Leonberger

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Leonberger

Leonberger Characteristics

Size:
Grooming Needs:
Exercise Needs:
Good With Dogs:
Watchdog Ability:

Leonberger Breed Information

Breed Group: Not Akc Recognized

Weight: Male: 130-170; Female: 100-130 lbs

Height: Male: 29-31; Female: 27-29 inches

Color(s): Sandy, yellow, red, reddish brown; black mask

Overview

Originating in Leonberg, Germany in 1846, this versatile breed was a favorite with royalty. The Leonberger nearly became extinct at the end of World War I but was revived and restored by several German breeders that were devoted to the breed. They are considered to be the oldest of the German breeds. Leonberger's continue to be used as a working breed and companion in Germany, France, Scandinavia. However, they are relatively rare in other countries.

Character

The Leonberger breed is elegant, large, and powerful. This breed possesses a gentle expression and an impressive and regal appearance. Leonberger's are sturdy, well-built, and highly reliable.

Temperament

A breed regarded as a "gentle giant", the Leonberger is affectionate, loyal, devoted, and trustworthy. This calm and steady breed is excellent with children, dogs, and other pets. They do not do well if left alone for extended periods of time and will bark and become destructive if bored or lonely. They are gentle, protective, and self-assured. They require a highly dedicated owner.

Care

This is a high maintenance breed. The Leonberger requires daily brushing to remove loose and dead hair and minimize shedding. Special care should be given during seasonal blowing of the coat. Bathing should be done when necessary. It is important to regularly clean the ears and provide good dental hygiene. This breed has a relatively short life span. They are prone to such health issues as hip dysplasia, OCD, Addison's disease, entropion, ectropion, osteosarcoma, bloat, and hypothyroidism. Leonberger's may be sensitive to some drugs such as sulfa, tranquilizers, and anesthetics.

Coat

The Leonberger is a double coat breed. The outer coat is long, profuse, and straight. The under coat is thick and dense. There is a mane of hair on the chest and around the neck and feathering on the front legs. The hair on the breeches is profuse and thick. This breed is continuously heavy shedding with seasonal blowing of the coat.

Training

Early socialization and obedience training is required. The Leonberger is intelligent and eager to please. They will not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods. Training must be done with respect, fairness, firmness, patience, and consistency.

Activity

The Leonberger is not recommended for apartment living. They require daily exercise, family interaction, and mental stimulation. This breed does best in a large securely fenced yard or rural setting. Leonberger's enjoy swimming, hiking, backpacking, running, and family activities. They excel at agility, tracking, therapy, and water rescue.

Ask a Question Leonberger Questions & Answers

QUESTION: Please note that the leonberger originated in the 1500s, as noted in the records of several royal families, but was first registered and the name leonberger coined in the 1840s. Also note that this regal breed is now AKC registered in the working group.

Anonymous - 2/22/2012 4:13:17 AM

Respond to Question

That is not a question. Also, the leonberger was bred in Leonberg, Germany by taking the St Bernard, the New Foundland, and the Great Pyrenese and breeding them together not in equal ratios as they bred one back into the breed. So in actuality the Leonberger is a predecessor to all three of those furry mastiff breeds. The Newfie is where the Leonberger gets its webbed paws from and its love of water.

Anonymous - 3/31/2012 9:13:26 PM

QUESTION: I am thinking of getting a Leo, and have fallen in love with the breed. I haven't owned a dog larger then a golden retriever before and was wondering, if you fenced in a yard how high and what substance would be needed? Also, how much can I expect to spend on dog food in a given month?

Anonymous - 8/15/2011 7:31:30 PM

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Wow, so they don't eat a lot at all, good to know. I am fully looking forward to a dog that stays with me all the time as I miss that bond and companionship. Someone would be home at least most of the day but I will have to go to work and a fenced in yard would be ideal for the unsupervised potty runs or when I need to run an errand. What height, depth, and substance would be good to keep a Leo in the yard? I'm also thinking of the Leo's safety as I live in an area where rather large coyotes have been seen, so a line/tether would not be safe for any dog.

Anonymous - 12/12/2011 5:22:59 PM

Leonbergers want to be with you, unless you leave them unattended they won't hop the fence in our experience. Our 2 Leos eat a 24 lb. bag of blue buffalo salmon in about a week.

