Kuvas: dog breed description, temperament, grooming

Hungarian kuvas is an ancient shepherd breed of dog. Its four-legged representatives are distinguished by enviable endurance, strength, large size and excellent working qualities. Purebred Hungarian kuvas is a wonderful guard of livestock. Today we will get to know more closely this unique breed and learn how to properly care for it.

Dogs of this famous breed are very popular today. Their relevance is due not only to attractive appearance, but also high intelligence. Kuvas has its own point of view. This is a mobile and active animal that can not sit for long in one place.

Many people at first sight fall in love with these beautiful shaggy healthy men, however, you should buy a puppy of Hungarian kuvas only after a detailed acquaintance with all its characteristics and features. Let us consider in detail the description of representatives of this breed.

• Adults in weight can reach 62 kgif we are talking about a male. Bitches are lighter - their average weight is 50 kg. The lower boundaries are 48 and 37 kg, respectively.
• Beautiful thoroughbred dogs at the withers have an average height of 73 cm.
• Purebred Kuvashes have a head characteristic of them only - it is large, bony, but there are no tubercles on it. The nose is black, the eyes are almond-shaped, the shade of the iris is usually dark.
• Kuvas bite should be correct. The jaws are well developed and very strong.The chewing muscles are strong, and the teeth are white and large, set straight.
• Ears of a purebred Hungarian kuvas will always be sharp, medium sized. At the very base, they are slightly elevated, and at the ends slightly lowered along the muzzle.
• These dogs have remarkably developed croup. They have developed and pronounced muscles. The Kuvas chest is large and strong, the sternum in this area protrudes well.
• The abdomen in a healthy thoroughbred individual will not hang. It should always be fit, neat. However, it is possible to notice this due to the dense coat in rare cases.
• Kuvas paws are stronghave large and dense joints, they are characterized by regular angles. At the time of hasty movements, the Hungarian dog’s elbows never turn out, so the pet moves evenly and measuredly.
• The skin of these dogs is almost invisible, but a thick and dense undercoat having a dark gray shade is clearly visible.
• The tail is set low and looks down, but its tip is raised. When the animal is in a calm state, it reaches the hocks. The tail can rise, but at the same level with the back is not.

Hungarian Kuvas truly differs chic woolen. It is wavy and soft. There is a solid and lush undercoat. The length of the coat is moderate - 10-15 cm.

Representatives of this breed are often confused with commanders, but if you look at two different animals standing next to each other, any doubts will disappear. The commander has wool that looks like dreadlocks, and the kuvas has a more accurate, short and straight hair.

The coat of Hungarian kuvas will be neat and soft if it is provided with competent care by the owners. The color of the coat is limited to several standard options:

• pure white;
• milk;
• a touch of ivory.

Hungarian kuvas, like a dog of any other breed, has its own strengths and weaknesses. Before buying such a puppy, you should consider all the features of the pet.

Consider the advantages of the breed.

• An amazing combination of calm and severity in the character of these dogs can be attributed to their serious advantage. Such a pet will be balanced and calm, but at the right time he is able to demonstrate the opposite traits of character.
• Kuvashes are independent animals, but this does not affect the level of their obedience. A properly educated pet will obey its owner and execute all commands.
• Hungarian Kuvasz is considered one of the most loyal dogs. They remain faithful to their person throughout their lives, but they treat strangers with caution and with the greatest seriousness.
• Kuvasov is distinguished by restraint and endurance.
• Representatives of this famous breed can not only obey their master well, but also easily make the necessary decisions independently.
• Many people give birth to such dogs, falling in love with their beautiful appearance.

The disadvantages of the Hungarian kouvas are as follows.

• Medium degree of aggressiveness - This is one of the most significant features that repel breeders from acquiring a puppy of this breed. Uncontrolled anger from kuvas usually does not come, but this does not negate the fact that dogs of this breed need competent upbringing and training so that they can control their emotions.
• White coat color - Another parameter of the breed, which is attributed to its shortcomings. For such a wool coat, serious care is required, which not all breeders are ready to provide.
• Hungarian kuvas needs proper education, but it is often given with great difficulty. It is difficult for beginner breeders to train and train this pet, so this breed is rarely suitable for beginners.
• Kuvas cannot be called a big lover of children. The dog does not always get along with them.
• Pets can demonstrate excess aggression against not only strangers, but also other dogs. This can be a big problem when walking. Kuvas should always be kept on a leash and not be ignored so that he does not get into a fight with another pet.
• The minuses include many people who have to walk a lot with such a dog, occupying it with active games with impressive physical exertion. That is why it is not recommended to start Hungarian kuvas with people who are not distinguished by their energy and high activity.

