Leonberger: features of the breed and rules for keeping dogs

Leonberger is one of the oldest dog breeds, but despite this, he is not very well known to our compatriots. However, due to the growing interest of dog breeders in rare breeds, many breeders began to take a closer look at these unique dogs.

The Leonberger is one of those breeds that in the entire history of their existence have experienced both dizzying take-offs and undeserved oblivion. The breed managed to try on the role of the favorite of kings, to be a status dog in the circles of aristocrats, and to become an object of criticism and ridicule from dog handlers and dog breeders. In connection with such a rich history of ups and downs, the number of livestock either approached the mark of several million individuals, then suddenly rolled down and was on the verge of extinction.

It all started in the small German town of Leonberg, which translates as "lion city". It was there, in the 30s of the XIX century, the breeder-cynologist Heinrich Essig came up with the brilliant idea of ​​creating a living symbol of the town. The main priority was to obtain a breed that looks like a lion, which would fully correspond to its name.

At the final stage of the experiment, Essig again attracts St. Bernard for crossing, and then the Pyrenean mountain dog.The result was not long in coming, and a large silver-gray puppy with a black head and the same ears was born. The newborn fully corresponded to the scientist's ideas about the new breed, as a result of which the selection experiments were discontinued, and in 1848 the breed was given a proud name - Leonberger... Then there was a meteoric rise, the new breed quickly became popular and won the hearts of dog breeders throughout Europe.

However, the story of the origin of Leonberger did not end there, but received an unexpected continuation. Immediately after the death of the breeder, the German cynologist Strebel questioned the participation of the St. Bernard in the formation of the breed. In his opinion, exclusively Alpine mountain dogs, distinguished by their huge size and attractive appearance, were used as progenitors. Strebel's opinion was shared by many reputable experts, including world-renowned dog handlers: Luket, Leonard and Lichbor.

However, this is not all. A little later, a third version appeared, based on the story that three centuries earlier, similar dogs were seen at horse fairs and were very popular among shepherds and peasants. This valuable information was obtained from the diary of a rich princess, who in her notes mentioned huge dogs that were described as resembling Leonberger. She wrote that animals were favorites of the local nobility and were bred in elite nurseries, in addition, there is information that back in the 18th century, Marie Antoinette became the owner of a huge, lion-like dog.

However, in the 19th century, shortly before the start of the official breeding experiments of Essig, a plague raged in Europe, affecting a large number of domestic animals. The infection did not pass by the huge beautiful dogs, of which only a few individuals survived, who lived in the nursery of the monastery. According to the third version, it was from these dogs that Essig restored the once existing breed, and did not create a new one. However, for commercial purposes, it was more profitable for the dog handler to position the dogs as representatives of a new breed he had just created, rather than the descendants of dogs well-known and once revered in Europe.

Nevertheless, after the death of Essig, the popularity of the breed began to decline, and, moreover, dog breeders began to mock her... Such events were due to the fact that the breeder did not leave not only the exact breed standard, but also documents confirming the results of breeding experiments, indicating the breeds of the parent individuals and a description of the puppies obtained from them. This was quickly taken advantage of by scammers, who, under the guise of Leonbergers, began to sell different dogs that have a distant resemblance to the original and are large in size. As a result, the breed was in complete decline, and interest in it practically faded away. But at the end of the 19th century, thanks to the creation of the breeding club, the Leonberger reappeared in the field of vision.

However, after the sad events of the First and Second World Wars, the Leonbergers again found themselves on the verge of extinction. According to German sources, only 3 purebred individuals survived in the world at that time, of which, through the efforts of breeders, it was possible to restore the breed.

In our country, the Leonberger is still one of the rarest dogs, however, positive dynamics of growth in the number of livestock can still be traced. Finishing the story of the origin story of this noble and distinctive dog, one cannot but say that such outstanding personalities as Napoleon III, Prince of Wales, Nicholas II and Richard Wagner were fans of this breed at one time. And in the Austrian capital, a sculpture of Empress Elisabeth of Baden with several Leonbergers has survived to this day.

