A Detailed Comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart.

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Flat-Coated Retriever versus Hovawart

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Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Hovawart: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever or the Hovawart

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Hovawart

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Hovawart: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Flat-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Hovawart: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Flat-Coated Retriever 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.

Factor Flat-Coated Retriever Hovawart
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder 23 to 29 inches
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 55 to 110 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1350 No Data
Price Range $1150 – $1800 No Data
Temperament Score 92.0 percent 91.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•  No Data

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 a Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Hovawart is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Hovawart is not better or worse than the Flat-Coated Retriever. So, you can get the Hovawart or the Flat-Coated Retriever!

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

    Flat-Coated Retriever versus Hovawart

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart

    Below is a list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart are most different:

  • Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with other dogs. However, Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Flat-Coated Retrievers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Hovawarts are not very friendly towards strangers.

    • The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart

    The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart are most similar:

  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Hovawart

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Flat-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet 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.

    Temperament of the Flat-Coated Retriever Versus the Hovawart

    The Flat-Coated Retriever has a better temperament than the Hovawart.

    This is because the temperament score for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 92.0 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 they 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 92.0 percent, the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart by measuring the temperaments of 87 Flat-Coated Retrievers and 24 Hovawarts.

    Flat-Coated Retriever versus Hovawart

    Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Hovawart?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Hovawart

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Hovawart?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Hovawart

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Hovawarts?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

    Hovawarts shed moderately.

    Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Hovawart?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers 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.

    Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Hovawart?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Hovawarts are very easy to groom.

    Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Hovawart?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Hovawarts are not easy to train.

    Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Hovawarts?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Hovawart

    Flat-Coated Retrievers 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.

    Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Hovawarts?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers 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 Flat-Coated Retrievers and Hovawarts?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Hovawart?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever:

  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (81 percent match with Flat-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Hovawart vs Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

    • 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 Flat-Coated Retriever vs Catahoula Leopard Dog.
  • Spanish Mastiff (81 percent match with Hovawart). Here is our comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever vs Spanish Mastiff.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Flat-Coated Retriever and how the Hovawart compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever and of the Hovawart to other breeds:

    Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Flat-Coated Retriever versus American Foxhound     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Saluki     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Kai Ken     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Silky Terrier     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Bernedoodle     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Norfolk Terrier     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Skye Terrier     

    Hovawart Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Hovawart versus Dalmatian     Hovawart versus Akita     Hovawart versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Hovawart versus Mastiff     Hovawart versus Dutch Shepherd     Hovawart versus Finnish Lapphund     Hovawart versus Valley Bulldog     Hovawart versus Great Dane     Hovawart versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Hovawart versus Great Pyrenees     

    Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Hovawart better suits you and your family.