livestock guardian dogs: impervious to wind, rain, cold also livestock guardian dogs: convinced warm soapy water will kill them

There is an urban legend around my hometown in Hungary about a kuvasz that was kept as a housekeeper. Once the family left the house leaving their little kid at home. Thieves broke in to the house and faced the little kid. They asked him was there anyone else home with him. The kid answered yes, only Peti. 'And how old is Peti?' The kid answered 8 years old. The thieves calmed down and proceed with their 'duties'. However it turned out that Peti is an 8 years old kuvasz with a not so uncommon behaviour that he let people in but not let them out of the property. The family arriving home was only need to call the police because Peti managed the rest. :D

have you considered presenting their blown out fur to owners on pickup kinda like "so here's you first dog, and here's the other dog we extracted from the one you brought in!"

he behaves extremely well for a Kuvasz with a stranger! wow!! congrats to his human companion, who raised him well!!!

As a Hungarian I can tell that I have never seen such a gloriously groomed kuvasz EVER! What an awesome job you did there.

You should do a little contest at the end or each quarter for 'best furnado', and 'grinchiest feet'!!! That would be so funny ❤😂

He's pretty cute attacking the air tube of death and also nonchalantly kicking up your flowers hahaha

Finally! 😀 I'm Hungarian, and never thought you would ever groom one of "our" breeds. Vizsla dogs have hardly any fur, pulis and komondors require a technique that you say you don't provide. Kuvasz dogs are not as easy to train as a vizsla or a puli, and they are considered to take quite a long time to be friendly with strangers (but are very good guard dogs and loyal to the owners). They sometimes just refuse to obey strangers. They are more common in the countryside than in a house or a flat. So, all in all, he behaved v well for a kuvasz! One more thing to add to the history - at the end of World War 2, the kuvasz was nearly lost as a breed. High rank German army officers were impressed with their fierce loyalty and simply "took" them home, leaving just a handful in Hungary. It was years after the war that dozens of those dogs were taken back to Hungary and they could carry on with the breeding. Thank you for making him look so beautiful!

When I was a child, our first dog was a kuvasz named Bundás. Very sweet dog. My brother was a toddler who was learning how to walk. The dog saw him wobbling and trying to grab the wall, and was worried, so he ran over and stood next to my brother to prevent him from falling. Bundás was the best boy 💔

I lost it at the poor garden flowers being kicked up :'D Fellow Hungarian here, haha, it was very nice to see this beautiful dog in your care ♥

I love how gently he grabs onto the grooming tools. He may hate them, but he will only grab. No biting for this good boy.

YES! I was hoping we'd see a Kuvasz on here! We just lost ours last month at the age of 10. We got ours from a breeder in South Carolina who breeds from actual Hungarian stock (American-bred Kuvasz tend to have some Pyrenees in them and are bigger). "Challenging" is a good word for them. They're very smart and very independent, have incredibly selective hearing, are not trustworthy for one second off a leash, and like Kylo here, they can be a little neurotic about certain things. And their guarding instincts are incredible. When I was dating my now-wife about 25 years ago, we went walking her parents' two Kuvasz on a popular trail. The second we sat down on a bench, the bigger of the two immediately turned a 180 and sat facing the trail watching our backs, with no training whatsoever. They are also assertive and will generally sort their pack structure out via combat when they get together, but after everybody has established their pecking order, all is good. I miss our Bator so much, but it's awesome to see a Kuvasz get some time on your channel and Kylo is absolutely gorgeous. (BTW, little fact to add on: These dogs were almost driven to extinction during World War II. Apparently the Germans in Hungary and the government there thought they'd make good guard dogs. They didn't, they're way too independent (like most LGDs). Especially when Hungary was occupied in 1944 by the Germans and then invaded by the Red Army in 1944-45, they were almost completely wiped out because they were too troublesome to the armies. Fortunately enough were saved to rebuild the breed stock, but that's why a lot of Kuvasz look suspiciously like curly-furred Pyrenees, because they have some Pyr or Maremma in them. Ours, and it looks like Kylo here, was purebred from Hungarian stock, 100% Kuvasz.