The Leonberger is a large stocky dog ​​with a voluminous mane on its head and a black mask on its muzzle. Outwardly, the animal resembles a small lion and looks quite frightening. The growth of males varies from 72 to 80 cm, bitches - from 65 to 75 cm, which puts the breed in the group of the largest dogs. The weight of adults is also impressive, and in large males it can reach 72 kg, in bitches - 60.

The Leonberger's head is quite large and fits the body in the correct proportion, the length of the muzzle is approximately equal to the length of the skull, the stop is expressed smoothly, although it is very clearly visible. On the wide and slightly convex on the sides of the muzzle, the cheekbones are well manifested, and the strong jaws have a set of 42 teeth. The bite of most individuals is scissor-shaped, with a dense overlap of the lower teeth by the upper ones, however, dogs with a straight bite are occasionally found. Leonberger's lips are black pigmented and fit snugly to the teeth. The nose is black and wide, the nostrils are open. Not too large oval eyes are always dark brown and set at the level of the foot. The fleshy triangular ears are set rather high, of medium length and hanging freely.

According to their physique, Leonberger dogs belong to square-format dogs, although they have a somewhat elongated body, the length of which corresponds to the height at the withers as 10: 9. Dogs are well-built and distinguished by well-developed muscles, strong bones, wide and even back, elastic loins. The withers are clearly visible, the chest is deep and wide, the belly is tucked up, the neck has no dewlap and looks slightly elongated. The tail of the Leonberger at rest hangs loosely, rather long, and is set below the line of the body. When the animal is in motion, it rises and bends slightly, but in general it still remains below the line of the back. Long legs on erect joints are parallel, fingers are collected in a strong ball and have sharp claws.

The coat of Leonberger is tough, not prone to disintegration into partings. On the tail, as well as in the region of the head and chest, the length of the hair is much greater than their length in the rest of the body. Separately, it should be said about the color.

However, the yellow-brown individuals, which outwardly very much resembled lions, were of great value. Over time, sandy shades with brown strands were selectively fixed, gray specimens began to be found less and less, and in 1973 they were completely excluded from the main breed standard.

At the moment, according to the classification of the International Cynological Federation, Leonberger belongs to group 2including Pinschers, Schnauzers, Molossians, Alpine and Swiss Cattle dogs, and are members of the Molossian section. The average cost of a puppy that does not have documents confirming the pedigree is 30 thousand rubles, a pet-class puppy - 40 thousand, a breed-class - 45, and a show-class - 50 thousand rubles.

Leonberger dogs are dogs whose frightening appearance hides a kind, calm disposition and phlegmaticness. Dogs are completely devoid of aggressiveness and are absolutely not prone to dominance. The pet will never resist the orders of the owner and fight with him for leadership. In relation to other pets, the dog is very peaceful and good-natured, and will never offend a cat or dog that accidentally wanders into the yard.This is largely due to the complete lack of hunting instinct and gentle nature.

Moreover, Leonberger has a fairly high intelligence, excellent protective qualities and adequately evaluates what is happening around him. In the first place he has a family, for which the dog feels great responsibility. Therefore, if any danger arises, the pet quickly assesses the reality of the outgoing threat, and, if necessary, immediately proceeds to protect the household and protect the household property entrusted to him. In order to repulse the intruder, the dog often does not have to do anything at all, since only the formidable appearance and the impressive size of the shaggy guard make the ill-wishers flee.

Representatives of this breed need human communication, they know how to listen and empathize. If you do not communicate with the dog for a long time, then he can become lethargic and detached, therefore, when deciding to take a Leonberger, this moment must be taken into account. It will not work just to put the dog on a chain and force it to guard the site, since the Leonberger is, first of all, a companion, interlocutor and reliable friend, and only then a guard. Particularly noteworthy is the balance of Leonberger, which allows them to remain calm and calm, even if there is a storm of fun or a noisy event around. As long as nothing threatens its owners, the pet will lie serenely on the sidelines and carefully observe what is happening.

