Leonberger
A huge, lion-maned German companion with a gentle, steady nature and a love of water and family life.
At a glance
- Size
- Giant
- Height at the withers
- Males 72–80 cm · Females 65–75 cm
- Weight
- Males 54–77 kg · Females 45–61 kg
- Life expectancy
- 7–9 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Double coat, long
- Colours
- Yellow, Red, Fawn, Cream
- Bred for
- Companionship, Water work, Draught work
- Country of origin
- Germany
- FCI
- Group 2, no. 145 · Pinschers, molossers & mountain dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 4/5 – High |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 2/5 – Low |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 5/5 – Very high |
| Grooming effort | 4/5 – High |
| Drooling | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 5/5 – Very high |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- have space and enjoy outdoor life
- want a calm, gentle giant
- like swimming or hiking with your dog
Think twice if you …
- dislike dog hair in the house
- live in a small flat
- want a long-lived breed
Care
Temperament
Gentle, confident and even-tempered, usually friendly with people and other animals. It is watchful without being sharp and tends to be patient with children.
Exercise
Daily walks and free time outdoors; swimming, hiking and carting suit it well, while hard running should wait until it is fully grown.
Grooming
The thick double coat needs brushing several times a week and daily during the heavy seasonal moult.
Training
Willing and sensitive; gentle, consistent training and early leash manners are important because of its strength.
Health
Known concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, inherited polyneuropathies, eye problems, bloat and bone cancer, and the average lifespan is relatively short. Ask the breeder for the parents' hip, elbow, eye and DNA results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Eye examination
DNA tests
- LPN1
- LPN2
- LEMP
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Leonberger was created in the mid-1800s by Heinrich Essig, a councillor in the town of Leonberg, reportedly to resemble the lion on the town's coat of arms. Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands and Pyrenean mountain dogs are believed to be in its background, and it soon became a fashionable dog among European nobility.
Today it is mainly a family companion and an able water and draught dog. It is calm and friendly at home, but its sheer size, heavy shedding and muddy paws mean it suits people with space and patience. Growth should be slow and joints protected while young.
Did you know?
Leonbergers have webbed feet and are natural swimmers, and the breed is used in water rescue work in several European countries.