Landseer
Temperament:
Despite its size, the Landseer is a calm and people-oriented quadruped. Due to his high intelligence, he is perfectly suited as a rescue or therapy dog. He loves his family idolatrously, towards strangers he proves to be vigilant.
Characteristics
The Landseer does not belong to the molossoid dog species for nothing. His muscular body brings it to a whopping 80 cm in height at a weight of 75 kg. No wonder that this strong dog belongs rather in the country than in the city. Under no circumstances should you lock him up in a kennel! Enough exercise is an absolute must if you want to keep your Landseer happy.
He loves the water more than anything and is an excellent swimmer. The webbed feet between his toes also speak for this!
Its coat is long and dense. The top coat is interspersed with a lot of undercoat and provides effective protection against moisture. His bushy tail reaches at most to the hock. Its markings are also distinctive. Unlike his ancestor, the Newfoundland, the Landseer is bred in only one color.
The basic color is white. Over his body are black areas, while in the face only a white blaze is allowed as a breeding standard. Overall, he impresses as larger and more agile than his ancestor. This is also evident in his more graceful head and longer muzzle. The life expectancy of this robust fellow is about 10 years.
His respectful appearance makes him an excellent watchdog. While he is very devoted to his humans, he tends to keep his distance from strangers. His nature is characterized above all by his docility. He has the ability to make independent decisions. This makes him a real lifesaver! As a water rescue dog, he serves to rescue drowning people. In addition, the Landseer is often used as a therapy dog.
If you want to keep the Landseer as a family dog, a loving but consistent education is necessary. You should start with this already in the puppy age. The little rascals prove to be amazingly temperamental and do not subordinate themselves easily.
The Landseer loves to have a task. If you let him carry your groceries home or play search games with him, you will be able to feel his joy! The gentle giants also flourish in dog sports.
The bottom line is that the Landseer radiates a majestic calm. His outer size is also reflected in his inner values. As a large dog, he does not feel the need to yap or display nervous behavior. With a Landseer as a companion or family dog, you get a reliable companion and faithful protector - provided you meet his requirements.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
Due to its size, the Landseer requires the appropriate diet. Especially puppies and young animals benefit from a coordinated nutrition plan. With the renunciation of too energy-rich food, undesirable growth spurts are intercepted. This in turn prevents cartilage diseases and hip dysplasia.
Typical for large dogs is the risk of gastric distention. Therefore, you should divide the food rations of your Landseer over the day. A raised bowl has also proven to be effective. After feeding, your dog must digest in peace. This means a strict ban on playing.
In general, it is recommended not to feed your Landseer supermarket food. Depending on the activity, the need for nutrients varies. To prevent malnutrition, it is best to consult a specialist. There are a number of high-quality ready-to-eat foods available in stores. Pay attention to the meat content and adjust the food individually to your dog. Barfing is a suitable alternative, as long as you deal with the subject in detail. In addition, you should have no problem with processing raw meat.
As snacks you can offer raw fruit and vegetables in small quantities. Chewables are also usually accepted with pleasure and support dental care at the same time.
The amount of food depends on the size, weight and amount of exercise. Free calorie calculators are available on the Internet to help you determine the optimal portions. Check your dog's weight regularly to detect overweight at an early stage!
Landseer care
The Landseer's maintenance requirements are manageable. It does not differ significantly from that of other dogs. Only his coat requires a little more attention.
Brush your Landseer at least twice a week. Otherwise, the coat will mat very quickly. It's best to start at the head and work your way strategically to the tail. In times of coat change, you can brush your Landseer daily. You should only shear or trim the coat in exceptional situations.
Specialized groomers can give you good advice on grooming. Do not use artificial dog shampoos or soaps. These interfere with the water-repellent function of the coat. Clear water is sufficient for most dirt. Since the Landseer is a water rat anyway, you send him best to swim in the next stream.
You should check your Landseer's teeth regularly. Hygiene in the form of regular tooth brushing is also recommended for large dogs. Optimally, the puppy is already accustomed to the necessary hand movements. Please do not use ordinary toothpaste. This can contain toxic substances. Dog toothpaste has a meaty taste of its own and is guaranteed to be tolerated. In addition, it promotes the dog's own protective mechanisms and ensures better breath.
Also ensure sufficient abrasion of the teeth. Raw meat promotes this. Dried tendons and beef head chunks are natural chews. You should definitely prefer these to dental care snacks containing cereals.
Suitable accessories
A decent brush is an essential part of your Landseer's grooming kit. It should not be too hard, so as not to damage the undercoat. Special felt removers can save some matted areas from shearing. Stock up on enough natural chewing material, too. Toothbrush and toothpaste specifically for dogs should also be on hand.
Origin & History
The ancestor of the Landseer is the Newfoundland. This originated on the east coast of Canada. The island of Newfoundland off the coast of Canada gave its name to the breed. The robust dogs were used by British fishermen as draught and pack animals. They quickly proved themselves as reliable working dogs in the harsh northern climate. Through the demanding work they developed their special nature, which still distinguishes them today.
Their reputation preceded them by a long way. They eventually reached England with British fishermen. The nobility also took a liking to the breed, but increasingly preferred pure black or brown animals. Thus, the poet Lord Byron set a monument to his Newfoundland by having a poem chiseled into his tombstone.
At the beginning of the 20th century the black and white color stroke threatened to disappear completely. Therefore, cynologists from Germany and Switzerland began to develop their own breed. For this purpose, they brought the last animals suitable for breeding from England and began to establish pure breeding. Since the black coat color was dominantly inherited, they initially resorted to Kuvasz and Pyrenean mountain dogs to maintain the white base color.
Through crossbreeding, it was possible to keep the pattern stable. In 1960 the official recognition by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale took place. In 1976, the first German breeding club was founded. The name for the new dog breed was given by the famous animal painter Erwin Landseer. He was considered a lover of the black and white color and had immortalized his own animals in oil paintings.
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