The Kuvasz is a large yet adorable dog, one that is highly intelligent and sometimes described as also having a sense of humor. The roots of its name are Turkish, the meaning being that of “armed guard of the nobility”. Its origins though can be found in Tibet and the current breeding status has been developed in Hungary.
Back in time, the breed used to provide companionship to Hungarian rulers and to rulers of other European empires. Only the royals would have a Kuvasz as a companion dog. It was only after hundreds of years that common people would start to own such a dog and shepherds discovered that it was appropriate for guarding sheep and cattle. Over the last seventy years, people have seen that it is also an appropriate breed to keep as a pet.
Where the appearance of this dog is concerned, it is a large dog with nice dense white coat. Its coat is odorless and it can be crisp or straight. Its skin however is dark and its nose is black. Females weigh up to 90 pounds, while males grow heavier and can be up to 150 pounds. Usually the head is twice as long as it is wide and the stop is well defined.
There are some standards for the breed however that will vary from one country and to another. The color of the coat is a very important breed criterion though, since these dogs have become shepherd dogs. Their purpose being to guard sheep, they must have a lighter color than wolves do, so that they can be easily distinguished from sheep predators at nighttime. Sometimes the breed will be found in cream color instead of white, but while this is accepted in Hungary, in the U.S. this issue is under debate. On the other hand, while in the U.S. the straight texture of the coat appears to be preferred in dog shows, in Hungary it is considered important that the texture be wavy.
Moving forward to the temperament of this dog, it is first of all very intelligent. Some even describe it as having a sense of humor in adolescence and even during adulthood. This dog is known for its loyalty, although it can have an independent attitude, useful for its role of livestock protector. It is able to assess risks in the environment on its own and act accordingly in order to do its job as a guardian.
Love and attention is highly appreciated by dogs from this breed. Since this dog combines intelligence and independence, its owner must be good at training it, teaching it to be obedient and also exposing it to socialization. Its independence might ask for a lot of patience from the part of the trainer. Also, the dog must trust the person using commands on it. The owner must become a leader in the perception of the dog, and then the dog will obey received commands. Interaction with strangers and other dogs must be carefully managed.
An intelligent dog of royal background and with guarding abilities, the Kuvasz is a handsome dog appropriate for protecting livestock and also as a family pet.
