One thing you will hear as
you continue your search for a kuvasz is that "they are not for everyone".
What does this really mean?
There are many important questions
to ask yourself before you even consider a large, headstrong
active breed like the kuvasz
1. Why do you want a kuvasz? What attracted you to the breed?
The kuvasz has been traditionally
used as a livestock guardian dog (also known as "flockguard",
"predator control dog") What does
this mean when you want them to live as a pet? Several of the
instincts that makes the kuvasz
such an effective flockguard can be a real headache in town. How
do
kuvasz protect the flocks?
By barking, marking and patrolling, plus charging the predators.
They try
not to bite the predators, rather
they harrass them, headbutting them, shoving them with their
shoulders and hips, or just slamming
into them headlong. So many people who get a kuvasz because
they "need protection" soon realize
this is not a schutzhund/guard dog type of animal. There is a lot of
instinctual behavior that goes
along with them. They need to be socialized and trained from birth not
to overreact at things. You can
never socialize a kuvasz too much. We for one, refuse to place a
kuvasz with anyone that wants
a "sharp" dog, or more aggressive one, or that worries about a kuvasz
being "too soft". We think that
sets the dog up for bad situations its whole life. If you want an attack
dog, go find a breed that does
just that. The kuvasz will guard you in a thousand different subtle ways,
and you need to have a certain
level of astuteness to realize the dog is doing its job, without baring
its
teeth and being a danger to everyone.
2. Do you have close neighbors that don't like dogs?
Kuvasz bark. They were bred
to bark, LOUDLY. Yes, you can train them not to bark, but this takes
knowledge, insight, patience and
understanding.
3. Do you have children that
visit and do your own children understand about living with a large active
dog?
Kuvasz can be quite safe with your
own kids, but children can upset the kuvasz's desire for order. The
kuvasz is also extremely physical
and playful and love to chase children and sit on them. You should
never let them roughhouse with
young children, even as pups, because it's easy for them to get
overexcited and they don't know
their own strength. It's a very hard habit to break when they are full
grown 120 pound adults if you
don't train them as pups. If they get wound up enough, they can even
knock down full grown adults just
for fun. Some dogs can be quite jealous which can cause "pecking
order" problems when they try
to be the "favorite" child. This can be avoided through basic training
and reinforcing their position
in the "pack". Kuvasz are very sensitive about their bodies. Some love
having children hang all over
them, but some don't. The kuvasz has very strong mothering instincts,
however and will bond quite readily
to your own children. They will protect their children above all
else which may give them a tendancy
to intercede when strange children try to roughhouse with your
kids, so a kuvasz should always
be supervised with youngsters. Especially with toddlers, something
about the unsteady gait worries
them, and they are so easily knocked over. A little common sense
goes a long way. The friendship
and safety your kids will get from a kuvasz is well worth the training
and socialization. If you have
children, it is very important you choose a breeder who whelps in the
house so the pups are well bonded
with people, and socialized with children even before they open
their eyes. It's not necessary
that the infants have children in the family, as long as they are exposed
early.
4. Do you have a secure fence?
Kuvasz like to patrol. That is
what they are bred to do. If they don't have a flock (and many times even
when they do) they like to take
off and explore. If they see something different, they have to go
check
it out (so very seldom learn not
to go out to the road, since something is always going by). Several
kuvaszok have escaped and been
hitten by cars this year alone. They also have to go check out every
dog or person they see, and if
they don't like them, will bluff charge or woof. This can frighten
many
people who will kick out at them
or throw something at them, resulting in a "situation" where the
kuvasz snaps at their hand or
foot. This is why it is extremely important to get kuvasz from stable,
self
confident bloodlines without a
history of unprovoked attacking or biting people
5. Do you work well with others?
Your breeder is the most important
person in your life as far as your kuvasz is concerned. Second is
your vet. Third is your trainer.
However, many vets do not know this breed, and from experience, we
know that vets are not always
right. They are taught in four years veterinary care for a myriad of
species of animals. Your breeder
has spent years learning all they can about one breed, the kuvasz. It is
extremely important you follow
all the recommendations from your breeder, and/or from other
owners/breeders (be sure to run
things by your breeder first). If a problem arises, contact the breeder
before you let the vet do anything.
There might be another solution. Send all vet records to your
breeder before any major procedures.
For the good of the breed, make a committment to xray the
hips on your dogs. The kuvasz
is a fairly healthy breed, but is prone to severe orthopedic disorders
if
not raised and fed correctly.
Do not run your dog until after one year of age and absolutely do not
supplement your puppy with calcium.
Do not use puppy food! Linda Arndt, of Blackwatch Great Danes, has
a lot of great information for raising giant breed puppies. You'll find
the link to her page in the Health Section. They also have a sensitive
immune system, so we recommend a reduced vaccination schedule. Do
not let your vet combine vaccines!
6. Do you have a lot of patience and a well developed sense of humor?
At best, the kuvasz is a big teddy
bear, a wonderful companion. At worst they are headstrong,
hardheaded, independant demons
of frustration. Just when you think they are housetrained, it looks
like an elephant soiled your antique
carpet. Just when you think they aren't teething anymore, the legs
on your solid oak dining table
look like toothpicks. Woe to the kuvasz owner who loves to wear black,
because you will be forever embarrassed
with white fuzz, usually hanging off your rear. It can also be
embarrassing to have visitors
over, because the kuvasz loves to bluff charge just to get a rise out of
the
unsuspecting. Then they spend
the rest of the time poking them in areas they'd much rather keep
private. They are quite inventive
and can figure out a million ways to make you want pound your head
in frustration. Then they grin
that kuvasz grin, and twinkle those black eyes and you'll know you've
been taken for a ride, and truly,
you loved every minute of it. If you have unlimited patience and don't
mind a dog that makes a mockery
of your obedience commands, then the kuvasz is for you. If you like
your house clean, your life well
ordered, your dog a perfectly obedient companion, then keep looking.
If you feel that these challenges
will be balanced by the indescribable adventure of a human-canine
relationship unequalled by any
other breed...you have come to exactly the right place!