Hovawart
VS
Sarplaninac
Hovawart vs Sarplaninac
Compare Hovawart and Sarplaninac 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
Sarplaninac
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
58 – 70 cm
57 – 62 cm
Weight
25 – 50 kg
30 – 45 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 14 years
11 – 13 years
Child friendly
4/5
3/5
Energy level
4/5
3/5
Intelligence
4/5
3/5
Trainability
4/5
3/5
Health
4/5
3/5
Grooming needs
2/5
3/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
3/5
3/5
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
Sarplaninac
Large
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 Sarplaninac
The Sarplaninac is a large, rustic Balkan livestock guardian, calm and serious yet deeply loyal to its family. It has a thick weatherproof double coat and strong territorial instincts, needs space, firm but fair handling, steady exercise, and careful socialization with strangers and other dogs.
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