Separately, it is necessary to talk about the attitude of Leonberger towards children. The dog dearly loves its little owners and is ready to endure their endless games and pranks. The dog allows the kids to drag themselves by the tail, fiddle with the ears and climb onto the back, so in such cases, you should worry more about the health of the dog than about the baby. However, you cannot allow a child to openly mock an animal.

It should also be remembered that only adult dogs differ in great love and patience for children. The puppy, having played, can overturn the child or fight back his excessive obsession. Many Leonberger owners note that dogs are kind to all children without exception, including strangers, and every time they see children's tears they try to console the baby.

Thus, Leonberger is ideal for both single person and families with children, and will never let its owners doubt the correct choice of a pet. This is really that rare case when in one dog worldly wisdom and prudence, loyalty and devotion, poise and calmness, sociability and listening skills, as well as high security and guard qualities and love for children are harmoniously combined.

Leonberger people live on average from 9 to 12 years. Representatives of this breed are distinguished by good health and good immunity. However, like other dogs of the Molossian section, they often develop diseases that are associated with high weight. This category of diseases includes dysplasia of the hip and elbow regulations and osteomyelitis - an infectious lesion of bone tissue. Leonberger people often suffer from periostitis - inflammation of the periosteum, arthritis and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Pediatric diseases include conjunctivitis, cataracts, volvulus and skin diseases. Also, there are frequent cases of oncology, Addison's disease - adrenal pathology, and hypothyroidism - a lack of thyroid hormones.

As seen, Leonbergers are prone to a whole bunch of diseases... Disease significantly shortens the life span of the dog and reduces its activity.In order to avoid the appearance of such ailments, the puppy should be purchased in a good nursery, having previously familiarized himself with the medical history of his parents. Such caution, of course, cannot completely rule out the occurrence of these diseases, but it can significantly reduce the risk of their occurrence.

Due to their thick and long coat, reaching 5-6 cm, Leonberger is quite suitable for outdoor keeping. However, due to the high need for dogs to communicate with humans, permanent residence on the street is not suitable for them. An ideal option would be a private house, where the animal will be able to spend some of the time indoors, and at the same time will not be limited in walks. If it is decided to keep the dog in an apartment, then here it should be remembered that due to its large dimensions, it requires space. Leonberger is categorically not suitable for small apartments with small hallways. You should also be aware that the dog needs long, leisurely walks twice a day. Therefore, if there is no one to walk with her every day for several hours, then it is better to opt for some other breed.

If the dog will live in a private house, then in the yard he should arrange a canopy where he can hide from the sun and wait out the rain. It is categorically impossible to put a pet on a chain, since the Leonberger is a companion dog, which should always be near the family, see and hear all its members, and not sit alone on a leash. In addition, there is no need for this: the dog obeys its owners perfectly and will not run to dirty the garden or trample the beds. If there is a need to limit the Leonberger geographically, then you can fence off a large area for him or build a spacious aviary.

Contrary to the expectations of the owners who took the Leonberger for the first time, he eats no more than a shepherd dog. You also need to keep in mind that the portions should not be too large, as the dog should not be overfed. During the period of intensive growth, the puppy is fed 5-6 times a day, upon reaching the age of 4 months, they switch to four meals a day. From 7 months of age - three meals a day, and from 12 months Leonberger is fed twice a day. When calculating portions for dogs living on the street, it should be borne in mind that in winter they should be a quarter more than in summer.

Leonberger's diet should be half of any lean meat: beef, rabbit, poultry or horse meat, you can sometimes use offal instead. The second half should consist of porridge: buckwheat, rice or pearl barley.

The diet should include boiled and fresh vegetables seasoned with vegetable oil, fermented milk products - sour cream and cottage cheese, cartilage and large bones. Bone meal, gelatin and vitamin-mineral complexes should be given as a food supplement. In addition, there should always be fresh drinking water in the bowl.

