| Leonbergers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Leonberger personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Leonberger, including these excerpts:
"Noble and powerful, a good Leonberger is calm and steady, yet bolder and more athletic than most giant breeds.
The Leonberger enjoys swimming, tracking, agility, therapy work, pulling a cart or sled, and weight pulling -- all productive outlets for his energy. Fetching a ball or Frisbee, however, is not a natural activity for this breed.
The Leonberger is a loving, steadfast dog who thrives on being made an integral part of the family. Though protective instincts develop at maturity (three to four years) and he becomes more discriminating with strangers, he should never be aggressive.
His deep, imposing bark and confident presence should be enough to deter intruders. This stability, however, assumes early and ongoing socialization and a sound-tempered bloodline. Some Leonbergers are unfortunately shy and/or sharp.
Dog aggression can be a problem, and two Leonbergers of the same sex should not be kept together.
Obedience training should start at three months old. Heeling is imperative, because these powerful dogs can literally pull you off your feet. His determination to jump up into your face and lean against your leg (leading to the affectionate nickname "Lean-on-berger") can be disconcerting.
During adolescence, his hormones will kick in and he might start to test his owner, who must respond with consistent leadership and more training. This is especially true of Leonberger males.
Leos can be messy: Their huge paws track in mud; they may drool if stressed; and most play in their water bowls, dunking their heads and coming up slobbering. It is said that their natural look is slightly damp with leaves stuck to their coats."
History
The official crest of the city of Leonberg, Germany, included a lion, so the city's flamboyant mayor crossed Saint Bernards, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundlands, and perhaps other breeds to develop a massive dog who resembled a lion.
Size
26-31 inches and 100-150 lbs |
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Leonbergers
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is giant and rugged, with a thick golden tawny coat
- Is bolder and more athletic than most other giant breeds and loves outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and pulling a cart or sled
- Is usually steady and dependable with everyone
- Is sensibly protective, with a deep, imposing bark and confident presence
A Leonberger may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- A huge dog who takes up a lot of space in your house and car
- A heavy dog who wants to sit on your feet, lie on your lap, and lean his weight against your leg
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping when young
- Destructiveness when bored or left alone too much
- Aggression or fearfulness toward strangers when not socialized enough
- Aggression toward other animals
- Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
- Heavy shedding
- Slobbering
- Serious health problems and a short lifespan
- Waiting lists (hard to find) and a high price tag
A Leonberger may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Leonberger... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing the proper balance of exercise. Young Leonbergers need enough exercise to keep them lean and healthy, but not so much that their soft growing bones, joints, and ligaments become over-stressed and damaged. Adult Leonbergers need more exercise to keep them in shape, but not in hot or humid weather for fear of overheating. The proper amount of exercise can be difficult to regulate in giant breeds.
Since you have to minimize their exercise, young Leonbergers can be very rambunctious. They will romp with uncoordinated gawkiness all over your house. You need to substitute extra quantities of companionship and supervision. Otherwise, left alone, young Leonbergers become bored and destructive -- and their powerful jaws can literally destroy your living room.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog hiking or swimming, or to get involved in carting or sledding or weight-pulling or tracking, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. |
- Providing enough socialization. Many Leonbergers have protective instincts toward strangers. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys." Then they can recognize the difference when someone acts abnormally. Without careful socialization, they may be suspicious of everyone, which could lead to biting. Some Leonbergers go in the opposite direction -- without enough socialization, they become fearful of strangers, which can lead to defensive biting.
| If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Leonberger puppies. Young Leonbergers (up to about three years old) can be bulls in a china shop. When they romp and jump, they do so with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. |
- Animal aggression. Some Leonbergers are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Some have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures, including cats.
- The strong temperament. Leonbergers are not Golden Retrievers. They have a mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Some Leonbergers, particularly adolescent males, are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
| To teach your Leonberger to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Leonberger Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Slobbering. Leonbergers are not supposed to be droolers, but those with loose jowls will do so when food is present, or when stressed. And most Leonbergers are messy drinkers who slobber water everywhere.
- Heavy shedding. Leonbergers shed a LOT. You'll find hair and fur all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life. Make sure you're REALLY up for this.
- Finding one and paying the price. In the United States, the Leonberger is hard to find, and many breeders are charging $1000 and up.
- Serious health problems. The lifespan of a Leonberger is short and an alarming number are crippled by bone and joint diseases and/or succumb to cancer in middle age.
| Not all Leonbergers are alike! |
- There are energetic Leonbergers, and placid Leonbergers.
- Hard-headed Leonbergers, and sweet-natured Leonbergers.
- Serious Leonbergers, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Leonbergers, and Leonbergers who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Leonberger puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Leonberger... |
There are some adult Leonbergers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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