-90 pounds, while females weigh 55-75 pounds.
Do Hovawart puppies shed a lot?
Yes, Hovawarts shed year-round. Regular grooming is necessary to manage their thick coat.
Are Hovawarts good with children and other pets?
Yes, with early socialization, Hovawarts are generally good with children and other pets.
What is the lifespan of a Hovawart?
The average lifespan of a Hovawart is 10 to 14 years. Proper care and regular vet visits can help them live long, healthy lives.
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- Be Respectful
- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks
