The Kuvasz

Appearance

The Kuvasz is a majestic, well-proportioned white sheepdog with a very handsome head. (Some standards accept an ivory coat, but it is usually not preferred.) The stop is well-defined, but not abrupt. The muzzle tapers slightly to a black nose, but is not pointed. The lips and inside of the mouth are black. The ears are folded and close to the head, and the eyes are almond-shaped and dark brown. The medium-boned body is slightly longer than it is tall. The dog is muscular, but not bulky. He is light-footed and agile for his size. The lower abdomen is tucked up. Though the coat is white, the skin is generally dark. The more dark pigment in the skin, the better. The coat is medium-length, either straight or quite wavy, with a thick undercoat. It forms an abundant mane around the neck and chest. The coat is much fuller in the winter. The hair is short on the head and feet, but on the body and legs it is wavy and can be as much as 4-6 inches (10-15 cm.) long. The tail, which is carried low, is raised when the dog is excited. The back of the legs are feathered. Dewclaws on the rear legs should be removed, but those on the front legs should be left natural.

History

Although considered a Hungarian breed, the kuvasz has its roots in giant dogs of Tibet. It came to Hungary from Tibet by way of Turkey. Nor is its name Hungarian, but probably a corruption of the Turkish kawasz, meaning armed guard of the nobility. At one time only those nobility in favor with the royal family were allowed to keep one. This is a very old breed; in the latter 15th century, the kuvasz was held in the highest esteem. Breedings were carefully planned and recorded, and the dogs were a fixture of most large Hungarian estates. They served as both guard and hunting dog, capable of defending the estate against marauders and of pulling down large game such as bear and wolf. King Matthias I was a special patron of the kuvasz, keeping a large kennel and doing much to improve the quality of the breed. In the succeeding centuries, the kuvasz gradually came into the hands of commoners, who found them to be capable livestock dogs. During this period, the name was corrupted to its present spelling, which ironically, translates as mongrel. Incidentally, the plural form of kuvasz is kuvaszok. The breed seriously declined as a result of two World Wars, but German stock formed a basis for the breed to continue through these hard times. Some dogs had also been imported to America in the 1930s. The AKC recognized the kuvasz in 1935.

Temperament

Despite its sweet looks, the kuvasz is a tough protector, fearlessly defending its family or home. It is gentle with and protective of children in its own family, but it may misinterpret a child's rough-and-tumble games with other children as attacks on its child. It is reserved with strangers and may be aggressive toward strange dogs; however, it tends to be very gentle with other pets and livestock. It is devoted and loyal but not very demonstrative. Some can be domineering.

Care / Grooming

The thick, medium coat of the Kuvasz should be brushed weekly. Avoid bathing this breed, as the coat naturally sheds dirt and bathing will remove the oils that give the coat this property. The more you bathe this dog the more it will need to be bathed! Instead of bathing, the dog should be brushed frequently. Some people rub talcum powder or cornstarch into the coat and then brush it out again as a cleaning strategy. Check behind the ears for matting. In cold climates it will only shed seasonally, but in warmer climates, it will most likely shed all year around

Health

Prone to hip dysplasia, (check with your breeder to make sure the parents have hip clearance). Some minor issues are osteochondritis dissecans (a disease causing lameness from inflammation of the shoulder joints), hypertrophic osteodystrophy, skin problems and allergic reactions. This breed may drool and slobber.

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