Hovawart
![](/Images/godic/202501/18/Helos_110422.jpg")
![A black and gold Hovie. Black and gold is the most common colour of Hovawart.](/Images/godic/202501/18/Hovawart_black_and_tan0422.jpg")
![The three permitted colours](/Images/godic/202501/18/The_three_colours_of_the_Hovawart0423.jpg")
![A black-colored Hovawart](/Images/godic/202501/18/Ayke_Hovi_sw0423.jpg")
The Hovawart is a medium to large size German dog breed. The name of the breed means "an estate guard dog", which is the original use for the breed. The breed originated in the Black Forest region and was first described in text and paintings in medieval times.