I love the "that's just rude" bit. You're not just an excellent groomer, you're hilarious as well. Beautiful dog.

I am Hungarian. We had a Kuvasz when I was a kid. I had a book with pictures and descripitons about all breeds, each on different pages. There was one word at the bottom of the page about each breed, a very characteristic feature. Kuvasz was: incorruptible. Their loyalty is no joke❤

The Kuvasz is a Hungarian breed of flock guardian dog known for its considerable fighting abilities, yet it possesses a rather calm and affectionate nature. 😍😍😍

the funniest part about seeing herding/livestock guardian dogs' grooms (at least, assuming they're working dogs) is that they look so fabulous at the end and you know that the moment they get home they'll go roll around in mud or dirt or poop

Just like being in a snow globe during the drying process! I really like this guy. You can tell he's very intelligent and loyal.

Gotta say that Kylo's owner made an exceptional job at socializing him. Kuvasz really loves their owners and pretty much only them. And they can even be agressive towards stangers (which is understandable, considering their original job), but it was nice to see him behave so well.

So many Hungarian dog breeds have such beautiful curly coats!

Másnapra nyilván megint úgy nézett ki, mint egy normális kuvasz, nem mint egy modell. Good boy! :D

5:33 So sweet of him to help you with your gardening! 🤣I imagine he fertilized it later as well!

OMG! A KUVASZ! I don't know why but I'm so happy to see a dog originating from my home country. You did a really great job on him.

King Matthias is already a legendary figure in Hungary, to hear he was a dog-lover too just makes him that much more of a legend to me

as a hungarian , the one dog breed i am terrified of, is the kuvasz. they are super territorial and mostly they are left alone on fields and they get little to no training. they only accept their owners and if they go loose they terrorize the neighborhood. on another end, i always blame the owners of these doggos, for neglecting them. so i really love to see one that is being taken care of

My mom once visited a friend who had a kuvasz. This dog knew my mom. My mom stepped inside the fence, and the dog let her in; she made it to the house, but her friend was not home. She wanted to leave, but then the kuvasz didn’t let her, he didn’t come too close but he was growling every time my mom tried to near the gate. It started raining, but my mom had to wait for two hours outside in the pouring rain until her friend came home. She really is a dog person and dogs adore her, but the kuvasz was like ‘maybe I know you, but I make fucking sure you won’t cause trouble to my master’.

He's a handsome boy. And what a talented singer! That was so kind of him to share the song of his people with you.

Komondor, kuvasz, puli, pumi, mudi. The five wonderful Hungarian sheperd dogs, all so beautiful ❤❤❤

The pupper looks so happy after his grooming session.👍

Fun fact: King Matthias also built a separate little castle (it was for hunting but we usually call it dog-fort) for them in my home town, or so the urban legend goes.

Looks like a lab, acts like a german shepherd and vocal as a huskey. What a beautiful dog. Nice work as always

I have never seen a dog that was so vicious with Vanessa’s flowers. lol

As a hungarian it's great to see this dog breed, they are amazing but strong minded dogs.

I am from Hungary. These dogs are a fantastic and noble breed, but people know to treat them with the utmost respect. There was one of our neighbors had one when i was a kid. He used to lock her in when someone entered their garden, and to get friendly with her was a whole process. She also got extra cranky when she got old. They are fantastic guard dogs, but I you want one as a pet, please do your homework before getting one.

She was lucky with this dog, here in Hungary I guess no one would want to approach a kuvasz .... and since summers have been always hot here, his fur and its seasonal changing are just perfect for all seasons. Thanks again for the educational part.

You don't kiss an unfamiliar kuvasz, unless you wish to loose your face 😂 I love seeing the breed abroad, kuvasz is an amazing guard dog! Even though they live on farms and work with livestock, they are not herding dogs, they are guard dogs, protected the herd from wolves and bears. Extremely strong willed dogs, will protect you and your property with their lives and strangers won't enter without invitation, unless they have death wish. Great dogs, requires lots of training, so the owner of this dog did an excellent job!

