View source for Kuvasz

{{short description|Hungarian breed of dog}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Essay-like|article|date=May 2011}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2020}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=October 2020}}
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{{Infobox dog breed
| name = Kuvasz
| altname = Hungarian Kuvasz
| country = [[Hungary]]
| image = Kuvasz named Kan.jpg
| image_caption = 
| maleweight = {{convert|48|-|62|kg|lb|abbr=on}}{{r|fci2}}
| femaleweight = {{convert|37|-|50|kg|lb|abbr=on}}{{r|fci2}}
| maleheight = {{convert|71|-|76|cm|in|abbr=on}}{{r|fci2}}
| femaleheight = {{convert|66|-|70|cm|in|abbr=on}}{{r|fci2}}
| coat = coarse and wavy, with soft undercoat
| colour = white
| litter_size = 
| kc_name     = 
| kc_std      = 
| fcistd      = http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/054g01-en.pdf
}}

The '''Kuvasz'''{{efn|name= a}} is a Hungarian [[List of dog breeds|breed]] of [[flock guardian]] [[dog]]. Mention of the breed can be found in old Hungarian texts. They have historically been royal guard dogs, or [[livestock guardian dog|guarded livestock]], but have been increasingly found in homes as pets over the last seventy years. The [[American Kennel Club]] includes the breed in the [[working dog]] group.

== History ==
[[File:Hungarian Sheepdog from 1915.JPG|thumb|At the [[Panama–Pacific International Exposition]] in [[San Francisco]] in 1915]]
Found in Western Anatolia, the [[Akbash]] dog breed is related to the Kuvasz, a [[Hungarian prehistory|Hungarian]] dog breed originating in [[Hungary]]. Known as a [[Pechenegs|Pecheneg]] buffalo fighter, the Kuvasz originated in the [[Pannonian Basin|Carpathian Basin]] and has since become renowned among [[Hungarians|Hungarian]] dogs worldwide. Its name likely derives from the Old Turkish word "Küvaz." Some associate this dog breed with the [[Cumans|Cuman]]-[[Kipchaks]]. It is also thought that it may have been a breed introduced to [[Hungary]] during the [[Migration Period]].{{r|jan|page=92}}<ref>[http://www.harmonet.hu/cikk.php?rovat=258&alrovat=259&cikkid=19826 Magyar kutyafajták: Kuvasz, a félelmet nem ismerő]</ref>

In the fifteenth century [[Matthias Corvinus]] is believed to have kept large numbers of Kuvasz dogs at his court as [[guard dog]]s or [[hunting dog]]s, or sometimes as [[war dog]]s.{{r|jan|page=92}}

[[Selective breeding]] of the Kuvasz as a [[breed]] began in the latter part of the nineteenth century, and a [[breed standard]] was drawn up.{{r|jan|page=92}} In 1934 it was accepted by the [[Fédération Cynologique Internationale]],{{r|jan|page=92}} which lists the date of full acceptance as 1954.{{r|fci}}

By the end of [[World War II]], nearly all the Kuvasz dogs in Hungary had been killed. The dogs had such a reputation for protecting their families that they were actively sought and killed by [[Germany|German]] and [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] soldiers, while at the same time some German officers used to take Kuvasz dogs home with them.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kuvasz.com/kuvasz/history.htm |title=Kuvasz Club of America – Kuvasz History |access-date=2007-01-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070119134542/http://www.kuvasz.com/kuvasz/history.htm |archive-date=2007-01-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  After the Soviet invasion and the end of the war, the breed was nearly extinct in Hungary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.k9web.com/breeds/kuvasz/|title=Everything You Need to Know About the Kuvasz Dog Breed}}</ref> After the war, it was revealed that fewer than thirty Kuvasz were left in Hungary and some sources indicate the number may have been as few as twelve. Since then, due to many dedicated breeders, Kuvasz breed have repopulated Hungary.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dog Commands and Hand Signals |url=https://mypetguides.com/list-of-dog-commands-and-hand-signals/}}</ref>  However, as a result of this near extinction, the genetic pool available to breeders was severely restricted and there is conjecture that some may have used other breeds, such as the [[Great Pyrenees]], to continue their programs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hbalaw.com/KFA/kovacs.htm |title=Kuvasz Fanciers Association – The Kuvasz |access-date=2007-08-07 |archive-date=2007-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808192954/http://hbalaw.com/KFA/kovacs.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In [[Romania]], a [[breed-specific legislation]] specifies that Kuvasz must be muzzled when in public places.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cainii din rasa Pitbull vor fi interzisi in Romania |date=2002-04-26 |language=ro |location=Bucharest, Romania |newspaper=Adevărul |url=http://www.adevarul.ro/articole/2002/cainii-din-rasa-pitbull-vor-fi-interzisi-in-romania.html |access-date=2009-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091118011024/http://www.adevarul.ro/articole/2002/cainii-din-rasa-pitbull-vor-fi-interzisi-in-romania.html |archive-date=18 November 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Characteristics ==
[[File:Kilenchetes kuvaszkölyök.jpg|thumb|A puppy]]
The Kuvasz is a large and powerful dog: dogs stand some {{nobreak|71–76 cm}} at the [[withers]], with weights in the range {{nobreak|48–62 kg}}; bitches may stand {{nobreak|66–70 cm}} and weigh {{nobreak|37–50 kg}}.{{r|fci2}}

The coat is white or ivory-white; it is thick and coarse, with a soft undercoat. The skin is slate-grey; the tip of the nose, the lips and the rims of the eyes are black, and the pads of the paws are black or slate-grey.{{r|jan|page=92|fci2}}

The head is wedge-shaped; the muzzle is slightly less than half the full length of the head, and the [[wikt:stop|stop]] is slight. The eyes are almond-shaped, dark brown, and slightly slanted.{{r|fci2}}

Although generally a healthy and robust breed which can be expected to live approximately 12–14 years, the Kuvasz is prone to developmental bone problems.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kuvasz.com/kuvasz/health.htm |title=Kuvasz Club of America – Kuvasz Health<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2006-09-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060831223113/http://www.kuvasz.com/kuvasz/health.htm |archive-date=2006-08-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Hungarian dog breeds]]
* [[Portal:Dogs|Dogs portal]]
* [[List of dog breeds]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist | refs=
{{efn|name = a |{{IPA|hu|ˈkuvɒs|pron}}, plural ''Kuvaszok''. }}
}}

== References ==
{{commonscat}}
{{reflist|45em|refs=

<ref name=fci>[http://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/KUVASZ-54.html FCI breeds nomenclature: Kuvasz]. Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Accessed January 2021.</ref>

<ref name=fci2>[http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/054g01-en.pdf FCI-Standard N° 54: Kuvasz]. Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Accessed January 2021.</ref>

<ref name=jan>Janet V. Dohner (2016). ''Farm Dogs: A Comprehensive Breed Guide to 93 Guardians, Herders, Terriers, and Other Canine Working Partners''. North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Publishing. {{isbn|9781612125923}}.</ref>

}}

== Further reading ==
*Hódosi, József, ed. ''A Kuvasz''. Hungaria Kuvasz Klub, 1996. English Translation by International Kuvasz Book Project.


{{Hungarian dogs}}
{{Livestock guardians}}
[[Category:Dog breeds originating in Hungary]]
[[Category:FCI breeds]]
[[Category:Hungarian words and phrases]]
[[Category:Livestock guardian dogs]]
[[Category:Rare dog breeds]]