HISTORY
STANDARD  FCI 142
General Characteristics -Temperament - Buying your SC -grooming a SC -
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Slovensky Tchouvatch
Dog Club Of America
S.T.D.C.O.A.
FCI-Standard #142 04.06.1996/english

Slovensky Cuvac - Slovensky Tchouvatch - Slovak Cuvac - Slovakian Chuvach

TRANSLATION: Mrs. Chris Seidler

ORIGIN: Slovakian Republic

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL  VALID STANDARD: 18.08.1965
corrected 04.06.1996

UTILIZATION: This derives from his age old use as a shepherd and mountain dog in bare high mountain regions and as a guard dog for farms and borders.
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I.: Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs).
Section 1 Sheepdogs.
Without working trial.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: The breed group of white mountain dogs is derived from Artic wolves, whose remains from pre-ice age have been preserved in the
mountainous regions of Europe to the edge of the glaciers. These are the north slopes of the Caucasus, specially the Tatra, the northern slopes of the Abbruzzi and Alps and
finally the Pyrenees. In these colder and damper area, the alleged type of mountain dog is also accompanied by remains of flora and fauna whose nearest location were still
found in Scandinavia by the Swedish explorer Wahlenberg. A similar connection with  Nordic domestic animals we can, for example, find in bthe Tatra and Carpatian region with
the Huzul horses, whose nearest relation is the Gudbrandstal horse. So it is with the Tatra Chuvach, whose Nordic analogy is the Pomeranian Shepherd dog (Pommersche
Huetehund) and others.
Sloak alpine farming has a very ancient tradition. The Tatra Chuvach, together with the mountain sheep, the Huzul horse and the typical mountain inhabitants, form the basis for
an economy which assumes the utilization of the pastures through animal husbandry.
The Slovak mountain people were largely free people, not suppressed by medieval forced labour, which protected the frontiers and paid its dues merely in the form of "sheep
cheese".
Their organization was called "Wallachiser Bund (Union)(Valasski Opasek), whose centre (until the repeal of forced labour) was in Kaschau. The members of this, basically,
herding and military organization, carried out their service on the mountain meadows, always together with their typical dogs, the watch dogs of the Tatra and they were always
depicted with them.
As good guard, watch dog and companion as well as guide for the shepherds, the Tatra Chuvach  has also proved his worth in the guarding of cattle, driving poultry and other
domestic animls to pasture, as well as guarding different objects.
Holiday makers visiting the mountain farmers to buy cheese and other products found pleasure in the thickly coated puppies and so transferred the breed to the lowlands, where
they were not seldom regarded as a luxery breed because of their unusual appearance.
On the Polish side of the Tatra, where a similar breed, the Goral Dogs (Mountain Dogs), are kept, specially powerful animals are called "Liptauer" by the people which points to
the Slovak origin. So the breeding region of the Tatra Chuvach has a topographic boundary.

The Stud Book of the Tatra Chuvach in Czechoslovakia was founded more than seventy years ago (1933) by Prof. A. Hruza of the Brno Veterinary College. The basic material
stemmed from the area of the places Liptosvska,Luzna, Kokava, Vychodna v. Tatrach and the neighborhood of Rochovo in the Carpatians.
The first breeding establishment had the name " Ze Zlate studny" ( of the Golden Fountain) and was founded in Svitavy and Brno. The Carpatian Kennel had the prefix " z
Hoverla" (of Hoverla). Since then the club for Tatra Chuvach breeders, with its headquarter in Bratislava, has kept exact records and held exhibitions, assessments, competions
and shows in all regions of the republic. Further old blood linesstem from the places Liptovske Hole, Velky Choc, Zakapane, Martin, Jedlova and Jeseniky.
The widest spread lines are those of Topas, Uran, Simba, Hrdos, Ibro, Cuvo, Bundas, Dinar, Samko, Bojar, Olaf and others.
Genetically, the Tatra Chuvach can be characterised as a "leucistic" Mountain Dog with  black muzzle and to a lesser part as "flavistiv" dog with brown m uzzle and paler eye.
From the combination of the men tioned genetic types, of which the former is dominan t, stems a certain difference in the shading of colour, of the pigmentation of the eyelids,
eyes, muzzle, lips and membranes.
Through strict selection favouring the first type, the judges and breeders achieved the type required by the following standard and its stabilising by breeders.
The number of club members with breeding stock and kennels has recently been counted as towwards 200. Living registered dogs, at present in the republic, numbers nearly
800 ( my comment: old number)
The quality of our breeding of the Tatra Chuvach is confirmed by favourable assessment at international shows (Prague, Brno, Liberec, Bratislava, Leipzig ( my comment: Nitra +
Pribylina) and others. and this with strong foreign competition.

