Unlike most of the other Molosser breeds, the exact origin of the Leoberger are known.
Heinrich Essig (1808-1889), a town Councillor in Leonberg in Württemberg, began in the 1830's & 1840's a work to create a dog
that did look like the lion in the coat of arms of the town Leonberg. The component breeds Mr. Essig used was a black & white
Newfoundland female of the Landseer type, which he crossed with a St. Bernard. Later Pyrenean Mountain Dog was added.
The first dog regarded as a "real" Leonberger was born in 1846.
At left a old illustration of a Leonberger.
At right a Leonberger from the 1930's.
The Leonberger soon achieved status among common people in Germany, and exports to other
parts of the world took place. In the area of its origin it was often the preferred farm dog, used as a watch and draft dog.
But, it was not all who did welcome this breed. In one of my old dog books, from 1887, it is written about the dog-show in
Copenhagen in 1886; "....and a couple of Leonbergers. The last mention breed is nothing else than a mongrel, much like
a crossbred Newfoundland dog. In its country of origin, Germany, is it no where recognized as a breed, exept by the
man that created the dog".
In both World Wars, and shortly after, the Leonberger was reduced heavily in numbers, but it was
never in dager of facing an extinction.
Today the Leonberer can be found all over the world, although usally not very common in most countries. However, the popularity of the breed is quite high in
Germany, Scandinavia and France, and the Leo entries at the large dog-shows in these countries are usally very high.
The leonberger is an excellent and often preferred family dog. It is very friendly against
kids, but be aware of the problems its large size can cause among the smallest of the children.
The breed is a large, powerful and muscular dog, but still elegant and easy moving. In the Leonberger you will get a friendly
family dog that is very large, but still able to follow you without problem all day when hiking in the mountains or in the forest.
Even if you are in great shape it is certain that you will need a rest before your Leo does.
The Leo is a calm and self-assured dog that is a easy learner, but not always the fastest to follow your word of command.
One thing that you have to be aware of before purchasing a Leonberger is that this is a long coated breed that looses a lot of
hairs when shedding, which takes place twice a year, spring and autumn.
The coat of the Leonberger is "Lion-coloured", yellow, red, reddish brown, sandy (fawn & cream). Often black tips at the hairs of the coat is present. The Leo shall always have a black mask.
The Leonberger male is between 72-80 cm. (28,2-31,4 in), and the preffered high is 76 cm. (29,8 in). The high of the always smaller female is 65-75 cm. (25,5-29,4 in), and the preferred high is 70 cm. (27,5 in).
Even if there are Leonberger males that reach 68 kg. (150 lbs) or more, the normal weight of this large and elegant Molosser is about 55 kg. (120 lbs). The female weights about 45 kg. (100 lbs).
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