Kuvasz, English name: Kuvasz, originated in Hungary in the 13th century. There is no recorded evidence of its definite ancestors in historical records, but according to some information, it is very likely that its ancestors came from Tibet, China. It was later introduced to Turkey and then Hungary, where it gradually developed into the current Kuvasz. However, in terms of appearance, it is very similar to the Maremma Sheepdog and the Great Pyrenees dog, so some people believe that they have common ancestors.
This dog is a large breed, and its appearance has changed greatly over thousands of years of development. However, its coat must always be white or ivory.
This dog has excellent qualities and looks very gentle and friendly, making it very popular with children. It is a good companion dog and guard dog. It is brave and determined, curious, and quite sensitive to praise or criticism. It is patient and polite, making it a suitable family dog. It is always ready to protect the people it cares about, even at the cost of sacrificing itself. It has a strong instinct to protect children. It is reserved but polite towards strangers and cautious in making friends. It is brave and fearless, and if it detects danger but the owner does not give a command, it will act on its instinct. It always works tirelessly, has a sensitive sense of smell, and can be used for tracking prey.
During the reign of Emperor Matthias I from 1458 to 1490, the Kuvasz dog was particularly favored. Wherever he went, he was accompanied by a Kuvasz dog, and he kept many Kuvasz dogs in his palace and surrounding areas. Rarely has a monarch like Emperor Matthias I gone to such great lengths to maintain the integrity of his country's aristocracy. Although there were political conspiracies like any other ruler, assassination events were rare. It is said that this is because Emperor Matthias I did not trust anyone around him, including his family. In contrast, he preferred to trust his dogs. He believed that these loyal and sturdy dogs were worthy of entrusting his safety.
Emperor Matthias I kept a large group of Kuvasz dogs for guarding and hunting purposes. He had a great estate dedicated to raising these dogs, which was famous throughout Europe. At that time, he did have the idea of promoting this dog breed. If there were extra puppies born in the pack, he would give them as rewards to nobles or give them to noble visitors from other countries.
Long after the era of Emperor Matthias I, commoners also began to raise this breed of dog. Farmers found that Kuvasz dogs were very suitable for guarding cattle and sheep. However, it was during this stage of development that the pronunciation of "Kuvasz" started to be misinterpreted. By the way, the misinterpretation suggests that the pronunciation means "mongrel," which sounds very ominous.
According to German authority on European dog breeds, van Stephanitz, the Kuvasz dog and the Hungarian herding dog have a blood relationship. The latter was brought to Hungary by the Hungarians from southern Russia. He boldly speculated that the Kuvasz or Karvasz dog is a hybrid descendant of the Hungarian herding dog and the local Hungarian dog. Although this claim had the suspicion of personal inference, some strong evidence was later found to support this fact.
Today's Kuvasz dogs are basically very similar to their earliest ancestors, except that they are slightly smaller in size.
Its appearance is similar to that of a polar bear, with a huge body. It is not suitable for ordinary family breeding unless there is a very large space for it to live and an independent yard for it to move around.
1. Heart disease
Dogs with heart disease are often associated with obesity and old age. When a dog has heart disease, it mainly manifests symptoms such as easy fatigue and difficulty breathing. Heart disease in dogs is difficult to detect, and often by the time the owner notices, the dog is already seriously ill.
2. Infectious diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common and highly fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in a timely manner are prone to these two infectious diseases. Once infected, symptoms such as listlessness, decreased appetite, high body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur.
3. Kidney disease
When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease cannot be ignored. The terrifying aspect of canine kidney disease lies in its unnoticed onset. By the time the owner realizes it, more than 75% of the dog's kidney cells are damaged. When a dog's kidneys have problems, the usual symptoms are blood in the urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Gastrointestinal worms such as roundworms and hookworms, as well as heartworms, are common parasites that infect dogs. When a dog is infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms include emaciation, lethargy, loose stools, visible worms in the feces, and pale gums. Heartworm is a parasite that resides in a dog's heart. After a dog is infected, symptoms such as decreased vitality, coughing, anemia, wheezing, and abdominal fluid may occur.
5. Canine pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it is often a complication of other diseases. It commonly occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper infection, viral cold, compromised lung function, or heartworm infection. Coughing, nasal discharge, and high body temperature are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
Feeding: The feeding of Kuvasz puppies is generally similar to that of other pet dogs. At the puppy stage, it is important to feed them multiple small meals to aid digestion and absorption of food. It is also important to ensure that the food is nutritious and balanced to help the dogs grow better. As adult Kuvasz dogs grow larger and become more active, they require more energy. Therefore, the number of meals should be reduced, ensuring that each meal is satisfying. It is good to establish a fixed time and quantity for feeding. For large dogs like Kuvasz, attention should be paid to the intake of fat to prevent excessive nutrition and the onset of diseases.
Care: Kuvasz is a large long-haired dog. The long-haired dogs should have their fur brushed daily, and the frequency of bathing depends on the weather. In short, they should be washed when they get dirty. Teeth, ears, eyes, and the dirt between toes should be cleaned weekly. At this time, it is important to pay attention to areas that are often overlooked to check the dog's health. For dogs with long fur, a special dog hair conditioner can be used during baths. Taking the dogs for outdoor exercise every day helps with digestion and exercise, and it is also the best time for training.
1. Cannot bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, of course, it cannot be too frequent. The frequency of bathing a dog depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, it can be bathed one or two more times, and in winter, it can be reduced one or two times, but in general, it should not exceed five times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Regular brushing
Dogs shed hair almost every day, especially during the spring and autumn seasons when seasonal shedding is more severe. To ensure good hair growth, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use dedicated pet brushes to help the dog clean its naturally shed hair and prevent tangles. Brushing it once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is enough.
3. Sunbathing
Sunbathing is beneficial for the dog's hair growth, and besides making the fur more shiny, it can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, owners can let the dog exercise a bit to improve its physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is often related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving it of nutrition, so deworming is essential. It is recommended to do internal and external deworming together. Deworming medicine can cause significant damage to the dog's gastrointestinal system, so it is advisable to supplement with probiotics daily to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order for a dog to have a beautiful coat, a good nutritional foundation must be established, and attention to daily diet is crucial. On the one hand, feed the dog nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a brand that is suitable for the dog and provides sufficient nutrition to meet the dog's needs. On the other hand, you can also feed the dog a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and plant oil.
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