Both dog breeds are ideal guard dogs for an estate in the countryside. Especially the friendly and cautious nature of both dog breeds leave nothing to be desired. The Hovawart is somewhat heavier and also larger than the Australian Shepherd. Both breeds need a good education and must be constantly challenged physically, but also mentally. Both dog breeds are absolute family dogs and should not be kept by an inexperienced owner, as they can quickly become dominant if they are not well trained.
Are you thinking about getting one of these two dog breeds and looking for good reasons to choose one?
Here you can find out about the basic differences and what you should look out for in each dog breed.
Hovawart – A guard dog for the whole family
Typical breed characteristics
- Character: Willing to learn, intelligent, relaxed,
- Size: Male 63 – 70 cm; female 58 – 65 cm
- Weight: 25 to 45 kilograms
- Colours: blond, black, dun markings
- Life expectancy: 12-14 years
The Hovawart is a very popular dog breed, also because it can be used very flexibly. As a mountain rescue dog or as a simple farm dog he is always ready for action due to his good nose and his strong will.
With a height of up to 70 cm and a weight of 45 kilograms, the Hovawart is a respected guard dog that comes without any aggression.
Its life expectancy is about 14 years.
Already in the Middle Ages, the Hovawart was used to guard farms.
Due to his lovable character and high intelligence, he is also often used as a therapy dog. In addition, his people-oriented nature makes him especially popular with children.
Typical diseases of this breed include hip joint problems, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) and liver shunt.
Training and care
Like any other dog, the Hovawart needs good upbringing in infancy. Without learned discipline there could be big problems with this dog later on, as they are very intelligent and can become dominant quite quickly.
For an optimal upbringing, a dog school can also be very beneficial.
It is important that Hovawarts have a calm and familiar environment to grow up in.
The Hovawart is one of those dog breeds that is very easy to care for. However, daily brushing and regular checking of ears and teeth should be done.
The Hovawart’s coat does not mat so quickly, as it has very little undercoat.
Especially during the coat change in spring and late autumn, you can help your dog by brushing several times to remove the loose hairs from the coat.
If you want to know which dog breeds shed the least and are very easy to groom, read our informative article: Which dog breeds don’t shed?
Who is the Hovawart suitable for?
The Hovawart is a true family dog and possesses the best qualities such as friendliness, loyalty and good nature that characterise such a dog.
Likewise, the Hovawart can be optimally used as a guard dog for one’s own home or for the yard. With its distinct personality and high intelligence as well as independence, it immediately confronts any intruder.
It also fits that the Hovawart is initially suspicious of strangers and needs a while to warm up to someone.
But the Hovawart is also ideally suited as a sporting dog, for example for jogging or cycling.
When is the best time to go jogging with your dog, we tell you in our article: When to go jogging with your dog.
The Hovawart needs a disciplined environment and is not necessarily suitable as a beginner’s dog.
Because of his affection and sensitive side, the Hovawart needs a loving family around him that gives him enough exercise and activity.
Australian Shepherd – The sporting watchdog for the whole family
Typical breed characteristics
- Character: affectionate, intelligent, eager to work, alert
- Size: Male 51 – 58 cm; female 46 – 53 cm
- Weight: 16 to 32 kilograms
- Colours: Red merle, blue merle, black, red
- Life expectancy: 12 – 15 years
The Australian Shepherd is a very athletic breed of dog that can do wonderful things such as hiking, obstacle course running, jogging and cycling.
Its maximum height is 58 cm and its maximum weight is 32 kilograms.
The life expectancy of an Australian Shepherd is about 15 years.
Especially due to its loving and good-natured character, the Australian Shepherd is wonderful as a family dog.
The Australian Shepherd also enjoys working as a herding dog and is very popular in Europe, which also has to do with its beautiful appearance.
Typical diseases associated with this breed include hip problems, MDR1 and cataracts.
Education and care
The Australian Shepherd is a very trainable dog breed, which is ideally suited as a herding dog if well trained. Should he not be used as a herding dog, it is important that appropriate activity is provided in the form of extensive walks through nature or other challenges in dog sports.
In the countryside in a large house the Australian Shepherd feels most at home and should not be kept in a small flat in the big city.
The Australian Shepherd’s eagerness to work means that he must be kept busy around the clock. Especially the balance between rest and activity is not easy to achieve with this breed. This requires a lot of time, patience and empathy.
When grooming an Australian Shepherd, it is necessary to brush the coat daily to remove loose hair from the coat.
It is also important to check the ears, paws, claws and teeth regularly. This will not only improve your dog’s appearance, but will also strengthen the bond between the two of you.
Who is the Australian Shepherd suitable for?
The Australian Shepherd needs an owner who can train him well and give him constantly challenging tasks.
The Australian Shepherd also requires a lot of time and should not be kept by working or elderly people. Being alone for hours in a flat is not for the Australian Shepherd. He needs a lot of exercise and exercise and feels very comfortable in a large family, which he can also protect and herd.
In our current article, we tell you what monthly costs you have to reckon with when keeping a dog: What does a dog cost per month?
The Australian Shepherd is very open-minded towards children and is an ideal playmate for them.
This dog breed needs a lot of exercise and is very good at sports such as jogging, cycling or even hiking.
But the owner should also have mental tasks left for his dog, such as tracking or mantrailing.
Because of his urge to move, the Australian Shepherd should ideally live in a large yard, which he can protect all day.
Hovawart and Australian Shepherd – The direct differences in temperament
Both dog breeds are ideal guard dogs for an estate in the countryside.
Especially the friendly and cautious nature of both dog breeds leave nothing to be desired.
The Hovawart is somewhat heavier and also larger than the Australian Shepherd.
Both breeds need a good education and must be constantly challenged physically, but also mentally.
Both dog breeds are absolute family dogs and should not be kept by an inexperienced owner, as they can quickly become dominant if they are not well trained.
Here we have summarized our most popular articles for you in a great overview:
- When to start jogging with a dog
- List of dog names for small, medium and large dogs
- How much exercise does a French Bulldog need?
- My dog only wants to play
- Which dog breeds do not shed?
- Cane Corso: Suitable as a beginner dog or family dog?
- Are dogs allowed to eat bananas?
- At what time to feed the dog?
- How much exercise does a Bernese Mountain Dog need?
- What to consider when buying a dog?
- Avoid boredom with your dog
Conclusion on two lovely dog breeds
Regardless of whether you choose a Hovawart or an Australian Shepherd, choosing a dog brings with it the fact that you have to take on responsibility.
In any case, it requires perseverance in training. Even though both breeds are considered family dogs, they still need to be well trained.
Can you imagine living with a dog? Inform yourself well and you will get a faithful companion!
