Leonberger History

    The Leonberger breed was established in 1846 in Leonberg, Germany by breeder Heinrich Essig who wanted to produce a dog resembling a lion, which was the town symbol. The breed was a crossing of the Newfoundland, the St. Bernard, and the Great Pyrenees. The official standard was set in 1949. The Leonberger has been used for guarding livestock, obedience and tracking. The breed is used in Germany for search and rescue and has a reputation as a great water-rescue dog. Only a short period of training is needed to augment its natural instincts. Not only does it have a water proof coat, but nature has furnished it with webs between its toes which facilitate swimming. The Leonberger’s warm, gentle personality makes for a fine family companion dog. The breed is equable, self-confident, and is neither timid nor aggressive. The first Leonberger was imported to the United States in 1971 and there are currently close to one thousand registered today.

     The Leonberger has a lively nature and is steady and affectionate. It has a sweet expression. Loving and steadfast, stable and calm, the Leonberger loves everyone. Their intelligence is extraordinary; their loyalty and love for their families is impeccable.  Most are considered highly trustworthy and have incredible patience, even with the most unruly children. If the situation becomes too intense, instead of showing aggression, the Leonberger simply walks away. The Leonberger does not respond well to harsh training-methods; training requires a lot of patience and praise. A gentle giant, serious and brave, the Leonberger wants to please, and responds well to proper training.

     The breed does not need a lot of exercise. They simply love to be included in all family events and are very adaptable to most environments. They love to swim, hike and pull carts and sleds. A dog should not begin hiking or pulling until it is grown. It is not recommended before the dog is at least 18 months old.

    Males should be 28 – 32 inches tall, females 26 – 30 inches. Their colors range from sand to golden red. The Leonberger’s long thick coat does not require a lot of grooming. With regular brushings the coat should remain tangle-free and in wonderful condition. The Leonberger does blow its coat twice a year and during this time you can expect to fill several trash bags with fur.

    Health concerns include hip dysplasia, which is a result of abnormal development of the ball-and-socket joints of the hips. OCD, which is a condition where an area of cartilage dies and falls into the associated joint. Panosteitis, which is a pain that often shifts from one limb to another (treatable with rest). Addison’s disease which is a very rare hormonal disorder of the adrenal glands, Entropion and Ectropion which is the turning in or out of the eyelids, Osteosarcoma which is a highly destructive tumor state which spreads rapidly to other organs, particularly the lungs. Bloat and Hypothyroidism are also concerns of the breed.

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