The Leonberger is a very large, powerfully built dog. A Leonberger is muscular yet also an elegant dog. His confident appearance and lively temperament immediately catch the eye. Especially the male exudes strength and is impressive to see. The current Leonberger originated in Leonberg by crossing Saint Bernard, Pyrenean mountain dog, and Newfoundland.
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General
The Leonberger is one of the larger dog breeds and belongs to the breed group ‘pinschers, schnauzers, molasses, and Swiss mountain dogs. Males grow to between 72-80 centimeters and can weigh up to 70 kg. With their 65-75 centimeters and 45-60 kg, bitches are slightly smaller, but certainly also impressive.
His beautiful coat makes him look even bigger, especially because of his collar around the neck and chest. The hair is long and straight and this breed comes in the colors cream and sand, but also reddish-brown. Daily brushing is a requirement and especially with the molt, special attention should be paid to it. The Leonberger has a black face (the so-called black mask). The average age of this breed is 9-11 years.
Origin
The Leonberger was created by crossing Saint Bernards, Pyrenean Mountain Dogs, and Newfoundlands. It owes its name to the German town of Leonberg in Baden-Wurttemberg, where this dog has been living since the early 1800s. The founder of this breed was a city councilor, Heinrich Essig.
He tried to breed a dog that would resemble a lion because this animal was in the city coat of arms. So this is where the appearance of this stately animal comes from. At the end of World War I, the breed was almost extinct, but fortunately, there were a number of German breeders who prevented this.
The Leonberger is therefore seen as the oldest breed in Germany. Here and in France and Scandinavia, they are used as working dogs and companion animals. In other countries, they are not (yet) so common.
Appearance
It comes in the colors yellow, red, reddish-brown, and sand colors, the coat is soft to rough and long. The head always has a black mask with ears not set too far back on the head. He has a strong, straight, and broad back and is well muscled. The tail is hanging and very hairy. The Leonberger can reach a height of up to 80 centimeters.
Character
The Leonberger is a pleasant partner under current living conditions, very child-friendly, and can be taken anywhere without any problems. He is not shy or aggressive. The main character traits include:
- calmness and self-assurance
- don’t be afraid of sounds
- to learn obedience
- be inquisitive and observant
- a moderate temperament (including playfulness)
Care
fur
Brushing up to twice a week, but during the shedding period (this is twice a year) brushing should be done more often. A dog that is not brushed properly will smell. Use a rake-shaped comb for brushing. The teeth must be able to touch the skin. On and under the feet the hair should be trimmed to the same height (female feet). Be careful with clipping between the toes, a Leonberger has webbed feet!
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nails
Check the length of the nails regularly, when the dog is standing, the nails should not touch the ground. by regularly running on a hard surface, the nails wear naturally.
ears
Regularly clean the inside of the ear cups and ear canal with a damp cloth. If the dog often presses its ears against the hands or knees, it may be that the dog has an infection, go to the vet.
Eyes
The eyes are clean and clear, with occasional foul discharge from the inner corners of the eyes due to sand or draft. This can be treated with vitamin A eye ointment. If the whites of the eyes are red, there is likely a bacterial infection, go to the vet.
teeth
A dog keeps his teeth clean when he can gnaw on a hard bone. Tartar can be removed with a dental hook intended for this purpose. The vet can also do this.
Movement
A young Leonberger should not walk for too long in a row, keep the number of minutes for the walk for the number of weeks that the puppy is. Really long walks and walking on soft sand, or on the beach, is very bad for a young dog, and don’t do it too much in the first year.
The Leonberger Family
Despite its size, the Leonberger is an ideal family dog that likes to sit on your lap and loves attention. Keep in mind before purchasing this friendly giant that he does not get old, the average age is eight to ten years. You will also find her always and everywhere, from the bedroom to the smallest pan of the kitchen cupboard. If you’re willing to pay for this, it’s the best friend in the years he’s been with you!