STANDARD FCI  142
GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Tatra Chuvach's breed characteristics conform in type with those of a mountain dog of firm constitution, impressive appearance and thick white
coat. He has a strong bon, a lively temperament and is vigilant, fearless and alert.
For centuries he has been accustomed to the harsh climate of the Slovakian mountain, espacially the Tatra mountains. His formatis well within the shape of a moderate
rectangle, the body resting on strong rather high limbs. His vigilance and alertness helped to give him his name, as the Slovakword "Cuvac" means to hear.
BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT:
He is boundlessly faithful and courageous, always ready to fight off any intruder, be it even bears and wolves. In order to distinguish him from wild beasts in the night, he is,
according to ancient tradition, only bred in white.
HEAD:
CRANIAL REGION:
Skull:
Strong, longish in shape, broad between the ears. The broad forehead has a shallow furrow tapering away towards the rear. Superciliary ridges are in proportion and slanted
siteways. Top of head flkat. Neck clearlydefined from strong, moderately protruding nape of neck. Top of head, in profile, slightly domed compared to bridge of nose.
STOP:
Moderate;
FACIAL REGION:
Nose: Black, especially in summer.
Muzzle:
Straight in profile and about half length of head, fairly broad, tapering towards the front. Strong, of medium length, blunt.
LIPS:
Close fitting, corner of mouth closed. Mucous membranes black, forming a narrow, not overhanging frame to the mouth. Medium thickness. Palate black.
JAWS/TEETH:
Strong, always with complete scissor bite.
Eyes:
Dark brown, oval shape, set in horizontally. Eyelids black, close fitting. Membrane in the inside corner of the eye dark, making the eye expressive.
EARS:
Set on high, mobile at set on. Of moderate length hanging, lying close to head. Half way down, the ear has finer hair. When in repose, the rounded lower edge reaches to mouth
level.
NECK:
Set on straight. Carried high when alert. In male dogs very powerful with good name. No dewlap.
BODY:
BACK: Straight. Of mediuym length and strong.
LOIN: Moderately arched. Well attached to the sacrum, muscular, very strong and adequately long.
RUMP: Strong, broad and slightly sloping.
CHEST: Broad. Sternum bone reaching up to  the height of shoulder joints.
RIBCAGE: Well sprung ribs. Sternum above half height at withers and reaching lower than ellbows. The length of the ribcage exceeds half the body length; its breadth is a
quarter of the height at withers.
RIBS: Arched, inclined towards rear and forming a clear transition to the flanks.
BELLY: Belly and flanks appropriate, moderate tuck up.
TAIL:
Set on low. Standing and in repose hanging low, reaching to hock joints. Shape straight like a cigar, not curled tip. When moving carried curled over loin.
LIMBS:
FOREQUARTERS: Position straight, pillar-like, with good angulation of upper arm and elbow. Feet strong, round, tight. Legs generally rather long, specially in males.
SHOULDER: Well laid back and long. Upper arm muscular and firmly attched to the body, inclined towards elbow.
FOREARM: Vertical, strong, muscular and long.
PASTERN JOINT: Bony and strong
PASTERN: Short, strong and moderately inclined.
FRONT FEED: Strong toes and nails, firmly arched and round in shape. Well coated, with fleshy black pads.
HINDQUARTERS: Buttocks, together with upper thighs, from a muscular whole, longish in shape and of consderable breadth.
STIFLE: Well muscled and well angulated.
SECOND THIGH: Sloping, strong,well muscled.
HOCKJOINT: Strong, with blunt angle; rathetr low set but well defined and large.
HOCK: Short and strong. Position vertical. There is no restriction at transition to hock.Dewclwas undesired.
HINT FEED: Are slightly longer than front feed, otherwise same shape. Toes somewhat stronger and more arched.
GAIT/MOVEMENT:
Surprisingly light footed in spite of his powerful build, agile and quick, in every terrain and in all weathers;l with preference for trot.
SKIN:
Loose on body, otherwise close fitting. Skin pink; black pigmentation only round the eyes, the neck and muzzle where it merges with the black mucous membranes. Pads also
black.
COAT
HAIR: With the exception on head and limbs, the hair form a dense coat without a parting on the back and without feathering on tail and buttocks. Males have a striking name. Hair
is short and close on head and legs, slightly longer on rearside of legs. Short hair gradually merges from set-on of ears into the mane. Undercoat is completely covered by long
hair in top coat. The latter is 5 to 15cm. Most wavy on mane, elsewhere moderately wavy, forming numerous waves across the back which merge into each other. Single waves,
not joined, are undesired.
Required is a light dense coat.
UNDERCOAT: hair fine and dense, in length up to half or two thirds of hair of top coat. The undercoat is shed during summer, so the coat loses its density, but remains light
throughout the year on account of the wavy topcoat, which forms no parting on the back.
COLOUR:
white. Yellowish shading at set on of ears permitted but not desired. Distinct yellow patches are not permitted.
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
Height at the withers:
Dogs      62 to 70 cm
Females  59 to 65 cm

