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The Hovawart and I a never-ending love affair



Jocker, 11 years old
When I was sixteen years old I first read about the Hovawart and it was love at first sight, even though it would be almost fifteen more years before I actually set eyes on a real live one. This was in Germany where my husband had been posted. Imagine a litter of nine puppies, one woollier and fluffier than the other. From this bunch a black and tan bundle detached itself to chew my shoe laces and that was how Bonso came into our home. He then moved to the US with us and became an integral part of our family.

Bonso and I were inseparable and he was nicknamed "Shadow" by the family - wherever I went he was never far away. We did 3 years of obedience training and competed in Rare Breed Shows, as the Hovawart was (and still is) not recognized by the American Kennel Club. (Thanks to the effort of several determined US breeders the rival United Kennel Club has finally given the breed its recognition.) The Hovawart loves to work and please his master, so it was a real joy to compete with him.

But, after three years at this, he became bored always doing the same thing, so I decided to do a tracking course. What a revelation! His flare was unbelievable and he learnt very rapidly to follow the trails laid out for him. And persistent he had to be, because I have no sense of direction whatsoever and we were forever disagreeing about where to turn. He was invariably right!

Bonso traveled with us extensively, be it by car or by airplane. Nothing seemed to bother him as long as he was allowed to be with us.

He was the first of several Hovawarts to share our lives and Jocker, our present dog, will surely not be the last. They are extremely adaptable dogs provided they are taught at an early age that they are not the boss. They are intelligent, quick learners and very gentle with children. They are easy travel companions to take to hotels and restaurants, or to hike with.

Jocker and I
In the North Eastern US our yards are enclosed by low stone walls, if at all, so a quality I have really learnt to appreciate in the Hovawart is that he does not roam. He is an instinctive "home guardian" (as his name implies). When my son would bring his American Cocker Spaniel over for a visit and we would leave the dogs in the yard alone, the Cocker would disappear within minutes, whereas our Hovawart would be lying on the front doorstep, patiently waiting to be let in. Simply amazing!

Another quality which I value is his care free coat He sheds twice a year, and a quick daily brush keeps his coat tangle free and the house without dog hair. He never needs to be bathed. In fact water seems to simply run off his fur. Even when muddy one merely waits for the mud to dry and brushes the dirt off. It's as easy as that.

I could go on forever if space would allow it. But there you have it in a nutshell -


the Hovawart is the dog for me!



             Ebba   Grumieaux.

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