Leonberger Dogs: Facts and Personality Traits
Loyal. Intelligent. Protective. Muscular. Fluff ball. Gentle giant. If that’s your idea of an ideal pet, it’s about time you familiarize yourself better with Leonberger dogs. A relatively rare breed, these dogs are slowly but surely getting their due recognition and gaining popularity both as family and therapy dogs.
Sounds intriguing? Let’s delve deeper and find out more about Leonberger characteristics, history, personality, health, and more, to help you decide whether this big bundle of love would make a good fit for your home
History of the Leonberger Dog
Leonberger dogs were first bred in Germany in the mid-19th century by Heinrich Essig, a city councilor and dog breeder from Leonberg. Essig wanted a dog with the traits and characteristics of the Great Pyrenees, Newfoundland, and Saint Bernard. The result was the Leonberger, the first litter of which was born in 1846. The breed quickly gained recognition and was accepted into the German Kennel Club.
Originally used as watchdogs and draft dogs, Leonbergers went on to become popular family pets. They were used extensively as messenger and ambulance dogs during World War I. However, the breed’s future seemed bleak after the war, as only 25 Leonberger dogs remained, of which only 5 were of breeding quality.
It was thanks to two devoted lovers of the breed — Stadelmann and Josenhans — that the Leonberger dogs were saved from extinction. They started a club to save the breed. The program was taken over by the German government during the war and later taken forward by the Deutsche Club fur Leonberger Hunde.
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The breed played an active role during World War II as well, and only eight survived. The present-day Leonbergers’ ancestry can be traced to those eight survivors. One of the most interesting Leonberger facts is that this breed has been pushed to the brink of extinction, not once but twice, and managed to bounce back — which tells you everything you need to know about their resilience.
Despite its long-standing history and lineage, the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as recently as January 1, 2010. Today, they continue to be used as working dogs, therapy dogs, and family dogs around the world.
Leonberger Breed Standard
Leonberger dogs are large, muscular, elegant, and sociable. The breed is characterized by a distinct black mask, substantial bone, a double coat, and a balanced build. The outer coat lies flat and is medium-soft to coarse to touch. It typically runs straight with some generalized wave patterns. The males are strong and powerful, and have a lion-like mane on the chest and neck whereas female Leonbergers have a shorter coat and an unmistakable feminine build.
The undercoat is dense and soft, although it may lose its thickness in warmer climates or during summer months. Despite the double coat, the body outline is distinct and recognizable. Leonbergers have some amount of ear feathering, ample fur on their legs, the tail is thick and well-furnished, and their toes webbed.
This is a dimorphic breed, meaning you can tell a male and female Leonberger apart easily owing to their discernible appearances. Imposing in size, graceful in its gait, the Leonberger is self-assured and attentive.
Leonberger size
Leonberger height
Male: 71–80 cm (28–31 in), average 75 cm (30 in)
Female: 65–75 cm (26–30 in), average 70 cm (28 in)
Leonberger weight
Males: 120–170 lb (54–77 kg), average 145 lb (66 kg)
Females: 100–135 lb (45–61 kg), average 115 lb (52 kg)
Leonberger Temperament and Personality Traits
Now that you have all the Leonberger facts about its origin and physical attributes, let’s move on to one of its most distinguishing and important characteristics (especially if you’re interested in Leonberger dogs for adoption) — its temperament.
One of the best ways to describe a Leonberger is that it’s a cuddly bear dressed as a lion. The German Leonberger is often referred to as a gentle giant because of their large size and calm temperament. They are extremely affectionate dogs with friendly, self-assured personalities, making them a great fit as family pets. Some of the key Leonberger traits and characteristics include:
- Socialable
- Highly trainable
- Submissive to family members
- Friendly with children and other dogs
- Insensitive to noise
- Non-reactive toward passers-by
- Loyal
- Intelligent
- Playful
- Thrive on attention from their human companions
- Protective of their homes and families
- Outdoorsy
- Require mental and physical stimulation
However, it’s important to bear in mind that despite all the amenable Leonberger traits, it is still a big dog. Without early socialization and training and an established hierarchy of control, they can get hard to handle.
Caring for a Leonberger — Everything You Need to Know
Is Leonberger a good family dog? Everything we know about this breed — be it Leonberger traits and temperament, their lineage, their history — seems to suggest so. However, a full-grown Leonberger dog is also a big responsibility to take on, quite literally. So, before these droopy-eyed fur balls melt your heart enough to send you looking for Leonberger dogs for adoption, take a moment to understand what you’re signing up for. Here is what caring for a Leonberger entails:
Leonberger training
Both male and female Leonbergers are large and strong. Besides, during their puppyhood and adolescence, these dogs are highly energetic and enthusiastic. You already know the answer to how big are Leonberger dogs, and they reach their full size around 1 year of age. So, you’re going to have at your hands a giant goofball, full of excited energy. That’s why it’s crucial to start training them early on.
It’s also vital to start socializing them as early as 20 weeks of age, by carefully exposing them to a wide variety of people, animals, and settings. This is essential for honing their friendly side and making sure your dog is non-reactive.
At the same time, your German Leonberger will need obedience training to become a well-mannered canine companion. Given the Leonberger size and weight, these dogs are invariably stronger than their owners and it’s near impossible to physically restrain them. That’s early, consistent, and quality training is key to teaching your dog how you want them to behave.