Dogs          36 - 44 kg
Females     31 - 37 kg
MEASUREMENTS:
                        Dogs                       Females
Length of Head (average)         25-28cm                 23 - 26cm
Length of cranial region            13-15cm                 12 - 14cm
Length of facial region              12-14cm                 11 - 13 cm
Height at sternum level             33-37cm                 30 - 35 cm
Depth of chest                          30-34cm                 25 - 30 cm
Length of body                         69-76cm                  60 - 72 cm  
Length of ribcage                     40-47cm                  37 - 44 cm   
Girth of chest behind shoulder 70-83cm                  68 - 72 cm
Girth of chest at last floating rib60-70cm                 56 - 65 cm

Angulation of joint:
Shoulder:     107degrees
Elbow joint:  145degrees
Hip joint:       90 degrees
Stifle joint:   110 degrees
FAULTS:

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:
published June, 08. 2008
updated: August, 18. 2008
Gay Ford
is our special person to take care of
Slovensky Cuvac, looking for a new home!
send us an email, if you need help!
Slovensky Cuvac
What is a "Slovensky Cuvac"?
What does the breed look like?
Which different exist to the other white
European breeds?
What is their temperament?
What is their heritage?
What kind of work they are breed for?
Are they still capable working dogs?
Do they make good companions and
family dogs?
Is the "Slovensky Cuvac" the right dog
for you?
These and other questions will be addressed in
this article.
read and find out more about these wonderful
dogs:
Slovensky Tchouvatch
Slovak Cuvac
Slovensky Cuvac
Slowakian Cuvac!
General Characteristics
The "Slovensky Cuvac" is a large, white
shepherd dog of great facial beauty, with
luxuriant, medium length coat and pleasing,
atheltic overall proportions.
The thick double coat is typically light wavy,
without crests and swirts.
The coat is thick and longer around the neck
and chest where it forms a mane, which is
more prominent on the males.
The back of the front leg is lightly feathered (not
featured at the behind legs and the back of the
thighs and the tail are covered with longer
(10-15cm) thick hair
The tail, carried like a cigar low to the level of
the hook unless excited, when the tail will curl
up to the level of the loin.
The colour of the coat is always (prefered)
white, even a little yellow touch is allowed.
No markings!  The selfcleaning fur requiring
minimal care, aside from brushing. The skin is
prefered darkly pigmented; dark brown eyes,
black nose (some have a changing nose -
meaning: summertime it is a little bit pink), lips
and pads dark with dark nails .
The eyelids and lips are tight, without any
droopness.
The males are larger (65-70cm) than the
females (60-65cm).
The "Slovensky Cuvac" is not a massive dog,
not does it posses heavy bones, good muscle,
Slovensky Cuvac in good condition are able to
"trot" for 30km at even speed without any effort.
The Slovensky Cuvac imporesses the eye with
strength and activity, comined with extremly
lightfoodness.
Temperament
The Slovensky Cuvac is described




Buying your first Slovensky Tchouvatch
Buying a pure breed dog like a Slovensky Cuvac
you are entiteled by Law to receive that dogs
S>T>D>C>O>A registration certificaste at no
extra charge. Your individual dog will be
identified by a tatoo or a microchipnumber
shown on the certificate.
There will be some delay, while the certificate is
registered in your name, but don't go without it.
The registration is your guarantee of purebred
stock, your proof of ownership and an important
protection for the breed. Furthermore,
unregistered dogs are barred from taking part in
any American Kennel Club sanctioned events.
Buy your dog from a breeder!!
Only when yoiu buy from a breeder, can you
really kniow what you are getting. The breeder
can introduce you to the dogs's mother and
father and possibly other members of the family.
You will know in what environment your dog has
been raised. You will get a complete health and
vaccination record and your puppy will have
been wormed, tattooed or microchiped for
identification. A breeder can give you helpful
advice about your puppy based on years of
experiences with the breed. A breeder remains
interested in the dogs from his kennel and is
always glad to hear how the dog is making out in
his new home - at shows or in breeding.
Socialization and Training of a
"Slovensky Cuvac!
You need to take time for the early training and
socialization with your puppy and you will have
to be an active participant in the process.
The socialization and training is an absolute/ If
you can not committ the time  for this, then this is
not thethe breed for you!
Spending time early on 2will bring the joys of a
wonderful loving compagnion who will also be
your best friend and protector.
The fuirst 8-10 weeks at the breeders place is
most important. The Socializing begins at birth,
and continous past maturity. This will train the
puppy to discriminate between something that is
simply new or unusual, and a threat.
Socializing requires your taking out the puppy to
different places where he can gain exposure to
the world and the different situations he will
expirience in his liufe with you.
Let him met new people
offer to him new novel situation
both, in and outdoor of the home.
Puppy obedience classes are very helpful.
visiting the "mall", dogparks or even a longer walk
through streets ...;
Be sure, you puppy has all the vaccination and
immunization shots before venturing out (usually
15weeks-20weeks)
Grooming and Coatcare
Please visit our site "contactus/guestbook" and let us know about your relationship to Slovensky
Cuvac - !