Leonberger

COUNTRY: Germany
WEIGHT

Dogs: 120-170 lb average 140-150 lb. (resp. 45–76 kg., avg. 63–68 kg.)
Bitches: 110-140 lb-average 130 lb. (resp. 36-58+ kg., avg. 58 kg.)

HEIGHT

Dogs: 28.5 to 32 inches-average 29-30 inches. (resp. 72 to 81 cm., avg. 74-76 cm.)
Bitches: 25 to 30 inches-average 27 inches. (resp. 64 to 76 cm., avg. 70 cm.)

COAT: Medium-to-long thick hair on body, short on face and front of legs
COLOR: Lion-colored, golden yellow to red, with black mask
GROUP: Mastiff



Mayor Heinrich Essig created the Leonberger in the 1840s to honor his German town. He wanted to produce a noble dog close in appearance to the lion in the Leonberg town crest. The monks at St. Bernard cooperated and encouraged him by sending some dogs for use in his breeding experiments. This proved to have a twofold benefit as the breeding program at the monastery had suffered severe setbacks from distemper outbreaks, as well as decreased vigor due to prolonged inbreeding. Some of Herr Essig's crosses were returned later to the monastery and incorporated into the monks' breeding program.

In the 1840s, Essig began by crossing a Land-seer Newfoundland with a St. Bernard, then backcrossed to a Great Pyrenees. The results were large, strong dogs that quickly gained popularity as working animals and a leonine status symbol for the city of Leonberg and surrounding estates.



It is probable another solid-colored dog was incorporated into the base stock, as the Land-seer and Saint are both particolored, and major white markings on the Leonberger are now undesirable. Conjecture has pointed to German or Austrian scenthounds, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs or Kuvaszok contributing to the formation of the modern Leonberger.

The Leonberger displayed attributes from his progenitors: affection for people, great size, working aptitude, majestic appearance and, from the Newfoundland, his love for water. These qualities attracted attention from German breeders and from Austria's Empress Elizabeth, who quickly acquired one. There followed a parade of illustrious owners: the Prince of Wales, the King of Belgium, a Russian czar, Chancellor Otto Furst von Bismarck, Emperor Napoleon III, German composer Richard Wagner and Italian patriot Giuseppe Garibaldi.

The World Wars were devastating to the Leonberger. With owners barely able to obtain food for themselves and their families, feeding giant animals was out of the question. Breeders fled or were killed, leaving the dogs to fend for themselves and, in some instances, the animals themselves were slain. At the end of WWI, only five dogs remained, and these were carefully nurtured and bred from until WWII, when the devastation struck again, leaving but eight Leonbergers to be found. Five litters were bred in 1945, resulting in 22 puppies. The following year, only 17 puppies survived. According to a present owner, it has taken 25 years to re-establish the breed.

While still considered a rare breed, the Leonberger is gaining ground and serves as a rescue dog and family watchdog, as well as companion. These dogs enjoy water—playing with it, being in it, or just lying in a child's wading pool, if there is no alternative. They even blow bubbles in their water bowls! The "Gentle Lion" is fascinated by and genial with small creatures—dogs, other animals and especially children. Most, given a choice, would prefer to be with children over anything else. Give them kids and a pool and they are in dog heaven! They will stand and watch for hours beside a playpen in utter contentment.

Due to the dogs' size and strength, owners stress the importance of human companionship and the need for early training, or you'll find yourself telling a new version of the old joke: Where does a 150-pound Leonberger sleep? . . . Anywhere he wants!