Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Average Litter Size of Hovawart
- Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Hovawart Will Have
- How Much Does the Hovawart Puppy Weigh at Birth?
- How Big Will a Hovawart Puppy Get?
- How Long is a Hovawart Pregnant?
- How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Hovawart
- Conclusion on Hovawart Litter Size
Average Litter Size of Hovawart
Researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science did a study where they counted the numbers of puppies in 12 different Hovawart birth litters.
From this study, the researchers found that the average number of puppies that Hovawarts can have is 7 puppies. Also, the Hovawart can have as few as 1 puppies per litter and as many as 13 puppies per litter.
See how the litter size of the Hovawart compares to that of other dog breeds below:
Read this article to learn about how many puppies dogs have.
Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Hovawart Will Have
Hovawart Litter Size Predictor
According to the result of the research carried out by researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the number of puppies a Hovawart will have depends on the following main factors:
- The size of the breed (most important factor): Giant dog breeds tend to have a bigger litter size, while smaller breeds give birth to a smaller number of puppies
- The method of mating: Natural mating results in a larger litter size than artificial insemination.
- The age of the female dog: Check out the chart below to see how many puppies a female Hovawart is likely to have at different ages.
According to research, the following factors do not affect litter size:
- The time of the year of the litter was born (season of birth): Although, from the study, litters born in the Spring seem to be larger than litters from other seasons, however, the difference was not of significance.
- The number of times a female dog has given birth in the past (known as parity): The age of the female dog is more important to the extent that it makes parity insignificant.
Based on the important factors that affect litter size, the researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science developed formulas for predicting the litter size of dogs.
We have developed the Hovawart litter size calculator above based on their formulas. Use the calculator to predict how many puppies a Hovawart will have based on the age, and method of pregnancy for a Hovawart
The calculator tells you how many puppies your Hovawart will have if your Hovawart gets pregnant today. The calculator assumes that the length of pregnancy will be two months.
Note that we are NOT in any way encouraging you to breed your Hovawart. Dog breeding requires expertise. If you want to be breeding dogs, get the necessary training. Also, work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a dog.
The table below shows the average litter size to expect from a Hovawart at different ages. This table applies to a Hovawart that conceives through natural mating.
| Age (Years) | Average Litter Size | Litter Size Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 8 puppies | 6 to 9 puppies |
| 3 | 7 puppies | 6 to 9 puppies |
| 4 | 7 puppies | 5 to 9 puppies |
| 5 | 7 puppies | 5 to 9 puppies |
| 6 | 7 puppies | 4 to 10 puppies |
| 7 | 7 puppies | 4 to 10 puppies |
| 8 | 6 puppies | 3 to 10 puppies |
| 9 | 6 puppies | 2 to 9 puppies |
How Much Does the Hovawart Puppy Weigh at Birth?
Veterinarian researchers did a study to find out how much Hovawart puppies weigh at birth. These researchers weighed 68 Hovawart puppies at birth.
Based on the study of the weight of 68 Hovawart puppies, the average weight of the Hovawart at birth is 560 grams (19.8 ounces). The birth weight of the Hovawart puppy typically ranges from 500 grams (17.6 ounces) to 590 grams (20.8 ounces).
16 ounces equal one pound.
The factors that affect the weight of a Hovawart puppy at birth include the size, weight, and age of the mother.
Importantly, research has also shown that female dogs that give birth at ages between 2 and 8 years give birth to puppies that are heavier than puppies birthed by younger or older female dogs.
How Big Will a Hovawart Puppy Get?
A Hovawart puppy will grow up to weigh around 55 to 110 pounds. Furthermore, a Hovawart puppy will grow up to be 23 to 29 inches.
Learn more about Hovawart weight and how big Hovawarts grow here
How Long is a Hovawart Pregnant?
Hovawarts are pregnant for 63 days on average (2 months) after conception. However, this is an average value. The length of pregnancy in Hovawarts can range from 58-68 days.
However, note that it is difficult to know the exact day that your Hovawart conceives because conception may not happen at the same time that mating happens.
Sperm can live inside a female Hovawart for several days after mating before conception occurs.
How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Hovawart
To ensure that your Hovawart successfully gets pregnant and deliver its puppies, here at the things you can do:
- Feed your Hovawart well: A good diet will ensure that your Hovawart has the nutrients and the energy it needs to get pregnant and maintain the pregnancy.
- Make sure your Hovawart is in good health: Ensure you take your Hovawart to the Vet care regularly for checkups, make sure your Hovawart gets regular exercise. Also, make sure that your is not overweight or underweight.
To learn how to check if your Hovawart is overweight or underweight, check out this resource.
Conclusion on Hovawart Litter Size
Hovawarts can have 7 puppies per litter birth on average. The number of puppies that a Hovawart will have depends on factors such as the age of the Hovawart and the method of pregnancy (natural or artificial insemination).
Breeding Hovawarts the right way requires expertise and should be done after sufficient training.
Also, you should work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a Hovawart. There are a lot of nuances involved in breeding a dog, which we do not have the time or the space to discuss here.
However, working with a veterinarian will ensure that your Hovawart gets the right treatment necessary to make healthy puppies.
The litter size research study that we used for this article was conducted on Hovawarts in Norway. However, the authors of the research believe that the results can be generalized to other countries that have similar dog management systems as Norway.