Other Names: Slovak Cuvac, Slovak Chuvach, Tatransky Cuvac, Slovak tschuvatsch.

The Slovak Cuvac is a Slovak breed of dog, bred for use as a livestock guard dog. This breed is also known as Slovensky Cuvac, Slovak Chuvach, Tatransky Cuvac and Slovensky Kuvac—is closely related to the Hungarian Kuvasz. The alternate German and English spelling Tchouvatch reflects the pronunciation: chew-votch( čuvati – in the Serbo-Croatian language – guarding). The breed is recognised under sponsorship from Slovakia by the FCI with the name Slovenský čuvač. Despite the multiple renderings in English, these refer to only one breed. The United Kennel Club in the US uses the English version of the name Slovak Cuvac.

History

Slovak sheep farming has a very old tradition. The Slovak Cuvac, together with mountain sheep, the Hucul horse, and typical inhabitants of the mountains, formed the fundamental economic preconditions for the utilization of pastures for cattle. The inhabitants of the Slovak mountains were mostly free people who defended the frontiers and paid duties in sheep’s cheese. The institution of these people was called “Valassky Opasok” and its centre, until the abolition of serfdom, was Košice. The members of this shepherd military system did their service on mountain meadows with their companions – the hearty white dog called the Slovak Cuvac.

A good watchdog, guard, shepherd and companion, the dog proved itself also in watching cattle, turkeys, and other domestic animals – as well as its master’s household. Holidaymakers and visitors to the mountains and spas took to this breed and began to carry it to the lowlands. The Slovensky Cuvac is used on sheep farms and mountain ridges as well as homes and frontiers. He is boundlessly loyal and stout-hearted. He resists every enemy – bears and wolves included. According to the time-honoured shepherd’s tradition, he is always bred in white to be discernible from the beasts of the night.

This breed has been well documented as far back as the 17th century. However, as wolves slowly began to disappear from European mountains and modern herding practices were instituted, the Cuvac was faced with the prospect of being seen as a relic of the past. What few specimens were left in the 1950s were bred carelessly. Credit for reviving the breed and fixing characteristics is due to Dr. Antonin Hruza, in cooperation with the veterinary school of Brno.

The registered breeding of the Slovensky Cuvac was established in Czechoslovakia by Professor Antonin Hruza from the Veterinary Faculty in Brno on June 4, 1929. The Club of the Breeders of Slovak Cuvac was established in 1933 and a written standard was established and approved in 1964 Dr. V. Kurz). The basic breeding material came from the vicinity of Liptovska Luzna, Kokava and Vychodna as well as from Rachov in the Carpathians.

Description

The body of Slovak Cuvac is slightly longer than higher. Strong and straight ridge goes – way to the lower back – a little bit sloped. Strong square butt is slightly sloped, too. The low-placed tail is worn hanging, reaching hock joints. Chest reaching to the elbow joint and chest’s width can be compared to circa one-quarter of scapula’s height. Ribs are well rounded and achieving long back. Belly and flanks are slightly pulled. Long scapulas are slant laid. The Slovak Cuvac has straight legs placed vertically to his body and well angled. The front paws are compact, rounded. The back paws are a little bit longer. The neck is as long as head.

The wide and elongated skull is a little bit arched, but the top of the head is flat. With side view are a straight line of top of the head and straight line of nose’s ridge parallel. The stop is well apparent. The supra-orbital arcs are marked, the frontal groove is flat. The wide and heavy mouth is slightly narrowed to the top of the nose and is a little bit shorter than the skull. The lips fit tightly. The ears are placed high, reclined and fitted tightly to the head. The ear points are rounded. The eyes are oval-shaped with caps fitting closely, straight placed at the head. The Cuvac has scissors occlusion.

The fur is dense and rich, centre parting at the ridge is not allowed. Covering hair, which is constituted by the hair with 5-15 cm length, completely covers the shorter, dense and soft undercoat. Male dogs have a collar around the neck. The fur is pure white. A yellowish tinge by ears is permissible, but not desirable. The eyes are brown. Muzzle, lips edges and eyelids, like the paw pads, are black.