Hovawart — cost & care
Alert, Faithful, Intelligent. Large foundation stock service dog.
A Hovawart costs roughly $40,000 over its lifetime (10–14 years), or about $3,090/year: ~$1,070 food, ~$930 insurance, ~$800 routine vet, ~$40 grooming. Purchase price runs $800–$2,500.
📍 Costs in USD (United States) — see this breed in another country.
4.8cups of food / day (~35.7 lb/mo)
9.7cups of water / day
12 yraverage lifespan (10–14)
Customize your estimate — tick only what you actually pay for
Your estimate: / year · lifetime
Compare pet insurance
Get Hovawart insurance quotes — average plan ~$930/yr. See quotesRecommended food
A Hovawart eats ~35.7 lb/month. Shop large-breed foodFull cost breakdown
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Purchase (one-off) | $800–$2,500 |
| Food / year | $1,070 (4.8 cups/day) |
| Pet insurance / year | $930 (est.) |
| Routine vet / year | $800 |
| Grooming / year | $40 |
| Supplies & misc / year | $250 |
| Total annual | $3,090 |
| Lifetime total | $40,000 |
Breed stats
| Size | Large |
| Avg weight | 78 lb |
| Height | 58–71 in |
| Lifespan | 10–14 yrs |
| Group | Foundation Stock Service |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Temperament & care
| Energy | 3/5 |
| Trainability | 1/5 |
| Good with families | 2/5 |
| Apartment-friendly | 2/5 |
| Shedding | 3/5 |
| Grooming need | 1/5 |
Common health conditions
Breed-specific hereditary conditions vary — ask a vet about recommended health screening for this breed.
How we calculate: food cost = breed weight → vet RER/MER calorie formula → cups/day → US food-price average. Insurance = NAPHIA US average adjusted by breed health-risk tier and size. Estimates — verify with your vet and insurer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Hovawart cost per year?
About $3,090 a year — roughly $1,070 food, $930 insurance, $800 vet and $40 grooming.
What is the lifetime cost of a Hovawart?
Around $40,000 across its 10–14-year lifespan, including purchase and first-year setup.
How much does a Hovawart eat?
About 4.8 cups of food a day (~35.7 lb per month).
How much water should a Hovawart drink?
About 9.7 cups of water a day — verify with your vet for your animal.
Is the Hovawart hypoallergenic?
No — the Hovawart sheds and is not considered hypoallergenic.