If it is decided to feed the Leonberger with ready-made feed, then you should choose premium formulations for large breeds., in which vitamins, trace elements and nutrients are strictly balanced and present in the required quantities. The type of nutrition of the puppy should be found out even at the stage of its purchase, and if a decision is made to transfer it to another food, then you need to act very carefully. It should also be remembered that it is strictly forbidden to mix artificial food with natural, and you need to stop at one of them.The list of prohibited foods for dogs includes salty, fried and smoked foods, baked goods, fatty meats, legumes, sweets, small tubular bones, spicy foods and spices.

The Leonberger is considered to be a rather unpretentious breed, but due to its rich coat, it requires a little more attention than smooth-haired brethren. The dog needs regular brushing, which must be done at least 3 times a week. During the molting period, you need to scratch the pet daily, and if the change of fur is very intense, then 2, or even 3 times a day. For this, it is recommended to use both traditional slicker brushes and gloves for combing wool and a furminator. According to the norm, molting occurs twice a year and is seasonal: for the winter, animals “dress up”, and closer to spring, on the contrary, they shed their winter coat and acquire softer and more breathable “clothes”.

However, it is not uncommon for a dog to moult from seasonal to permanent, plunging the owners into slight bewilderment. The reason for this process is the too dry air in the room where the pet lives. In this regard, it is necessary to take effective measures to humidify the room, using air humidifiers for this or installing containers with wet sand and river pebbles. It should also be noted here that Leonberger's down is an excellent raw material for knitting belts, socks and mittens.

The second important step in caring for your Leonberger is to regularly examine your pet's ears, teeth and eyes. The eyes are a problem area for most adults, their condition must be treated very carefully, and often wipe them with tampons soaked in special solutions. Ears also need regular cleaning, which should be done as they become dirty. The length of the claws is checked once a month and clipped if necessary.

The next important point is taking care of the dog's ammunition. It is necessary that the collar, harness, muzzle and leash are always clean. To do this, they are washed with antibacterial agents, and leather products are additionally lubricated with cream.

It should also be noted that Leonbergers are very fond of swimming in open water, and often serve as lifeguards on the beaches. Therefore, if possible, then take the dog out to the river as often as possible. Moreover, active games in the water do not put as much stress on the joints as games on land, but at the same time they strengthen and develop the muscles of the back and limbs much better.

If there is a forest nearby, then after visiting it, the dog is carefully examined for ticks, branches and thorns stuck in the wool, and, if necessary, combed. Vaccinations should also be mentioned separately. Vaccination of the animal must be carried out in strict accordance with the calendar, which will help to avoid many dangerous diseases. Moreover, puppies that do not have the first two shots are not allowed to go outside. Every 3-4 months, as well as 2 weeks before the next vaccination, it is necessary to deworm the pet.

Leonberger dogs are very intelligent and intelligent dogs, so even a beginner can cope with their upbringing. An important point in training will be socialization, which should be started at 3 months of age. The puppy should be introduced to other dogs and trained to walk in busy areas. The dog quickly gets used to a large crowd of people and the noise of vehicles, and soon stops responding to them.

When training a Leonberger, remember that harsh treatment and unfair punishment are unacceptable. The puppy grasps the owner's mood on the fly and tries in every possible way to adapt to it.Many experts agree that the Leonberger is one of the few breeds that does not need to learn certain commands.

If the dog will live in the yard or on the site, then it must immediately clearly define the boundaries of what is permitted, and in a stern voice prohibit approaching, for example, the beds or berry bushes. The same is in the house: the Leonberger must clearly know where he can and where he cannot, because in the future, when the dog reaches its maximum size, knowing his place will help to avoid many problems. The general course of training can be started at 5-6 months. At the same time, communication with the dog should be respectful and calm. There is no need to raise the voice to the puppy, and even more so there is no need to beat him - the pet grasps everything on the fly and remembers the commands almost from the first time. It should also be noted that Leonberger dogs are dogs with a developed sense of justice, therefore shouts and undeserved punishment are perceived by them very sharply.

