Leonberger

Temperament:

Calm, Patient, Friendly
Size: Large
Height: 65-80 cm
Weight: 41-75 kg
Lifespan: 8-9 years
Coat: Longhair
Colors: Mahogany, Sandy, Red, Yellow
FCI Group: Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs

With its friendly nature, the Leonberger is an ideal family dog. Thanks to its strong nerves and good-natured nature, it also copes well with lively hustle and bustle. To protect its owner, this strong and intelligent dog barks loudly at uninvited guests. This gentle powerhouse needs plenty of exercise.

Leonberger
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Characteristics

The FCI, the largest international canine organization, assigns the Leonberger to Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molosser and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs. It is also assigned to subgroup 2.2 as a mountain dog. As a cross between the St. Bernard, Newfoundland and Pyrenean, the Leonberger is one of the very large dog breeds. From its ancestors, the Leonberger has inherited a strong build.

Adult females can reach a shoulder height of 75 cm and a weight of 60 kg. Males can even reach a height of 80 cm and weigh up to 70 kg. The Leonberger is a very muscular dog. It has a broad back and strong legs. This allows him to move evenly and powerfully. This dog has a strong urge to move and actively demands exercise.

The Leonberger's coat is dense, soft and long. The coat color is often a mixture of sand-colored and reddish-brown tones. On the neck and chest, the coat is reminiscent of a lion's mane. The tail, which is usually carried on the back, is also densely coated. The Leonberger's face is always dark, almost black. The eyes are brown, the ears medium-sized and drooping.

The Leonberger has a calm and composed nature, but is well suited as a house and guard dog. Its loud barking and self-confident demeanor deter uninvited guests. Leonbergers were once used to protect herds of cattle from predators. The dogs therefore know who they have to watch out for and courageously take over the defense.

When things get chaotic and lively in the family, the Leonberger remains calm. He is the family dog and can deal with noise and react calmly thanks to his good nerves. He integrates well into various family situations.

The Leonberger loves to romp and play and needs plenty of exercise every day. Long walks in the countryside are a must. Dogs of this breed also love the water and are good swimmers.

The Leonberger is very adaptable. However, these large and active dogs should not be kept in a city apartment. The dogs feel at home in a rural environment with plenty of space and freedom of movement.

You can achieve the most with the Leonberger with calm and consistent training. These dogs have a lot of temperament, play instinct and strength. However, they are willing to subordinate themselves to humans. With loving training, you will be rewarded with a loyal companion who will stick to the rules and accompany you everywhere.

Coat care:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Shedding:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Energy level:

Little
Medium
High

Trainability:

Little
Medium
Good

Children suitable:

Less
With supervision
Perfect

The right food

When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.

Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.

Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown.

If the Leonberger goes on a rampage immediately after a large and rich meal, his stomach can twist. A twisted stomach interrupts the blood supply and is very dangerous for the dog. He should eat in peace and take a rest after the meal.

Fresh drinking water should always be available.

Health & Care

Both the purchase and the keeping of these impressive animals require the necessary small change and a lot of time. Sufficient exercise is an absolute must. The Leonberger is very people-oriented and affectionate. They are happy when they live with active people. He will love being an integral part of family activities.

A special feature of the Leonberger is its long, dense coat. This beautiful feature of the breed is very high maintenance. Before buying a Leonberger, you should be aware that this breed sheds a lot. The long coat needs to be brushed regularly to remove loose hair. Grooming is particularly intensive during the shedding period. During this time, the dog should be brushed daily. If the dog learns to sit still as a puppy, brushing will be easier for both of you.

A dog's coat is its natural protective layer against dirt and moisture. When you're out in nature, your Leonberger's long coat will inevitably get a lot of dirt on it. If it is very dirty, you can wash your dog in the shower or bath with a mild dog shampoo. Make sure he can dry in the warm afterwards. In summer he can find a sunny spot, in winter you can put him next to the heating.

You can simply brush off minor soiling. Bathing too often disturbs the balance of skin and coat. Especially in summer, make sure to check the coat thoroughly for ticks and vermin after walks through woods and meadows.

If you follow these grooming tips and make sure your dog is well fed, your Leonberger's coat will shine beautifully and look well-groomed. Teach your dog the commands for grooming early on. He will get used to it over time. This will keep the time required within limits.

Suitable accessories

You will need a suitable coat brush for intensive grooming of your Leonberger. This dog breed has a dense, long coat with an undercoat. You should use a sturdy brush for long-haired dogs. Teach your dog to stand as still as possible during brushing. Make sure that he is not pulled too much during grooming.

Leonbergers are intelligent dogs that are eager to learn and love to play. This not only satisfies their urge to move, but also challenges them mentally. When doing dog sports, care should be taken not to put too much strain on the dog's joints.

Leonbergers love the "cool water". Swimming training and retrieving exercises in the water are ideal. You'll be doing your dog a big favor with water-suitable play accessories. Toys that train your dog's perception and memory are also suitable.

Other accessories that are part of every dog's basic equipment: collar and lead, dog basket or dog mat as a retreat, water and food bowl, tick tweezers, claw clippers, mild dog shampoo, dog toothbrush and cream, transport box for transportation in the car and a first aid kit. It's best to ask your vet what should be in the first aid kit.

Leonberg history

Origin & History

The lion-like dog comes from the southern German town of Leonberg, whose coat of arms features a lion. In the 19th century, the town councillor Heinrich Essig crossed a Newfoundland bitch with a St. Bernard male. His aim was to breed a dog breed that looked as similar as possible to Leonberg's heraldic animal. A Pyrenean mountain dog was also crossed in. The first Leonbergers were born in 1846.

The powerful dogs with the lion's mane soon became very popular and were often kept by aristocrats. Empress Sissi of Austria is said to have owned seven Leonbergers. Two of her beloved "Leos" adorn a monument to the empress in Vienna's Stadtpark.

The town of Leonberg erected its own monument to the Leonberger Hund in 2006. Since then, the life-size bronze statue of the famous dog has stood on the square in front of the town hall.

Because of their strength, dogs were also used to pull heavy loads in the past. Farmers kept Leonbergers to protect their livestock from predators. With their loud barking and self-confident demeanor, these courageous and powerful dogs put both humans and animals to flight.

The Leonberger almost died out during the two world wars. Thanks to the initiative of dedicated breeders, the breed was saved from extinction. Today, breeders are working to preserve the breed and at the same time ensure a healthy gene pool.