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Leonbergers In Puppy Mills Leonbergers have become very popular in the US, so much so that some Puppy Mills and questionable breeders have obtained Leonbergers and some are even falsifying pedigrees. States such as Missouri and areas of the mid west have numerous puppy mills. Be careful in purchasing your Leo from such a place. You can take a look at the Leonberger Club of America (if outside the USA contact your country's Leonberger Club) or search for a reputable breeder. Keep in mind that being a member of any club is not an automatic stamp of approval for a reputable breeder, regardless of who or where you get your Leo, verify EVERY claim that a breeder makes. You can also check on a pedigree via several data bases for the Leonberger dog at http://ileodata.com and http://www.leonberger-database.com If you are not able to find the dog that you are thinking of purchasing on one of these databases, there is a chance that the Leo you think you are getting is not what the seller claims. There are 2 Leonberger Rescue groups that work together to help with any Leos that are found in shelters, news paper ads and sometimes even at the "puppy mill" auctions. They can be located at the following sites, http://www.leosinneedrescue.org http://www.leonberger-rescue.org

According to the original purpose, the Leonberger is a large, strong, beast-like yet dainty dog, and they were ostensibly bred as a 'symbolic dog' that would mimic the lion in the town crest. They are distinguished by a balanced build and coolness under pressure, yet with quite a lively, friendly temperament. Males, in particular, are powerful and strong. Leonbergers love the water, have been used for water rescue, and can even hunt for wild salmon in their natural environment(s). Leonberger males are known to occasionally drool, but it depends on the aize of their flews.[1] Size Height at withers: * Dogs: 28.5 to 32 inches-average 29-30 inches. (resp. 72 to 81 cm., avg. 74-76 cm.) * Bitches: 25 to 30 inches-average 27 inches. (resp. 64 to 76 cm., avg. 70 cm.) Weight: * Dogs: 100-170 lb (individuals can reach over 200)- average 140-150 lb. (resp. 45-76 kg., avg. 63-68 kg.) * Bitches: 80-130+-average 130 lb. (resp. 36-58+ kg., avg. 58 kg.) Coat The Leonberger has a medium length soft to coarse double coat that is very water resistant. Males often have particularly thick fur on the neck and chest creating the appearance of a mane. There is distinct feathering on the backs of the front legs and thighs. Coat colour can range from lion yellow, red, reddish brown, and sandy. Black hair tips are permitted, but black must not determine the dog's basic colour. All Leonbergers have a black mask. The Leonberger sheds fur very heavily. A good brushing every week is sufficient to keep it in fine shape, except when the undercoat is being shed; then daily combing or brushing is in order for the duration of the moult. Regular use of a drag comb (it looks like a small rake), especially in the undercoat, is highly effective. See Dog grooming.

Health Leonbergers are strong, generally healthy dogs, and providing they have the right diet they may be more resistant to hip dysplasia. Breeders are now screening their dogs to reduce the risk of bone/joint problems. [edit] Longevity and Causes of Death Leonbergers in UK and USA/Canada surveys had a median lifespan of about 7 years.[2], which is about 4 years less than the average purebred dog, but similar to other breeds of their size.[3] In a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (45%), cardiac (11%), and "unknown" (8.5%) [4]. In a 2000 USA/Canada Leonberger Club of America survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (37%), old age (12%), cardiac (9%), and "sudden death" (8%) [5]. Studies have indicated problems with inherited polyneuropathy in certain populations of Leonbergers [6] and cataracts in dogs in the United Kingdom.[7]

Heinrich Essig, a dog breeder and seller from Leonberg, Germany in southwestern Germany, originally bred the Leonberger from the Newfoundland (the Landseer type, with black/white marks), Saint Bernard, and Pyrenean Mountain Dog in the early 1800s, although it has been an established race in Germany only from 1846. The popular legend is that it was bred to resemble the coat-of-arms animal of Leonberg, the lion, but in fact the earliest Leonbergers were predominantly white and the coloring of today's Leonbergers, brown with a black mask, was developed during the 19th century, probably by introducing other breeds. [1] The Leonberger was initially used to protect livestock and pull loads in West Germany and other European countries. Leonbergers were seriously affected by the privations of the two world wars. During World War I most Leonbergers were left to fend for themselves as breeders fled or were killed. Only five Leonbergers survived World War I and were bred until World War II when, again, almost all Leonbergers were lost. All Leonbergers today trace their ancestry back to eight dogs that survived World War II. [2] Three Leonberger 'actors' (one was a female, and two males) played the starring dog "Buck" in The Call of the Wild - Dog of the Yukon (1997),[8]a Canadian rendition of Jack London's Call of the Wild. The film starred Rutger Hauer as John Thornton and was narrated by Richard Dreyfuss.[9] It should be noted that the breed chosen in this movie was not the one identified as Buck in the novel Call of the Wild.

Leonbergers are very loving and great with children. They are very large but do not necessarily need a big garden and house to roam around. They are adaptable and do not take up much more space when curled up to sleep than any other medium to large dog. Like any dog they ask for nothing more than to have a daily walk and bit of brain stimulation. Aggression often comes from improper training when young or from bad experiences. A well-raised Leonberger can provide loving and loyal companionship. Since World War II, the numbers and popularity of Leonbergers have grown and in Britain alone there are over 2,000 registered Leonbergers.