Sarplaninac vs Hovawart
Compare Sarplaninac and Hovawart 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
Sarplaninac
Hovawart
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
57 – 62 cm
58 – 70 cm
Weight
30 – 45 kg
25 – 50 kg
Life expectancy
11 – 13 years
10 – 14 years
Child friendly
3/5
4/5
Energy level
3/5
4/5
Intelligence
3/5
4/5
Trainability
3/5
4/5
Health
3/5
4/5
Grooming needs
3/5
2/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
3/5
3/5
Aggressiveness
3/5
4/5
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Characteristics
Sarplaninac
Large
Hovawart
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Low grooming
Protective
Easy to train
Giant
Summary
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.
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.
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