Last Updated on August 7, 2023 by Pets Feed
The snow-white giant Kuvasz is the national pride of Hungarians, the dog of Magyar kings and rulers, as well as an excellent defender and devoted friend.
Known for their friendliness, protective instincts, and easy care, the Kuvasz breed can be independent and aggressive. They need a steady hand during training and socialization.
Pictures of the Kuvasz
Physical characteristics
It is a large and powerful race with a noble appearance. The height of adult males is 71-75 cm, weight – 40-52 kg, and females – 66-70 cm and 30-42 kg, respectively. The Kuvasz has a thick pure white double coat and there are gray spots on the skin.
Distinctive features
- Head: Skull with a rounded and wide upper part, wedge-shaped with a noticeable stop and a furrow along the forehead. The skull is large, with moderately developed superciliary arches and a pronounced occipital protrusion. The transition from the line of the forehead to the nose: weakly expressed and soft bow.
- Jaws: The jaws are strong, with powerful chewing muscles. White, large, straight teeth. The dental formula is complete. Scissor joint, without space. Lips dry, clenched, black.
- Ears: The ears are set low, V-shaped. The tips are pressed firmly against the cheeks and pointed forward. The ears never lift and are mobile when excited.
- Eyes: The eyes are almond-shaped and of medium size. The iris is dark brown. The eyelids are pigmented black along the edge, fitting tightly to the eyeball.
- Torso: The body is rectangular, with well-developed muscles and strong, coarse bones. The skin is dry, dark gray pigmented. The chest is medium width, deep. The back is straight, broad and muscular. The abdomen is strongly turned up, but because of the wool the detachment is invisible.
- Limbs: Limbs are long, thick, strong, straight. The metacarpus is shorter than the metatarsus and no less massive. The legs are large, arched, with hard pads and strong graphite-colored claws.
- Coat: Semi-hard, wavy, tends to tangle. At the base of the coarse outer coat there is a softer undercoat. On the head, ears, on the inner and lateral sides of the front and hind limbs, as well as on the legs, the hair is shorter
Character and behavior
The Kuvasz dog is a very intelligent animal. Simply put, if you have an idea of smart and quick-witted dogs, consider a dog of this breed.
These dogs are genetically predisposed to being around people. In their past, for several hundred years, they performed various functions, from hunting to guarding and escorting, but, in any case, they were always engaged in some kind of company.
This can only mean one thing – the Kuvasz does not like idleness, so you need to provide your pet with the appropriate level of activity. We can say that the dog notifies the owner of strangers, and also signals to strangers that the territory is guarded.
In addition, if a person is just passing, the dog will not throw itself over the fence unnecessarily, trying to catch its teeth on the net and splashing saliva. No, the Kuvasz is a noble, self-respecting dog. Therefore, if an intruder enters the territory, he will knock him down and do everything possible to make the thief leave his property forever. And he will do it, too, with dignity.
Children are perceived normally, strangers on the street are ignored, but they watch imperceptibly so that the stranger does not harm the owner. Hunting instincts can express themselves in the pursuit of cats, small animals. Conflicts with other dogs are possible, but the breed does not show unreasonable excessive aggression.
Health
The Kuvasz is prone to the following diseases:
- Hip dysplasia;
- Osteochondrosis;
- von Willebrand’s disease;
- Gastric torsion.
Life expectancy
With proper care and maintenance, the Hungarian Kuvasz pleases its owner for 10-12 years.
Care
The coat should be brushed at least twice a week and it is recommended to bathe it 4 to 5 times a year. The eyes are cleaned daily, the ears are cleaned two to three times a week or as needed. The nails are cut three times a month.
Living conditions
But the best place to keep a dog is a farm or a country house with a large fenced yard. When kept in an aviary, its size must also be large so that the dog can move freely. Also, staying in an open cage should not rule out walks, as kuvas need physical activity.
And it is absolutely unacceptable to keep this proud dog chained up. Captivity negatively affects the character of the animal. A chained dog can be aggressive even towards its owner.
Popular questions and answers
History of the breed
This big, cute dog is an ancient European breed that has faithfully served people for many centuries as a shepherd and guardian.
Where the kuvasz came from, it is impossible to say for sure, but it has been known since time immemorial. It is believed to have been brought by the tribes of the ancient Hungarians, who used it as a protector against wild animals and thieves. Unpretentious and hardy, later she began herding cattle and helping farmers. In the 15th century, during the reign of Matt Korvinusz, these dogs were court favorites and spread throughout Europe.
They guarded the king and participated with him in the hunt. In the 19th century, the kuvasz was presented at an exhibition and fell in love not only with farmers, whom it still helps, but also with townspeople, who began to keep it as a companion. Unfortunately, World War II drastically reduced the number of these wonderful creatures, leaving only 30 individuals alive in Hungary. But the breed was saved, and now these dogs are very popular again.
