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Leonberger
The Leonberger has been
compared to a BMW or Mercedes Benz by lovers of the breed, for
it is classy, elegant, and powerful. It has been owned by
royalty in many countries, including Empress Elizabeth of
Austria, Emperor Napoleon II, the King of Belgium, and King
Umberto of Italy.
History:
The Leonberger is a relatively
new breed that originated in Leonberg in Germany. The history
of this breed is unusual in that it wasn't bred to perform any
function except one - to resemble the lion which was the town
symbol. Heinrich Essig was a public figure in the town, as
well as a professional dog breeder. It is thought that he
crossed a large St. Bernard with a Landseer Newfoundland. The
cross was further refined by the input of Great Pyrenees
blood.
In 1846, the first litter that
the breeder deemed worthy of being called the Leonberger was
born. However, it still took several generations to stabilize
the breed. During the two World Wars, the breed declined in
numbers, even though it was being used as a backpack carrier
through the mountains
Physical
characteristics:
The Leonberger is a large,
powerful, but gentle dog. Height: 26 - 31 in (65 - 80 cm).
Weight: 75 - 110 lb (34 - 50 kg). Leonbergers have an
endearing, kindly, intelligent expression, very reminiscent of
the St. Bernard. Their ears are well-feathered with hair and
are medium-sized, falling close to the head. The head is
rather square, with the muzzle the same length as the skull.
The body is slightly longer than the height.
The all-important coat color
ranges from light yellow to red-brown. There are darker
markings on the face and ears, and dark points are allowed on
the tail and chest. The coat is of medium length, with longer
hair on the tail, which reaches to the hock, and on the back
of the legs.
Behavior:
The Leonberger is a classic
gentle giant. This large and powerful animal is slow to anger
and extremely tolerant. When training this magnificent dog, it
is best to use firm and persistent persuasion coupled with
generous praise. The size of the Leonberger may initially make
other dogs shy away, but they soon realize that this is a very
sociable dog. The Leonberger makes a great deterrent to
intruders, as few people would be silly enough to cross this
dog. However, those that know it recognize it as a gentle and
amiable dog.
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