Leonberger

Size
Large to Giant (27Kg +)
Exercise
20 min/day
Training
Weekly
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Weekly
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Very affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Miss Emma Vandermeel (BERGLOWE)

bergloweleos@gmail.com
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History

The Leonberger originated in the town of Leonberg, Germany, in the 1840s. According to local legend, the entrepreneurial dog breeder Heinrich Essig set out to create a breed of dog that resembled the heraldic lion on the town’s crest. Essig is said to have crossed the Newfoundland, St Bernard and Pyrenean Mountain Dog to create the Leonberger. However, research shows the distinctive Leonberger colouring of a pale cream to rich red coat, overlayed with black sabling and mask, is not possible from this genetic combination alone. So, it is likely Essig used other local breeds.

Temperament

As a family dog, the Leonberger’s temperament is of the utmost importance. The standard says ‘calm, conﬁdent and lively’, and although somewhat contradictory, it is absolutely true. While the breed may go through a shy period in its teens, it is generally an easygoing dog and its lively nature makes it amenable to training and dog sports. Often referred to as a gentle giant, the breed also makes an excellent therapy dog. It can be a good alert barker at home, but the Leonberger should never be aggressive. The female tends to make a better watchdog, while the male is more laidback.

Appearance

The Leonberger is a giant, long-coated breed and its colour varies from a pale cream to a rich red, with a black tipping and mask. The Leonberger male should be powerful and strong, standing at 72–80cm at the withers, while the female ranges from 65–75cm.

Maintenance

The breed’s thick double coat requires a weekly brush to keep it free of knots, although a puppy’s coat may require more work. Leonbergers moult twice a year and during these times beneﬁ t from extra grooming. Some trouble spots, such as behind the ears, leg feathering and the tail, may require daily grooming. For the show ring, the coat is left natural apart from the feet, which are trimmed. Their ﬂ uﬀ y feet can attract seeds, so it is good practice for owners to learn how to trim their dog’s feet.

The Leonberger is also quite active for a giant breed and enjoys a regular walk, swim or visit to the park or beach. As with most giant breeds, it requires a high-quality diet and monitored exercise when growing. Costs should also be taken into consideration too, as vet bills and grooming are more expensive with a large dog.

Health

The Leonberger is a relatively healthy breed, but there are some known issues in the breed that should be tested for. These include Star Cataracts and Leonberger Polyneuropathy (LPN 1). Breeding dogs should also be hip and elbow scored. As with most double-coated dogs, ‘hot spots’ can develop under the coat. Not over-exercising young pups, feeding a sensible diet, and waiting until maturity for desexing can also help decrease any propensity for developing joint issues.

Suitability

The Leonberger is primarily a companion dog, so it is not a breed that is happy to be left alone for extended periods of time. It is smart and can be easily trained, although the breed can get bored with repetition, so training needs to be kept fun! The Leonberger is renowned for its love of children but does equally well with singles and retirees. In short, a Leonberger is suitable for anyone who is willing to involve it in their family life.

Words: Leonberger Association of NSW

Image: G Hogg

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Leonberger, you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Leonberger and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 26 Oct 2011)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Large, strong, muscular yet elegant. Confident, calm and lively. Males in particular should be powerful and strong.

Characteristics

Amenable, intelligent and fearless companion; distinguished by his friendliness.

Temperament

Self-assured and playful. Neither timid nor aggressive.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Head in balance with body and limbs. Strong, but not heavy, elongated rather than stocky. Proportions of muzzle to skull equal. No wrinkles. Skull in profile and seen from the front slightly arched. The back part of the skull not substantially broader than at the eyes. Medium stop. Nose black. Cheeks only moderately developed, muzzle moderately tapered, but never snipey. Nasal bridge of even breadth and slightly arched (roman nose).
Eyes	Neither deep set nor protruding, of medium size. Oval in shape with kind expression. Medium to dark brown in colour. Eyelids close fitting, showing no haw.
Ears	Set on high and not too far back pendant medium sized, hanging close to the side of the head, fleshy with rounded tips, well feathered.
Mouth	Strong jaws with perfect regular and complete scissor bite, level bite tolerated. Teeth evenly placed and vertical in the jaw, with complete dentition. No constriction of the canines in the lower jaw. Lips close fitting, black, corner of lips closed.
Neck	Strong, flowing into the withers in a slight arch, without throatiness. Moderately long, no dewlap.
Forequarters	Shoulders well laid, elbows close fitting. Forelegs straight, well boned and not too close. Shoulder and upper arm long, sloping and well muscled. Pasterns strong, firm and straight when seen from front, almost vertical seen from side.
Body	Height at withers to length of body in ratio of 9 to 10 (measured from point of shoulder to point of buttock). Depth of chest approximately 50% of height at withers, which should be pronounced, especially in males. Moderate forechest. Chest broad, deep, reaching at least to elbows. Oval, not barrel-chested. Back firm and straight with broad loins, strong and well muscled. Moderately sloping croup with relatively long broad rump, gently rounded. Rump never higher than withers. Slight tuck up.
Hindquarters	Legs set not too close together and parallel when seen from rear. Well muscled long, slanting upper thigh. Moderate bend of stifle. Hocks strong, angle between lower thigh and rear pastern well defined, turned neither in not out.
Feet	Tight and rounded with well arched toes. Front feet pointing directly forwards. Pads black.
Tail	Well furnished, straight, reaching at least to hock. On the move tail slightly curved, not carried above level of back. Never forming a ring.
Gait/Movement	Ground covering, even movement in all gaits maintaining a level topline. Extending well in front with good drive from hindquarters. Seen from front and behind, legs move in a straight line when walking or trotting.
Coat	Double coated, medium soft to harsh, fairly long, close fitting. Never with a parting and not obscuring the outline despite the thick undercoat. Straight or slight wave permitted. Mane on neck and chest, especially in the males. Distinct feathering on front legs and ample breeches on hindlegs.
Colour	Lion gold, red, reddish brown, sandy (fawn or cream) and all combinations in between, always with a black mask. Black hair tips are permitted. Black must not dominate basic colour. Lighter colour on underside of tail, mane, feathering on front legs and breeches on hindlegs normal, but must not be pronounced. A small white patch or stripe on the chest and white hair on the toes tolerated.
Size	Height at WithersDogs: 72-80 cms (28.5-31.5 ins)Bitches: 65-75 cms (25.5-29.5 ins)

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.