Leonberger Dog Breed Profile

by Luke Blaise

AKC Group: Working Group

The huge Leonberger dog originates from Leonberg, Germany. Used there as a powerful farm dog, it features a lion like mane. This is the newest dog breed to be officially recognized by the AKC in 2010.

History

The Leonberger started in the 19th century in Leonberg, Germany. Their primary objective was to become a draft, farm and family dog. This dog caught the attention of famous German artists who utilized them as models, and they have even been featured in the stamps of different European countries too. Leonbergers nearly became vanished after WW I, but 2 men were committed to keeping the breed in existence and regenerated them from a few dogs.

Physical Features

The Leonberger dog is a huge, buff, working dog. The dog's head is shaped like a rectangle and deeper than it is broad. The moderate to long, water repellent, double coat is available cream, golden to red, lion-yellow, pale yellow, red-brown, sand and any mixture of those shades, always with black cover. All colors could have long medium, shorter or black tips on the external coat. There could be a white patch or tiny stripe on the chest and several white hairs on the feet.

A mature male, when calculated at the withers, is 28 to 31.5 inches tall at the maximum level of the shoulder blades. The older female is 25.5 to 29.5 inches. Height is calculated at the withers; the body size is calculated from tip of shoulder to tip of buttocks. Preferred proportion of height at withers to amount of body is nine to ten.

Personality

The sensitive personality and even character of the Leonberger is very important for satisfying their function as a family pet. The Leonberger is self assured and quiet, with a constant, fun attitude. He's ready to please and owns a good ability for learning. The Leonberger displays a marked friendliness to kids and is comfortable in all circumstances, never showing aggression, fear or shyness.

Common Health Problems

As in all huge breeds, the Leonberger are susceptible to hip dysplasia, as well as other skeletal disorders/diseases. Also eyelid defects and bone disease. Probable behavior problems.

Return to: Complete AKC Dog Breed List

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