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Mauna
Kea Kuvasz
... quietly
making a difference.
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Mission
Statement
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To understand
and accept the AKC standard for the Kuvasz
as the basis for its' future, keeping in
mind the history and purpose of this
ancient breed. To use that combined
knowledge in a breeding program with the
goal of producing quality specimens,
healthy in mind and body, exemplifying the
standard in every way..
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The Kuvasz |
The Kuvasz is a livestock guard dog that originated in Hungary. It is a spirited dog of keen intelligence, determination, courage and curiosity. Primarily a one-family dog, the Kuvasz is devoted, gentle and patient without being excessively demonstrative. He needs human involvement to develop his social skills and must have a close relationship with his owner. He’s always ready to protect his home and loved ones with a particularly strong instinct to protect children. In spite of his territorial attachment, a Kuvasz can change homes successfully. He is polite to accepted strangers but rather suspicious and discriminating in making new friends. As a guard dog his is unexcelled, possessing the ability to act on his own initiative at just the right moment. He is bold, courageous and fearless. A Kuvasz must be socialized, trained, and made a member of the family. Adult Kuvasz females are 75-95 lbs, adult males are 90-120 lbs. The white double coat has a softer undercoat and a more coarse outer coat of guard hairs that repel dirt and water. A Kuvasz will shed like most coated dogs. |
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History
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Maddie...
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A
lifelong love of animals became a
serious passion with the purchase
of our first show dog in 1980.
This Golden Retriever (giving way
to Ridgepond Goldens) was worked
mainly in obedience but we
dabbled in conformation with him.
A second and third Golden soon
followed and in 1986, wanting
something more protective, we
obtained our first Kuvasz from
Oak Hill Kennels. This Kuvasz was
a 2 year old female with 4 points
toward her American Championship.
Conformation showing seemed the
next natural step and we were
soon bitten by the bug. Finishing
her championship proved fairly
easy, a breeding was planned and
in 1987 we whelped our first
litter of Kuvasz. Mauna Kea
Kuvasz was "born" during that
year on a trip to the Big Island
of Hawaii. Mauna Kea means "white
mountain" and seemed to fit these
big white dogs perfectly. The
true foundation bitch for Mauna
Kea was purchased in 1988 from
Koval Kuvasz in New York. Her
name was Koval's Manhattan
Transfer (Maddie). Maddie was
major pointed and while we never
finished her championship, she
has passed her beauty and
wonderful temperament on to her
offspring and given Mauna Kea the
reputation it has for outstanding
beauty and stable temperaments.
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Kennels |
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Our setting is
a relatively small and private operation
at our home on five wooded acres. It is a
passion not a profession. The dogs live in
a combination of the house and an
insulated kennel building with
indoor/outdoor runs and a double fenced
exercise and play area. All whelping is
done inside the house with no more than 2
litters per year. Pups are raised with
lots of time and attention to their care.
They are exposed to various sights and
sounds and are thoroughly socialized to
give them ample opportunity to gain
confidence and knowledge in the very
important formative weeks. Pups go to
their new homes at 8 weeks - giving them
the time with their mother and littermates
that is critical in their development, but
sending them to their new homes early
enough to bond with their new family and
surroundings. Pups spend time outdoors and
in the kennel setting as well so that they
become comfortable in that environment.
The adult dogs are worked with daily,
whether informally with play time or a
more formal training session for the show
ring. We utilize two area vet clinics for
our veterinary care and have the good
fortune to have one vet reside within a
few hundred yards of our home and
kennel.
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