Is the Canaan Dog Better than the Hovawart as a Pet? Answer…

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Canaan Dog Versus Hovawart: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog and the Hovawart.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog or the Hovawart.

Canaan Dog versus Hovawart: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Canaan Dog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, the Hovawart belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs 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.

Canaan Dog versus Hovawart: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog and the Hovawart

Factor Canaan Dog Hovawart
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Height 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 29 inches
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
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
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Weight 35 to 55 pounds 55 to 110 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $600 No Data
Price Range $600 – $600 No Data
Temperament Score 62.5 percent 91.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Hovawart is 78 out of 125.

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

    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 Canaan Dog and the Hovawart so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Canaan Dog and the Hovawart

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

  • Canaan Dogs adapt well to apartment living. However, Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Canaan Dogs are very easy to train. However, Hovawarts are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Canaan Dog and the Hovawart

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

  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Hovawart do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Hovawart are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Hovawart are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Hovawart are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Hovawart do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Hovawart are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Hovawart are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Hovawart shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Hovawart are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Hovawart have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Hovawart are very playful.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Hovawart are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Hovawart are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Canaan Dog versus Hovawart

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

    Canaan Dogs weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Canaan Dogs are 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 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 Canaan Dog versus Hovawart

    The lifespan of Canaan Dogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Canaan Dogs is 13.5 years.

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

    Canaan Dogs live longer than Hovawarts.

    Temperament of the Hovawart Versus the Canaan Dog

    The Hovawart has a better temperament than the Canaan Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Hovawart is 91.7 percent while the temperament score for the Canaan Dog is 62.5 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 62.5 percent, the Canaan Dog has a below-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 Canaan Dog and the Hovawart by measuring the temperaments of 8 Canaan Dogs and 24 Hovawarts.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Canaan Dog versus Hovawart

    Canaan Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.

    Do Canaan Dogs shed more than Hovawarts?

    Canaan Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Hovawarts shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Canaan Dog or the Hovawart

    Canaan Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Canaan Dog or the Hovawart?

    Canaan Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Hovawarts are very easy to groom.

    Does the Canaan Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Hovawart?

    Canaan Dogs 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 Canaan Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Hovawarts?

    Canaan Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Canaan Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Canaan Dogs can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Canaan Dog vs. Hovawart

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

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

    Can Canaan Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Canaan Dogs 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 Canaan Dog or the Hovawart?

    Canaan Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Canaan Dogs good family dogs? What about Hovawarts?

    Canaan Dogs 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 Canaan Dogs and Hovawarts?

    Canaan Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Canaan Dog Easier to Train than the Hovawart?

    Canaan Dogs are very easy to train.

    Hovawarts are not easy to train.

    Is the Canaan Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Hovawart?

    Canaan Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Canaan Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Canaan Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Canaan Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Canaan Dog:

  • Dutch Shepherd (78 percent match with Canaan Dog). Here is our comparison of the Hovawart vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Hovawart

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Hovawart that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Hovawart:

  • Catahoula Leopard Dog (78 percent match with Hovawart). Here is our comparison of the Canaan Dog vs Catahoula Leopard Dog.
  • Spanish Mastiff (81 percent match with Hovawart). Here is our comparison of the Canaan Dog vs Spanish Mastiff.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Canaan Dog and how the Hovawart compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Canaan Dog and of the Hovawart to other breeds:

    Canaan Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Canaan Dog versus Scottish Terrier     Canaan Dog versus Kuvasz     Canaan Dog versus Pug     Canaan Dog versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Canaan Dog versus Giant Schnauzer     Canaan Dog versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Canaan Dog versus Finnish Lapphund     Canaan Dog versus Airedale Terrier     Canaan Dog versus Cesky Terrier     Canaan Dog versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Canaan Dog versus Basenji     Canaan Dog versus Dogo Argentino     Canaan Dog versus Dutch Shepherd     Canaan Dog versus Maremma Sheepdog     Canaan Dog versus German Longhaired Pointer     Canaan Dog versus Dachshund     Canaan Dog versus Plott     Canaan Dog versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Canaan Dog versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Canaan Dog versus Sussex Spaniel     Canaan Dog versus Italian Greyhound     Canaan Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer     Canaan Dog versus German Longhaired Pointer     Canaan Dog versus Peek A Poo     

    Hovawart Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Hovawart versus Norwegian Buhund     Hovawart versus Swedish Vallhund     Hovawart versus German Shepherd Dog     Hovawart versus Pomchi     Hovawart versus Kooikerhondje     Hovawart versus Puggle     Hovawart versus Maremma Sheepdog     Hovawart versus Belgian Tervuren     Hovawart versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Hovawart versus French Bulldog     Hovawart versus Welsh Terrier     Hovawart versus Sheepadoodle     Hovawart versus Great Pyrenees     Hovawart versus Whoodle     Hovawart versus Dalmatian     Hovawart versus Akbash     Hovawart versus Peek A Poo     Hovawart versus Maltipoo     Hovawart versus Schnoodle     Hovawart versus Lowchen     Hovawart versus Goldador     Hovawart versus Saluki     Hovawart versus Korean Jindo Dog     Hovawart versus Italian Greyhound     Hovawart versus American Hairless Terrier     

    Conclusion: Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog and the Hovawart better suits you and your family.