The Lion d'Occitanie is not a new breed as such, and it is neither a re-creation, since no other breeds than pure Leonberger's
have been used in the breeding. It can be considered as an attempt to bring the Leonberger back to its former state.
The original Leonberger was originally created as a very large and imposing dog. In 1957 the FCI standard of the Leonberger
had a minimum of 80 cm. (32 in) at the withers for the males and 70 cm. (28 in) for the females. But since the Leonberger
seldom did reach this height 78 cm. (31 in) was accepted. The old minimum size of 80 cm. (32 in) are now the maximum size
accepted for the Leonberger.
Picture from Karel Hamer.
Thérèse Pelon, a researcher at the C.R.C. (Research Center in Cynopsychologie), fell in love with the large and imposing
Leonberger, which was seldom found. Mrs. Pelon startet a dedicated breeding work for bringing back the type commonly
found at the end of the 1800's and the beginning of the 1900's.
Thérèse Pelon's breeding work was successful, and the dogs nowadays that goes back to her dogs has a average height at the
withers of 94 cm. (38 in) for males and 84 cm. (34 in) for females. Since the FCI probably never is going to recognize
and accept her dogs, the name of Lion d'Occitanie was given these dogs of the original stature. A register was opened
for the breed and each dog were given a certificate to attest their exact origin.
In 2001 there was a total of 138 Lion d'Occitanie existing in the world, with an ever increasing popularity.
