Tasy vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Kuvasz is an ancient dog breed from Hungary. It is believed that the dog is the oldest of the ancient Hungarian dog breeds, and in fact a fossilized skeleton dating back to the 9th century, and almost identical to the modern Kuvasz, was found near Keszthely.

During the 15th century the Kuvasz became very sought after, being found in royal courts. Puppies were given as royal gifts. Later the popularity of the breed waned and then it was found in its traditional role of guarding livestock.

As Kuvasz numbers dwindled, breeding efforts were started but it is believed that other large dogs such as the Great Pyrenees were used with the Kuvasz to continue with the breeding programs.

In 1884, the first Hungarian standard for the breed was written. It was in 1966 that the Kuvasz Club of America was established.

Call them Tasy or Tazys these sighthound dogs from Kazakhstan have always been used for hunting. This Turkish dog is thought to be one of the oldest dog breeds in the world.

There aren’t many left in the world and the Kazakhstan government is putting steps into action to prevent the dog from becoming extinct.

These dogs are not recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale. Their ancestry is unclear, but the dog shares DNA with quite a few similar-looking breeds.

The beautiful Kuvasz is a large, muscled dog standing at 65 – 76cm in height and weighing 35 – 52kg. He has a double coat of dense white hair which can be straight or wavy.

It is natural for the dog to lose most of the long coat during the Summer months. In other words this dog has a seasonal coat.

The nose is black, the eyes brown and alert, the ears are of medium length and floppy and the tail is carried long and low.

Temperament:

The Kuvasz is an intelligent dog who will benefit from training and socialization. It is always wise to have large dogs like this trained because just his size can cause problems if he isn’t obedient.

He is also described as a clownish type of dog which means he’ll entertain and amuse you. Certainly he is playful as a puppy but he calms down quite a bit as he grows into maturity. He is independent, and those who have owned such a dog report that he can be loving and loyal with his human family, wanting to guard and protect them. Others will say that he tended to be aloof, even with his human family.

Used as working dogs, the Kuvasz has learned to be independent and they will need a firm, strong owner who is also fair with them, otherwise they just do their own thing. They’re active dogs and because of their size they won’t suit city living where there is a tiny garden.

The slender Tasy is a fairly large dog standing at between 55 to 72 centimeters in height and weighing in the region of 20 – 35g.

The dog has a short, silky coat and can be in a number of colors – fawn, grey, red.The tail is long and thin, the legs long and slender, the muzzle long and thin and the floppy ears are often folded back.

Temperament:

Independent and Intelligent, the Tasy will be easy to train. This is a gentle dog, not looking to get into trouble with other dogs. He gets on well with children and loves human companionship. They are known for their playfulness.

Kuvasz are guarding dogs, they’re intelligent and loyal, making them excellent family dogs with the right training and socialization.

They’re able to get on well with other pets in the home as well as children. He is a beautiful dog and another bonus is that he isn’t particularly high maintenance.

As is common with many other large-breed dogs, he will have a shorter lifespan than what you’d get with a smaller dog breed, but if you feed him high quality food, exercise him and involve him in your activities, this large dog can become a wonderful friend and protector for you.

The Tasy is such a beautiful dog and capable of making a splendid family pet and companion.

It is sad that these dog's numbers have dropped so much so that there is concern for its existence.

We hope that the Tasy's breeding programs meet with success and that this slender, attractive dog, such an ancient breed, will take his place firmly as man’s best friend.

The large Kuvasz is a healthy dog breed that with good care can reach 12–14 years of age. Being the large dog that he is, he may well be prone to bone and joint problems. It is why good nutrition is so important for this dog - feeding him the best food with vitamins and minerals.

You know the saying ...you are what you eat... and this applies to dogs too. Good food can help to ward off serious illnesses. Big dogs like this often have to contend with hip dysplasia which can be both painful and debilitating as well as eye diseases.

Entropion:

This is where the eyelid of the dog rolls inwards, causing irritation and pain for the dog. There is also Ectropion, where the eyelid rolls outwards.If you see your pet has a red eye which is watery and which has pus, visit your vet. Entropion surgery will correct and repair and condition.

Your Tasy is such a beautiful dog, you don’t want to see him getting sick, and yet there are some illnesses and conditions he can succumb to -

Hip Dysplasia:

Many large breeds, even slender ones, can be prone to hip dysplasia. This is where the joint’s ball and socket don't fit together properly. For your canine friend it can mean pain and arthritis, and you may find your pet making a huge effort to stand once he is lying down.

Obesity:

Any dog can become overweight, but it is more noticeable in slender-build dogs like the Tasy. Obesity pus unnatural pressure on the joints and it is also linked to other health problems. Every dog needs good food and good exercise.

Do research on other dog problems such as cancer, skin problems and bloat.

Grooming:

The coat may be fairly long and thick but it doesn’t require any special kind of grooming. A good brush twice a week will be adequate and will help with getting rid of stubborn knots and matting.

He is a seasonal shedder and this frequent brushing will make sure the coat remains groomed and shiny.

General Care:

The Kuvasz is a hardy breed who just loves the outdoors. He is a dog that doesn’t do well in the heat. Make absolutely sure that he has a cool, sheltered spot where he can lie down. Ensure that there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.

Diet:

There is quite a bit of conflict and controversy regarding nutrition in dogs. The idea is to keep it simple. If you buy a commercially manufactured dog food, check the ingredients on the packaging.

You want to be sure your pet is getting vitamins and minerals in instead of preservatives, fillers and colorants. Try and give him some home made food too such as some chicken, brown rice or pasta and some vegetables. You can mix this into his dry kibble occasionally with a little bit of raw meat too when you have.

Avoid feeding your dog things such as chocolates, nuts, onions, sweets and chips.

Exercise:

The Tasy is a playful, energetic dog and will need to be exercised on a regular basis. He loves a good run and is the kind of dog that won’t do well in a small city property. He is far better suited to life in the country where he can run freely.

Grooming:

The Tazy is looked upon as being low maintenance. It’s always a good idea to get into the habit of brushing your dog’s coat once or twice a week to not only remove loose hairs but to have some bonding time with your pet.

It’s also time to run your hands over the lean body ad to make sure there aren’t any unusual lumps. Look inside his ears and make sure there is no sign of redness to indicate an infection. Remember, if you don’t like to do the grooming part for your pet, professional groomers can do all these things for you as well as trim his nails and clean his teeth.

Diet:

The Tasy is a fairly tall, lean, energetic dog, so if you opt to feed him one of the commercially manufactred dog foods there are, choose one that suits the age, size and energy levels of your pet.

Your dog can get sick if you feed him inferior dog food so read the packaging carefully and make sure its a good brand with vitamins and minerals instead of useless, toxic fillers.

Try to include some simple,home-made food devoid of spices or other exotic things that can give him a stomach ache. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a super healthy choice. Chop it up and feed it to your pet twice a week or so as a tasty treat.

Always make sure that your canine friend has access to fresh, cool water.