The Hungarian Kuvasz, also known simply as the Kuvasz, is a breed that began in Tibet, but was further formalized in the land of Hungary. In the Hungarian language, the name means "protector" and that is indeed where this dog excels. They were originally bred for use in guarding flocks in the medieval period, but were also owned by royalty. In addition, they have been used to hunt big game, such as bear. The Kuvasz is responsible for the breeding of many other flock guarding dogs, such as the Great Pyrenees.
This breed is accepted for registry in the CKC, the FCI, the AKC, the UKC, the NKC, the KCA, the AKA, the ANKC, the APRI, the ACR, and the DRA. In all of these organizations except for the AKC, they are classified under the "flock guard" category. In the AKC, they are classified as "working" dogs. Although having a registered dog may not mean that much to the average pet owner who is only looking for a loving companion, it does increase the value of the dog for those who want to breed the animal or compete with him or her.
The Hungarian Kuvasz is big, bold, and beautiful animal. According to breed standards, males must be 28 to 30 inches tall and females must be 26 to 28 inches tall, when measured from the ground to the withers. Their weight can vary a bit, but they should be between around 70 and 115 pounds, with males being larger than females of the breed. The ears are thick and rounded at the endsheld in the downward position. The eyes are brown and almond-shaped, holding an expression of intelligence and wisdom, as well as incredible sensitivity. The head is quite large and the muzzle is proportionate to it. The lips are pigmented black. The tail is long and thick, held in the downwards position, unless the dog is excited, when the tail will be raised.
The coat of the Hungarian Kuvasz is considered his or her crowning glory. It is thick and double-coated, coming in white or ivory. The hair can reach up to six inches in length and can be wavy, straight, or a combination of both. There is a "mane" around the neck. Their grooming must be maintained regularly. It is not difficult, but they do need to be brushed thoroughly on at least a weekly basis to avoid matting and to ensure that nothing is stuck in the fur. This will also help to remove some of the loose hair and keep the dog clean. These dogs are heavy shedders. Shedding will be constant in warmer climates and will occur twice per year if they are in cooler climates. An occasional dry shampoo can be used, but wet bathing should be limited as much as possible as it strips the dog of the natural oils that actually aid in keeping the dog clean.
They are highly intelligent dogs and can be trained quickly, especially when there is good human to canine communication between the two. Training should be consistent, with the human establishing his or her position as "pack leader" from the start. If you are firm, stable, and calm, the dog will respond well to training and learn quickly.
They are gentle giants with the families that they love, so to speak, good with children and other pets, but with strangers, they can be a bit wary. They will fearlessly protect their family and with their size and strength, owners should be aware of this. This breed should be well-socialized early on. They need to have room to run and are not suited for life in apartments. The Hungarian Kuvasz is a breed that will need a moderate amount of exercise, at least a brisk walk daily. You must teach them early in life to heel properly. Once they are even a few months old, they will have the strength to pull against the leash, making training much more difficult. The Hungarian Kuvasz makes a wonderful dog, both on the farm and off, but should at least have a large, enclosed yard to run and play in.