Leonberger (Leo): Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

The Leonberger, or Leo, is a thick-coated giant dog with a hard-working spirit and a gentle disposition that hails from the city in Germany after which it was named. It is a mix of three large working dog breeds: the Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, and Great Pyrenees. Although the breed almost went extinct in World War I, it was saved—and thankfully so, as the breed is intelligent, noble, and loyal. Leonbergers make excellent working dogs but are also calm and affectionate companions.

Here’s everything you need to know about Leonbergers to determine if one would be the perfect addition to your family.

Characteristics of the Leonberger

The Leonberger is an affectionate and gentle dog breed that makes a delightful companion. This breed tends to be very intuitive about human emotions and forms a strong bond with family. These versatile dogs have a natural instinct to protect and assist people, making them wonderful service dogs and family pets. In fact, they are so sensitive that it’s best to avoid arguing with others in front of them because they might try to intervene to stop the fight.

History of the Leonberger

The Leonberger dog breed originates from Leonberg, Germany. During the mid-1800s, a gentleman named Heinrich Essig claimed to have bred a Landseer Newfoundland and a St. Bernard multiple times and later crossed the offspring with a Pyrenean mountain dog. Over the years, it is now believed that other dog breeds were crossed with early Leonbergers; however, no written records remain. The dog's appearance was bred to resemble a lion on the coat of arms of Leonberg. The breed became popular in the royal and imperial households of France, Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy.

The first Leonberger clubs were established by owners of the breed in 1891. They were popular farm dogs and used to pull carts. They were also used to pull ammunition carts in both World Wars. The breed nearly became extinct during World War I but was saved by a group of enthusiasts.

The Leonberger first appeared in the U.S. and Canada in the early 1900s. They were imported by the Canadian government to perform as water rescue dogs. The breed faded in the U.S. during the Great Depression. Over the years, the numbers of Leonbergers increased in Europe and, later, in the U.S. The Leonberger Club of America was formed in 1985, but the breed was not officially admitted to the AKC working group until 2010.

Leonberger Care

Leonbergers have a strong drive to work and protect. They need daily exercise to keep them fit and happy. In addition, Leos will benefit from some type of "job," such as guarding the home or obedience competition. In general, these are usually very calm, loyal, and loving companions.

Also, Leos need plenty of space because of their size, so they aren’t apartment dogs. A home with a big yard, where they have room to run around, play, and stretch their legs, is best.

Exercise

Experts recommend exercising your Leo with two 30-minute walks a day and another 60 minutes of free play. This dog loves to hike, jog, and swim, too. The breed has a superior lung capacity, webbed feet, and a waterproof coat, all designed for swimming.

Leos tolerate cold weather well, but due to their insulating double coats, they can get overheated in hot weather. It is good to provide a cool place for a Leo in hot weather and to limit exercise to cooler parts of the day.

Grooming

This breed sheds moderately but more so in the spring and fall. Leos need routine grooming, specifically hair-brushing once or twice a week. They typically do not have any need for coat trimming or sculpting.

In addition to coat care and bathing, a Leo needs regular toothbrushing and nail trimming.

Training

Leos are highly intelligent dogs that respond very well to training. In fact, training and socialization are both essential for this breed. Also, these dogs can be stubborn, so early training, early socialization, and positive reinforcement are very important. They need basic puppy training and obedience courses when they are under a year old so they know you're the boss. However, this breed is highly sensitive so harsh treatment or yelling while training will only backfire and upset the pup.

Common Health Problems

Responsible breeders strive to maintain the highest breed standards as established by kennel clubs like the American Kennel Club (AKC). Dogs bred by these standards are less likely to inherit health conditions. However, some hereditary health problems can occur in the breed. Be aware of these conditions:

• Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GVD): Commonly called bloat, this is a life-threatening situation common to many large dog breeds. It occurs when the stomach fills with gas or food and then rotates to trap the contents in the stomach and cut off the blood supply to the stomach and spleen. The stomach tissue dies and the stomach can even rupture. You will need to use feeding strategies to minimize this risk.
• Hip Dysplasia: Large breeds are prone to hip dysplasia, an instability of the hip joint that leads to excessive wear on the joint and hip arthritis.
• Entropion: This is a condition where the eyelid rolls in on itself. It can affect one or both eyes, and the lower and/or upper eyelids. It needs to be treated by a veterinarian.
• Ectropion: This condition is the opposite of entropion; the lids sag and roll outward.
• Leonberger Polyneuropathy: This neuromuscular disease produces worsening tolerance for exercise, a hitched step, and wasting of the hind leg muscles. Research is being conducted into the genetics of this disease.
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Large dog breeds can develop heart problems like dilated cardiomyopathy, in which the heart becomes thinner, weaker, unable to pump properly, and enlarged.
• Obesity: Obesity can increase the risk of various other conditions, from heart disease to arthritis, so it’s important for Leos to maintain a healthy weight with proper diet and exercise.

Diet and Nutrition

It is wise to give Leonbergers breed-specific formulas that meet their needs as a large breed. Leonberger puppies can be fed several times per day and grow to more than 100 pounds by their first birthday. Always provide continuous access to fresh drinking water.

Adult Leonbergers should be fed twice a day to help prevent bloating and GVD. They should not be given a large meal once a day. You can also minimize the risk of stomach torsion by providing elevated feeding bowls so your dog can eat and drink while standing up. If your dog is prone to gulping their food, look for a feeding bowl that limits the amount of food that can be eaten at one time. You should also avoid vigorous exercise for an hour after a meal.

Leonbergers have a high potential for weight gain. You can minimize this by setting up a feeding schedule for a specific amount of time, such as 10 to 15 minutes, and then remove any uneaten food, rather than allowing free-feeding.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Leonberger

If you choose to work with a breeder, expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 for a purebred Leo puppy.

While you might encounter a Leonberger at a local animal shelter, it's more likely that you will find the perfect dog for you from a Leonberger rescue group that's dedicated to rescuing and rehoming unwanted, abandoned, or abused Leonbergers and Leonberger mixes.

Here are a few resources to help you start your search for your own Leo pup.

• Leonberger Rescue Pals
• Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions
• The Leonberger Club of America (provides a list of breeders)

Leonberger Overview

The Leonberger is a great companion and loyal dog that will love being a part of your family. However, because these dogs are large and prone to certain health problems, and because they can be sensitive, they do require some extra care and attention to be sure all of their needs are met.

Pros of Leonbergers

• Even-tempered and friendly with other animals
• Good watchdog
• Highly intelligent and responds well to training
  

Cons of Leonbergers

• Requires a significant amount of grooming
• Excessive amounts of drooling in some pups
• Susceptible to hip dysplasia
  

10 Giant Dog Breeds That Make Great Pets

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

Before you decide whether a Leonberger is the right dog for you, take the time to do thorough research. Find other owners and talk to reputable breeders. You may want to contact the Leonberger Club of America. Similar dog breeds to research include:

• Chow Chow
• Newfoundland
• Bernese mountain dog

There’s a whole world of potential dog breeds out there—with a little research, you can find the right one to bring home!