Hovawart
Breed Standard
FCI Standard #190
Origin:
Date of Publication of the Original Valid Standard:
Utilization:
Working Dog
F.C.I. Classification: Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer type-Molossian
and
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
The Hovawart is a very old German working dog breed.
The name's origin stems from Middle High German (an old form of German); Hova =
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Hovawart is a powerful, medium size, slightly
elongated, long-haired working dog. Difference between sexes is clearly
recognizable, specially in shape of head and build of body.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS
Length of body comprises at least 110 to 115 % of height
at withers.
BEHAVIOR / TEMPERAMENT
Recognized working dog with versatile usage. Kind
and even disposition. Has protective instinct, fighting instinct,
self-confidence and ability to take stress; of medium temperament; combined
with a very good nose. His balanced body proportions and 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: Well
visible.
FACIAL REGION:
Nose:
Nostrils well developed. In black/gold and black dogs pigmentation is
black. In blond dogs it is black; "snow nose" (temporary loss of
pigmentation) accepted.
Muzzle:
Strong, tapering only slightly when seen from above and in profile.
Lips: Fit
tightly.
Jaws/Teeth:
Strong complete scissor bite with 42 teeth according to tooth formula.
Teeth set square to the jaws. Pincer bite accepted.
Eyes: Oval,
neither protruding nor deep set. Color: dark to medium brown. Eyelids fit
tightly.
Ears: The
loosely fitting triangular drop ears are set on high and wide apart, thus
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 dog is at ease they are kept hanging flat, when alert they may be
carried directed slightly forward. Their front edge lies approximately halfway
between eye and occiput.
NECK:
Strong, of medium length. Skin tightly fitting.
BODY
BACK:
Straight and firm.
LOIN:
Strong, slightly 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 dog's mood it is carried high and curved over the back
or hanging down.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS:
Forelegs strong, straight and vertical, seen from
the front and side.
SHOULDERS:
Very well muscled. Shoulder-blade long and well laid back.
UPPER ARM:
Long, closely fitting to body.
ELBOWS:
Fitting well to chest.
PASTERN JOINT:
Strong.
PASTERN:
Moderately sloping.
HINDQUARTERS:
Hindlegs strong and vertical when seen from behind.
Hindquarters are well angulated.
UPPER AND LOWER THIGH: Very well muscled.
HOCK JOINT:
Strong, well let down.
FEET:
Roundish, strong and compact. Toes arched and tight.
Dewclaws to be removed except in those countries where this is prohibited by
law. Nails with black pigmentation in black/gold and black dogs; in blond dogs
there may be less pigmentation.
GAIT / MOVEMENT
In all gaits the movement of the Hovawart is on a
straight line and covering the ground well. The trot is very extended, with
powerful drive from the hindquarters.
COAT
SKIN:
Tightly fitting all over. With a bluish sheen in
black/gold and black dogs, with a mostly pink sheen in blond dogs.
HAIR:
The strong long-haired coat is lightly waved and lying
close, with only little undercoat. It is longer on chest, belly, rearside of
forelegs, rearside of thighs and tail. It is short on head and at the front
side of the fore- and hindlegs. The coat is dense.
COLOR
There are 3 color varieties: black/gold, black, and
blond.
BLACK/GOLD:
The coat is black and shiny, the color of the
markings medium blond. On the head the markings 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. The chest markings
consist of two adjacent patches which may be connected. On the forelegs, the
marking, seen from the side, extends from the toes to about the pastern and
tapers off on the rearside at about elbow level. On the hindlegs, seen from the
side, the marking below the hock is seen as a broad stripe, above the hock only
as a narrow stripe which extends on the front side of the hindleg up to the
level of the belly. A marking is also present beneath the set on 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 toes and tip of tail are
permissible. Black pigmentation on 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 toes and tip of tail are
permissible. Black pigmentation on eyelids, lips and pads.
BLOND:
The coat is medium blond, shiny and becomes lighter
towards legs and belly. Single small white spots on the chest as well as some
single white hairs on toes and tip of tail are permissible. Black pigmentation
on eyelids, lips and pads.
SIZE
Height at the withers:
For males: 63 - 70 cm (24.8 - 27.6
inches).
For females: 58 - 65 cm (22.8 - 25.6
inches).
FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be
considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded
should be in exact proportion to its degree.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
GENERAL APPEARANCE: Dogs which do not conform to the impression
of original breed type.
Distinctly "masculine" females.
Distinctly "feminine" males.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: Distinctly differing body proportions than
those quoted in the standard.
BEHAVIOR / TEMPERAMENT: Aggressive, anxious, gun-shy or lethargic
dogs.
HEAD:
Lacking stop.
Blue eye or wall eye.
Erect tipped ears, rose ear; off-standing ears.
Undershot, overshot or wry mouth.
Absence of more than 2 of the 4 PM1 or the 2 M3, or absence of any other tooth.
NECK:
Distinct dewlap or very throaty.
BODY:
Pronounced sway or roach back.
Narrow or barrel shaped chest.
Abnormal tail; tail much too short; pronounced ring
tail.
LIMBS: Much too high in hindquarters (overbuilt).
COAT:
Predominantly curly coat (ring curls).
COLOR:
In general:
All colors not conforming to the standard, e.g.
blue-gray, deer color, brown, white, patched, blond with smutty touch or
predominantly banded hair.
White patches. Single white hairs on the inside of
the upper thighs are not a disqualifying fault.
Black/gold dogs:
Gray or brown patches other than the correct markings.
Undercoat predominantly of another color than black.
Predominantly gray or whitish markings.
Black dogs:
Gray or brown patches.
Undercoat predominantly of another color than black.
Blond dogs:
Some single white hairs on the nasal bridge are not
a disqualifying fault.
Red-blond color throughout without getting lighter.
Whitish-blond color, also on ears.
Distinctly white markings.
Dark patches or dark mask.
SIZE:
Undersize.
Oversize by more than 3 cm (1.2 inches).
NOTE: Males should have two
apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.