Leonberger

Working

Size:

Grooming:

Exercise Level:

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Good with Children:

Good with other pets:

Affectionate:

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Height: 74 - 80cm M | 61 - 74cm F

Weight: 59 - 77kg M | 45 - 59kg F

Life Expectancy: 8 - 10 Years

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Introduction

The Leonberger is a handsome-looking dog from Germany. It is a large working dog weighing 120 to 170 pounds and standing 65to 80 centimetres at the withers. Its distinct feature is its lion-like mane that completes its overall stunning and commanding appearance. However, it is a real gentle giant and makes wonderful family pets. It is also an excellent guard dog because of its massive size and loyal nature.

Will you take home a large dog like the Leonberger? Here is a brief background of this gentle, powerful-looking giant dog.

History

The Leonberger is Kennel Club registered and first appeared in Leonberg, Germany in 1846 when Herr Heinrich Essig attempted to create a dog that is similar in looks to a lion, which is a coat-of-arms animal of Leonberg. It is believed to be a cross between the Newfoundland, Saint Bernard and Pyrenean Mount Dog, which resulted in a huge dog with a long white coat and an even temperament. The Leonberger became a popular dog in several European royal households that included Napoleon II, Prince of Wales, Umberto I of Italy and Empress Elizabeth of Austria-Hungary.

Although Essig named and registered the first Leonberger, records suggest that a breed similar to Leonberger dogs have existed back in 1601 owned by the Metternich family. During World War I, there were only five Leonbergers left so two Leonberger enthusiasts, Stadelmann and Josenhans committed to reviving the breed through its breeding program, which was later taken over by the German government. Again, it almost went extinct during the World War II when the breed was utilised to pull ammunition carts, of which only eight dogs survived to contribute to the modern Leonbergers of today.

Appearance and Grooming

The Leonberger is a handsome and stunning working dog with a massive size of 120 to 170 pounds and 65 to 80 centimetres. Its distinct feature is its mane similar to that of a lion for which it was initially bred to resemble. Leonbergers have a well-proportioned head that is well-balanced to the rest of the body. They have a moderate stop and a nice black nose with a tapering muzzle. This impressive dog has medium-size, oval-shaped eyes that show a kind and intelligent expression. It has moderately large ears set high and often hanging close to the side of the head.

The Leonberger wears a double coat with a rough topcoat and soft, denser undercoat. Often the coat can have a slight wave, especially the chest and neck where an abundant hair is present resembling a lion's mane. The coat always comes with a black mask with main coat colours of yellowish brown, gold, red or reddish brown. Leonbergers shed moderately and more twice a year. Its loads of fur will require a thorough brushing once a week. Bathing can be done as necessary.

Aside from coat care, other grooming aspects must not be disregarded. As with all dogs, brushing the teeth is necessary to prevent tooth and gum disease and bad breath. Ears should be thoroughly checked for any signs of infection such as redness, warmth and bad odour. Clean the ears with a vet-approved solution. Nails can be trimmed when you start hearing clicking sounds on the floorboards, which means they have grown too long.

Temperament and Intelligence

The Leonberger is a quiet dog with a pleasant personality. When it is properly socialised and trained, this giant dog breed is confident, obedient, friendly and well-behaved. It is also loyal, which makes it a great guard dog, on top of its massive size. However, the Leonberger is an intelligent breed with a bit of a stubborn streak, so training might not be easy. Thus, it is not ideal for first-time dog owners who do not have experience handling a large breed with a higher level of training.

Getting on well with children, the Leonberger has an unusual amount of patience. However, it is best to make sure playtime is well supervised to so the dog does not unnecessarily knock over toddlers. Its massive size can also be a bit scary to small children, so it is preferable to have the Leonberger around older children instead.

When it comes to other dogs, it gets on well with them especially when it has been well socialised at a young age. However, care must be taken when the Leonberger is around small animals as it will not hesitate to give chase.

Nutrition and Feeding

A typical serving for an adult Leonberger is 2 to 4 cups of quality dry dog food per day. There is so much to consider when it comes to proper diet suitable for a dog. Each dog is unique, and feeding is often affected by factors including its age, gender, size, health, build, activity level, and metabolism. When you are not sure what is best for your Leonberger, don't hesitate to consult a veterinarian.

Typical daily calorie needs of adult Leonberger weighing 140 pounds:

Senior and less active: up to 2525 calories daily
Typical adults: up to 2840 calories daily
Physically active/working dogs: up to 3150 calories daily

Since the Leonberger is a massive dog, make sure to select a quality dog food formulated for large dogs. Also, buy commercial dog food where animal protein is on the top list of its ingredients. Despite its impressive size, Leonberger like any dogs can suffer from bloat if fed too much in one meal, so make sure food servings are equally split into two meals.

Health and Exercise

Since it is a strong and sturdy working dog, the Leonberger is generally healthy and can live up to its maximum lifespan of 10 years. However, the Leonberger is not free from potential genetic health disorders that include Polyneuropathy, Cancer, Elbow and Hip Dysplasia, Eye Problems, and some heart and thyroid problems.

Leonbergers are energetic dogs that love to run and play with their family. Make sure to provide a minimum of two hours' worth of exercises on a daily basis. Lack of work or activity may usher negative habits that will be difficult to curb when it grows into an adult dog. Since Leonbergers are large dogs, they require a huge space to move around, preferably a securely fenced back garden.

Cost of Ownership

If you are keen on caring for a Leonberger, you need to pay between £500 and £1000 for a well-bred pedigree puppy. To ensure it stays healthy at whatever age, be ready to spend £60-£70 a month on high-quality dog food. You also need to factor in the initial cost for dog accessories and equipment such as food bowls, leads, collars, and beds, which will likely be about £200 depending on the brand.

When it comes to healthcare, you need to be prepared in case your dog suddenly falls ill or gets into an accident. You can offset some medical bills if you get a pet insurance, which can range from £50 a month for a time-limited cover up to £92 a month for a lifelong insurance cover. These prices vary depending on your dog’s health and age, size and weight, the type of cover you choose, and whether it has pre-existing conditions.

Other outgoings to consider are veterinary expenses that may not be included in a pet insurance coverage such as vaccinations, routine checks, neutering or spaying, and annual boosters, which can have a combined cost of £1000 annually. Roughly, you will be setting aside £80-£120 a month for recurring expenses, depending on the type of insurance cover you choose. This estimate is exclusive of walking or grooming services that you might want to use at times.