Leonberger Guide: Size, Temperament, Lifespan and Adoption

Leonberger overview

The American Kennel Club places the Leonberger in the Working Group and lists Germany as its origin. It is categorized by that organization as an extra-large breed with a long, double coat.

Where does the Leonberger come from?

The United Kennel Club credits the breed to the mayor of Leonberg, Germany, who wanted a dog resembling the lion on the town crest. Breeders crossed Landseer Newfoundlands, St. Bernards and Pyrenean Mountain Dogs to create it.

How big is a Leonberger? Size and weight

The American Kennel Club gives Leonberger height as 28-31.5 inches for males and 25.5-29.5 inches for females. The same club gives Leonberger weight as 110-170 pounds for males and 90-140 pounds for females. The United Kennel Club instead recommends an average height at the withers of 30 inches for males and 27½ inches for females, and permits a variance of one and one-half inches either way.

Leonberger temperament: are Leonbergers good family dogs?

The American Kennel Club describes Leonberger temperament with the words friendly, playful and gentle. VCA Animal Hospitals says these dogs are often calm indoors, affectionate and patient with children, and tend to walk away rather than show aggression when annoyed. The United Kennel Club standard calls the breed loyal, clever and easily taught, and says it is especially fond of water.

Leonberger shedding and grooming

VCA Animal Hospitals says the thick, medium-to-long double coat does shed, so daily to weekly brushing helps collect loose hair and keep skin healthy. It advises checking for mats behind the ears, legs and tail, bathing only when necessary, and cleaning the ears as needed.

Training a Leonberger

VCA Animal Hospitals describes Leonbergers as eager learners who respond better to calm, firm owners and positive techniques than to harshness. Because they grow so large, it recommends teaching good manners early, such as heeling, waiting at doors and not jumping.

Leonberger health issues and screening

VCA Animal Hospitals says that as a giant breed, Leonbergers can be prone to hip dysplasia and other skeletal problems. It adds that they may be prone to an inherited neurological disease called Leonberger Polyneuropathy, and a genetic test exists for one main contributor, so ask the breeder about it.

In answer to how long Leonbergers live, the American Kennel Club gives a general life expectancy of 7 years for the breed, a figure that speaks to Leonberger lifespan overall.