Initially, Hungarian Kuvasz was bred specifically for the protection and protection of livestock and human dwellings. These dogs are pronounced sense of territoriality. They are always ready to rush to protect the owner and his property.

These special character traits among Kuvas were welcomed over the years by nomads and pastoralists. Animals with their severe appearance and formidable bark frightened off robbers or thieves. Predators were also afraid of kuvas, because, having such power, dogs could easily deal with them.

Such characteristics do not mean that the Hungarian kuvas behaves aggressively against absolutely everyone. A smart animal can independently and quickly assess the degree of threat.

Breeders claim that kuvas are distinguished by a balanced nervous system and psyche. But this does not prevent various scary stories about how uncontrollable and inadequate they appear again and again. Unfortunately, there is some truth in these "tales". Kuvas cannot be left without early socialization and proper education on a professional level. The dog will be wary of all strangers and even arrange fights with other animals.

The owners should treat the pets of this breed with tenderness and love. Kuvashes respond in a similar way. But rudeness and violence should be abandoned immediately, because such behavior on the part of the owner will lead to aggression and harshness of the animal, which will ultimately lead to bad consequences.

You can not leave the Hungarian kuvas without constant communication. The dog should be in contact with their own kind, and with people in the environment. Thanks to such actions, an animal from an unsociable and incredulous grows up into an affable and sociable four-legged friend.

Attention from the owner is also incredibly important. A person should not forget about this pet, leaving it alone with itself. If you neglect this rule, the nature of the pet can be very spoiled.

Kuvas does not like monotonous work. Performances in public by this dog are also not to their liking.

Kuvas can get along well in the same territory with other pets. It can even be cattle or a bird.

Dogs are peculiar to children. If the animal is familiar with the youngest member of the family from an early age, then it will be treated with care and warmth. Otherwise, the pet will try to stay away from the child. Hungarian Kuvashes perceive large children as equals.

Dogs of the breed described need proper and diligent care. Like most other working individuals, kuvas is unpretentious and undemanding in matters of caring for it. The four-legged seamlessly endures various climatic changes and weather changes. Pets have a good undercoat that does not allow them to freeze at low temperatures.

Many breeders are scared away by the snow-white coat of dogs of this breed, because it requires constant and not the easiest care, which cannot be neglected, but this is not entirely true. Wool kouvas does not require frequent bathing procedures.

In conditions of free keeping, the pet will decide when it needs to bathe. If the animal lives in an environment where its hair does not get dirty often, then experts advise it to bathe no more than 4-5 times a year - this will be enough. For washing, use exclusively a special shampoo intended for dogs with long hair. It is advisable to buy branded products of high quality.

Kuvasz wool does not need constant trimming or haircuts. It will only be necessary to comb out the animal. You will need to do this every day, because the chic snow-white fur coat of these pets is prone to the appearance of warlocks. She often falls off, because of which the appearance of the pet suffers greatly.

2 times a year the dog molts. If the pet is kept in residential conditions, this becomes a big problem for the owners, because the light hair that has fallen will certainly dot the floor.

Purebred Hungarian kouvas are distinguished by strong bent claws. If the pet is kept in an aviary or other conditions where the claws are erased by themselves, then you do not have to resort to regular cutting. Caring for the claws of a dog is required in situations where the animal lives in urban environments. It is important to control the length of the claws located on the dewclaws of the paws, as they can bend, leading to injury to the limb.

It is important to monitor the degree of purity of the ears and teeth of the animal. It is important to teach a puppy to inspect and clean these areas from an early age. It is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of the eyes of the pet. If strange discharge or suppuration has been noticed in these areas, it is best to immediately go to the veterinarian and show him a dog. It’s not worth wasting time, as well as making diagnoses yourself - this can lead to big problems with the pet’s health.

Hungarian Kuvas it is important to ensure optimal conditions of detention. A large and strong pet must be allocated a spacious free territory. It is not recommended to keep it in a house or apartment. You can place kuvas in a well-equipped aviary. The latter should be spacious.

The free keeping of such a fluffy big man in the yard or on the territory adjacent to the building is also allowed. It is not necessary to put kuvas on the chain. If the dog does not have freedom in movement, it will suffer and yearn, but in the end it will become completely ill.

With Hungarian kuvas you have to walk a lot. Walking should be long and not lazy. The pet must be loaded with active games so that it can spend the accumulated energy. You should spend at least 2 hours a day on walks, especially if the pet is kept in limited space conditions.

Caring for the health and longevity of the Hungarian kuvas consists not only in daily walks and combing of wool, but also in proper, balanced feeding. Dogs of the described breed are distinguished by well-developed muscles, they grow quickly and are active, so for normal development they need to make the optimal menu.

Kuvasov cannot be called demanding gourmets. They are unpretentious in matters of feeding and will be fed and half the portion that is consumed by large four-legged other breeds. But this does not mean that the diet of these pets does not need to be given due attention.

In order for the pet to be healthy and live long, proteins of animal origin must be present in the products that it consumes. It can be:

• meat with bones;
• meat with cartilage;
• various fresh offal.

In order for the skeleton of a thoroughbred dog to eat the necessary “building material”, it is necessary to present fresh cottage cheese, sour-milk products and sea fish (it should not be given river). It is enough for mature individuals to give these products 1-2 times a week, and for small puppies - more often.

Food from the table of the Hungarian kuvas, like most representatives of other breeds, is forbidden to feed. In no case should you give the dog fried, salted, pickled and rich treats. Sweets can cause great harm to the body of the pet, so they can not be given even in small quantities. If the dog itself reaches for food containing sugar, then it must be removed to inaccessible places where it cannot reach and get in.

Many owners prefer to feed their thoroughbred pets with ready-made dry food from well-known manufacturers. Such food makes it possible to significantly save free time, because a person does not have to cook a high-quality dish for a long time and pick up fresh, healthy products for the dog. If you want to feed your four-legged companion with such food, then you must give preference only premium and super premium products.

Many breeders recommend feeding Hungarian kuvas with fresh and natural, rather than finished, industrial products. This is explained by natural food is more common for the animals of this breed.

Hungarian Kuvas cannot be left without socialization and proper education. Experts say that dogs of this breed are easily trained and trained. They quickly learn new teams because they have a sharp mind and quick wits.

Sometimes the process of training such a pet becomes slow. This must be taken into account. The owner who is engaged with such a dog should be patient with patience and free time.

Kuvas, like most representatives of other large breeds, mature for a long time. For this reason, it is important to pay due attention to the upbringing of the animal until it is 2-3 years old. A difficult transition period falls on the age of 1-1.5 years. At this time, it is necessary to bring the pet to specially designated areas where he can both train and communicate. Socialization of the puppy, sufficient communication with people and other animals will do their job, and the beast will grow outgoing, savvy.

Kuvashes are versatile pets. If you provide them with the correct education and training, they not only show the qualities of a security guard laid down at the genetic level, but also become wonderful companions. The animal will execute commands with pleasure and great dedication. The best encouragement for kuvas is praise coming from the owner, but the pet will not refuse different delicacies either, of course.

As soon as the puppy is 2-3 months old, he needs to train daily. Classes should not be too long, long and overloaded. The kid will need to be accustomed to wearing a collar and to a leash. The puppy needs to master simple basic commands.

Regularly conducted classes in the form of a game will quickly lead to the expected result. Rumors about the uncontrollability and inadequacy of the Hungarian kuvas represent the consequences of the owners' irresponsibility in relation to the education of such an animal.

When keeping purebred Hungarian kuvas you should take into account some useful recommendations.

• Kuvas should be given a lot of attention. If you do not have enough free time, you should entrust the upbringing and training of the animal to specialists or give preference to another breed.
• From an early age, these dogs need timely vaccination and deworming. Further, these procedures will be needed as needed.
• If you suspect that the pet is sick, it should be immediately taken to the veterinarian. Do not waste time and do not make diagnoses yourself. This can lead to sad consequences.
• If the dog suddenly began to behave strangely and inappropriately, does not respond to commands, demonstrates aggression and depression in behavior, this will not necessarily indicate its bad nature. Perhaps the pet lacks the necessary nutrients. It is worth reviewing his diet.
• It’s not worth teaching Kuvas to guard since all the abilities for this in this breed are inherent in nature.
• Females of this breed are ready to meet with a male in the first heat, however, you cannot knit kuvas so early.
• It is impossible to seriously restrict the freedom of kuvas. If this recommendation is not followed, the animal will begin to yearn or become completely ill.
• Kuvas are susceptible to various diseases. These include eye diseases (progressive retinal atrophy), hip dysplasia, and thyroid disease. It is necessary to monitor the health of the pet and from time to time to visit the veterinarian to be aware of the condition of kuvas.
• Do not yell at kuvas if he masters new teams for a long time. This is a normal situation for this breed. Shouting and physical impact will only ruin the relationship between you.

For a more detailed description of the Kuvas breed, see the next video.