Apartment fit
Apartment living is possible only with unusually strong exercise, training, and noise routines. Space and secure outdoor access make ownership easier.
WorkingLarge
Germany
GermanyHovawart
Weight
55-90 lb
Height
23-27.5 in
Lifespan
10-14 yrs
Coat
Double Long
The Hovawart is a large German working and guarding breed with a long coat, strong family loyalty, and a confident protective temperament.
Large German homestead guardianAccepted colors are black, black and gold, and blondLoyal, confident, and naturally watchfulNeeds experienced handling and regular work
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
No widely used alternate names are recorded for this breed.
LoyalSelf-AssuredCourageousEven-TemperedWatchfulFamily-Oriented
Weight
55-90 lb
Height
23-27.5 in
Lifespan
10-14 yrs
Coat
Double Long
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
High
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
3/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Hovawart is a German working breed whose name refers to guarding the farm or homestead. It is a powerful, slightly rectangular, long-coated dog used historically for guarding and modern work such as tracking, search and rescue, and protection-oriented tasks.
A good Hovawart is even-tempered, self-assured, loyal, and courageous without nervousness or unnecessary aggression. This is not a casual decorative retriever lookalike. It needs early socialization, clear rules, and owners who can channel its watchdog instincts and strong bond with family.
The coat is long and slightly wavy with limited undercoat compared with some mountain breeds. Accepted colors are black, black and gold, and blond. Health planning should include hips, thyroid, eyes, and responsible breeder screening; the breed is often described as relatively robust, but large working dogs still need careful growth, weight, and joint management.
Temperament & Personality
LoyalSelf-AssuredCourageousEven-TemperedWatchfulFamily-Oriented
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a loyal, self-assured, courageous companion, with daily rhythms shaped by high energy, moderate barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Double
Coat length
Long
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Black, Black and Gold, Blond
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs3/5
Good with Strangers2/5
Apartment Friendly2/5
Exercise Needs4/5
Grooming Needs3/5
Trainability4/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 4/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- experienced owners who understand guardian breeds
- active homes with space and clear routines
- people interested in tracking, obedience, search work, or hiking
- families prepared for socialization and visitor management
Not ideal for
- first-time owners wanting an easy starter dog
- homes with many unmanaged visitors
- low-exercise households
- owners unable to handle a large protective dog
Common challenges
- guardian behavior around strangers
- slow maturity
- large adolescent strength
- coat maintenance
- needing meaningful work
Barking & behavior
Expect a watchful dog that notices visitors and boundaries. Socialization should teach discernment rather than suspicious overreaction.
Training style
Use fair reward-based training, structure, and early socialization. Hovawarts need trust and consistency, not harsh handling.
Grooming & shedding
The long coat needs regular brushing and mat checks, especially around feathering and ears.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most Hovawarts need daily walks, training, and meaningful work such as tracking, search games, hiking, or obedience. They are active working dogs, not low-effort yard ornaments.
Grooming
Brush the long coat several times a week, especially behind the ears, feathering, tail, and trousers. Keep nails short and check ears after outdoor work.
Training
Start socialization, leash manners, recall, visitor routines, and cooperative handling early. Hovawarts respond best to fair reward-based training with calm consistency.
Nutrition
Feed a measured large-breed diet and keep the dog lean. Control growth in puppies and discuss joint support and thyroid screening with your veterinarian.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
High
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
5/5
Guard dog ability
4/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather4/5
Heat tolerance2/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Hip dysplasiaHypothyroidismEye diseaseBloat riskAllergiesObesity
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hovawart a good apartment dog?
Usually not ideal. A calm adult may manage with a committed owner, but the breed's size, guarding instincts, coat, and exercise needs are easier in a home with space.
Does the Hovawart bark a lot?
Hovawarts are watchful and may bark to alert. They are not usually meant to be frantic barkers, but visitor and boundary routines should be trained early.
Is the Hovawart good for first-time owners?
It is usually better for experienced owners. The breed is large, protective, slow to mature, and needs confident but fair handling.
How much exercise does the Hovawart need?
Most adults need daily physical exercise plus mental work. Tracking, obedience, search games, and hiking are good outlets.
Is the Hovawart good with kids and other dogs?
Many are devoted family dogs when socialized and trained. Supervision is still important because they are large, protective, and may be reserved with unfamiliar people or dogs.
Does the Hovawart shed a lot?
The long coat sheds moderately and needs regular brushing. Feathering and areas behind the ears can mat if ignored.
What is the biggest challenge of owning the Hovawart?
The biggest challenge is managing a confident guardian breed: socialization, visitor routines, training consistency, exercise, and coat care.
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