Kuvasz Dog Breed Profile

by Luke Blaise

AKC Group: Working Group

The Kuvasz dog is a large working class breed. With its large size and thick white coat, some people think it resembles a Great Pyrenees, Samoyed, or even an Akbash dog. Very intelligent and friendly.

History

The Kuvasz dog's name originates from the Turkish term "kawasz," which means "armed guard of nobility." He came from Tibet, but in Hungary is where the breed was firmly established. The dog functioned as a partner to the rulers of Hungarian along with other European powers and was owned just by royalty. Centuries later, the dog fell to the arms of "commoners," and shepherds discovered they worked nicely with cattle and sheep.

Physical Features

The Kuvasz is a working breed of bigger size, sturdily developed, and well balanced. White in shade without markings. Moderate boned and well muscled. Impresses the eye with activity and strength mixed with light-footedness, moves openly on robust legs. Tallness measured at the withers. Dogs, 28 to 30 inches and bitches, 26 to 28 inches. Disqualifications: Dogs more compact than 26 inches. Bitches more compact than 24 inches. Weight: Dogs about 100 to 115 pounds, bitches around 70 to 90 pounds.

Personality

The Kuvasz dog is a spirited breed of keen cleverness, perseverance, bravery and desire. Very sensitive to blame and praise. Mainly a family dog. Loyal, sensitive and patient without having to be excessively demonstrative.

Very robust instinct to guard kids. Polite to recognized strangers, but instead dubious and extremely discerning in making new pals.

Common Health Problems

The Kuvasz dog is at risk of hip dysplasia, (consult your breeder to ensure the parents possess hip clearance). Several minor issues are osteochondritis dissecans (an illness leading to lameness from irritation of the shoulder bones), hypertrophic osteodystrophy, skin problems and allergic reactions. This dog may slobber and drool.

Return to: Complete AKC Dog Breed List

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