The Kuvasz is of Hungarian origin where it was often used as a personal bodyguard for nobility. Later, it became a good dog for herding sheep and watching the farmhouses. In World War II, the encroaching German armies practically decimated the species because they had to kill the dogs as they tried to take a farmhouse. The dogs would often warn the owners of potential intruders and also give its life to protect the family. It is a fierce guard dog that takes its role seriously.
The combination of intelligence, independence, and brute force made this dog an ideal bodyguard. It is faithful to whomever is its handler and to the family unit it perceives as its herd. It is quite protective, often assessing danger when none is there. It will first bark to try to warn off a threat with its booming bark. It is not afraid to attack and bite someone it doesn't like or that sees as threatening one of its charges. It is naturally suspicious of strangers and needs obedience training so that it can start to take its lead from its handler rather than from its aggressive instincts.
The dog has to be trained early, and luckily it is intelligent enough to pick up its training fairly quickly. The problem is that the dog is also obstinate and needs an owner that can learn to be firm and consistent. It will also try the patience of some of the most experienced dog trainers, as it has a mind of its own. The obedience training will need to be reinforced throughout its entire life to make sure it doesn't attack people it considers to be threats, while disregarding your commands to heel.
The dog requires a strong-willed owner because it will consistently test you. It is sometimes perceived to be manipulative and headstrong. If you are not comfortable taking a firm lead and asserting dominance, then the dog is likely to think you are pushover. This dog wants to be the dominant dog and it will try everything it can to assert that position.
The Kuvasz is also on a list of dogs that is considered cause to refuse homeowner's insurance. Guard dogs need to have obedience training early just to keep the owners from being held liable for not training the dog properly and subsequently having it cause harm to either property or someone else's person. Some subdivisions may refuse to allow you to have a Kuvasz as a pet even with obedience training. This is because the dog is a notorious barker that barks at any small thing, even during the night. If you want to keep your liability down and the neighbor's happy, make sure you get your dog obedience training if you decide to own a Kuvasz.
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