Hovawart vs Dutch Schapendoes
Compare Hovawart and Dutch Schapendoes 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
Dutch Schapendoes
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
58 – 70 cm
40 – 50 cm
Weight
25 – 50 kg
12 – 20 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 14 years
12 – 15 years
Child friendly
4/5
4/5
Energy level
4/5
3/5
Intelligence
4/5
3/5
Trainability
4/5
3/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
2/5
2/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
3/5
4/5
Aggressiveness
4/5
3/5
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Characteristics
Hovawart
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Low grooming
Protective
Easy to train
Giant
Dutch Schapendoes
Great with kids
Low grooming
Medium
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 Dutch Schapendoes
The Dutch Schapendoes is a medium, shaggy-coated Dutch herding dog, lively and agile with a bouncy gait. Cheerful, people-oriented and playful, it suits active families. Intelligent but independent, it needs positive training, regular mental exercise and frequent grooming.
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