In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

HOWAWART BREED STANDARD

The Hovawart breed standard contains only requirements that are consistent with the health and physical characteristics of the dog.

Classification: group 2; Section 2 - Molossians; 2.2 Mountain Molossians, with working tests.

Standard (FCI 190)
Hovawart

Brief Historical Sketch
The Hovawart is a very old German breed of service dogs. The name comes from Middle High German: Hova = Der Hof - yard and Wart = Der Wachter - watchman. Since 1922, the breed has been restored with the help of similar dogs, which were found in peasant estates, corresponding to the type. In addition, the blood of German Shepherds, Newfoundlands, Leonberger and other breeds rushed in. Through strict tribal selection, the Hovawart acquired the features of a medieval working-class Hovawart. Great importance is attached to the state of health of the Hovawarts in Germany, the birthplace of the breed. In particular, breeding selection, which lasted for decades, reduced the number of dogs with hip dysplasia to a minimum percentage. This work is supported by all Hovawart cultivation unions.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

General appearance of Hovawart
The Hovawart is a robust, energetic, somewhat elongated, medium-sized, long-haired working dog. Sexual demorphism is pronounced, first of all, in the shape of the head and physique.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

Basic proportions
The length of the body is approximately 110% to 115% of the height at the withers.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

Behavior and character
Hovawart is recognized as a versatile working dog with a wide range of applications. The appearance of the Hovawart confirms its working purpose. Hovawart is a balanced and calm dog, has a pronounced protective instinct, self-confidence, excellent endurance, average temperament and a very good scent. The harmonious combination of his abilities and his special dedication to his family in this working dog makes him an excellent companion dog, watchdog, guard and search and rescue dog.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

Head
The bridge of the nose is straight and parallel to the top of the skull. The length of the muzzle and skull are approximately equal. The scalp fits snugly against the skull.

Cranial
The powerful head has a broad, rounded forehead. The stop is well defined.

Front part
Nose: The nostrils are well formed. In black and tan and black dogs, the pigmentation of the nose is black; pigmentation in fawn dogs: black to light.

Muzzle: Strong, tapering slightly towards the nose when viewed from above and from the side.

Lips: Well pressed.

Teeth / Jaw: The Hovawarts have a full, strong jaw with a scissor bite and 42 teeth according to the dental formula. The teeth are upright in the jaw. A pincer bite is acceptable.

Eyes: The eyes are oval, neither protruding nor deep-set. Eye color from dark brown to chestnut. The eyelids fit snugly.

Ears: Loose-fitting, triangular ears high and set wide apart. When viewed from the front, the head is optically expanded. Reach at least the corner of the lips in length. The ends of the ears are slightly rounded. When the dog is calm hang low, when alert and slightly forward. The front edge is located approximately midway between the eye and the back of the head.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

Neck
Strong neck of medium length, well-fitting skin.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

Housing
Back: straight and firm.
Loin: Strong and somewhat longer than the croup.
Croup: Medium length, slightly sloping.
Chest: Broad, deep and strong.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

Tail
The tail is densely covered with hair, below the hock but not down to the ground. Depending on the mood of the dog, it is carried high in a curved direction towards the back or lowered downward.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

Extremities:
FOREQUARTERS: Strong, seen from the front and from the side, straight and erect.
Shoulder: Very well muscled. The shoulder blade is long and well laid back.
Shoulders: Long, close to the body.
Elbows: Close to the chest.
Wrists: Strong.
Pastern: Moderately sloping
Hindquarters: Strong, vertical when viewed from behind. The corners are well defined.
Upper and lower leg: Very well muscled.
Hock joint: Strong, well arched.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

Paws:
Feet are round, strong and compact. The toes are curved and close to each other. Dewclaws must be removed, except in countries where it is prohibited by law. Nails in black and tan dogs are black, while in fawn dogs they may be less pigmented.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

Movement:
Movement when viewed from the front and from behind is straightforward in any gait. The trot is sweeping with good drive from the hindquarters.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

Leather:
Firmly pressed against the body. In black and tan and black dogs, a bluish color, in fawn more often pink.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

Hairline:
COAT: The coat is long, medium hard, slightly wavy, flattened to the body, with a small undercoat. Longer on the chest, abdomen, back of the front and hind legs, on the tail. On the head, on the front of the front and hind legs, the hair is short. The hair is dense.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

Color:
There are 3 Hovawart colors: black and tan, black and fawn.
Black & Tan: The hair is black and shiny, with the trademark tan markings fawn. On the head, the pattern begins below the back of the nose, goes around the corners of the lips and goes down to the throat. The dotted markings above the eyes are clearly visible. The chest markings are 2 side-by-side patches that can be linked to each other. On the forelegs, the markings, when viewed from the side, start from the toes to about the middle of the leg, and from the reverse side they rise to the log. On the hind legs, a pattern of markings, seen from the side, is located in a wide strip below the hock and in a thin strip above it up to the abdomen. There is also a mark below the base of the tail. The pattern is clearly delineated in all areas. Individual small white patches on the chest, as well as individual white hairs on the toes and tip of the tail are acceptable. The pigmentation of the eyelids, lips and paw pads is black.

Black: The hairline is black and shiny. Individual small white patches on the chest as well as individual white hairs on the toes and tip of the tail are acceptable. The pigmentation of the eyelids, lips and paw pads is black.

Fawn: The hair is fawn, shiny, sunny and lighter towards the belly and on the legs. Individual small white patches on the chest as well as individual white hairs on the toes and tip of the tail are acceptable. The pigmentation of the eyelids, lips and paw pads is black.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

Height:
Height at withers: Males 63-70 cm, females 58-65 cm.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

Disadvantages:

Each deviation from the above points of the standard should be regarded as a deficiency, the magnitude of which should be assessed in proportion to the degree of its severity.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

Disqualifying faults:
General appearance:
Dogs that do not meet the breed standard
Bitches hard in doggy style
Males are very bitchy

Proportions:
Strong deviations from the proportions specified in the standard

Behavior and character:
Aggressive, cowardly, fearful of a shot, phlegmatic dogs.

Head:
Not pronounced stop.
Blue or yellow eye.
Erect, low-set, rosette ears or protruding ears.
Undershot, overshot, cruciform bite.
No more than 2 of 4PMI or 2 M3, or no other tooth.

Neck:
Pronounced dewlap, pronounced dewlap.

Body:
Strong vysokopredost or vysokosnost.
A narrow, irregularly shaped chest.
Irregular tail, severely short or ringed tail.

Extremities:
High-legged hind legs.

Coat:
The predominance of curls, curls.

Color
General:
Colors that are not described in the standard, eg bluish gray, brown, fawn, fawn with gray patches, predominantly two-tone hair.
White spots. Separate white hairs on the inner thighs are acceptable.

Black and tan dogs:
Gray or brown spots outside the areas of standard markings.
The advantage of the main color of a different color, black coma.
Mostly gray or whitish markings.

Black dogs:
Gray or brown spots.
The advantage of the main color of a different color, black coma.

Fawn dogs:
Separate white hairs on the bridge of the nose are acceptable.
Solid light red color without bleached areas.
Blond color, also on the ears.
Distinct white markings.
Dark spots or dark mask.

The size:
Reduced.
Very large size, more than 3 cm.

NB: Male animals should have 2 normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.