Famous Hungarian dog breed on the verge of extinction

One of the oldest Hungarian dog breeds, the Kuvasz, is drastically decreasing in number and is very close to extinction. The breed has been in a similar position during WW2, but thanks to dedicated breeders, they managed to save the breed from extinction. Let’s hope that we will be able to save them once again.

Index reports that the Hunnia Kuvasz Tenyésztői és Kulturális Egyesület [Hunnia Kuvasz Breeding and Cultural Organisation] is trying to raise awareness for the increasingly decreasing Kuvasz population. Back in 2016, the Hungarian dog breed’s popularity was rapidly increasing, and their numbers kept growing abroad. Unfortunately,

according to official data, there are only 1,800 registered dogs left, and the annual population growth is around 150-250 dogs, which means that the ancient Hungarian dog breed is on the verge of extinction.

The organisation is constantly working on ways to revive the breed; for example, they inform the public about the breed’s past.

Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org by Vkovesz

The Kuvasz is one of the oldest and most popular Hungarian dog breeds.

Their breeding is under state supervision. The Kuvasz arrived in the Carpathian Basin with the Hungarian people around 895 A.D. These dogs were primarily guarding dogs whose job was to keep an eye on the livestock, as opposed to the Komondor who served as sheepdogs.

It is not the first time in history that the breed is close to extinction. During and after the Second World War, the Kuvasz population in Hungary drastically diminished, and the breed almost disappeared because German and Soviet soldiers actively sought out and killed almost the entire population.

The organisation is also trying to discover new ways to revive the beloved dog breed. They think that it requires development both in quantity and quality, as well as dedication and commitment.

The organisation is building a family of top-notch female dogs with very strong genes in order to establish a quality founding breeding stock, which will take approximately 5-10 years.

According to the organisation, there is a need for national unity to raise awareness for the possible extinction of this prestigious Hungarian dog breed, and try to do anything we can to stop the breed from extinction.

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Photo: allbigdogbreeds.com

Featured image: Commons.wikimedia.org by Erdelyi kopo

Source: www.index.hu