Hungarian Kuvasz

Breed Profile

The Hungarian Kuvasz is among the oldest of all the dog breeds, dating back some 7,000 years. It is believed that he is descended from the Tibetan Mastiff and may be related to the Great Pyrenees and Maremma. He was a favourite guard dog for nobility and was also used for hunting, herding and protecting livestock, which he still does today.

During World War II, the breed became almost extinct in Hungary. However, after the war, efforts by dedicated breeders in Hungary and other parts of Europe helped re-populate the breed in Hungary.

He is an intelligent, independent dog with strong protective instincts. Loyal and devoted to his family, he will face any threat in order to protect them. He is easily trained and said to have great stamina. The Kuvasz is a strong and muscular dog that needs lots of outdoor exercise and is best suited to country living.

The Kuvasz has a lustrous, pure white or ivory, coarse double coat. The undercoat is soft and the outercoat longer and can range from almost straight to wavy but not curly. The pigment is black and the darker the better. He has almond shaped dark brown eyes and his wedge shaped head is considered to be his most beautiful characteristic.

Health Issues

The Kuvasz is generally a healthy breed with a normal life expectancy of more than 10 years. However, like all breeds of dogs, the Kuvasz is predisposed to some health problems, including:

• Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) — Because of the breed’s rapid growth and large size, the Kuvasz is prone to such developmental problems. Improper nutrition or trauma may be contributing factors to this disorder.
• Hip Dysplasia — Like the majority of the large breed dogs, the Kuvasz is susceptible to Canine Hip Dysplasia.
• Gastric Torsion (Bloat) — As with many large breeds, the occurrence of Bloat or Gastric Torsion is a real possibility in the Kuvasz. If you are not familiar with this condition, it is absolutely necessary to learn about it and know the symptoms — This is a real emergency and a life threatening condition that requires immediate Veterinary attention. See First Aid for Bloat for an article describing some of the things you can do if you are faced with this situation.

If you are considering the adoption of a Kuvasz puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy’s parents have all health clearances. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main General Information page.)

Additional Health Resources:

• Health Information from the Kuvasz Club of America
• Health and Nutrition — Growing section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website which includes information on several health and nutrition related issues.
• Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) — Providing a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists that will assist in breeding healthy dogs. CHIC is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
• AKC Canine Health Foundation — Working towards developing scientific advances in canine health.
• OFA – Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER)
• Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
• Ontario Veterinary College (OVC)
• University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHip)
• HealthGene — HealthGene Corporation is the leading provider of veterinary DNA diagnostic services in Canada.
• Labgenvet — Laboratory of Veterinary Genetics is a Canadian diagnostic laboratory that offers a comprehensive service of DNA tests for veterinary genetic diseases.

Training Resources

Early obedience training and socialization for the Kuvasz is an absolute necessity. With the Kuvasz’s natural protective instinct it is imperative that he learn to discriminate between what is a threat and what is simply something new or unusual. Socialization will not train out this instinct. He must be exposed to various situations and meet new people, both in and out of his home. A Kuvasz who does not receive proper socialization may feel that anything outside of his immediate family and everyday surroundings are a potential threat.

The best training method for the Kuvasz is firm, consistent, positive reinforcement. Physical training methods will challenge the dog and he may ultimately respond to this type of training in an aggressive manner.

• Starting the LGD Pup by Catherine de la Cruz
• Training — For training information, see this growing section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.

Additional Information

• The Hungarian Kuvasz — written by Steve Hounsell, Past President, Kuvasz Club of Canada
• Working Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGD) — What is their Job?
• Livestock Guardian Dogs: Their Current Use Worldwide by Robin Rigg
• Clubs, Sports & Activities — For information on the many sports and activities you can get involved in with your dog.
• Working Dogs — The Working Dogs section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website provides information and listings of organizations that are involved in various dog jobs, such as Guide Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs, Protection Dogs, and much more.

*NOTE 1: CHIC – The Canine Health Information Center “is a database of consolidated health screening results from multiple sources. Co-sponsored by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Health Foundation, CHIC works with parent clubs to identify health screening protocols appropriate for individual breeds. Dogs tested in accordance with the parent club established requirements, that have their results registered and made available in the public domain are issued CHIC numbers.” To learn more, visit: www.caninehealthinfo.org

*NOTE 2: The Fédération Cynologique International (FCI) is the World Canine Organization, which includes 91 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI recognizes 344 breeds, with each being the “property” of a specific country. The “owner” countries write the standards of these breeds in co-operation with the Standards and Scientific Commissions of the FCI, and the translation and updating are carried out by the FCI. The FCI is not a breed registry nor does it issue pedigrees.