Alice White
#7 In the late 19th century, breeders wanted to standardize the breed.
Kuvasz first took part in a dog show in 1883, when Count Esterhazy, a strong supporter of the breed, exhibited two kuvasses in Vienna. In 1884 the first Hungarian breed standard was written. In the 1920s and 1930s, the Kuvasz became the most fashionable plus size dog in its homeland and in Western Europe.
#8 During the Second World War, like a lot of other breeds, Kuvasse almost disappeared.
The history of the breed's survival is very touching - by the end of the war, 30 individuals could not be found in Hungary. The Soviet Union, which occupied Hungary, considered dog breeding to be a luxurious hobby of the aristocrats, and, of course, it was not welcomed.
#9 In addition, the population recovery was hampered by the low popularity of large breeds, since they demanded a lot of food, and there was catastrophically little food in post-war Hungary.
People survived. Breeders sold puppies clandestinely for food and cigarettes. In the 50s and 60s of the 20th century, the population began to increase, but due to the small number of individuals, some breeders crossed Kuvasz with other breeds, in particular with the large Pyrenean dog.
