Leonberger: Your Complete Guide
Leonbergers aren’t one of the best-known breeds in America, and at one point, they nearly went extinct. Slowly growing in global popularity since the 1990s, Leonbergers have a dedicated following of enthusiasts. You may be wondering what all the hype is about.
If you’re contemplating adding a Leonberger to your family, you want to be prepared to meet this breed’s needs and to be certain they match your family’s lifestyle as well. Leonbergers are extra large dogs that are happy to be put to work on a farm or simply play with your children after school. This breed comes from combining the Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, and the great Pyrenees, and they are named for the city in Germany where they originated.
While known for being quiet, gentle giants, they are by no means dull. Leonbergers are popular family dogs that are often used as guardians for livestock and families alike. They also love to engage in sports and outdoor activities. Their coarse coat sheds water, making them ideally suited for swimming and water sports. Like most large dogs, though, they do have some health risks to be aware of.
Quick Look at the Leonberger
Leonbergers are famous for their lion-like appearance and large size. Despite their size, these dogs are not clumsy but confident and poised. While protective of their family, they are also friendly with other people and can get along with other animals as long as they are well-socialized from a young age.
| Weight/Height | 90-170 pounds/26-31 inches |
| Coat Type | Straight and thick double coat |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Loyal, calm, intelligent, friendly |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals |  |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 8-10 years |
What Is the History of Leonbergers?
Leonbergers first appeared in the 1840s in Leonberg, Germany. The story goes that politician Heinrich Essig wanted to design a dog that would represent the city of Leonberg. He wanted to breed a dog with lion-like features and a golden color to match the city’s coat of arms: a golden shield with a lion.
By breeding three large working dog varieties, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, and the Great Pyrenees, he achieved his desired result. This was before Cynology, or the study of dogs and their breeding, was established, so some details are still debated about the exact development of the breed.
The breed became trendy as a pet for the wealthy upper-class Europeans in the mid-19th century, shortly after their introduction, but they almost died out in the early 20th century. There were still Leonberg enthusiasts who recognized the charm and cultural significance of this unique breed. The Deutscher Club für Leonberger Hunde, or German Club for Leonberger Dogs, was formed and is still active throughout Germany to this day.
The breed has slowly spread globally, with their popularity in America increasing steadily since the 1990s.
What Do Leonbergers Look Like?
Leonbergers cut an impressive figure, anywhere from 25 to 32 inches tall and weighing between 90 and 170 pounds. They have large heads with protruding snouts and a black face mask. They are muscular and a little physically intimidating, but their pleasant and friendly personalities are usually expressed on their faces, setting people more at ease.
Leonberger coats are long and have an undercoat, which makes them nearly waterproof. Their coat colors can range from yellow or sandy to reddish brown. Even Leonbergers with lighter coats still have dark face markings.
What Size Is a Leonberger?
Leonbergers are typically over two feet tall at the shoulder but males can be taller than 31 inches at the shoulder sometimes. They are a large breed, though sometimes classified as “giant” by some breeders.
As is the case in many breeds, the females can be slightly smaller and lighter, but no matter what, the Leonberger is a lot of dog when they are fully grown. They can range from around 90 pounds for a female on the small side, up to around 170 for the largest of males.
What Is a Leonberger’s Coat Type and Length?
The Leonberger’s coat is straight and thick, with a double coat that’s perfect for shedding water. The coat can range from medium to long.
What Is a Leonberger’s Temperament?
Leonbergers are very affectionate with their families. They may not realize how big they are, wanting to be a lap dog well into adulthood. They bond closely with their family groups and are loyal and protective of them. They are also sensitive to the emotions of humans around them.
Some Leonbergers may feel anxious around strangers or uncomfortable with strange dogs, but their eager-to-please demeanor can extend to new people and animals when properly socialized.
Are Leonbergers Good With Kids?
The “gentle giant” is a fair nickname that Leonbergers wear with pride. With that in mind, they are an excellent choice for families with children. They are patient and non-aggressive with children of all ages.
The Saint Bernard, one of the breeds the Leonberger originates from, is sometimes known as a “nanny dog” due to their reliability with children. Leonbergers are also playful, with relatively high energy levels, making them great companions for energetic children.
That being said, it’s always important to supervise children when they are playing with dogs and it’s essential to teach children how to behave around animals. Since Leonbergers are such a large breed, they could accidentally knock a small child down, leading to a few tears and bruises.
Are Leonbergers Good With Other Animals?
Leonbergers naturally have a high prey drive, meaning their instinct is to chase small animals like squirrels or even cats. However, thanks to their personality, they can be trained out of this habit if you start socializing them young.
Leonbergers are cordial, but not overly friendly with other dogs, preferring their human family for the most part. They can develop the social skills needed to get along with other pets and can also serve as guardians for livestock.
The bottom line is that Leonbergers aren’t naturally inclined to befriend other animals, but they can get along with them if you dedicate the time to training them.
Are Leonbergers Aggressive?
Leonbergers are not known to be aggressive. Young Leonbergers are more socially open to new people as long as they don’t feel their family is being threatened. If they aren’t properly socialized, they can develop some anxiety around strangers.
Any dog can act aggressively when they are not properly trained and are put in a stressful situation. Despite Leonbergers naturally being calm and friendly, you always need to build trust between yourself and your dog. You also need to expose them to a variety of people and animals from a young age so they can feel comfortable.
Do Leonbergers Bark?
Every dog makes noise sometimes, but some are more prone to barking than others. Leonbergers are moderate barkers. They don’t bark excessively but express themselves when they have something important to say.
