About Leonbergers

The Leonberger is one of the oldest breeds originating in Germany. It is a large, long haired breed that was always meant to be foremost a companion and watch dog. Leonbergers can come in different colors and build but all should have black masks and have a strong body that is still elegant and neither massive nor plump. The breed's name derives from the city of Leonberg in south-west Germany. According to legend, the Leonberger was ostensibly bred as a 'symbolic dog' that would mimic the lion in the town crest.

APPEARANCE:
With a generous double coat, the Leonberger is a large, muscular, and elegant dog with balanced body type, medium temperament, and dramatic presence. The head is held proudly, adorned with a striking black mask, and projects the breed’s distinct expression of intelligence, pride, and kindliness. Remaining true to their early roots as a capable family and working dog, the surprisingly agile Leonberger is sound and coordinated, with both strength in bearing and elegance in movement. A dimorphic breed, the Leonberger possesses either a strongly masculine or elegantly feminine form, making gender immediately discernible. When properly trained and socialized, the Leonberger is vigilant, loyal, and confident in all situations. Robust, adaptable, obedient, intelligent, playful, and kindly, the leonberger is an appropriate family companion for modern living conditions.

SIZE:
Dogs: 28 to 31.5 inches, average 29 inches.
Bitches: 25.5 to 29.5 inches, average 27 inches.

WEIGHT:
Dogs: 120-170 lb, average 145 lb.
Bitches: 110-140 lb, average 130 lb.

TEMPERAMENT:
First and foremost a family dog, the Leonberger’s temperament is one of his most important and distinguishing characteristics. Well socialized and trained, the Leonberger is self assured, insensitive to noise, submissive to family members, friendly toward children, well composed with passersby, and self-disciplined when obliging his family or property with protection. Robust, loyal, intelligent, playful, and kindly, he can thus be taken anywhere without difficulty and adjust easily to a variety of circumstances.

For more information, visit Leonberger Club of America.