About the breed

History

When the dog as such originated is still difficult for scientists to determine. According to skeletal remains, it is so far back that we can't even imagine it, but it is assumed that the domestication of dogs began about ten thousand years ago. We know exactly when the Leonberger breed originated. Its origin dates back to 1846. The Leonberger dog was created by the breeding intention of Mr. Heinrich Essig, who was a city councilor in the town of Leonberg near Stuttgart. He was a breeder in the full sense of the word, as he kept many types of domestic animals in his house. He intended to breed a dog that would resemble a lion in appearance and fulfill the function of a watchman and companion in temperament. For this purpose, he purposefully crossed a St. Bernard, a Newfoundland dog and a Pyrenean shepherd. Thus the Leonberger was created and, despite some specific opinions from the surrounding area, it was a success. In 1870, Empress Elisabeth also enriched her pack with a Leonberger dog, which she bought for the then large sum of 1,400 gulden. Around 1873, 374 dogs were exported, which in many cases became companions of crowned heads in Europe as well as in the country of their origin, in Germany. In 1889, H. Essing died and this had a strong impact on Leonberger breeding. The enemies of this breed went on the attack and tried to eliminate Leonbergers as a race. They failed, because friends and owners of this dog united and in 1895 the "International Leonberger Dog Club" was founded in Stuttgart, in 1901 the "National Leonberger Club" in Apolda and in 1908 the "Leonberger Club" in Heidelberg. Unfortunately, the breeding of this, as well as other large breeds, was severely affected by both world wars, but after 1945 enthusiasts nevertheless tried to build a new breeding base. On 10 June 1948, the "German Leonberger Club" was founded, with its headquarters in Leonberg, which represents this breed to this day. This club is still the highest authority for Leonberger breeding, although it brings together a number of registered clubs, today of course also for the areas of the former GDR. The club keeps the main stud book, is a member of the German Cynological Association (VDH), a member of the FCI and also chairs the International Union of Leonberger Breeders. The Czech Leonberger Breeders' Club, with jurisdiction over Bohemia and Moravia, has also been a member of this union since 1992. Leonbergers are bred in most European countries and also in the United States of America. Of course, the powerhouse in breeding is Germany, where several hundred animals are registered annually. Although the Leonberger will hardly ever become a fashionable breed, which is not desirable, there is a constant interest in it. It is a large, strong, impressive and elegant dog, which attracts justified attention with its appearance. It is balanced in character, calm, but self-confident with a lively temperament, easy to handle and train, and loves all members of its family. It is literally a family dog, but otherwise a perfect watchdog. In terms of exterior, the Leonberger is classified as a long-haired breed. However, sometimes it is not so clear-cut. Our breeding was based on imports from the former GDR from the beginning and only later it was possible to import from elsewhere. Therefore, it is still possible to find animals of roughly two types in our country. The original East German type was a massive, heavy dog ​​with a broad head and somewhat shorter hair, the West German type is longer-haired but lighter in frame. The combination of both types helped us to solve the problems of close inbreeding, and on the other hand, we achieved better hair and less susceptibility to hip dysplasia. The Leonberger is a dog for everyone who wants to own a beautiful, unusual, versatile animal that, with its nature and appearance, brings joy and pleasure to the whole family, for everyone who has a really good relationship with large breeds and is able and willing to provide them with optimal living conditions.

Standard

In the late 1830s and early 1840s, Heinrich Essig, a councilman from Leonberg near Stuttgart, crossed a black and white female Newfoundland with a so-called "Barry dog" from the Großer St. Bernhard monastery hospital. Later, a Pyrenean mountain dog was also added. The result was very large dogs with a predominantly long white coat. Essig's goal was a dog that resembled a lion. The lion is the coat of arms of the city of Leonberg. The first real "Leonbergers" were born in 1846. They combined the excellent qualities of all the parent breeds. Shortly afterwards, many of these Leonbergers were sold all over the world as a status symbol. At the end of the 19th century, the Leonberger was primarily bred in Baden-Württemberg as a farm dog. Its guarding and pulling qualities were highly praised. In both world wars and in the post-war period of emergency, the number of breeding individuals decreased dramatically. Today, the Leonberger is an excellent family companion that meets all the demands of modern life. INTERNATIONAL CYNOLOGICAL FEDERATION, Thuin, Belgium STANDARD No. 145 b 

Country of origin: Germany General appearance: According to the original intention, the Leonberger is a large, strong and yet elegant dog. It is characterized by a harmonious body structure and self-confident calmness with a lively temperament. The dog is especially sturdy and strong. 

