Leonberger Standard

For the FCI-Standard No. 145 pls. go to the official club-websites
or the FCI-Website www.fci.be

The Leonberger belongs to the FCI-Group II - molossian type dogs -
The standard for a FCI-recognized breed is made by the country of origin,
for the Leonberger Germany, given to FCI , and must be considered by all
FCI-member-countries to provide an equal judgement on all shows !

The Leonberger dog is a dog of a tall, strong, muscular yet elegant body,
well proportioned and of selfconfident character but enjoyable temperament.

Male/dog: about 72 - 80 cm ht/withers about 50 - 75 kg bw
Female/bitch: about 65 - 75 cm ht/withers about 45 - 60 kg bw

Colours: lion-coloured to red-brown (with black tips)
and black mask !
Some white on toe(s) and chest is tolerated.
Paws and nose must be black, brown excludes from breeding.

The breed is well-known as a so-called family dog, since decades breed for especially this habit.

The Leonberger loves and adores his family, his 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 his family, going for a walk, getting some favorit food etc. Than the dog is waving its 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's - but the dog has to be socialized very well as it is necessary for a family dog.
Very temperamentful and dominant males might sometimes show some aggression / dominance reaction against other males - try to avoid that by education and sozialisation very early, start with the puppy, let it play with adult dogs of good character and it will learn how to behave well against other dogs.

The Leonberger needs most of all a very close contact to it's family, it is a giant breed but still 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 show these habits the whole life long.

Because of 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 itselfs is very strong but easy to handle - if the owner has found the right
way to guide the dog.

Agility could be done with the Leonberger - but always think of the fact: it is a giant dog, not as fast as other breeds due to that fact. Training on the bike could be done - but please start slowly and not too large distances; about 3 miles will do for the beginning.

Due to the fact that the dog is growing until about 2 years age (a male needs sometimes about 3 years and maybe more) don't start to early with activities.
(The right time would be about 18 - 20 months in the average - education / obedience has to be done from the very beginning, start with 10 minutes a day).

Due to the growing period one can do harm to the bones and tendons when starting too early and allow too much activities.
The Leonberger prefers to walk around and play around with it's family.

Solely living in a kennel ore being tied up on a leash is surely the wrong way for each dog, especially for a family dog
- for a Leonberger.

This breed needs the every-days-contact
to the family.
Make yourself sure that you are able and
willing to pay this attention to your dog.

This information was partly picked up at the book

Der Leonberger
(H. Schmitt, G. Zerle)
Verlag Paul Parey, Hamburg/Berlin
ISBN 3-490-39012-1
- only in German -
(there are other books available in English)

and supplemented with some information by the author.

There are Clubs in Germany, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria,Great-Braintain,
Sweden, Norway, Finland & some other European countries, and as well in USA.& Canada.

The author is also willing to help you with additional information.