Hovawart - Any experiences? - Page 2

The lady that Hexe mentioned, Christa, I have personally met and trained with her and her dogs several years ago. She worked her dog Finder at the club that I use to train with..To me they did not have a golden retriever temperment at all.... the ones I saw were as Hexe said more like the GSD.. the only difference is they are a little more openly social and not as reserve/neutral with people like the GSD. 

I have also seen a few at some dog shows doing obedience...  Several years ago I was thinking about getting one. I personally like the breed.

You all are making me even more serious about importing one (or more,lol). I'm not the only one, I guess. I tried to look up breeders here so I could meet some and they are virtually non-existent. 

 I have met several here in Washington state. None were working Schutzhund, but saw no reason they couldn't. They didn't seem to be quite so handler focused as GSDs. 

I know someone who owns a male and does schutzhund with him.  Nice dog, very handler focused.  I'm not an expert so I can't comment on the quality of his work.  Based on what my friend has told me, they're very rare in Illinois.  

I have looked into getting one as well.  Merlin vom Hause Luka is one of my favorites.     

He is a handsome dog, Searackel! It would be fun to do IPO with one, I think.

If they are rare in Illinois, they are even rarer in Nebraska. Nobody comes to Nebraska! LOL

Thanks for commenting everybody. I appreciate you all sharing your experiences, as it doesn't look likely that I will be meeting one any time soon. :)

In our club here in Germany we have a hovawart breeder that trains IPO with his male, he competed in the German hovawart IPO championship with him last year.  Through him I know quite a few, none are really high class IPO dogs, but able to work, not at all like goldens.  Here is his website, his male his covered quite a few females, even in England. 

http://www.hovawarte-vom-kesseltal.de/