However, an adult Leonberger sometimes sins by the fact that the owner's on-duty commands, such as “sit” or “lie down,” he can perform for a very long time, in the hope that the owner will change his mind and leave him alone. This quality of character is explained not by laziness or lack of understanding, but only by the natural slowness and imposingness of the breed. But as soon as it comes to any extraordinary situation, Leonberger instantly mobilizes and begins to act according to his ideas about the protection of the owner.

When buying a leonberger in a thoroughbred kennel, the problem with choosing a nickname disappears by itself. Newborns already have a full name, which is compiled taking into account the pedigree and regalia of their ancestors. However, you should not be upset in this case, since long, often consisting of several words, names are well shortened to short and pleasant nicknames. Sometimes it also happens that the breeder determines only the first letter of the nickname, and then it's up to the imagination and preference of the new owner.

When coming up with a name for a Leonberger puppy, it must be borne in mind that a huge animal will grow from a fluffy and funny bear cub, therefore, his nickname must be appropriate. For such a dog, it is better to choose monosyllabic or two-syllable nicknames, such as Bucks, Agor, Marven, Sarmat, and for bitches the names Alma, Vita, Shera, Yanka, Farri are suitable.

It is important that the name is not in tune with common commands. For example, the dog may mistake the nickname Fars for "fas", and the Accord may confuse his name with the command "aport". Such confusion can lead to serious consequences, therefore, the dogs with whom it is supposed to pass the OKD are not called by such names. It should also be understood that the Leonberger is a rather serious dog, and his name must also be serious, so Bagels, Pukhliki, Blueberries and Totoshka are categorically not suitable.

The boy can be called:

• Gold;
• Ador;
• Bart;
• Best;
• Damir;
• Yeras;
• Zhus;
• Zagray;
• Ilmar;
• Craft;
• Kazar;
• Lars;
• Mars;
• Knox;
• Opal;
• Pirate;
• Pilot;
• Roy;
• Aloes;
• Fog;
• Ural;
• Urkhan;
• Forest;
• Farhat;
• Cheran;
• Storm;
• Yutlay;
• Yardis.

For girls, good names would be:

• Bertha;
• Gladys;
• Eve;
• Winter;
• Irma;
• Lima;
• Manon;
• Nancy;
• Pella;
• Russie;
• Tilde;
• Urza;
• Chloe;
• Esta;
• Utah;
• Yassi.

The Leonberger hosts give them an excellent characterization. Almost all of them note a sharp mind and extraordinary cleverness of pets, as well as the absence of aggression not only towards strangers, but even towards neighboring cats.Many people note the strong friendship of the dog with all the children he knows, whom he tirelessly rolls on his back, and participates in all their games and pranks. The owners also like the absence of unjustified aggressiveness, which is due to the rejection of too vicious individuals and their inadmissibility for further breeding. Attention is also paid to the high security and guard qualities, because, despite the good disposition and gentle character, the dogs cope perfectly with the protection of property and owners.

Among the shortcomings, there are huge dimensions and a large amount of wool in the house. Many owners write that with the appearance of such a dog, cleaning has to be done twice a day, and during the period of intensive molting, they do not even let the rag and vacuum cleaner out of their hands. Walking your dog in the rain is also a big problem.

Drooling of pets is also noted, and although their saliva, like, for example, bulldogs, does not constantly flow, such dogs have a habit of shaking off their muzzle after eating and drinking, which makes everything around them splattered with saliva and food debris. Drinking should be said separately: Leonbergers drink very sloppy, sweepingly, periodically raising their heads and shaking their muzzles from the water. Water flows down to the floor in a stream and literally floods everything around. However, these everyday moments pale in front of the dog's charm, intelligence and ingenuity, and are not so critical as to refuse to acquire this noble and original breed.

In the next video, you will find more information about the amazing Leonberger dog breed.