Are Leonbergers Affectionate?
Leonbergers are cuddle bugs. They love to give and receive affection within their family and prefer to be by your side whenever possible. They are generally open to new people, especially when they are young. As they get older, they may become less inclined.
Make sure they are exposed to people outside of the immediate family frequently, and be prepared to give them a good cuddle regularly.
Are Leonbergers Intelligent?
Leonbergers aren’t usually on the list of top ten smartest breeds, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t intelligent. They are bright, emotionally intelligent, and they can learn a large number of commands.
Are Leonbergers Energetic?
Leonbergers are moderately energetic, needing about a 30-minute walk every day to keep them healthy and prevent them from getting bored. They also need up to 60 minutes of playtime each day. This can be running around the yard with their favorite toy, playing with the family’s children, swimming, or joining you on a short hike.
Unlike some breeds, they don’t have endless energy, but they still need regular exercise. It’s also important to note that they are large dogs, so they need space for their activities.
Are Leonbergers Easy to Train?
Due to their high intelligence level and their sociable personality, they are easy to train and can learn many commands. It’s important to train Leonbergers from a young age because they grow to such a large size. You don’t want a dog the size of an adult human that you can’t control.
Make sure they comfortably walk on a leash because once they are grown, leash pulling could be quite a problem.
Are Leonbergers Good Watchdogs?
Thanks to their naturally protective personality, Leonbergers make good watchdogs. They have been used to guard livestock like sheep. Their size tends to be a deterrent to any human or animal threats. They also have a deep bark that can intimidate intruders.
A well-socialized Leonberger can develop a tendency to befriend any stranger, which may not make them ideal guard dogs, but they can be useful as watchdogs.
Are Leonbergers Good Service Dogs?
Sensitive to the emotional and physical states of people around them, Leonbergers are well suited to be service dogs. They particularly excel as therapy dogs, mobility assistance dogs, and seizure alert dogs.
For people with mental health challenges, Leonbergers make excellent psychiatric service dogs. Their calm and gentle personalities can support people with conditions such as autism, ADHD, or PTSD.
How to Care for a Leonberger?
While dogs can greatly enrich our lives, we also have a duty to care for them and give them the best possible life as well. Leonbergers need a space that’s big enough to comfortably accommodate them. They also need regular access to adequate outdoor space.
Since Leonbergers are so socially connected to their families, they don’t thrive well in homes where they are left alone all day. You will also need to regularly groom your Leonberger to keep them happy and comfortable.
Do You Need to Groom a Leonberger?
Since Leonbergers have a double coat, they do need a moderate amount of grooming. Brushing them once or twice a week should be enough to keep their coat in good condition.
Bathing should happen occasionally and can be a bit challenging due to the water resistance qualities of their outer coat. You may find it easier to have a professional groomer bathe them once or twice a year.
Do Leonbergers Shed?
Most of the year, Leonbergers shed a moderate amount, but during the spring and fall, they experience heavy shedding due to their undercoat. You may want to brush them more frequently during these periods to help reduce the amount of fur they drop.
Due to their large size, it’s also a higher volume of fur that you have to deal with, which can be a challenge.
What Health Problems Do Leonbergers Have?
Like most large dogs, Leonbergers have a shorter lifespan than many dog breeds, and they are prone to certain health issues. One of the biggest risks when it comes to Leonbergers is Gastric-Dilation-Volvulus (GDV).
This is a condition, sometimes called “bloat,” where a large dog’s stomach fills with liquid or gas and then rotates, cutting off blood supply. This can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.
Other less dangerous but still serious issues like hip dysplasia are common in such large dogs. Leonbergers are also prone to gaining weight as they age, which can put more pressure on their hips and other joints. Bone cancer is another skeletal issue that is more common in large dogs.
Another potential issue is laryngeal, or vocal cord, paralysis. In advanced stages, it can lead to difficulty in barking or breathing and may require surgery.
How Long Do Leonbergers Live?
Some experts estimate that Leonbergers only tend to live around seven years, while others put the range a little higher at eight to ten years. Many factors can affect a dog’s lifespan, such as diet, physical activity, access to veterinary care, and of course, their genetic predispositions.
Unfortunately, most giant dog breeds simply don’t have the longevity of smaller dogs. It’s important to get them regular check-ups at the vet and give them the best possible life in the years they have.
What Should a Leonberger Eat?
Leonbergers need a high-quality diet to benefit their health. An important strategy for preventing health issues in Leonbergers is to have a regular feeding strategy.
You can ask your veterinarian for recommendations, but general guidance is to feed your Leonberger twice a day at set times. One large feeding a day can increase their risk of dangerous bloat, but frequent feedings can risk them overeating and gaining too much weight.
Free feeding is not recommended. Once their mealtime is over, remove any uneaten portion to prevent them from picking at it throughout the day. This can reduce their risk of excessive weight gain, which can cause more stress on their joints. Irregular eating can also increase their risk of GDV.
Is a Leonberger the Right Dog for Me?
When choosing which breed of dog to adopt, it is important to consider the traits of the breed as well as the personality of the individual dog. Large dogs will always require special consideration because they need more space, more food, and sometimes more veterinary care.
An ideal family for a Leonberger will have someone home with them most of the time. They love children but can happily be companions to adults as well. If you’re moderately active and love to cuddle, Leonbergers could be a good choice for you.
Leonbergers are big dogs with even bigger hearts. They do require special care to make their short life as healthy and happy as possible. If you’re willing to commit to it, they will be a very close companion who is loyal for life.