You can either work with a skilled trainer who has worked with Leonbergers or dogs of similar breeds in the past or do it yourself. Remember, when it comes to training, consistency is key! So, irrespective of whether or not you work with a trainer, your involvement is a must. It’s crucial to reiterate the lessons, discourage unwelcome behavior, and generously reward good behavior and obedience with treats and appreciation.
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Leonberger grooming
Grooming is a big part of caring for a Leonberger dog. They have a thick double coat that needs consistent attention to be maintained properly. Without thorough brushing at least 2-3 times a week, Leonberger shedding can become a real issue and their coat may become matted — which can, in turn, trigger a host of other health issues.
Owing to the nature of their coat and a natural oil layer on their skin, German Leonberger dogs don’t need frequent baths. And when you do bathe them, it’s important to use dog-specific shampoos that don’t interfere with the natural composition of the skin and fur.
Besides this, you also need to trim their nails often to avoid discomfort from overgrowth and risk of injuries, clean their ears regularly, and offer dental chews to maintain oral hygiene.
All of this requires you to have a certain hold on your dog. Remember, how big are Leonberger dogs? So, it’s not possible to overpower them in order to meet their grooming needs. That’s why I cannot reiterate enough how important and absolutely crucial it is to train this Lion dog well and early on.
Leonberger health
Like most dog breeds, the German Leoberger is also susceptible to certain health risks and concerns. Some of these include:
- Hip Dysplasia: A hereditary condition where improper hip joint development leads to arthritis and pain
- Elbow Dysplasia: A genetic condition similar to hip dysplasia
- Cardiac issues: These giant dogs can suffer from heart conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy
- Cancer: Leonbergers are also susceptible to certain cancers, like many other large breeds. The most common is Osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer
- Bloat: Owing to their deep-chested structure, Leonbergers are at risk of bloat — a condition where the stomach twists after being filled with gas, cutting off blood flow. This can be life-threatening if not spotted and addressed immediately
- Obesity: These giant dogs love their food, and are prone to obesity if their diet and exercise are not duly managed
- Cataracts: With age, Leonbergers can develop cataracts that can compromise their vision
Like most large breeds, the Leonberger lifespan isn’t very long. They typically live for 8-9 years. However, with the right care and attention, you can give them a quality life, and in turn, earn a lifetime’s worth of love and joy from them.
If you are intent on bringing home a Leonberger, be mindful that this furry baby may need medical attention and care from time to time. You may even have to help them through some serious conditions, especially in their senior years. To make sure both you and your dog have a good quality of life, it’s critical to look into breeding practices, bloodline, and history when you go looking for Leonberger dogs for adoption.
All of these factors not only contribute to the Leonberger lifespan but also determine how healthy your pet is. And of course, the role of a healthy diet, good nutrition, and exercise in improving health markers can never be discounted.
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Leonberger nutrition
A well-balanced, nutritious diet is crucial for your Leonberger pet to thrive to their full potential. Considering how big a full-grown Leonberger dog gets, you’re looking at generously sized meals. However, given their penchant for food and tendency for obesity, it’s important to not overdo the portions and choose ingredients carefully.
You can, of course, feed your German Leonberger high-quality commercial dog food that is designed specifically to meet the needs of large breeds. If you lean in favor of home-cooked meals for your pet, high-protein, high-fiber diets, with chicken or beef as the main ingredients, with some vegetables, and even a limited quantity of grain like rice offer the right balance of nutrients.
Whether you’re offering your dog packaged food or home-cooked meals, avoid ingredients like corn and soy as they offer little nutritional value and add a lot of empty calories. In addition to two main meals for a full-grown Leonberger dog, you can also include one or two servings of snacks, which can be eggs, fish, and fruits/vegetables that your dog can eat.
While calculating the food portion vis-à-vis the requisite caloric intake of your pet, do remember to factor in the snacks and treats, along with the main meals, to make sure your furry baby stays in the right weight range.
Besides food, water is a key element of their nutrition. Make sure your Leonberger dog always has access to fresh and clean drinking water. Check with your vet about the need for supplements such as multivitamins, calcium, or joint supplements to support them as they age. Be open to adjusting their food as per the changing requirements of the body.
Leonberger exercise
A Leroberger is through and through an outdoors dog. While as puppies and adolescents, they are an exuberant bundle of energy, they do calm down once they mature. Even so, at every stage of life, a Leonberger thrives on being outdoors and getting a ton of exercise.
If you live in an apartment or a suburban house with a small yard, this breed can get a lot to handle. You will need to carve out time every day to take them out for vigorous exercise once, if not twice, a day.
A home with big open spaces, like a farm or a house with a huge, well-fenced yard, is an ideal home for a Leonberger. But if you have your heart set on this breed and want to bring them into a home with confined space, make sure you make space for long walks, jogging, weekend hikes, and trips to the park, or the beach to play fetch. Otherwise, you will have on your hands a restless giant that destroys whatever it can lay its hands on.
I hope I have answered the questions you came up with. Like, is a Leonberger dangerous? Even though they look intimidating, they’re not typically dangerous. Is Leonberger a good family dog? I always say, there are no bad dogs. Whether or not a Leonberger will make a good family dog for you depends entirely on your lifestyle and what you seek in a pet.
While I’ve laid out pretty much all there’s to know about the glorious Leonbergers. That said, every dog has a unique temperament. So it’s essential to see what kind of personality your pet has to decide the right approach to help them thrive and become a real asset to your life.