He seems to be on the smaller side. I’ve had an opportunity to see a Kuvasz in his natural habitat, on a Hungarian farm, and this good boy was massive. Approaching from a distance you could see the house and a white hill next to it - a gorgeous Kuvasz which I could easily put at 200lbs. Not only was he laid back and gentle, but had the most communicative eyes I’ve ever seen in a dog. Had he opened his mouth to speak then and there (some 30years ago), I wouldn’t have been surprised. It felt like an encounter of a third kind, he left such a deep impression on me that I remember him to this day. Glad you’ve had an opportunity to meet this breed and show it to us. ❤

Great job as always Vanessa! A bit of advice though, Kuvasz suffer from old-age induced severe grouchyness and aggression. So if this guy rocks up later on and seems a bit off, don't hesitate to notify the owner. An old boy called Willy was kept at my great aunt's farm, and was always fenced off in the backyard to protect the chicken and the pigs. (Also, to protect my 12-year-old self from him.) Going in to feed him, or take care of him was always a dicey move, since he was unpredictable even towards my great aunt. But she didn't have the heart to put him down, since the dog didn't actually hurt people or livestock, provided of course they stayed clear of his fenced off little territory. One day a relative in the village complained that someone has been nipping into their pantry and stealing their smoked and aged suasages that they were selling at the farmer's market. Not having a dog, it was easy to find a way into, what was essentially, a slightly modernised homestead. An idea was hatched to "lend" Willy, to spice up the thief's escapade. Needless to say a few days later, as the relatives were coming home one night, Willy's unique brand of security got results. The neighbour was waiting for them on top of the property's fence, frozen in the less than dignified "gargoyle" pose, with sausage in one hand outside of the fence, and his hand in Willy's mouth on the other side. Surprisingly Willy didn't just outright crush his hand, and even the flesh wound wasn't that bad. Of course the neighbour wasn't in much of a mood to experiment, for obvious reasons. The sausages were paid for in full. Not soon after Willy passed away peacefully of old age, with a full set of teeth and no bodily deterioration to speak of. Not exactly a family pet, but a darn good dog nonetheless.

Finally, a kuvasz! * - * They are such a lovely and misunderstood breed here in Hungary; some people think they are dangerous and unpredictable when really, they are just not for anyone who's willpower and stubbornness will be weaker than the dog's. :D They are lovely and kind when not working, and they can get grumpy and very inward when they got old, but I think they are amazing dogs, and very good at their job. Plus, they look stunning.

As an experienced large dog owner and a former owner of a Kuvasz; think long and hard before getting a Kuvasz. They are the hardest breed to train and they can be unpredictable (anyone that says they make good "pets" is likely just trying to sell them). I would only get another if I was on a farm and had sheep to protect. We love the videos! PS - I'm never going to Clifton Hill again on Canada Day!! :)

I remember these dogs were very popular 40 years ago and I frequently met them at private houses. All of them was very protective of the property without any training. Not a friendly dog with strangers at all, including guests and is quite unpredictable with them. It was the dog I really feared of the most. In the other hand shepards valued them very high because it could kill volves. This dog was breed to make independent decisions at night during guarding the property, so sometimes you have to make clear who is the boss in the pack.

A friend of mine lives out in the Hungarian countryside, about 20 minutes outside of the town of Kecskemet. He has a 2 hectare plot, and one winter some of his neighbours were burgled. A few days passed, and he woke up one morning to see his kuvasz called Vandor (Wanderer) sat in the snow at the back door with his face covered in blood. Scared that the dog had been hurt, he gave him a very careful examination: all was well. The dog then led him, very proudly, to a spot in the woods surrounding the house, around 50m from the fence. There had clearly been a battle, with blood everywhere, red snow, and bushes crushed down. My friend followed the trail of blood to the fence, where he saw that someone had cut the fence: his kuvasz had obviously heard this, and set up an ambush between the cut in the fence and the house: well away from where the dog normally slept. It was good in your video that the owner was still there: a kuvasz separated from its owner is a very dangerous dog indeed. They were bred to defeat wolves and bears attacking livestock, and are very good at their job!

