Slovakian Chuvach (Slovenský čuvač)

The Slovakian Chuvach is a powerful flock guardian native to Slovakia. This dog has been performing its responsibilities in its homeland for at least three centuries but nowadays it serves most of the time as a great companion dog. The breed possesses steady, moderately active and sweet demeanour which makes it a wonderful friend for a child.

The Slovakian Chuvach has descended directly from polar Arctic wolf that inhabited the highland areas of Europe up to the brink of glaciers well before the Ice Age. Its natural habitat covered the huge territory on the northern slopes of the Caucasus, the Balkans, the Carpathians, the Tatras, on the northern slopes of the Abruzzi mountains, the Alps and the Pyrenees.

The local people have been practicing farming in the mountainous regions of Slovakia for centuries. The Slovakian Chuvach was indispensable assistant in pastures and played an important role in prosperity of the Slovakian economy. Slovaks who dwelled in the highlands of the country have always been exempted from traditional forced labour. They were occupied by protecting their borders and were not obliged to pay a lot of taxes as they give away their famous white cheese instead of cash taxes.

These mountainous dwellers were always accompanied by their white dogs, which helped them in their guarding and herding duties. The Slovakian Chuvach has also effectively served as a good watchdog and faithful companion. The buyers of the farming products from the lowlands of Slovakia were enchanted by these sweet little puppies with gorgeous white fur and often brought them along to their homes. In the flat country the breed gradually became a symbol of prestige mostly because of its impressive appearance.

In the beginning of the XX century the Slovakian Chuvach experienced severe decline in its number for a number of reasons. Its popularity as a herding dog diminished alongside with the loss of the former significance of herding practices in Slovakia. Aftermath of the Second World War also worsened the position of the breed and back then it may be considered as virtually extinct.

The breed is owed its survival to Professor A. Hruza of the Brno School of Veterinary Medicine. He launched an extensive breeding program after World War II and established the «Golden Well» kennel, which produced enough high-quality litters to ensure the longevity of the Slovakian Chuvach in its native country. The written standard of the breed was set up in 1964 and it was granted an international recognition in 1969. This breed is quite popular in the Central Europe as a companion dog and has an approval of the United Kennel Club (UKC).

The Slovakian Chuvach is first of all a working breed and it has acquired the character, which is the most appropriate in working environment. It’s a remarkably attentive, fast and quick-witted dog with kind and balanced temperament. This breed tends to display high level of affection and devotion towards people it loves. It also likes spending time with children to whom it usually develops particularly tight attachment.

Its qualities as a protector can be compared to the Caucasian but it’s usually substantially less aggressive than the above-mentioned breed. The Slovakian Chuvach is predisposed to show a great deal of wariness in front of an unfamiliar person and it won’t allow to be petted by him/her. This vigilant animal has developed territorial instinct and it won’t back down from the confrontation if the situation has gone beyond control. That’s why it will become a first-rate guard dog without an unwelcomed tendency to be overaggressive. This breed also has the necessary features to become an exceptional watchdog, which will attentively and permanently scan the surroundings for the signs of possible danger.

The majority of the Slovakian Chuvachs are friendly creatures, which will be tolerable of home cats and other small animals if properly socialised with them. As far as strange dogs concerned this breed has mixed reputation. Certainly it won’t tolerate the violation of the borders of its territory and will fight to death in order to defend it. As a rule the Slovakian Chuvach behaves itself with appropriate manner with other canines especially if it has been communicating with them since the early age.

The most common problems for the breed include:

• canine hip dysplasia.

The Slovakian Chuvach will require much of your attention and time in order to maintain its coat in a reasonable condition. It has long lavish hair, which should be brushed every single day in order to prevent mats and tangles from developing. This dog should be bathed often in the spring season and less frequently during the rest part of a year.

The Slovakian Chuvach sheds very intensely but fortunately it’s rather a seasonal shedder. Be prepared to more vigorous brushing during these periods in order to reduce the amount of hair on your carpets and clothing.

The Slovakian Chuvach is fairly susceptible to training and it usually learns fast and easy. Since this dog was forced to make multiple quick and tough decisions during its work with a herd it has developed in independent and confident animal. It’s imperative that the handler should be an authoritative and self-assured leader in the dog’s point of view.

The training of this breed should be based on the principals of regularity, consistency and positive reinforcement. The Slovakian Chuvach will respond with open defiance or even aggression if you treat it unfairly or harshly during training session. The breed works best when stimulated with gentle voice and food incentives so be mindful of that in training process.

The exercise regimen of the Slovakian Chuvach should include at least an hour walk each and every day since this dog demands considerable amount of the physical activity. The breed is an avid digger but this issue can be eliminated if it spends enough time playing and running.

The Slovakian Chuvach that has no opportunity to release its excessive energy will most likely develop unwanted behavioural habits for instance chewing, being hyper active, destructing things, or peeing at home. Basically the breed is more advisable for families with active lifestyle, which won’t mind to include their dog in their outdoors activities.