Amazingly strong yet magnificently aristocratical , the German - carry Leonberger is possibly the largest “ companion dog ” on the planet . Learn more about living with these soulful giant .
When it comes to pure , double-dyed military strength , it may not get any stronger in the dog world than the mighty Leonberger .
hallow with a gentle disposal and unbelievably eager to please , the Leonberger has long been a popular option for European royalty as well as in his aboriginal Germany , and it ’s easy to see why : Thedogs are intelligent , truehearted , and physically telling .
But do n’t for a 2nd think all of that size of it and military capability is squander on such a gentle giant . Bred to be associate dogs , Leonbergers are ofttimes seen in search - and - rescue operations andworking as therapy dogsbecause of their great persuasiveness and innate desire to be near , and help , homo .
Appearance
Leonbergers are asexually dimorphous stock , meaning males and female of the breed are instantly recognizable from one another . The ladies feature a more graceful , slender bodyline , with narrower hip joint and shoulders . Boys are considerably thicker throughout , with with child foreland and paws , and coat that feature a prominent mane .
Regardless of sex , Leonbergers are unacceptable to drop . Standing over 2 animal foot high and thick muscle , Leos routinely tip the scale at over 100 pounds , with female dogs lead out at 140 pounds and male twin hitting 170 . Their coats are medium in length with feathering at the thorax , belly , and ass , and male dog add together that signature Leonberger mane around their cervix . Underneath is a very thick undercoat , which gives them a downlike , shaggy appearing .
pelage colors are a variety of light shade , from yellow and gold through light browns and scarlet . Colors are in general solid , save for the strain ’s earmark black masque on the face and ears , giving them a heedful , favorable appearance . Their eye are large and almond - shaped , uniformly morose brown .
Temperament
These dogs are giant softie . quick - hearted , favorable , and loving , Leonbergers werebred to be gargantuan family detent .
" They are very special dog , " says Don James , Leonberger Club of America Board of Directors extremity and AKC delegate . " I ’ve often told people that if it ever got to the point where I could n’t have a Leonberger I just would n’t have a dog , because they ’re part of me now . "
The breed has been historically socialise enough to make them fantabulous in families , evenones with little child . Though fry under 10 or so should always be supervise because , no matter how patrician they are , Leonbergers are still a 170 - pound sterling dog and might accidentally knock over an unsuspected kiddo . ( But they ’ll feel really bad about it ! )
otsphoto / Adobe Stock
consort to theLeonberger Club of America , their get it on nature also lay down them first-class therapy dogs , a persona they ’re happy to fill at senior center and hospitals . James read there are presently more than 100 Leonbergers working as therapy dogs in the U.S. Their thick manes are everlasting for large hugs !
" These dogs have just an absolutely marvelous temperament , " James says . " They were multiply to be your buddy ; they are people dogs . … For me , the main thing is going for a walk and knowing that your dog is last to love everybody he meets . And you ca n’t put a cost on that . "
Leonbergers can be easily trained to get along well with other frump , especially if they aresocialized as pups , andcats are no trouble for themeither as long as they were raise with them .
lolostock / Getty
Because the Leonberger was bred as aworking dogwho was meant to pass his days in the fields alongside his companion , he is not really a loner . These pups wo n’t do in particular well ifleft alonefor long . If you ’re going to be away from them for more than a pair time of day at a clip , expect your neighbors to recount you aboutall the howlingcoming from your position .
to boot , while they will sure as shooting make a great visual check to any would - be interloper — and they ’re well-chosen tosound an alert barkwith their flourishing voice — Leonbergers are , by nature , big sweeties when meeting young people . As James suppose , " there is no aloofness with these dogs . "
Living Needs
Living with a Leonbergerin an apartmentis essentially experience with a 170 - lb roomie with confutative opinions on personal space . But , as long as you give these massive , happy fellows the exercise they need , Leonbergers are adaptable pups who can adjust to living anywhere .
Leonbergers areactive dogs , so they will need daily activity to keep them healthy and tohelp prevent obesity . They makegreat hike companionsandlove to swim . A large , fenced - in yardis an ideal spot for a Leo to stretch out his big legs . Additionally , because this is a stock that loves pulling loads , drafting competitions(where a dog pulls a cart ) can be an excellent option for keeping them busy and stimulated . James says your Leonberger might also enjoydock diving , barn hunting , lightsomeness , and other dog sports .