What a beautiful lad. A true king, good boy, pup, clean canine, and even in some circles you might say "dog".

Kyle is so sweet, and adorable. Poor fur baby was nervous. He behaved quite well for his 1st groom.

I have a kuvasz as well. (She also often sings the song of her people ...) They are wonderful creatures. The most fierce, brave, stubborn yet the most gentle and sweet dogs at the same time. They are smart, their instincts' are very strong. Here in Hungary most Kuvasz dogs have wavy or curly hair, males can grow up to 150 lb.

Awesome temperament on this fella. A dog that is enjoying the experience does not really get points for being co-operative but a dog that is being challenged by the new experience and STILL remains polite even when stressed - THAT is a great temperament right there.

Kuvasz are fiercely protective. Alexander Solzhenitsyn kept a couple at his house in America out of fear of Soviet agents. My dad's friends had one and it was so protective they had to keep it in the bedroom when he visited.

It makes me happy that you're highlighting all the wonderful livestock guarding dogs! As an owner of a rescued Anatolian Shepherd I have a soft spot for them.

"King Matthias only trusted his dogs and not people. It seems we have something in common" Vanessa's boyfriend: ☹️☹️☹️

My Kuvasz lived to be 14 years old. They are a natural guard dog & must be socialized from a young puppy. They can be so loving with their flock/herd but can be a nightmare to strangers. KUVASZ are not for people looking for a laid back dog like a Retriever so do research about Kuvasz & what they need. Love KUVASZ ❤

Profoundly Loyal is an understatement. I am a licensed carpenter and I work and build for one customer only. A large rural property, and lots of people think it's ok to come on the property to look at the buildings. They bought two Hungarian Kuvasz puppies, male and female. Anytime I had to bring in a new contractor I would have to introduce them to both dogs, 9 times out of 10 they wouldn't get out of their trucks. I don't care how big and tough you think you are, don't ever get aggressive to their owners. These dogs give one warning, they will deep growl in a way that will put a fear in you, you didn't know existed. They were like huge white teddy bears if they knew you. One contractor made the mistake of raising his voice to the owners wife, he wasn't hurt but I guarantee he needed new shorts.

Another amazing transformation especially for a 5 yr old that's never been professionally groomed. He thought you needed a new dryer nozzle so he was just helping you out 😂. I've never heard of his breed before. He was thanking you for the groom by fixing your flowers.

It's a good thing you have those bee keeper hats. Saves a lot of time removing hairs from everywhere.

After Kylo's first grooming session and saw him going through the flower bed🐾🐾 had me🤣🙃😂kylo was like take that🐾

Never thought I'd see a Kuvasz here! We had one for 12 years, and my great-uncle (former dog-breeder) actually wrote a book about the breed! Definitely not an easy dog to work with, they can be extremely wary of strangers. But once you gain their trust, they're a delight to have around, oh so much personality ❤️

This is a new breed for me. The face and ears are almost Labrador-like but the body and fur are larger and longer. Beautiful dog!

WOW!! I think I got some fur in my eyes!!! ...lol... Love hearing the pups sing the song of their people!!!

Amazing to finally see a Kuvasz on this channel! I have been in love with the breed for years even though I know I will never be able to own one.

What a beautiful doggie. He is not only a kissable dog but also a huggable poochie.

My family used to have a Kuvasz when I was younger. 'Challenging' is certainly an apt word, but I trusted her with my life whenever I went walking through the woods. Something I find interesting is that while the Kuvasz looks similar to the Great Pyrenees and the Maremma, it's actually a far more ancient breed, and is likely ancestral to both.

What a good boy! We used to vacation in Hungary every year and go to a friend of the family's horse ranch. He had a bunch of dogs and among them a beautiful Kuvasz called Balu. He was a free roaming guard dog but so friendly and gentle with us, and he had the most intelligent yellow eyes!

