The kun sheperd's kuvasz
Updated: Jan 18
Kun: the seven tribes of the Kuns joined the Hungarians led by Leader Árpád at Kiev, during the second entry of the Hungarians into the Carpathian basin - writes Anonymus in the Gesta Hungarorum. The Kuns are also Hungarians, they live in the Nagykunság and Kiskunság regions of Hungary.
Since the early 1700s, the Barta family has been recorded in the Kunmadaras registry. The descendants gave several shepherds to the Hungarian land. From father to son the vocation of shepherding and all the knowledge that the shepherd needed next to the large cattle herds passed down. Sándor learned the ins and outs of the trade from his father and acquired a unique knowledge of plants. He learned to read the time from the starry sky from his grandfather. He preserves in his veins the traditions of Hungarian shepherds of thousands of years and the work respected as law by the ancients. Like his predecessors, he carries in his heart and soul the love of the Hungarian kuvasz, so highly regarded by shepherds.
- My father abd my grandfather have also always had kuvaszok and they are the closest to my heart - recalls Sándor about his childhood.
Sziszi and Szirtes became members of the Barta family in 2021. As an adult, Sziszi came close to the cattle, Szirtes grew up herding.
- Since Szirtes grew up here, he knows what cow kicking is, and he can confidently move between them. But Szizi, since she doesn't know, I don't let her get close to the cows - the farmer tells us about the everyday life of the two kuvaszok. - The work next to the cattle herd is done by the driving dogs, I have eight Mudi mixes who work in shifts. The kuvaszok come with us, they also have the drive instinct. Kuvaszok know more in that they can bite bigger. Both the cows knows, the bull knows this. Among the dogs, kuvaszok represent strength. In addition, they are very fast runners, they can keep up with agile, smaller driving dogs. Due to their large bodies, they get tired sooner, so I set aside rest time for them. The third great virtue of the kuvasz is that it has a better nose than that other driving dogs. The life of a the kuvaszok is work, and the work of a good kuvasz is equal to that of ten people.
The two kuvaszok, mother and son, happily accompany the farmer to the wide horizon of the salty puszta, happily dip in the canal water in the summer heat, and devotedly guard the cattle's winter accommodation or the family gate.
Not only does the sight of dogs has a great deterrent effect, their voices can also be heard far away. What someone drops here does not make a sound, but such dogs are known in the neighborhood and avoid the gate. There is no more reliable dog than the Kuvasz. If they are by our side, my family can't be hurt. But even if a bull were to attack me, I can be sure that my dog Siszi would protect me at any cost. Kuvasz is the dog with the best guardian and protective instinct, and is also the dog breed that loves its owner the most. What I really like about him is that you can't fool him. That he's alert. Even if I let someone in, the kuvaszok look suspiciously, and you can see that they would jump immediately if they sensed a threat. They can sense somebody's intentions, and even if they can meet them every day, if something is suspicious to them, they will let you know.
The rhythm of life of Sziszi and Szirtes adjusts to that of the owner, and the life of the owner adjusts to the life of the cattle. That's why they spend the winter months at the family homestead as enthusiastic housekeepers and law enforcers, and then they move out to the farm in April and spend the days by the free gazing cattle herd. The closing holiday also brings a change in the daily rhythm for them.
- When we are out on the farm, Szirtes cannot be released overnight. Siszi lies down at the well, captures the area and does not leave. But Szirtes has his nose, he has to be locked in a kennel for the night. They have a great need for exercise, and as they come to the cattle herd with me, they really enjoy it. Kuvaszok feel good when they can move around enough. Then you are healthy and calm. But I don't take them out with the driving dogs every day. Only 3-4 days a week, because they need to rest in between.
Order is the soul of everything. In his parents' house, Sándor absorbed the knowledge of how to create a dignified life for dogs and cattle.
- The balance of work, exercise and rest is just as important in a dog's life as it is in a person's life. Your internal organs and muscles must develop, your bones and joints must strengthen, you must feel good in your skin, and for this you must exercise and rest. As an adult, this is just as important as it is as a kid or student. This way the dog will be healthy, strong, resistant and balanced - Sándor claims.
To follow the rhythm of nature, to follow the development of animals - this is taught by the wisdom of shepherds. Next to such good owner, Sziszi and Szirtes have a happy and honest working life.
In the chapter, we will tell you how the Kuvaszok lived next to the shepherds in the good old days. You can get a glimpse of how Sándor keeps the cattle, and what role Sziszi and Szirtes have in the herd of driving dogs.
If you have once fallen in love with a Kuvasz, get in touch with us. We would love to hear your story!
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