Breed Comparison: Boerboel Versus Hovawart

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Boerboel Versus Hovawart: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Boerboel and the Hovawart? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Boerboel and the Hovawart better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Boerboel and the Hovawart.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Boerboel and the Hovawart is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Boerboel and for the Hovawart. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Boerboel and the Hovawart.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Boerboel or the Hovawart.

Boerboel versus Hovawart: Overview

A very important difference between the Boerboel and the Hovawart is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Boerboel is a giant-sized dog while the Hovawart is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Boerboel and the Hovawart are Working Dogs. This means both the Boerboel and the Hovawart were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Boerboel versus Hovawart: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Boerboel to the Hovawart based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Boerboel and the Hovawart

Factor Boerboel Hovawart
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Weight 110 to 200 pounds 55 to 110 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Height 22 to 28 inches 23 to 29 inches
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $2660 No Data
Price Range $2225 – $3000 No Data
Temperament Score 94.7 percent 91.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • HYPERURICOSURIA
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Boerboel in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Hovawart. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Boerboel is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Hovawart is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Hovawart is a better pet than the Boerboel. So, you should get the Hovawart!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Boerboel and the Hovawart so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Boerboel and the Hovawart

    Below is a list of where the Boerboel and the Hovawart are most different:

    • Boerboels have a very high tendency to drool. However, Hovawarts do not have the tendency to drool.

    The Similarities Between the Boerboel and the Hovawart

    The Boerboel and the Hovawart are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Boerboel and the Hovawart are most similar:

    • Both the Boerboel and the Hovawart do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Hovawart are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Hovawart do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Hovawart do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Hovawart are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Hovawart are not easy to train.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Hovawart can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Hovawart are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Hovawart get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Hovawart are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Hovawart are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Boerboel and the Hovawart are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Hovawart do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Hovawart require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Hovawart are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Boerboel versus Hovawart

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Boerboel and the Hovawart.

    Boerboels weigh 110 to 200 pounds when fully grown. Boerboels are 22 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Hovawarts weigh 55 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Hovawarts are 23 to 29 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Boerboel versus Hovawart

    The lifespan of Boerboels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Boerboels is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Hovawarts is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Hovawarts is 12.0 years.

    Hovawarts live longer than Boerboels.

    Temperament of the Boerboel Versus the Hovawart

    The Boerboel has a better temperament than the Hovawart.

    This is because the temperament score for the Boerboel is 94.7 percent while the temperament score for the Hovawart is 91.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 94.7 percent, the Boerboel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Hovawart has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Boerboel and the Hovawart by measuring the temperaments of 57 Boerboels and 24 Hovawarts.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Boerboel versus Hovawart

    Boerboels do not like to be left alone.

    Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.

    Do Boerboels shed more than Hovawarts?

    Boerboels shed moderately.

    Hovawarts shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Boerboel or the Hovawart

    Boerboels have a very high tendency to drool.

    Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Boerboel or the Hovawart?

    Boerboels are very easy to groom.

    Hovawarts are very easy to groom.

    Does the Boerboel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Hovawart?

    Boerboels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Hovawarts have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Boerboels Bark and Howl? What about Hovawarts?

    Boerboels bark and howl, but not very much.

    Hovawarts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Boerboels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Boerboels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Boerboel vs. Hovawart

    Boerboels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Hovawarts do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Boerboels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Boerboels can tolerate hot weather.

    Hovawarts can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Boerboel or the Hovawart?

    Boerboels do not get along well with other dogs.

    Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Boerboels good family dogs? What about Hovawarts?

    Boerboels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Hovawarts are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Boerboels and Hovawarts?

    Boerboels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Hovawarts get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Boerboel Easier to Train than the Hovawart?

    Boerboels are not easy to train.

    Hovawarts are not easy to train.

    Is the Boerboel Better for Apartment Owners than the Hovawart?

    Boerboels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Boerboel or the Hovawart?

    Boerboels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Boerboel versus Hovawart. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Boerboel and the Hovawart better suits you and your family.