Character and habits of the Leonberger 
or :
how a Leonberger dog should be

THE LEONBERGER is a dog of a tall, strong, muscular but elegant body, well proportioned and of selfconfident character but enjoyable temperament. So far the standard - but that is not enough information about this special breed for people who want to live with the dog - live as a member of the family.

Because of the beautiful exterieur many people like the dog at first sight - but the exterieur is not at all important for a family dog, the character is what counts for a family dog. Therefore the character deserves our utmost importance.

The Leonberger is bred since a long time as a family dog - and even breeders should not forget this when it comes to make plans for suitable combinations.
 

A real Leonberger needs first of all his family to live with in almost every situation. To be seperated from the family is a very hard thing to understand for a real Leonberger.

Below find the standard-text, enhanced with own remarks.

Character and habits

The breed is well-known as a so-called family dog, since decades bred for especially this habit.
The Leonberger loves and adores his family, the breed is very well known for being especially fond of children and being very patient with them. One of the habits is the souvereignity of the breed by being alert at the same time. The Leonberger does not bark without a serious reason.

The temperament of the breed is shown in awaiting of good things, playing around with the familiy, going for a walk, getting some favoured food etc. Than the dog is waving his tail, barking, jumping.
At that time you should put your precious crystal and other things of worth you may own out of the reach of your dog - he’s far too excited to take care of your other goods.

Aggression is very rarely shown by a Leonberger - against human being - but the dog has to be socialized very well as it is necessary for a family dog. Very temperamentful and dominant males may sometimes show some dominance-aggression against other males - try to avoid that by education and socialisation very early, start with the puppy, let it play with adult dogs of good character and it will learn how to behave well and to develop social behaviour against other dogs.

The Leonberger needs most of all a very close contact to his family, he belongs to the giant breeds but can still be a baby - even as an adult dog. The Leonberger loves his family and wants to stay with his family in almost every situation. The breed is - as any giant breed - slowly growing out psychically, and a very long time juvenil and fond of playing around. Some Leonberger we have known and know show these habits the whole life long.

Because belonging to the giants, the dog must have a consequente but sensitive guidance, one has to be patient and sensitive to bring up a Leonberger dog. The dog himself is very strong but easy to handle - if the owner has found the right way to guide the dog.

But apart from our high passion for this special breed - a dog is a dog and reacts like a dog. Never forget this and pay attention to this.

That simply means: the Children in the familiy and the dog as well need guidance and education, the children have to be taught how to handle and treat the dog properly - and the dog has to be taught how to do with the children. Education and rules for the children and the dog would be the best, the proper way for both of them and if you stick close to that rules - with no exceptions - you will have a wonderful four-legged friend for lifetime.

The temperament of a Leonberger dog is as different as the temperament of human beings and you can force or slow down habits, suitable to your family life - but this needs first of all sensitivity and a very good socialization - beginning with the puppy.

Every reaction of the dog you like, try to force it, every reaction you dislike, stop it immediatly. The dog has to learn this lessions properly at very early age - you can avoid a lot of problems. Never let some small „Bads“ turn out into serious problems. It is up to you as the owner: the adult dog is the mirror of his owner - I have never seen nice people with really bad or aggressive dogs (only with dogs not trained, not being obedient but that can worked out even with an adult dog) - and I have never seen bad or aggressive people with really good dogs. Keep that in mind !

A part of aggression can be normal (as this belongs to each creature) depending on different situations, e.g. males. Very dominant males might go on to fight each other - remember: you are 
the boss and the boss gives the signal for fighting. Stop your dog from aggression the first time 
you  realize that behaviour. On small places, e.g. shows, cage-on-cage etc. do not place dominant males face to face, place them back to back or with a person or a bitch of good character between the dogs. For a dominant dog of good character that’s the only thing you have to do. 

It is not normal / regular „from the dog’s point of view“ that the dog starts fighting but especially males like to show their dominance against other males in special situations (if you have a male and female or sometimes a male turns into becoming more dominant in character after being a proven stud dog etc.).

Whatever the reasons might be:

 you are the boss and the boss has the power to stop such behaviour.

     Keep that in mind !
 

© E. Steffen

ref.:  H. Schmitt/G.Zerle „Der Leonberger“, Verlag Paul Parey, Hamburg u. Berlin
 latest FCI-Standard changed 01-01-1996 taken from Internet
 own experiences with the breed for many years