The Leonberger is a large dog breed from Germany, for whose breeding Newfoundland, Bernard and Pyrenean mountain dogs were used. The FCI leads the Leonberger in group 2. Thanks to his stately size and his loud Gebells the Leonberger was a popular watchdog for a long time.
The average life expectancy of the Leonberger is unfortunately only 8 to 9 years. Males reach a size of 72 to 80 centimetres, while bitches reach 65 to 75 centimetres. A male Leonberger weighs between 50 and 70 kilograms. Female animals are somewhat lighter with 45 to 60 kilograms.
The Leonberger's coat is long and forms a conspicuous mane on the chest and neck. As colouring, the breed standard permits among other things sand-coloured, red-brown, lion-yellow and red. The Leonberger should however always show a black mask and black hair-tops.
The physique of the Leonberger is characterized in particular by his oval breast as well as muscular thighs.
Leonberger are regarded as good-natured and calm characters. Noise usually doesn't bother them much, so they are also very suitable for families with children. His balanced character makes the adaptable Leonberger a pleasant contemporary. Aggressiveness is as far away as exaggerated anxiety.
The Leonberger is well suited as a watchdog, but is today first and foremost a popular family dog. In former times he was also used as a working dog for pulling loads and herding farm animals.
The Leonberger is certainly a talented sports dog. In general, however, he prefers to simply spend time outdoors or romp around in the water.
Like many dog breeds, the Leonberger also tends to have some typical diseases. In addition to stomach twists, he often suffers from heart diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
Leonberger also has an increased risk of joint problems. Arthrosis, a chronic disease characterized by excessive wear and tear of the joints, is particularly common.
Like many large dog breeds, the Leonberger is also prone to the formation of so-called lying calluses.
In order to support the health and vitality of the Leonberger, he should be fed with high-quality, special food. It is important to ensure an optimal nutrient supply and to cover the high energy requirements of the large and heavy dogs. In order to avoid overweight, however, various factors such as the weight, age and activities of the animal must be taken into account during rationing.
Due to the increased occurrence of dilatative cardiomyopathy, sufficient taurine content in the feed should also be considered. In addition, we recommend regular dietary supplements with Bellfor Gelenke & Knochen (Joints & Bones) to prevent osteoarthritis.
If your dog has recumbent calluses, they can be effectively treated with a combination of Bellfor Haut & Fell (Skin & Coat) and Pfotenschutzsalbe (Paw Protection Ointment).
Bellfor's nutrition concept supports the development of your Leonberger from an early age.