Hova means farmstead; wart means guardian. According to the FCI standard, the Middle High German name reveals this dog’s purpose. From 1922, breeders rebuilt it from farm dogs they still found on rural holdings. Today, the Hovawart is a working dog in three colours that takes its family very seriously.
| FCI | Group 2 (Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs), Section 2.2 Molossoid breeds, mountain type, Standard No. 190, with working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Germany |
| Size (height at the withers) | Males 63 to 70 cm, females 58 to 65 cm |
| Weight | not specified in the FCI standard |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | strong, slightly wavy, close-fitting long hair with little undercoat |
| Colours in the standard | three varieties: black and tan, black and blond |
Origins
Alongside old farm dogs, breeders introduced German Shepherds, Newfoundlands, Leonbergers and other breeds, according to the standard. The Hovawart was recognised as a breed in 1937 and as a working dog in 1964. Notably, breeders consistently selected dogs without hip dysplasia from the 1960s; the standard says this almost eliminated the condition.
Temperament
Even-tempered and good-natured, protective, confident and resilient, moderately spirited with an excellent nose and a special family bond. That is the standard, which lists companion, watch, protection, rescue and tracking roles. In daily life, it guards without being asked and needs someone to show when that is unnecessary.
Exercise and activities
A good two hours outdoors daily, plus work for mind and nose: tracking, mantrailing, search-and-rescue work or obedience. A Hovawart without a task quickly makes its property its territory.
Grooming
The slightly wavy long coat with little undercoat is easier to maintain than it looks. Brush thoroughly weekly, more often during shedding, and feel for knots behind ears and around hind-leg feathering.
Health
Finnish researchers analysed 4.953 Hovawarts born between 1990 and 2010. Of these, 107 had hypothyroidism, described as the breed’s most common disorder with a suspected genetic basis. Heritability ranged from 0,47 to 0,62, and the authors recommend excluding affected dogs from breeding (Åhlgren and Uimari 2016). The condition can be treated with hormone tablets. Ask breeders whether thyroid disease occurs in the line. We found no reliable study figure for lifespan.
Who is a Hovawart right for?
Experienced people with a house and garden, training time and enjoyment of scent work or dog sports, seeking a loyal, confident companion.
Who is it less suitable for?
First-time owners without good training-school support, city flats with busy stairwells and anyone wanting a dog that greets every visitor enthusiastically.
Check whether such an independent farm guardian suits you in the breed quiz; our book offers more detailed help: “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For the first weeks with a puppy, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. Find your Hovawart as wall art in our dog portraits, for example as a poster in a wooden frame.
Further reading
- German Shepherd: why so many end up in shelters
- The first 30 days with a puppy: a plan for weeks 1 to 4
- Dog pulling on the lead: 5 mistakes almost everyone makes
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 190 Hovawart (fci.be, version dated 28.03.2025); Åhlgren J, Uimari P, Heritability of hypothyroidism in the Finnish Hovawart population, Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2016; McMillan KM et al., Scientific Reports 2024 (Hovawart not analysed there).
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