Hungarian Kuvasz

The Kuvasz is a large, powerful breed with a noble expression and appearance. Their thick double coat is pure white, with a slight wave. In mature adults the coat will form a thick mane or ruff on the neck, and long feathering to the backs of the legs and tail. This is a dense, weather-proof coat that insulates the dog well.

Hungarian Kuvasz is standing on the beach by the lake

Hungarian Kuvasz is standing on the beach by the lake and forest

The need-to-know

Dogs suitable for experienced owners
Extra training required
Generally healthy breed
Enjoys vigorous walks
Enjoys more than two hours of walking a day

Giant dog
Some drool
Requires grooming every other day
Chatty and vocal dog
Barks, alerts and may be physically protective/suspicious of visitors

Might not like other dogs
May need additional training to live with other pets
May need additional supervision to live with children
Needs a large garden
Best suited to countryside

Can be left alone with training

Generally healthy breed

The Kuvasz dog breed is generally robust breed, but they can suffer from:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Gastric dilatation volvulus

Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
None but there are several recommended schemes that the Kennel Club recommends which can be found here.

Key Facts

Ratings

Key Facts

Lifespan:	10 - 12 years
Weight:	Between 40-52kg for males, and between 30-42kg for females
Height:	Between 71-75cm for males, and between 66-70cm for females
Colours:	Pure white coat
Size:	Large
Kennel Club Group:	Pastoral

Ratings

Family-friendly:	5/5
Exercise needs:	5/5
Easy to train:	2/5
Tolerates being alone:	1/5
Likes other pets:	2/5
Energy level:	4/5
Grooming needs:	4/5
Shedding:	4/5

Personality

This is a guarding breed, and with that comes independent thought and a willingness to make choices without the input of human owners. Naturally protective around the home, suspicious of strangers and willing to make fast decisions and act on them with voice and teeth, the Kuvasz requires a specialist home. Not inclined to enjoy training for its own sake, hard to motivate and a quick thinker, this is a dog you’ll need to have the right lifestyle for, as they will not easily adapt to unsuitable conditions. This is a breed that can easily get themselves, and you, into trouble if not carefully managed and housed.

History and Origins

Country of Origin: Hungary

Used by the nomadic Magyar peoples to protect flocks both on the move between grazing grounds and when staying at summer and winter settlements, the Hungarian Kuvasz type can be traced back to archaeological skeletal discoveries from the 9th Century. This strong, powerful breed worked in very harsh conditions in the mountainous regions, hence the development of a thick, wind and waterproof coat and their tough nature.

In the 15th Century the breed was made fashionable among nobility by King Matthias Corvinus, who gave Kuvasz pups as royal gifts. The breed’s main role however has remained as a hardworking flock guardian, gentle around sheep but ferocious against predators and strangers.

Ideal Owner

This is really a specialist dog for a special owner – someone who lives remotely and rurally, doesn’t have visitors and does have livestock that need guarding! Because this breed is designed to live with the flock, they do not bond easily with people and will always think for themselves – serious consideration should be given to owning this breed, even by people who have previous Livestock Guardian Breed experience.

Exercise Needs

Bred to patrol perimeters and boundaries, guard flocks and drive away any potential predators, this is a large dog that needs to move. Two hours of exercise per day, with training, mental stimulation type games and puzzles on top – no matter what the weather!

Nutrition and Feeding

Large breed dogs, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients including minerals and vitamins compared to smaller-breed dogs. The Kuvasz is prone to bloating and stomach problems; smaller, more frequent meals can help minimise this risk.

Space Requirements

This is not a breed that is easily housed – they require a large and extremely well fenced garden, without public footpaths running the other side, or they will be stressed and constantly want to patrol the boundary. A large house with plenty of room for a tall, powerful breed to play, train and dry off after wet walks is necessary. Due to their size, it is recommended they avoid stairs until near maturity, so a home that offers plenty of downstairs living space is best. Not suited to town or city living at all, remote rural homes are vital.

Grooming Kuvasz Dogs

The Kuvasz dog’s coat consists of a woolly undercoat and a coarse top coat. There is a 'mane' of longer, thicker hair around the neck, and longer hair on the backs of the legs and on the tail (up to 15cm in length). The coat should be brushed a couple of times a week, but daily brushing is recommended when the coat sheds, to control the vast quantity of lost hair. Be sure to check paws and ears for debris such as grass seeds after each walk.

Training Kuvasz Dogs

Independent minded and quick thinking, the Kuvasz will need some strong persuasion via clever motivation and consistent training to see any reason to work with you. Positive reinforcement is the way forward however you will have to work hard, simply offering food rewards is unlikely to cut the mustard. Up your game using environmental rewards, the opportunity to move, jump, run, chase and play will work well, but a solid bond is necessary, with an owner who has earned their dogs respect over time, or this breed will make decisions for themselves!

Suitability for Family Life

A dog for those living in remote places, with large areas of extremely well fenced land. Likely to be fine with older children they have grown up with, as long as they can follow rules. The Kuvasz is not inclined to tolerate strangers at all, and is too large and slow to mature to be a good fit with a home with young children.

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.

Did You Know?

The Hungarian Kuvasz is one of several livestock guardian breeds and because their role is to spend time with the flock or herd rather than with people, none of them make particularly good pets for social homes that have visitors.
Legend has it that King Mattias particularly wanted his Kuvasz dogs with him at banquets, not just because they would clear up leftovers but because he could wipe his greasy fingers in their thick wavey coats – effectively a giant walking napkin!