Leonberger Breed information & Pictures

Leonberger Breed Description

Life Expectancy
8-9 years

Learning Rate
Very high

Litter Size
5 to 10

Size
Huge

Weight
Dogs: 130-170 pounds
Bitches: 100-130 pounds

Height
Dogs: 29-31 inches
Bitches: 27-29 inches

Country of Origin
Leonberg, Germany 1800s

Groups
AKC Working Dogs
FCI Group II.: Pinscher and Schnauzer- Molossoid Breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs
TKC Working

Other Names
Leo, Gentle Lion, Gentle Giant

The Leonberger is a very large, majestic dog with a characteristic black mask. This breed has been used for guarding livestock, obedience and tracking. This dog is versatile and has been successful in many endeavours.

The Leonberger is used in Germany for search and rescue and has a reputation as a great water-rescue dog. It has webbing between the toes to aid in swimming. The Leonberger is mild mannered, calm, friendly, and affectionate. Its warm, gentle personality makes it an excellent family companion dog.

Temperament

The Leonberger is a lively, loving, sweet dog. This dog just loves everyone. It is steadfast, stable and calm. Its intelligence is extraordinary; its loyalty and love for its family is unparalleled. The Leonberger has a friendly personality.

This breed is very good with children; it is trustworthy and has incredible patience, even with the most obnoxious children (but there are some that are not as patient). Generally if the situation becomes too intense, instead of showing any aggression, the Leonberger simply walks away. This dog needs a gentle, patient master, it does not respond very well to harsh training-methods.

This breed wants to please, and responds well to training. To be an excellent watchdog it requires some special training. Early, thorough socialization is important, as this puppy will become a very large adult. Usually it gets along with other dogs. This gentle giant is serious, intelligent and brave; it is more agile than many other giant breeds. It loves to be included in all family outings and is very adaptable to most any environment.

The Leonberger dog loves to swim, hike and be trained to pull carts and sleds. If you plan to have your Leonberger 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.

Colors

It comes in tawny, reddish-brown, 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.

Coat

The coat is waterproof, rough looking. Weekly brushing is needed. Bathe only when necessary. This breed is a seasonally heavy shedder, during this time the dog should be brushed and combed daily. 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.

Health Issues

It is prone to hip dysplasia, and other skeletal diseases/disorders. To help prevent the chance of hip or elbow dysplasia developing make sure your dog is on a healthy, well proportioned diet, and avoid excessive running and jumping while still a puppy as this can be hard on the developing joints. Also eyelid defects and bone disease are less common problems, which a regular vet visit would notice and help with. To minimize the risk of your Leonberger developing any hereditary health issues, you should buy a dog from a reputable Leonberger breeder.

Living Environment

The leonberger is not good for small spaces specifically cramped apartments. They would do well in large yards and can live both inside and outside (even in cool climates).

Leonberger Puppies for Sale

Articles

Choosing Your Puppy

12 Best Big Dogs for Kids – Find the Perfect Dog for Your Family

April 2, 2022 by Sandor Fagyal

There is often a recurring notion that large breed dogs and children don’t mix. However, it’s a broad statement to imply that large dogs are unsafe around kids. It really comes down to the specific breed and the training the...