Stephens Stock vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Stephens Stock vs Hovawart - Breed ComparisonStephens Stock is originated from United States but Hovawart is originated from Germany. Stephens Stock may grow 20 cm / 7 inches shorter than Hovawart. Stephens Stock may weigh 7 kg / 16 pounds more than Hovawart. Both Stephens Stock and Hovawart has same life span. Both Stephens Stock and Hovawart has almost same litter size. Both Stephens Stock and Hovawart requires Low maintenance.

History

stephens stock - historyThe Stephens Stock is a member if the Cur dog breeds. They are a scent hound bred in southeastern Kentucky by the Stephen’s family. For generations the dogs were simply known as the “little black dog”. The Cur breeds are dogs with a mixture of ancestry and the Stephens Cur is no different. However, the name Cur now means a working dog from the South in the United States. They were known as hunting and guard dogs, chasing wild boar, squirrel and raccoon. They were also called the Mountain Curs throughout Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.

These mountain working dogs came close to extinction by the 1940’s but four separate breeders set out to save the Mountain Curs. They were the founders of the Mountain Cur Club and involved Woody Huntsman of Kentucky, Carl McConnel of Virginia, Dewey Ledbetter of Virginia and of course Hugh Stephens of Kentucky. Later the name of the club was changed to the Original Mountain Cur Breeders Association or OMCBA. The Mountain View Cur, the Treeing Cur and the Stephens Stock Cur were the results of their efforts.

In the 1970’s Stephen’s decided that his Cur was different from the original Mountain Curs and should be a separate breed. He formed the Stephen’s Breeders Association and the breed was recognized as distinct from other Curs. However, it was not recognized by the UKC (United Kennel Club) until 1998.

hovawart - historyThe Hovawart, is a German Black Forest breed developed as a guard dog for large estates in the medieval era. They first appeared in history in the early 13th century as heroes who saved the German son of a castle lord, despite being injured themselves. The boy they saved grew up to be a German legend. He wrote the oldest German code of law that remained from medieval times. In it he names the Hovawarts as a dog that if you are responsible for hurting, stealing or killing it, you must pay for it or replace it. No other dog had this protection.

In the late fifteenth century Hovawarts were featured in Heinrich Mynsinger’s “The Five Noble Breeds”. This guard dog breed was esteemed on a level with the hunting dogs – their health a question of life or death for their owner. In the 1500’s the popularity of the breed began to fade. The GSD or German Shepard Dog began to replace the Hovawarts as the preferred guard dog.

By the early 20th century the breed had almost disappeared but were saved by breed enthusiasts in the early 1900’s. Zoologist Kurt Konig was prominent in this effort and went looking in the Black Forest area for dogs working on farms. Using the dogs, he found on these farms, Konig began a breeding program crossing the them with Newfoundland’s, Kuvazoks, Leonbergers, GSD, an African hunting dogs and Bernese Mountain Dogs.

By 1922 the first litter of these pups was entered officially into the German Breeding Registry. In 1937 the Hovawart was recognized by the German Kennel Club. However, many members of the breed died in World War II as they were used widely by the military and not many were left by 1945. Once again breed enthusiasts came to the rescue forming a Coburg Hovawart club. This club still exists and in 1964, for the second time, the breed was recognized by the German Kennel Club. Other countries also began to take notice of this working breed.

The Hovawart has many skills in addition hunting and guarding. The Hovawart does not work for people, he works with them as he is a very independent thinker. He is also good at search and rescue and tracking. An owner of this breed must be stronger, smarter, more alert, intentional and consistent than his Hovawart. These are not dogs for the faint of heart or first-timers.

Description

stephens stock puppy - descriptionThe Stephens Stock Cur is a breed of medium size, dark dogs – either very dark grey or black. Their heads are domed, and the muzzle is short with dark eyes. The breed’s chest is broad and deep with a neck of medium length and either a rough or smooth coat. They are smaller than the other Curs like the Black Mouth Cur or the Mountain View Cur.

They are strong and capable of treeing their prey. Their body is longer than it is high, and they have powerful and long legs. Their appearance is sleek and elegant. The nose is dark and square, and their stance is alert and that of a watchdog. This is an athletic hunting dog that is aggressive in the field and chilled at home.

hovawart puppy - descriptionThe Hovawart is a proud and majestic dog and his looks match his character. He looks a bit like the Golden Retriever with a powerful and broad forehead. His skull and muzzle are the same length and his nose is black. His oval eyes are a medium to dark brown and his ears are high set and triangular.

Their chests are strong, broad and deep. The breed has strong legs straight in front with round, strong and compact feet. They are heavy boned with dense, long coats that lie flat and have a slight wave to them. The coat can be black and gold, blond or black.

Characteristics

Characteristics

stephens stock dog - characteristics1. Children friendliness - They are tenacious on the hunt but once at home they love children.

2.Special talents tenacious – treeing prey

3.Adaptability They are adaptable if you can get them the exercise, they need every day. They won’t do well in an apartment without going to play and run somewhere else every day.

4.Learning ability - highly intelligent, eager to learn.

