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Leonberger
History of the Breed
At the end of the thirties/beginning of the forties, Heinrich Essig, TownCouncillor in Leonberg near Stuttgart, crossed a black and white Newfoundland bitch with a so-called "Barry" male from the monastery hospice Grand St.Bernhard. Later a Pyrenean Mountain Dog was added. This resulted in very large dogs with predominantly long, white coats. Essig's aim was for a lion-like dog. The lion is the heraldic animal of the city of Leonberg.
The first dogs really called "Leonbergers" were born in 1846. They combined the excellent qualities of the breeds from which they stemmed. Only a short time later, many of these dogs were sold as status symbols from Leonberg all over the world. At the end of the 19th century, the Leonberger was kept in Baden-Württemberg as the preferred farm dog. His watch and draft abilities were much praised. In both World Wars and the needy post war times, the numbers of breeding stock reduced dramatically. Today the Leonberger is an excellent family dog which fulfills all the demands of modern life.
Physical Description and Size
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 The 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 haveblack 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 who's 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
Leonbergers are supposed to be noble, gentle and sweet - and many are. There is no guarantee though, only good breeding practices with an emphasis on an outstanding temperament significantly increases the chances that your cute puppy will grow up to become a gentle adult.
Behavior is not only the responsibility of the breeder but also of the owner. Leos are large dogs and are frightening to many people simply by virtue of their size. Fear and aggression in a stranger can activate a dog's protective instincts. Large dogs can also do a great deal of damage just by jumping up on someone in a burst of enthusiasm.
In some Leonbergers, there is a fair amount of play drive, as in most dogs. Running children will be seen as an invitation to chase - with a 120 pound dog that might be problematic. When you invite a Leonberger to share your life, you bring to that contract the responsibility to make sure that both you and your dog receive excellent obedience training.
To become excellent family and watchdogs, Leonbergers must be well socialized as young puppies and extremely well-trained and under the control of their people at all times. It is difficult to train a dog that has been improperly socialized. The fear of parvo has led some owners to make the tragic mistake of keeping their puppies isolated until they have completed their vaccination series; they risk ending up with a fearful, timid dog that may become aggressive as an adult.
Owners must strike a balance: Puppies, especially from birth through four months, must be exposed to a variety of people and experiences. There are many parvo-safe activities and places to take dogs, and new owners have to take the time to expose their new pups to as many of these as possible. This is especially true for one's second and third Leo; it is too easy to keep the new pup in the company of the older dogs, depriving him of the opportunity to develop self-confidence.
Leos are known for their stability. As a general rule, they are consistently even-tempered and generally pleasing to be around even in noisy and chaotic situations that would be highly stressful for some other breeds.
A typical and impressive sight at dog shows and gatherings is a large "pride" of Leonbergers peacefully and contentedly sitting and lying together in close quarters. However, on closer observation one will find that males in the midst of "hormone storms" are carefully separated and have been placed at opposite ends of the group.
Dog Care
This breed does not need a lot of exercise, however, they do need to be taken on a daily walk. 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.
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.
Health Issues and Life Expectancy
Life expectancy is about 8-9 years. Common health issues include:
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is unfortunately found in almost all breeds, especially the larger ones. The Leonberger is no exception. Hip dysplasia (HD) is an hereditary developmental disease. HD is a result of abnormal development of the "ball-and socket" joints of the hips. Severity covers a wide range from slight abnormality to very severe dislocation. Dysplastic dogs are born with normal hip joints which undergo changes as the dogs mature. Although the cause is hereditary, the disease can be made worse by environmental factors such as rapid growth, overfeeding and excessive exercise. Keeping the incidence of the disease to a minimum depends on accurate X-ray diagnosis, accurate breeding records and strict breeding regulations that allow HD free dogs to breed.
Osteochondritis Dessicans (OCD): The LCABreeding Committee iscontrolling for OCD and other joint diseases by requiring not only clear hips, but also clear elbow x-rays, before dogs can be bred. OCD is found in all large breeds that experience rapid growth, and is therefore seen in the Leonberger. OCD is a condition where an area of cartilage dies and falls into the associated joint. It sometimes revives and grows to form a loose lump called a "joint mouse." This rubs on the joint, causing swelling, pain and limping. It is treatable with surgery. There are a variety of causes for the condition.
Eosinophilic Panosteitis:"Pano" is a disease with no known cause that resolves without, or in spite of, treatment! It is a generalized inflammation of the bones that is commonly referred to as growing pains. A healthy puppy suddenly develops an acute and painful lameness with no known history of trauma. The lameness often shifts from one limb to another. It is easily diagnosed by veterinarians. Anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed, and attempts to slow the rate of growth of the puppy are usually recommended. The good news is that Pano is self-limiting and does not seem to result in any long-term damage.
Addison's Disease: Addison's disease is a rare hormonal disorder of the adrenal glands. It has been diagnosed in both European and American Leonbergers. It is serious and can lead to death if undiagnosed. However, if diagnosed correctly, it can be very successfully managed with medication. Affected dogs often have periodic vomiting and diarrhea, lethargy, exercise intolerance, and weight loss. Symptoms come on gradually and become worse with time. It is typically a disease of young to middle-aged female dogs. It can be definitively diagnosed with blood tests. The bloodlines that have shown evidence of Addison's disease are being carefully monitored in the United States by the LCA's Heath Committee.
Bloat: Also known as gastric dilation, bloat can occur in any breed. In deep-chested breeds, like the Leonberger, the stomach can fill with gas and twist trapping the gas inside. This is a life-threatening event which must be treated immediately. As a preventative measure, Leos should be fed at least twice a day and should not be vigorously exercised or stressed for at least one hour before and after feeding.
Entropion and Ectropion Eyes: Some Leonberger lines are known to carry the genes for ectropion and entropion (inverted eyelids). These can be corrected with a relatively minor surgical procedure. This condition is considered a major fault, however, and affected dogs are not allowed to breed.
Osteosarcoma: Bone cancer is a frequent cause of death in giant breeds, and Leonbergers are no exception. However, it usually does not strike until dogs have passed their seventh year and frequently much later. Osteosarcoma is a a highly destructive tumor state which spreads rapidly to other organs, particularly the lungs. Treatment often requires amputation of the affected limb combined with chemotherapy.
Additional Resources
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