Anonymous - 12/11/2011 5:08:47 PM

QUESTION: I am thinking of getting a Leonberger and have some questions on food. First off I hear breeders say that Leonbergers (especially puppies) shouldn't be fed high protein diets since they are a large breed dog, while others say that high protein diets are proven to be healthy for large breed dogs. I have also had some trouble finding a good brand of food that meets the requirments for leonbegers, some brands that I found that I like are blue buffalo, wellness, and innova. What is your opinion on protein levels, and what brands of dog food do you like for your Leonbergers?

Anonymous - 8/8/2011 12:46:13 AM

Respond to Question

Yes, because giant breeds develop slowly, you must not give them a diet too high in protein or fat. In fact no dog should eat pure protein. Having said that, puppies require a higher protein diet than adults. Any kibble designed for a St Bernard or for any heavy giant breed is suitable for leonbergers. Large kibble size will help reduce the likelihood of bloat in adults.

Anonymous - 2/22/2012 4:06:07 AM

QUESTION: My family is thinking of getting a Leonberger, we were wondering if leos can play off the leash. the thing is we don't have a fenced in yard. We are curious if leos have a tendency to run away, of course all outdoor play would always be supervised. Due to the size of our yard (and the fact that it runs through the woods) it would cost a fortune to be fenced.

Anonymous - 7/12/2011 9:18:53 PM

Respond to Question

Once the leo is mature at about 3 years old, it might be responsible enough not to wander, but until then it will require a fenced in yard. Woods adjacent to your house sounds perfect for long walks and exploring. Maybe you could fence a small part of it. The fence doesn't need to be that high, maybe 1.5m, as leos don't jump, but it does need to be strong and secure at the ground.

Anonymous - 2/22/2012 3:53:35 AM

A well balanced Leonberger will be highly trustworthy and have incredible patience, even with the most obnoxious children. The Leonberger is serious, eager and willing to please, responding well to training. Teach them to respect humans by training them not to jump, to heel on the lead and to enter and exit all door and gateways after the humans.

Anonymous - 7/19/2011 5:43:34 PM

QUESTION: I know that the Leonberger has abot 50% of Saint Bernard, 25% of Newfoundland, and 25% of Great Pyrenees. They are all very large dogs and I know that Newfoundland and Saint Bernard drool alot. Does the Leonberger drool as much? And I also know that Newfoundlands are easy to train. Would Leonbergers be as easy to train? I've heard that they are very sensitive and get upset if things are going on with the family. Does that sensitivity apply to training?

Anonymous - 6/26/2011 12:18:56 PM

Respond to Question

The leonberger has been around for a lot longer than the St Bernard. It's a complicated history for both breeds and too complex to correct here. Leonbergers will drool around food, especially in hot weather. They don't walk around with big globules of drool though. Leonbergers are moderately easy to train and do get very sensitive to upsets in the family. They respond to a firm voice at times, especially in teen years, but do not do well with harsh training. They have very long memories.

Anonymous - 2/22/2012 4:10:13 AM

Leonberger Breeders actually breed for no drooling, making this dog large furry but without the chest of slimey drool. They are very sensitive however so this would apply to training as well. Leonberger's are sensitive to emotions more than other breeds so I would imagine it would make them quite people oriented as you become their pack, so training with positive reinforcement and no heavy handed methods would likely be easy.

Anonymous - 7/6/2011 4:57:39 AM

QUESTION: How easy is a Leonberger to train? How much do they eat a day?

Anonymous - 5/2/2011 7:09:54 PM

Respond to Question

Actually, Leonbergers were bred for two things, to be a family companion and to resemble a lion. They're bred from st bernards, new foundlands, and great pyrenees. One characteristic was paid attation to though, a slection for non-droolers. I spoke with a Pyr breeder who was head of his akc...chapter? He fed 1-2 cups of food per dog of a high quality organic/holistic dog food. Leonbergers are sensitive to emotions and people oriented and not nippy or mouthy. Good luck and check out dogs101 who covered this wonderful breed on animalplanet.com

Anonymous - 3/31/2012 2:40:53 AM

Adult leos need about 525-625 grams of dried food a day in two meals. This depends a lot on the brand you use. Leos are average in their training ability. They are not stubborn, but will always consider their responses to your directions rather than responding immediately. That's because they were bred to protect without direct supervision.

Anonymous - 2/22/2012 3:57:41 AM

leonbergers are really easy train because there so intelligent and since they break the scales at around 170lbs they eat alot every day

Anonymous - 6/19/2011 10:22:18 AM

QUESTION: How much exercise do Leo's need? Can they be let off leash like a golden retriever? Thanks

Anonymous - 4/12/2011 7:57:12 AM

Respond to Question

Don't let them off the lead unless you have trained them to recall.i lost a 5 month old puppy after it chased a bird on to the road and it had been to puppy classes etc

Anonymous - 7/29/2011 6:53:48 AM

I have 2 full grown Leonbergers. They are both very calm and do not require much exercise. They run around in the back yard play ball ,fetch, and tug of war a lot. Both are able to be off leash but when we walk we do put them on leash just in case. Very loyal dogs.

