During the reign of Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary (1443-1490) and Hungary's Renaissance Period the Ku Assa were used by the nobility for protection and hunting game. King Matthias established his own breeding program. Those were tumultuous times, with betrayal and assasination a common occurrence. The King placed trust in his dogs over his own Royal Guardsmen: it is said that he kept at least a brace of Kuvasz with him at all times. A gift of Kuvasz to a nobleman from the Kings Royal Kennels was a special honor. Among those so honored was Count Dracula, upon his release from prison and marriage to the King's daughter. 

The Ottoman-Turkish takeover brought with it a new evolution of the name, to "Kawasz" (meaning nobility's armed guard). Over time, the "Kuwaz" returned to its original duties, primarily guarding livestock and farms.  During World War II, the breed was almost driven to extinction in Hungary. No doubt the large white dogs, protecting their families and farms, were a problem to invading forces. Some letters of the time suggest the dogs were hunted by occupying troops. Ironically, at the same time, officers were known to have taken Kuvasz home with them.