Dog
Leonberger Champions
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Pronunciation:
Leonberger
Breed Description:
This is a very large, majestic dog with a characteristic black mask. Males have a majestic-male head and the females should have a somewhat smaller more feminine head. The black mask should not extend above the eyebrows; the mask can be up to eyes or above the eyes, but never the complete head. The nose and lips are black. In males with a very majestic male head slightly loose flews and sometimes slightly open hooks of eyes, are often found. Loose flews collect saliva, so some males might drool slightly. The teeth should meet in a tight scissors bite. The skull is somewhat domed. It is important that the brown eyes have a gentle, kindly expression. The hanging ears are medium-sized. The neck should be strong with no dewlap. The rough-looking waterproof coat is tawny to reddish-brown and may have black tipped hair on the outer coat. A small white star on the chest and a little white on the tip of the paws are permitted. There is always discussion about the amount of white aloud. FCI standard states "like the palm of a hand". But it all depends on whose hand you are referring to. Leonberger's thick mane creates a lion-like expression. The mane in males can take up to 4 years to develop; the mane in a female is less recognizable than in a males. The front and rear legs are feathered. Rear dewclaws should be removed. The tail is bushy and set low, reaching at least to the hocks, and the feet have black pads. The Leonberger has webbing between the toes to aid in swimming.
Temperament:
The Leonberger has a lively nature and is steady and affectionate. It has a sweet expression. Loving and steadfast, stable and calm, the Leonberger just loves everyone. Their intelligence is extraordinary; their loyalty and love for their families is unparalleled. He has a friendly personality. A well balanced Leonberger will be highly trustworthy and have incredible patience, even with the most obnoxious children. With most of these dogs, if the situation becomes too intense, instead of showing any aggression, the Leonberger simply walks away. Most of these dogs can take bad behavior in their stride. The Leonberger does not respond very well to harsh training-methods; training requires patience. Owners need to be firm, but calm, confident and consistent. Proper human to canine communication is essential. To be an excellent watch-dog it requires some special training. A gentle giant. Serious, intelligent and brave, the Leonberger wants to please, and responds well to training. The Leonberger can get along with other dogs. Socialize early and well, as this puppy will become a very large adult! The Leonberger is more agile than many other giant breeds.
Health Problems:
As in all giant breeds, they are prone to hip dysplasia, and other skeletal diseases/disorders. Also eyelid defects and bone disease. Possible behavioral problems.
Living Conditions:
The Leonberger is not recommended for apartment life. It is relatively inactive indoors and will do best with at least a large yard. They prefer cool climates and can live inside or outside, but mostly prefer to be wherever you are.
Exercise:
This breed does not need a lot of exercise; however, they do need to be taken on a daily walk. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. They love to be included in all family outings and are very adaptable to most any environment. They LOVE to swim, hike and be trained to pull carts and sleds. If you plan to have your Leo pull carts or hike, one has to wait until the dog is grown. It is not recommended before the dog is about 18 months old.
Grooming:
Weekly brushing is needed. The ears must be kept clean and the teeth cleaned when needed. Bathe only when necessary. Some de-matting is required to avoid hotspots. Wetness and damp-wet weather conditions are responsible for the hot spots. Check behind ears, feathering on legs, and tail for mats. The Leonberger is a seasonally heavy shedder, during this time the dog should be brushed and combed daily.
Origin:
This breed was established in 1846 in Leonberg, Germany in the region of Wurttemberg by the German breeder Heinrich Essing from a crossing of the Newfoundland, St. Bernard, and the Great Pyrenees. Heinrich Essing was attempting to create a breed that would closely resemble the lion in the town crest. The Leonberger's tawny coloration and thick mane are evidence of his success. Many royal families have owned Leonbergers, including Empress Elizabeth of Austria, Napoleon II of France, the Prince of Wales, Emperor Napoleon II, Bismarck, and Italian King Umberto. Many Leonbergers were imported to Russia in the nineteenth century. However the two world wars almost destroyed the breed. It was very difficult to feed the huge breed when food was scarce. By the end of World War II, only a few dogs remained. In 1945, several Germans gathered some of the few remaining Leonbergers and re-established the breed. Today the Leonberger has regained his popularity in Europe. The first Leonberger was imported to the United States in 1971, and there are currently close to one thousand registered today. This versatile breed has been successful in many endeavors. The Leonberger has been used for guarding livestock, obedience and tracking. The breed is also used in Germany for search and rescue and has a reputation as a great water-rescue dog. The Leonberger's warm, gentle personality makes him a fine family companion dog. The official standard was set in 1949. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