1.Children friendliness yes, they are good with children.

Special talents

hovawart dog - characteristicsThey have a great sense of smell and a well-balanced personality.

Adaptability

They are not indoor dogs and should have a yard to run in. They do not tolerate hot weather well. They do great out in the country.

Learning ability

They are intelligent independent thinkers. They lengths well with positive reinforcement.

Health Problems

stephens stock puppies - health problemsThe Stephens Stock Cur is a fairly healthy breed, fairly isolated in the hills and mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee. They are prone to a few health conditions but there are no genetic and breed specific issues.

  • PRA Progressive Retinal Atrophy can lead to blindness.

• Ear and Eye Infections. Keep them clean and keep debris out of both ears and eyes after hunting.

  • Deafness is seen in some.
  • Dental issues have been seen in some.

hovawart puppies - health problemsThough their isolation protected them from genetic health issues for centuries, once they were being rejuvenated and mixed with other breeds some common issues began to show up. These include:

  • Underactive thyroid
  • Hip Dysplasia – can cause arthritis or lameness
  • Osteochondritis – causes joint pain in shoulders mostly
  • Liver Shunts

Caring The Pet

stephens stock dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy -Feed puppies a quality food desired for medium breed, high energy dogs. Puppies should eat 3 times a day about a total of 2 cups.

2.Feeding the adult Feed a high quality dog food with plenty of protein and designed for medium size dogs. Feed a total of 3 cups over 2 meals a day.

3.Points for Good Health – They are energetic and tenacious.

4. Games and Exercises – This is a very high energy treeing hunting dog with remarkable speed and agility. They need exercise – both physical and mental. One walk a day will not do it for these dogs. Have a fenced in yard or take them to organized activities like field trials, agility, flyball, hunting, search and rescue or barn hunt. They love to hunt with their people.

Feeding the puppy

hovawart dogs - caringFeed breed specific high quality dry food for puppies. Feed 1-2 cups in 3-4 meals per day

Feeding the adult

Again Feed breed specific high quality dry food for adults. Feed 2-3 cups per day in 1-2 meals per day.

Points for Good Health

Points for Good Health – Stamina

Games and Exercises

The Hovawart needs plenty of exercise. Remember this is a mountain farm dog used to working all the time. Walk or jog with them daily. They can excel at field trials, obedience, search and rescue, agility, flyball, therapy dog, and service dog.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Working dog
Origin:
United States
Germany
Height Male:
35 - 50 cm
13 - 20 inches
58 - 70 cm
22 - 28 inches
Height Female:
32 - 46 cm
12 - 19 inches
51 - 68 cm
20 - 27 inches
Weight Male:
41 - 58 kg
90 - 128 pounds
25 - 51 kg
55 - 113 pounds
Weight Female:
39 - 55 kg
85 - 122 pounds
22 - 49 kg
48 - 109 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 6
6 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Stephens' Stock Mountain Cur Little black dog Little Darkies
Hovie
Colors Available:
Black or dark gray; white markings may appear on the neck, and feet , chest
gold and black, gold, blonde
Coat:
Short, smooth/rough outer coat; short, dense, soft undercoat
long dense
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Aggressive, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Playful
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  2. Presa Canario vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  3. Pyredoodle vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  4. Maremma Sheepdog vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  5. Sarplaninac vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  6. Mountain View Cur vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  7. Native American Indian Dog vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  8. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  9. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  10. Mucuchies vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  11. Shepherd Husky vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  12. Slovak Cuvac vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  13. Southern Hound vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  14. Taigan vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  15. St. John's Water Dog vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  16. Tornjak vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  17. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  18. Tibetan Mastiff vs Hovawart - Breed Comparison
  19. Hovawart vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  20. Hovawart vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  21. Hovawart vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  22. Hovawart vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Hovawart vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  24. Hovawart vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  25. Hovawart vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  26. Stephens Stock vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  27. Stephens Stock vs Pharaoh Hound - Breed Comparison
  28. Stephens Stock vs Basenji - Breed Comparison
  29. Stephens Stock vs Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  30. Stephens Stock vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  31. Stephens Stock vs Hungarian Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  32. Stephens Stock vs Redbone Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  33. Stephens Stock vs Bluetick Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  34. Stephens Stock vs Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  35. Stephens Stock vs Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  36. Stephens Stock vs Bavarian Mountain Hound - Breed Comparison
  37. Stephens Stock vs Basset Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  38. Stephens Stock vs Santal Hound - Breed Comparison
  39. Stephens Stock vs Beagle-Harrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Stephens Stock vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  41. Stephens Stock vs Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie - Breed Comparison
  42. Stephens Stock vs Alpine Dachsbracke - Breed Comparison
  43. Stephens Stock vs Basset Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  44. Stephens Stock vs Podenco Canario - Breed Comparison
  45. Stephens Stock vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  46. Stephens Stock vs Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  47. Stephens Stock vs Chippiparai - Breed Comparison
  48. Stephens Stock vs Podenco Andaluz - Breed Comparison
  49. Stephens Stock vs Podenco Galego - Breed Comparison
  50. Stephens Stock vs English Foxhound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds