Kuvasz
Overview
The Kuvasz (pronounced KOO-vahss) is a dog breed of ancient Hungarian origin. Historically, it has been used to guard livestock, but over the last seventy years it has been found increasingly in homes as a pet.
The word, Kuvasz, contrary to some theories, is probably not of Sumerian origin. Most likely it comes from the Turkic word kavas meaning guard or soldier or kuwasz meaning protector. A related theory posits that the word may have originated from the ancient farmers of Russia, the Chuvash, who nurtured the breed for generations and contributed many words to the Hungarian language. The Sumerian-origin theory hypothesizes that the name comes from the Sumerian phrase Ku Assa, meaning dog of the horse, and the Hungarian word kutya, meaning dog, is also derived from ancient Sumerian.
The Kuvasz is a very intelligent dog and is often described as having a clownish sense of humor which can last throughout their adolescence and occasionally into adulthood. They are an intensely loyal yet patient pet who appreciates attention but may also be somewhat aloof or independent, particularly with strangers. In keeping with their origins as a livestock guardian, the Kuvasz is known to be fierce protectors of their families. Given their intelligence, constant awareness of their surroundings, as well as their size and strength, they can be quite impressive in this role. A Kuvasz should be courageous, disciplined and stable, while hyperactivity, nervousness and shyness are to be faulted.
The combination of intelligence, independence, and protectiveness make obedience training and socialization necessities. Further, despite their intelligence, they should not be perceived as easily trained. Their independent personalities can make training a difficult task which can wear on the patience of even experienced owners. As a result, they are not recommended for novices and those who do not have time to train and socialize them properly. With a steady hand, an adolescent Kuvasz should be able to quickly learn and consistently respond to basic obedience commands. However, the instinctive need to investigate strangers and protect its owner may cause the Kuvasz to act independently when off a leash, and ignore the calls of a frustrated handler.
Finally, a potential owner should refrain from purchasing a Kuvasz if barking will be a problem at the home. While not all Kuvasz are prone to barking, many of them fulfill their guardian role by vocally warning off potential threats, both real and imagined. On the other hand, many of these qualities make the Kuvasz excellent guardians for sheep or manors.
Source: All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.
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