Hovawart - the name means something like 'farm guardian' was described even during medieval times, but it's not certain that the modern breed originates directly from those dogs. It was mainly in the south of Germany that the modern hovawart was born, in the early 1900s. The breeders were trying to restore the look of the medieval dogs and made sure to preserve its ability to work, especially its guarding instinct. Today, the breed has proved itself within the schutzhund sport, but others as well. It can be kept as a companion but requires a lot of activation.

The hovawart should be powerful and rectangular in the body. The chest is deep, the boning heavy, but the dog must never appear clumsy or heavy. The head is powerful, the ears set high and carried close to the cheeks. The tail is long and carried hanging, it may be curved during movement. The coat is thick, slightly wavy and longer on the chest, underside, backside of the legs and on the tail.