There's facts about dogs and there's opinions about dogs. The dogs have the facts and the humans have the opinions.
L. Allen Boone
Males can weigh from 75 to 140 lbs., most weighing 95 - 110 lbs. Height will vary from 25" to 31", but most are 28-29". Females will be slightly smaller.
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The temperament is typical of the flock guardian breeds. The Kuvasz is a territorial guardian. They are a family dog and will protect the house and property of the owner. An adult Kuvasz will protect the neighboring yards if there is no dog to claim sovereignty over the territory. Though bred for generations to work independently, they respond well to family life. They bond well to both adults and children, but small childrenmust be trained to respect the dog's space and not to injure the dog.
The Kuvasz on the street can seem rather aloof, but in his home is a loving companion. Some Kuvasz are content with a minimum of physical affection, although there are those individuals that will normally be found leaning on "their" person's legs wherever they are sitting.
When properly trained, the Kuvasz will be polite to accepted strangers, but might not approach them. Some will retreat from contact with a new person. Most Kuvasz are dominant with other dogs and will try to establish a pecking order fairly quickly when meeting a new dog. This will normally not be a problem with a dog of the opposite sex. Most adult Kuvasz get along well with cats.
The qualities that make a Kuvasz the excellent guardian he is can also be a problem for the unprepared owner. The new owner should gain control of the new dog as soon as possible. If left to his own whims, the young Kuvasz may be impulsive and unruly.
Control is very important in a dog of this type and size. The average Kuvasz doesn't tend toward unthinking obedience. A typical Kuvasz response to a command is to think about it before deciding to comply. If you are not as strong willed as the dog, you may have trouble making him obey.
Most Kuvasz owners recommend group obedience classes. These classes get the dog used to obeying when there are distractions around. While few Kuvasz will give the flawless ring performance of the best obedience trial dogs, any Kuvasz can learn to be a polite, responsive companion.
When training, many owners talk of a plateau in the learning rate where the dog stops progressing and may even seem to backslide. This is usually because the dog became bored. Mix up your training routine. Change the location, time, or the order you do the exercises. Above all, don't stop because the dog seems to not be learning.
Like all dogs, the Kuvasz needs to be part of the daily routine of the family. Living in the house with his family, the dog quickly learns the normal patterns and events of the day.
A dog that lives in the yard lives without the guidance of his family. With a breed as independent as the Kuvasz, this can lead to an out of control dog. With your dog in the house, you can keep him out of trouble. A dog in the yard alone can get bored and annoy the neighbors with incessant barking. Some dogs will dig when left alone too long. Remember, idle paws are the devil's workshop. Chaining a Kuvasz can make it vicious and unapproachable. Make your Kuvasz a member of the family and you will be rewarded with a loyal friend for life.
The Kuvasz coat is easy to care for. When dry, most soil will brush out. They should not be bathed too often, as the shampoos can remove the natural oils from the coat. In the spring and fall they will shed. Large amounts of hair can fall out during this time but the rest of the year there will be a certain amount of low level shedding.
Kuvasz are basically healthy dogs. They are easy feeders and an adult will get along with surprisingly small amounts of a high quality food. Puppies can get fat if overfed. This should be avoided because of the stress to the structure of the growing dog.
Like most large dogs, there is some dysplasia in the breed. Kuvasz, however, are typically very stoic and a dog with clinical dysplasia may show few overt signs of pain.
There has been Kuvasz documented to have lived to 17 years old and 14 year olds are not uncommon.
Kuvasz puppies are available from reputable breeders. When purchasing a puppy you should be able to meet the mother and frequently the father. Never buy a Kuvasz from a pet store. Pet stores charge more than most breeders and you are denied the advantage of meeting the parents.
If you are looking for a pet, you may want to contact Kuvasz Rescue. There are many adult dogs looking to be placed due to changes in their home situation. One advantage in acquiring a rescue dog is that it is a known quantity. There is no doubt about how big it will get or about its temperament.