At a glance the quick version
FCI: males 48-62 kg, females 37-50 kg. AKC: males about 100-115 lb (45-52 kg), females 70-90 lb (32-41 kg). Purina UK: males 40-52 kg, females 30-42 kg.
Coat and looks how to spot one
medium-length double coat
A moderately harsh, wavy to straight outer coat over a fine undercoat, about 4-12 cm long on the body and short on the head and legs. Males carry a mane over the neck and chest, and the legs are feathered.13
Personality what they are like
A courageous, intelligent guardian that is loving and patient with its family and especially watchful over children. It is polite with accepted visitors but chooses new friends carefully, and it likes to think for itself.315
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High: Purina UK suggests over two hours of daily activity, plus training and mental challenges.41
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush several times a week, and daily during seasonal shedding.4
Home where they are happiest
Happiest in a rural home with plenty of securely fenced land and an experienced owner.4
Company who they like around
Bonds deeply with its family and flock; reserved with strangers by nature.34
The story where it all began
The Kuvasz is an old Hungarian flock guardian whose ancestors arrived with the Magyars. In the 15th century King Matthias Corvinus kept many at his court as guard and hunting dogs. The breed became very scarce after the Second World War and was rebuilt by dedicated breeders.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The white coat made it easy for shepherds to tell their guardian dogs apart from predators such as wolves.2
- 2
King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary kept large numbers of Kuvasz at his 15th-century court.2
- 3
The name probably comes from an Old Turkic word, 'küvaz'.2
- 4
The AKC standard asks for dark slate-grey or black skin pigment under the white coat.3
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 54, Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs), Section 1 Sheepdogs; official standard dated 06.04.2000. Wikipedia gives provisional acceptance in 1934 and full acceptance in 1954.1
- AKC
- Working Group; current standard approved 12 July 1999, effective 30 August 1999.3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Kuvasz. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 6every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 54 Kuvasz fci.beused for recognition, origin, height, weight, coat, colour, temperament, history
- Kuvasz - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, FCI dates, lifespan, history, fun facts
- AKC Official Standard of the Kuvasz images.akc.orgused for recognition, height, weight, coat, colour, temperament
- Hungarian Kuvasz - Purina UK purina.co.ukused for weight, lifespan, exercise, grooming, habitat
- Kuvasz - AKC akc.orgused for temperament
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.