Yes, with the supervision every breed deserves: the Hovawart's record with children reads Good with children. Supervision, respectful children and a dog allowed to walk away are the universal conditions; the Hovawart asks no others.
With energy at 4 out of 5, an unexercised Hovawart invents its own work; the official bill is 60 to 90 minutes, every single day. Children read dogs badly by default and dogs read children generously up to a point; the Hovawart's point sits where its Confident, loyal, intelligent and protective nature puts it.
For the record's growth table: the Hovawart passes 8 weeks at about 7 to 11 lb, 4 months at about 15 to 25 lb, 24 months at about 55 to 90 lb, and tops out at 55 to 90 lb and 23 to 28 inches. Standard colors: black, black and gold, and blonde. In the record's grouping the Hovawart is a Working breed, and its home ground is Germany.
A Hovawart that is included, exercised and allowed to retreat becomes the dog its Good with children rating describes, and the centre of family memory for years.
The record in one place: 23 to 28 inches at the shoulder, 55 to 90 lb, a lifespan of 10 to 14 years and 60 to 90 minutes of daily exercise. Most questions about this breed become easier once those four numbers are in view.
The Hovawart suits experienced, active households with space and a genuine working partnership to offer. Expect total devotion, professional guarding and a dog that regards the household as its estate. German breeders guard this breed's character carefully; owners describe a magnificent, serious companion: a yard watcher with a family's heart and a scholar's mind. Grandparents and childminders get the same briefing as the children in a Hovawart household: the signals, the retreat and the house rules, once and kindly.
Children old enough to ask for the dog are old enough for a share of its routine, and a Hovawart bonds fastest with whoever feeds and walks it.
School friends test the stranger record, Wary of strangers, more than any rating can; a Hovawart briefed by calm introductions passes it routinely. Barking scores 4 out of 5, so the Hovawart has a voice and uses it: announcements, comments and the occasional full report on the street outside.
Teaching the child is the faster half of the equation with a Hovawart: calm approaches, no neck hugging, and stopping when the dog moves away.
In herding and mouthy breeds it is common young behaviour, and it is managed, not punished: redirect onto toys, reward calm around running children and supervise until the habit fades. If it escalates or frightens the children, a behaviourist should see the Hovawart promptly.
Prey drive varies by individual more than by the family rating. Teach children never to run squealing with small pets loose around any dog; in a Hovawart rated Good with children, calm introductions on the floor, supervised, are the safe pattern.
Calmly, from the side, a hand offered low for sniffing and no reaching over the head. The Hovawart's record with strangers is Wary of strangers, which is the fairest guide to how it will read a strange child's approach.
Two breeds, one decision: the honest differences that matter day to day.
The honest Hovawart budget: food, insurance, year one and the lifetime total, worked out from the breed's own record.
The Black and Tan Coonhound with children, rated and explained: family life, supervision, other dogs and visitors.
Last updated: November 6, 2026