Other pets are usually fine for Leonbergers to be around . They actually have sex being in pocket-size packs with other Leonbergers , and smaller hot dog ( and they’reallsmaller dogs , compared to the giant Leo ! ) and even cat are usually no problem for them to coexist with . Families with child are also good by the gentle - natured Leo , though , as with any domestic dog , playtime with smaller children should always be a supervised affair . Leonbergers also love to be around senior and enjoy playing sofa potato , providedhe set about a walk inat least once or twice a twenty-four hour period .
With their luxurious , thick head of hair , Leonbergers have a really rugged prison term in hot weather . So mass who live in incessantly warmer clime might require to look at a dissimilar dog — one who ’s not sporting a downlike three-fold coatmeant for European winters . If you do live somewhere affectionate , always make certain your Leonberger has access to AC , water , and ghost .
Care
Leonbergers are a smattering to neaten . Their thick-skulled , medium - length coating and dense primer are in aperpetual state of sloughing . Then , for bestow fun , they’llcompletely pour forth that ground twice a class , arrive at for an extra load of pelt on the floor each spring and autumn .
Because of all that haircloth , owner will need tobrush their Leo on a daily basis . And , because this andiron is larger than the typical high school neophyte , brushing is not a task that is going to be over in a flash — groomingthese guys will become a sideline . Bathingwill probably encounter once a month or so as well . On the positive side : All that pour forth and brush does keep the Leonberger ’s pelage from getting overly long , so slip to the groomer can be functionally nonexistent .
Like all andiron , Leonbergers also need their nails trimmed so they do n’t click - clack across the flooring . Theirears should also be checked and cleaned , too .
Their uttermost people - pleasing ways also make them incredibly sensitive animals . Obedience trainingis an infrangible must and , like with all Canis familiaris breed , Leonbergers learn best withample positive reinforcing stimulus .
" They ’re very well-informed and they ’re straightaway learners , " James says . " If you take the meter to develop them , they are extremely trainable . "
Health
Because of their out - of - this - world size , Leonbergers only dwell to be around 7 year one-time . Leonbergers ' bad daily job will be obesity and stomachal distension and volvulus ( morecommonly known as bloat ) . The former will be a job if you are n’t giving themthe recitation they need , and the latter is a common complaint among breeds with enceinte chest pit . Consult your veterinary surgeon to see what preventative measures they recommend .
Long terminal figure , the breed has historically hadissues with some cancers , in particular osseous tissue Cancer the Crab , though it most ordinarily does n’t strike Leonbergers until late in life . Hip dysplasiahas been a remarkably small problem for the stock , though you ’ll want to be cognizant of it and take allhealth screenings advocate by the Canine Health Information Center .
" You also do n’t want them to grow too tight , so draw certain they ’re on a well - balanced puppy food is important , " pronounce Michelle Beck , DVM , CCRT , CVA - Veterinarian , with theBacklund Animal Clinicin Omaha , Neb. " Putting on too much size too ahead of time can create unnecessary stress on joint and off-white that are n’t fully mould yet . "
Beck also notes that , like other jumbo breeds , there ’s some controversy among veterinary about when is the right time tospay or neutera Leonberger . The Leo ’s large size and potential stress on growing castanets stand for the hotdog ’s growth plates closely later than in smaller strain .
" Removing any of the electronic organ that control or baffle hormones in a dog ’s body can pretend how that dog will arise , so there ’s a thought that waiting until a large breed dog is close to maturity is secure , " she says .
But Beck point out there ’s a flip side of waiting to neuter or castrate your Leo : " The whole reason humanistic societies neuter early is to control universe growth and the longer you wait , the less you potentially mitigate that issue . "
History
Dogs more or less matching the description of the Leonberger have subsist in Germany since at least the 1580s . However , the first generally agreed upon existence of the andiron we lie with as the Leo comes from — wait for it — the town of Leonberg , around 1846 , according to theInternational Union for Leonberger Dogs .
Prominent town resident physician Heinrich Essig wanted a " mascot " detent for his town and , so the fable tell , cover the Leonberger — likely a combination ofSaint Bernard , Newfoundland , andGreat Pyrenees — to resemble the Leo on the town crest . The breed became a democratic farm and companion dog , andsoared in popularity among royaltyas well .
By the end of World War I , there were25 Leonbergers allow , only five of which were suited for breeding . World War II was even bad , reducing the Leonberger population down to eight . Every Leo alive today can trace their lineage at once back to thoseeight post - war dogs .
Today , while still used as herding detent in some arena , Leonbergers also make names for themselves assearch - and - delivery dog , lifesaver , and therapy dogs . They are also increasingly popular once again as family positron emission tomography , serving as steadfast companion to anyone with enough room to house them . The American Kennel Club recognized the Leonberger in 2010 .
