Hovawart - Any experiences? - Page 1

Just wondering if anyone has experience with this breed. They look like goldens, but badass LOL. I'm curious, as I can't say I've ever met one.

Thanks

I've only seen them in books, never a live specimen.

And i use to go to a lot of rare breed and UKC shows.

Fry

Same here. I've met a lot of strange breeds, but never one of these. I've always thought they were neat looking though.

A guy on workingdog.eu added me as a contact or whatever and breeds them - that is what re-piqued my interest. I'd message him, but alas, I do not have a premium membership. 

I cyber-know a gal in CA who has this breed, and from what she's said about the correct character for the dogs, they are definitely NOT of Golden Retriever temperament--they are MUCH nearer the GSD than the GR.  She breeds very rarely--she began her breeding program in 1999 after having imported her first Hovawart in 1989, and her most recent litter, born in March, is her E-litter--and works her dogs in a variety of disciplines including SchH/IPO, as you can see from her webpage; more info about her and her dogs can be found on the older version of her webpage.. Christa is very dedicated to her breed, and happy to share information about them with people who are interested in learning about them, and if I were thinking about adding a Hovi to my life, she would be the first person I'd reach out to for guidance to a good one.

I have toyed with the idea of importing one many times...

And I have a premium membership if you'd like to message someone...though it's well worth paying for.I recommend it. 

See Hexe, that's what I like about them, from what little I know. As I said "They *look* like goldens, but badass" ;) I love goldens, don't get me wrong, but I like the GSD temperament faaaaar more. My mom's new puppy is reminding me of that - there is just waaay too much happy in that creature. Give me a shepherd any day! But it'd be neat to have a "best of both worlds" dog, and something a bit different to boot (although if a black shepherd isn't "different" enough, according to Joe Schmo McPublic, I may have to carry breed information pamphlets every where I go). Nonetheless, they seem like really neat dogs and I'd like to learn more. Thanks for the link!! I'll fire her off an e-mail and see what she has to say! 

Jen, you should! Have it here by the end of the month, K? 

At Crufts some time in the 80s I had the opportunity to meet Maddie

the Blonde  Hovawart bitch who was "IT" girl in their shows at the

time.  The UK has a small but successful population of them, many

in proportion to their overall numbers are Shown in conformation;

some do competitive Obedience.  While not the chosen 'working

breed' of our nation, yes they do tend to have a GSD-like temperament.

If I were not looking to downsize, I'd certainly consider one if I could no

longer have a Shepherd.  The Blacks and Black&Tans fool everyone

into thinking they are mongrels, as only the Blondes are redolent of G

Retriever !

I've liked the breed very much, sadly i only had one of them through rescue.  The Hovawart is not a shepherd but a guarddog. The breeds name Hovawart means (garden guardian) or property guardian.

Therefore is the breeds caracter different than the german shepherds. Nevertheless a magnificent breed imo.

Not sure the Hovie character is overly 'different';  which bits are different ?

The slightly aloof, "I'll let you fuss me if my boss says so" character ?

The "Let me bite that !" guarding character ?

The intelligent, ability to discriminate between threat and non-threat, aspect ?

The loyalty to pack leader ?

Being happy to run after a ball, possessive enough to be not so happy to give

it up ?

The trainability ?

As more GSDs are currently used for guarding jobs than for the tending of sheep,

and although GSDs are probably 'higher drive' dogs  -  though not enough for the

Malinois afficianados !  -  perhaps NOT so different in temperament ??? 

There are several Hovavarts ( and a Hovavart breed club ) in my area, and my aunt used to own one.
For me they are not comparable to GSDs, most of the Hovavarts trained in the DVG clubs I saw had no or almost no aggression, bad grips, and were not easily kept in stimulation. Disappointing for me.
Over here there are 3 different breeding requirements within the Hovavart club ( "standard" and two different kinds of "work" ), but in case I want to train in IPO or I need a personal protection dog, I wouldn´t buy this breed.
There are exceptions to the rule, but I wouldn´t count on it.