Hovawart Standard
Kynyaf Tiy of Pines CDex. UDex. "Orchid"
The Kennel Club Breed Standard is the one judges accepting appointments to judge the breed at any show organised under Kennel Club rules must agree to judge to. Judging to any other standard is unacceptable to the Kennel Club.
The country of origin of the Hovawart is Germany and the standard for that country is laid down by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and is given here for your interest only.
Brief history
The Hovawart is a very old German working breed. The name originates from the middle-high German (an old form of German). Hova = Hof meaning a yard or farm, and Wart meaning watcher or watchman.
The breed was restored in 1922 by the use of dogs of similar type still found on farms. In the early years of breeding there were crosses with German shepherd dogs, Newfoundlands, Leonbergers and other breeds. Due to the strict measures taken in selecting the breeding stock, the original working type was attained again.
General appearance
The Hovawart is a powerful medium-sized, slightly elongated, longhaired working dog. The difference between the sexes is clearly recognisable, especially in the shape of the head and the build of the body. No part of him is exaggerated.
Important proportions
The length of the body comprises 110% to 115% of the height at the withers.
Behaviour and temperament
Recognised as a working dog with versatile usage. He has a kind and even disposition. He has a protective, fighting instinct, self-confidence and an ability to take stress; of a medium temperament, combined with a very good nose. His balanced body proportions and a special devotion to his family make him an outstanding companion, watch, guard, tracking and rescue dog.
Head
The nasal bridge is straight and parallel to the skull. Muzzle and skull are of about the same length. The skin of the head fits tightly.
| Cranial region | Skull: the powerful head has a broad rounded forehead |
|---|---|
| Stop: moderate though clearly defined | |
| Facial region | Nose: nostrils are well developed. In black and gold and black animals the pigmentation is black, in blonde animals it is black, however a temporary loss of pigmentation (snow nose) is accepted |
| Muzzle: strong, tapering only slightly when seen from above and in profile | |
| Lips: fit tightly | |
| Jaws and teeth: strong complete scissor bite with 42 teeth according to tooth formula. Teeth are set square to the jaws. A pincer bite is acceptable | |
| Eyes: oval, neither protruding nor deep set, medium sized. Colour is dark to medium brown. The eyelids fit tightly | |
| Ears: the loose fitting triangular drop ears are set on high and wide apart, this giving the optical illusion of broadening the skull. They reach in length to the corners of the mouth (labial commisure). Their tip is slightly rounded. When the animal is at ease they are kept from hanging flat, when alert they may be carried directed slightly forward. Their front edge lies approximately halfway between eye and occupit |
Body
| Neck | strong, of medium length, skin tightly fitting |
|---|---|
| Back | straight and firm |
| Loin | strong, slight longer than rump |
| Croup | medium long and slightly sloping |
| Chest | broad, deep and strong |
| Tail | bushy, reaching to below the hocks, but not to the ground. According to the animals mood it is carried high and curved over the back or hanging down |
Limbs
| Forequarters | are string, straight and vertical seen from the front and the side |
|---|---|
| Shoulders | very well muscled. Shoulder blade long and well laid back |
| Upper arm | long and closely fitting to the body |
| Elbows | fitting well to the chest |
| Pastern joint | strong |
| Hindquarters | hind legs are strong and vertical when seen from behind. The hindquarters are well angulated without exaggeration |
| Upper and lower thigh | very well muscled |
| Hock joint | strong and well let down |
| Feet | roundish, strong and compact. Toes arched and tight. Dewclaws may be removed. Nails with black pigmentation in black and gold animals, in blonde animals there may be less pigmentation |
Gait and movement
In all gaits the movement of the Hovawart is in a straight line covering the ground well. The trot is very extended, with powerful drive from the hindquarters.
Skin
Tightly fitting all over, with bluish sheen in black and gold and black animals, with a mostly pink sheen in Blonde animals.
Coat
There are three variations: Black, Black & Gold, and Blonde.
The strong longhaired coat is lightly waved and closely lying, with only little under coat. It is longer on the chest; belly the rear of the forelegs (feathering) and the rear of the thighs and tail. It is not so long on the rib cage and thighs. It is short on the head and on the front of the fore and hind legs. The coat is dense.
| Black & Gold | |
|---|---|
| Coat | is black and shiny; the colour of markings is middle (medium) blonde |
| Head | the marking begin below the nasal bridge and extend round the corners of the mouth into the marking of the throat. The point shaped markings above the eyes are clearly visible |
| Chest | the markings consist of two adjacent patches, which may be connected, but must not extend continuously to the forelegs |
| Forelegs | the markings seen from the side, extend from the toes to about the pastern (carpus joint) and tapers off on the rear side at about the elbow level |
| Hindlegs | seen from the side, the markings below the hock is seen as a broad stripe, above the hock only as a narrow stripe which extends on the front of the hindleg up to the level of the belly. A marking is also present beneath the set of the tail |
| The markings are distinct in outline everywhere. Single small white spots on the chest as well as some single white hairs on the toes and the tip of the tail are permissible. Black pigmentation on the eyelids lips and pads | |
| Black | |
| The coat is black and shiny. Some single white spots on the chest as well as some single white hairs on the toes and tip of the tails are permissible. Black pigmentation on the eyelids lips and pads | |
| Blonde | |
| The coat is medium (middle) blonde, shiny and becomes light towards legs and belly. Single small white spots on the chest as well as some single white hairs on toes and the tip of the tails are permissible. Black pigmentation on the eyelids lips and pads | |
Size
Height at the withers for DOGS 63-70cm
Height at the withers for BITCHES 58-65cm
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, the seriousness of which should be regarded in exact proportion to its degree.