My first dog was a Kuvasz. A female, runt. She was a very high maintenance dog. But such a great companion and defender of the family. She would never accept treats while enduring situations she was uncomfortable. She was so loyal, like you said, however. She did have to be remined regularly that I was the boss, not her.

What's amazing is the dog's summer coat! It is so different from the winter. It is so much cooler. The secret is brushing away the dense undercoat the dog grows to help deal with the cold temps. The dog sheds this when the temps rise in late winter. Brushing helps them shed it. There will be lots of fluff in the brush. What is left on the dog are the finer, sleeker hairs of summer. This is why you do not need to shave them. Just patiently brush them regularly.

He's also a great gardener too. He did an amazing job tilling the ground for you to plant new flowers. 😂😂😂

Once, my friends and I took a bus to a soccer match in Debrecen (in Hungary) in the winter, in the heavy snow across to hungarian wasteland (Hortobágy). We stopped at near a restaurant (csárda), but many of us had to pee so badly. There was only 1 toilet inside, so I preferred to go next to the building. While peeing I noticed that the snow was growling in front of me... :D Then slowly I saw a long chain in the snow. Not one, but two! And then I noticed four pairs of pairs of eyes near me. I stood still and silent for about 10 minutes. Then I slowly backed away and ran into the restaurant... :)

You are bloody lucky with this VERY socialized kuvasz. Usually, they would catch your neck after 10sec... I had 2 of them...most loyal buddies ever!

Kylo looks great!! It is always fascinating to hear about the different dog breeds. Kylo is beautiful!

My dog is also Hungarian ... a Vizsla. They were nearly wiped out during World War II. They are the most loveable dogs. ❤️

What a transformation! And for a dog who's never been groomed, he took it quite well. But also: as soon as he was out in the open - so long to those flowers :)

My first pet for the first approx... 17 years of my life (I am 26). A kuvasz named Mongo. Definitely upheld the "protecting your house" part with great efficiency. Barked at everything and even handled critters in our backyard (and I was the only one to dispose of the corpses) Just seeing another one takes me back to those days.

Its so great to see a Kuvasz again. We had one when I was a teenager who would stay glued to your side. Very Stubborn and Very affectionate. And her warning bark was the deepest I've ever heard, even as a puppy. Thank you for showcasing this lovely gentleman. It reminds me of our girl.

What a beautiful dog! Watching you groom hurts my back.....that is really tough on the body, especially over time. Take care of yourself!

I have never heard of this breed but he is lovely. I like how he didn’t even flinch for the ear cleaning. And how he dug up your flowers in the end 😂❤

KYLO IS A BEAUTY. THANK YOU SO, FOR INTRODUCING SO MANY BREEDS ON YOUR CHANNEL. IT'S A DOG LOVERS PARADISE!!!!!!!!!!!

What a beauty Kylo is! Very well behaved considering he is 5 and that was his first professional groom.

I worked with Kuvasz for a long time, including Tanner the top winning Kuvasz ever in history! They are beautiful dogs and I feel incredibly lucky to have been trusted by so many of them over the years. I look forward to having one of my own some day as they are amazing dogs.

Floofy white dog week on both channels

It is a miracle that you have any flowers left in your beautiful garden!! Kylo is a stunning dog and huge, but not fat, just big. What a lovely boy! 💞

The before and after photos wow ! . I've only seen them on the dog shows , very pretty breed.

I remember when we had our own Kuvasv. We got it as a present from an hungarian friend of my father and named it as his race, Kuvos. We was exactly as you expect, energetic, independent but extremely loyal. Thank you for the memory you just unlocked!