Anonymous - 5/28/2011 2:50:23 PM

QUESTION: i've heard leonbergers are very friendly and calm. would they still stand up for their family/pack if needed?

Anonymous - 1/17/2011 1:25:09 AM

Respond to Question

Any dog, no matter the breed, will protect home and family or as they see it, pack and territory. Even the friendliest dog that usually would lick your face off rather then bite will still get protective if they sense something is wrong or an outsider is upsetting their pack.

Anonymous - 5/1/2011 4:59:10 PM

I have a male leonberger mix, and he is extremely calm, friendly, tolerant. Like most dogs, he takes his cues from me, so friendly strangers get a tail wag, as do children (even a few who have pulled his tail or tried to ride him) but "unfriendly" strangers, or those at the door uninvited (UPS guy, aggressive salespeople) get a resounding bark/growl as he assumes a protective stance infront of me.

Anonymous - 2/10/2011 12:59:00 PM

QUESTION: I know leonbergers are part newfie so since newfies can't get bloat because they have outward chest and so do leongergers does that mean leonbergers can't bloat?

Anonymous - 12/20/2010 8:07:34 AM

Respond to Question

First of all Leonbergers are purebreeds. They are not part newfoundland. There is a lot of myth surrounding this and due to a lack of understanding about genetics and breeding many people assume they are part newfoundland. All deep chested dogs are prone to bloat, that includes both the newf and the leo.

Anonymous - 2/22/2012 4:01:18 AM

not true. Newfies can and do bloat. I have owned and shown Newfies for many many years.

Anonymous - 7/27/2011 8:27:28 AM

As far as I know, newfoundlands can get bloat. So that means all the breeds that make up the leonberger can get bloat, so they can as well.

Anonymous - 1/2/2011 4:45:53 AM

Because leonbergers are 50% saint bernard they can get bloat and are also part great pyrenees whitch can also get bloat. hope this helps :)

akpowrdgbs - 12/23/2010 5:10:02 PM

QUESTION: I have a 13 week old female Leonberger. I have a rather large pool. She has not been in the pool as of yet. I am afraid of leaving her alone in the backyard while I am at work. She is getting so big that keeping her indoors is hard. How can I introduce her to the pool without frightening her??

Anonymous - 9/30/2010 2:27:08 PM

Respond to Question

Give some mental stimulation while you're gone some dog puzzle toys or something, and an old blanket or t-shirt with your scent to leave with the pup. This is a dog that by no means should be left outside all the time. It needs people interaction, socialization with other people and dogs. A pool should always have a fence around it and a puppy this young never left alone all day. Show the pup the stairs into the pool, so it knows how to get in and out but don't leave it outside unsupervised. Coax it in and see if it will go swimming with you, they love the water and are good swimmers but remember this pup is still very young and may not be able to get out by itself.

Anonymous - 5/1/2011 5:22:42 PM

If you're leaving a puppy alone all day while you're at work you thought with your heart and not your head. Puppies require lots of supervision and attention. They're a lot like having a toddler in the house, they want to be involved in what you're doing and you have to constantly keep an eye on them because like children they will get into things that are dangerous for them. So if you think a 13week old Leo is too big an animal, then you've not only done yourself a great disservice but you've also done one to the puppy. This is a breed that craves the attention of it's pack and that's you, it thrives on it. By locking this pup up away from you for the whole day you're making a nutcase out of it.

Anonymous - 5/1/2011 5:19:33 PM

If you think she is too big for the house at 13 weeks you've chosen the wrong breed, and anybody who would leave a young pup outside while at work shouldnt have a dog, get a hamster.

Anonymous - 11/21/2010 3:49:58 PM

No puppy at age 13 weeks should be left alone outside, especially around a pool. At this age they need to be in a safe enclosed area...

Anonymous - 10/25/2010 3:54:20 PM

If you are looking for Leonberger puppies for sale from reputable Leonberger breeders or to adopt a Leonberger from a Leonberger rescue then make sure you understand as much about the dog breeds you are interested in as you can. Every puppy breed is different. Begin your research by reading the breed information about the Leonberger puppy above. Search our dog breeds section to find Leonberger puppies, dogs and puppies that make great pets.

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