What Is A Kuvasz?
Kuvasz is the white, large dog who hails from Hungary. In Hungarian, the plural of Kuvasz is “Kuvaszok”. It is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. The signature appearance includes white coat, almond shaped eyes and black nose. Kuvasz’s white coat is very adorable and beautiful to behold, so they became popular as “fashion dogs”.
They are strong and well-muscled. They have a sweet expression and are very protective of their families. They don’t like to live away from their people. It is recommended to train your Kuvasz dog at a young age.
How Long Do Kuvasz Live?
The Kuvasz average lifespan is 10-12 years. Some dogs can live more than 3 years, when you take proper care of them. There are several factors that determine the life expectancy of the Kuvasz. It includes size, general health and breed of the dog.
Common Health Problems That Reduce Kuvasz lifespan
Kuvasz is prone to certain diseases that can reduce their lifespan.
Von Willebrand’s Disease:
Von Willebrand’s Disease is an inherited blood disorder. It is caused by the deficiency in clotting factor VIII antigen. In this disease, blood doesn’t clot properly in the Kuvasz’s body. Unfortunately, the Kuvaszok are a bit more likely than other dog breeds to develop Von Willebrand’s Disease.
The common sign and symptoms of Von Willebrand’s Disease are:
- Excessive bleeding after the injury/surgery.
- Bleeding gums
- Nosebleeds
- Bleeding in intestine
- Bleeding in stomach
Osteochondritis Dissecans:
This is a degenerative bone disease that affects the bones of Kuvasz. It is usually seen in large dog breeds like Kuvaszok. Osteochondritis Dissecans begins during the growth phase of the dog and affects the shoulder, ankle and elbow joint. The dog limps due to severe pain. Overweight can also contribute to the development of this disease.
Complete rest is recommended in this disease. Surgery is also an option to remove the torn cartilage pieces.
Hip and Elbow dysplasia:
It is an inherited disease in which joints are not properly developed. Hip and elbow joints are more prone to develop dysplasia. The signs begin with the lameness in the dog’s led and has difficulty getting up from lying down on the floor. Hip and Elbow dysplasia lead to arthritis. It reduces the lifespan of your Kuvasz.
The treatment of arthritis is necessary to reduce the pain and discomfort. X-rays are used to detect this disease. Surgery can be performed in severe and life limiting cases.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy:
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is an eye disease that affects the Kuvasz. It is an inherited disorder that can lead to blindness. This disease is not painful but also not curable. In some cases, the early symptoms are night blindness and dilated pupils. It commonly begins from 3 to 5 years of age. Progressive Retinal Atrophy can be detected through a genetic test.
Tips To Help Your Kuvasz Live Longer
Exercise:
Kuvasz needs some exercise to burn calories that makes them healthy and fit. Physical activity prevents boredom, otherwise, they can develop naughty behavior. Exercise and walking can help to increase the lifespan of your Kuvasz. Exercise level depends upon the age and health status of your Kuvasz. Ten minutes in the backyard or a few walks down the street is enough.
Diet:
Kuvasz grows very rapidly, but they require proper nutrition to maintain healthy growth. The amount of food varies for each dog. The general recommendation is ½ to ¾ cups of food split into several small meals every day.
Fully grown Kuvasz need 2.75 to 4.25 cups of food split into several small meals in a day. For keeping your Kuvasz in a good shape, it is important to feed them 2 times a day rather than leaving food for them all the time. You should also consult the veterinarian for your dog’s dietary needs. Food quality food and prevent your Kuvasz from many diseases and help to enhance the life expectancy of them.
Living conditions:
The Kuvaszok are not recommended for apartments. They are not suitable for apartments and can live in large yards. It is best to keep them in the close yard, so they can protect themselves from cold climates and also enjoy their lives.
Grooming:
Brush your Kuvasz’s coat a couple of times a week to prevent formation of mats. Pin brush is best for this purpose. If your dog gets matted, you can use a large toothed comb and conditioning spray. The Kuvasz coat is odorless and does not require regular bathing. You can clean your Kuvasz’s coat by sprinkling cornstarch or talcum powder on it.
Trim your Kuvasz’s nails once a month to prevent distress and scrapes on the floors. It is also important to brush your dog’s teeth once a week to remove tartar buildup from it. Brushing your dog’s teeth also helps to remove infection causing bacteria from the mouth.
Health concerns:
You should take your Kuvasz to the veterinarian for regular checkups. Kuvasz are more prone to develop bone diseases. You should provide your Kuvasz proper nutrition to prevent them from these diseases. Moreover, veterinarians can help to diagnose the disease in the beginning and treat it on time. It will help to prevent the early death of your Kuvasz.
Final Words on Kuvasz Life Expectancy
Kuvaszok are large dogs with bold personalities and playful hearts. This dog can love and protect you unconditionally. It is recommended that you should keep them if you have a large yard. They are not suitable for apartments. The average lifespan of Kuvasz is 10-12 years old. Proper care and affection can help them live 3 more years.
They are prone to certain diseases. So, it is important to provide them with good quality food. You should also give them safe and chewable toys that can prevent them from many injuries. You can ensure that your Kuvasz is getting moderate exercise because it can affect his lifespan. If you take care of your Kuvasz, he may live a longer life.