I had a german shepherd/kuvosz mix dog. He was the best family and guard dog I could have ever hoped for. He wouldn't take treats from strangers and wouldn't eat food thrown to him unless we handed it to him ouselves, even meat. No one messed with us or our property. He lived to be just shy of 15 years old. Best dog ever. ❤

Ha! I subbed yesterday. I have been watching 2-3 of your posts each day for about a month, but I kept thinking, well surely I’ll lose interest soon. First, I don’t have a dog. Second, it’s the same process basically, right? But somehow you manage to keep my interest. I like your deadpan humor, your dedication to the animals and giving them the best groom possible, and the information you provide. Thanks for doing such good work, glad I finally subbed ❤

Am from Hungary, and am a big fan of this breed :)

I enjoyed Kylo singing the song of his Hungarian people🥰🥰

My granddad had one when I was kid. He was a gandarme when he was young (they were trained to tame dogs that are guarding farms) and later he did agricultural jobs so he learned how to handle dogs of the farms. He had may dogs over the years but the Kuvasz was the only one which we kids were not allowed to be without adult supervision. It wasn't a problematic dog, but he said that the Kuvasz species can be unpredictable especially as they get older.

Greetings from the heart of Hungary! We're here to gently nudge your attention towards the unique grooming needs of our beloved Kuvasz breed. Their luxurious coat isn't just for show - it's a vital part of their health, especially given their outdoor-loving nature. The secret to their radiant fur lies in the natural oils that work tirelessly to keep it waterproof. But here's the catch - it's of utmost importance not to wash away this natural sheen. It appears there's a misconception floating around about the correct way to care for a Kuvasz. Remember, a Kuvasz is not just a pet, but a cherished companion that demands particular attention. A dash of grooming here and there is perfectly fine, and a playful splash under the water hose can be quite refreshing (but only during the warm summer months). However, over-grooming can tip the balance and may be perceived as unkind to these magnificent creatures. It seems we may be dealing with a misunderstanding or perhaps a gap in knowledge here.

As a proud Hungarian I am thankful for this video and man this boi represents his breed perfectly❤️

The thumbnail for this video was EPIC 🤣

What a handsome boy!! My German Shepherd joined in singing the song of his people. Maybe y'all should have tried telling Kylo he was a good boy in Hungarian. 🙂

KOO-vahss. Emphasis on the first syllable and no z sound. Excellent video - the Kuvasz is a lovely breed (big babies when they aren’t guarding a flock) and it’s indeed exciting to see you featuring Hungarian breeds as many of them are rare and quite ancient. They are a collection of incredible working and herding dogs.

My grandparents almost always had a kuvasz. They are very intelligent, loyal guardian dogs. Glad to see people interested in the breed even abroad.

I want a Kuvasz so badly in the future, and it's obviously not a very common breed around here. I'm so, SO excited you've got one on your channel.

How could I not subscribe to your channel?? I love every one of your videos and look forward to each one. I've learned so much from you and your humour is an added bonus. Thank you! ❤

Oh my gosh, him casually butchering your flowers at the end 😂

He was so good about his paws being worked on-amazing. He trusted you and sensed your confidence.

I love this! ❤ More Hungarian breeds please, like vizsla, pumi, puli, the giant komondor and Transylvanian hound. And maybe just one more important info regarding kuvasz: they are really a one man dog and they can be very protective and dangerous, if not trained properly

love how he had his revenge by destroying your flowers :(

Wow - that is a big transformation. What a beautiful dog!!! You should quiz us on all the different breeds you've introduced us to!!! Amazing!

I bet he feels so much better after that furnado of marshmallow fluff. What a good boy!

Hi I’m Hungarian,and loved your video about the Kuvasz dog . Originally they were looking after the shepherds on the Hungarian plains. They love running in big areas, and they are controlling very well there properties. Each shepherds used to have three or four Kuvaszes and they could protect the flocks from the wolfs. There is only one golden rule, never put the Kuvasz on chains,because they would turn against the owners. They are a big fluffy bears , with huge heart . One of the best protector dogs , they love cold and freezing temperatures. They used to sleep outside with the shepherds . ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Bravo! He made a Pyrenean sheepdog from the beautiful wavy, characteristic fur of the kuvas. This way it doesn't look like kuvas anymore.