Slovak Cuvac

The Slovak Cuvac is loyal and devoted to his herd and master, never wavering in his courage. Such a dog is always alert; it is difficult for him to relax and “disconnect” from work. Lively and energetic, they can become model family pets. They are loyal guard dogs who will notify their owner of any intruder and alert him loudly.

Breed Photos

Origin History

The Slovak Cuvac is a large dog with a good coat native to the mountains of Slovakia. The British Kennel Club does not currently recognize them. Most agree that the breed is descended from Arctic wolves.

The Slovak Cuvac has been a reliable and vital companion of the Slovak sheep farmer for many years, probably as early as the 17th century. In addition to herding cattle, they protect against any predators, especially wolves and bears. On top of that, this versatile breed will also pull wagons and serve as a faithful family companion. In the countryside, a dog as large as the Slovak Cuvac requires a lot of food.

Most agree that this dog’s name comes from the Slovak word “cuvat,” meaning “to hear.” The breed must have an exceptional hearing to spot any predators on the hunt. Today the Slovaks strive to keep the species alive and have established a breed club in the capital Bratislava.

Appearance

The Slovak Cuvac does not differ in appearance from the Pyrenean mountain dog or even the more popular golden retriever. To achieve their purpose, it is historically significant that they look big and imposing and move quickly.

The Slovak Cuvac has a massive head with a broad forehead and triangular pendant ears. The eyes are relatively small, oval, and always dark brown. The muzzle is medium length and not too narrow, ending in a large black nose. Their jaws are strong, and their neck is broad, especially in males. The chest is comprehensive, and the back is straight and strong. Thick bones and muscular limbs end in well-built legs. The gait is quick and agile. And despite their size work well on any terrain.

The dense two-layer coat provides sufficient protection from the outside environment. The layer is less thick on the head and limbs. The only acceptable coat color is white. However, there may be some yellowing on the ears (a trait that is not desirable).

Large breed females reach a height of 59 to 65 cm and weigh 31 to 37 kg. Males are larger – from 62 cm to 70 cm and weigh 36 to 44 kg.

Character

The Slovak Cuvac is loyal and devoted to his herd and master, never wavering in his courage. Such a dog is always alert; it is difficult for him to relax and “disconnect” from work. Lively and energetic, they can become model family pets.

They are loyal guard dogs who will notify their owner of any intruder and alert him loudly. Despite their ability to fiercely defend their territory, they are affectionate and gentle with family members. Likewise, they can be friendly in the company of other dogs. Owners should provide socialization opportunities to increase tolerance and reduce the risk of competition.

Best suited for the countryside, this is a dog used to living outside and having plenty of freedom. It would be unfair to keep this breed in a small house. They should have access to plenty of ground to roam on.

Care

Slovak Cuvacs molt profusely, especially during the summer months. During this season, they need to be groomed once or twice a day. Such a large dog needs to be trained to get his hair cut from an early age. Owners also need to have their dog’s ears and claws checked regularly.

Training

Training the Slovak Cuvac is not a task for the faint-hearted, as classes require the trainer’s experience and knowledge. Dogs of this breed can be determined and want to be dominant in relationships. They need a steady hand and a consistent training program.

Sometimes they may not trust new people and use aggression as their defense. The Slovak Cuvac must have a master-leader. This way, any disobedience is quickly eliminated.

When it comes to learning how to perform the tasks they were created, the Slovak Cuvac knows very well. Their intelligence is obvious. They rarely forget anything, instinctively teaching skills such as shepherding.

Common Diseases

This breed generally has perfect health. Exposed to risk in these cases:

• hip dysplasia;
• bloating.

Nutrition

Nutrition should be balanced. You can combine the natural type of food with high-quality food.