Hovawart vs Border Terrier
Compare Hovawart and Border Terrier side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Hovawart
Border Terrier
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
58 – 70 cm
28 – 40 cm
Weight
25 – 50 kg
5 – 7 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 14 years
12 – 14 years
Child friendly
4/5
3/5
Energy level
4/5
3/5
Intelligence
4/5
4/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
2/5
2/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
3/5
3/5
Aggressiveness
4/5
3/5
Characteristics
Hovawart
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Low grooming
Protective
Easy to train
Giant
Border Terrier
Super smart
Low grooming
Easy to train
Tiny
Summary
About Hovawart
Large, powerful German farm guardian with medium‑long weatherproof coat in black, black and tan or blond. Deeply loyal, calm and family‑focused, but reserved with strangers and strongly territorial. Intelligent, independent and late‑maturing, needing consistent training, mental work and ample exercise.
About Border Terrier
Small, sturdy terrier originally bred on the England–Scotland border to hunt foxes. Affectionate, bonded to family, yet independent with strong prey drive. Needs 1–2 hours of daily exercise, secure fencing, and kind training. Wiry, weather-resistant coat needs brushing and occasional hand stripping.
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