Hungarian Kuvasz Picture Gallery

Hungarian Kuvasz Breeders

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The Full Hungarian Kuvasz Description

The Kuvasz is a protective dog. He is brave, strong, and suspicious of strangers. But when he makes a friend, it's for life. He is extra protective of children. Obedience training is important. The Kuvasz needs space and exercise in large amounts.

Did you know?

In the fifteenth century the Kuvasz was kept in the court of King Matthias, who claimed to trust only his Kuvasz dogs and not people.
Known in many countries, it was in Hungary that the Kuvasz developed into the form in which he is seen today. He still is a big dog, but he is not the giant of ancient times.
According to von Stephanitz, the great German authority on all Central European breeds, the Kuvasz is related to the Komondor, which had been brought from the Russian steppes by the Huns.
Its name in Turkish means "safekeeper."
The word Kuvasz comes from the Sumerian word Kuassa. This word has been found inscribed in cuneiform on boards excavated from a number of ancient Sumerian cities. The oldest is about 7,000 years old. The first letters, KU, are from an old Sumerian word for dog, kudda, which means the animal that gives the tail. Assa means horse. The Kuassa was a dog that guarded and ran alongside horses and horsemen.

So you want to own a Kuvasz?

Your Kuvasz will need lots of exercise.
The Kuvasz sheds all the time.
Because of his natural guarding instinct the Kuvasz will be very protective of his family and very suspicious of strangers.

Indicative Breed Standard

General Appearance

Large, sturdily built, well-balanced dog of power and nobility.

Characteristics

Bold, courageous and fearless. Protective of owners, good guard.

Temperament

Devoted, gentle and patient but suspicious of strangers.

Head and Skull

Long, medium width, skull slightly rounded, occiput broad and pronounced. Muzzle tapers slightly from base to nose but not too pointed at tip, ridge of nose straight, slight stop. Prominent eyebrows.

Eyes

Dark, brown, almond-shaped. Slightly slanted, set well apart. Eye rims black.

Ears

Set high on side of skull; V-shaped and rather thick, slightly rounded tips. Inner edge carried close to cheek.

Mouth

Roof of mouth slate grey; lips black.

Neck

Medium length, strong and muscular. Slightly arched; no dewlap.

Forequarters

Shoulders well muscled. Scapula and humerus of equal length; forelegs straight; pasterns long and slightly sloping.

Body

Pronounced sternum, ribs well sprung; deep brisket. Withers above the level of back. Back level and firm, good tuck up.

Hindquarters

Upper thigh of good length, stifles well angulated. Metatarsus short, strong and perpendicular to ground.

Feet

Tight, well arched. Forefeet round, thick pads. Hind feet longer than forefeet. Pads black. Nails slate grey or black. Dewclaws removed.

Tail

Low set in line with croup; tip to reach hock; when relaxed carried low, on the alert carried level with loin, tip slightly curved upwards.

Gait/Movement

Walk slow, dignified; at the trot, light rhythmic; at speed legs converge to a centre line often single tracking. Head carried low at speed.

Coat

Slight wavy. Double coated; top coat medium coarse; undercoat, fine and woolly. Shorter and smooth on head, muzzle, ears, front of fore and hind leg, below hocks and on feet. Mane on neck thick and long reaching down to brisket. Feathering on back of fore and hind legs 5-7.5 cms (2-3 ins). Medium length on body. Back of thighs and tail profusely coated, hair 10-15 cms (4-6 ins) long.

Colour

Pure White. Skin highly pigmented with patches of slate grey.

Size

Height: dogs: 71-75 cms (28-29½ ins); bitches: 66-70 cms (26-271/2 ins). Weight: dogs: 40-52 kgs (88-115 lbs); bitches: 30-42 kgs (66-93 lbs).