Proportions: 

The height at the withers in relation to the length of the body is 9:10, the depth of the chest is approximately 50% of the height at the withers. 

Temperament: As a family dog, the Leonberger is a pleasant partner in today's living conditions, which you can take anywhere without much problem; it is characterized by a pronounced love for children. It is neither timid nor aggressive. It is a nice companion in all life situations thanks to its obedience and fearlessness. The required character traits include self-confidence and sovereign calm, a moderate temperament (including playfulness), discipline, good trainability and attention, insensitivity to noise. 

Head: As a whole, rather deeper than wide and rather elongated than stocky. The ratio of the muzzle to the skull is 1:1. The skin is completely tight, without forehead wrinkles. 

Skull: Slightly arched in profile and from the front, its strength corresponds to the body and limbs, but not heavy. The back part is not significantly wider than the eye part. 

Stop: Sufficiently expressed. 

Facial part: The bridge of the nose is always black. 

Olfactory part: Rather long, not turning into a tip, the bridge of the nose is evenly wide, never too long, rather slightly arched (ram nose). 

Lips: Tight, black, closed. 

Jaws/Teeth: Powerful jaw with a perfect, regular scissor bite, with the upper row of teeth overlapping the lower row without any gap and the teeth standing vertically in the jaw. 42 healthy teeth according to dental formula, missing M3 is tolerated, pincer bite is permissible, provided the canines are in the correct position. 

Cheeks: Slightly developed. 

Eyes: In colour, from light brown to as dark brown as possible, medium size, oval, symmetrically set in depth and distance from each other, eyelids close-fitting, conjunctiva invisible, sclera not red (visible part).

 Ears: Set high but not far back, hanging, medium size, close-fitting, fleshy. Neck: In a slight arch, it merges smoothly into the withers, rather slightly longer than stocky, without loose skin or hump.

 Body: Withers: Prominent, especially in males. 

Back: Firm, straight, broad.

 Loin: Broad, strong, well muscled. 

Croup: Broad, relatively long, slightly rounded, smoothly merging into the root of the tail, not built up. 

Chest: Broad, deep to the elbow, oval, not barrel-shaped. 

Underline/Belly: Only slightly tucked up. 

Tail: Profusely furred, hanging straight in stance, also only slightly curled in movement and carried as far as possible not above the extended line of the back. 

Limbs: Very strong, especially in males. 

Forelegs: Straight, parallel, but not narrow 

Shoulder: Long, obliquely set, forming a pronounced angle with the shoulder, well muscled. 

Elbows close together. 

Pastern: Strong, firm, straight when viewed from the front, vertical when viewed from the side. 

Feet: Straight, neither turned out nor turned in, round, closed toes, well arched, black belly. 

Hindlegs: Not too narrowly parallel when viewed from the rear, feet and hocks neither turned out nor turned in. 

Pelvis: Obliquely set. 

Thighs: Considerably long, obliquely set, strongly muscled, forming a pronounced angle with the calf. 

Hocks: Strong, distinctly angulated.

Feet: Straight, round to oval, toes arched, pads black.

 Gait: Even and flowing movement, wide reach of the limbs at walk and trot, smooth body movement. Smooth, straight gait. 

Coat: Quality: Medium fine to coarse, sufficiently long, close-fitting, never parted, despite the dense undercoat still noticeable bone, straight, slightly wavy coat still loose. On the neck and chest it forms a mane, especially in males. Prominent coat, feathers on the forelegs and rich drapes on the hind legs. 

Colors: Yellow, gold, mahogany, also sand colors (buff and cream) and all their combinations, always with a black mask, black angulation permissible. However, black must not determine the basic color of the dog (it must not predominate).