LEONBERGER

Brief description of the Leonberger breed

Leonbergers are distinguished from many other breeds by a luxurious, quite long medium woolwith well developed undercoat. On the chest, neck, tail and limbs, the coat is especially long. The color of these dogs varies from sandy yellow to red (dark and light shades), there is always a black mask on the muzzle, small white marks may be on the chest and fingers. The head of Leonbergers is massive, somewhat elongated, the transition from the forehead to the muzzle is well expressed. The bridge of the nose is elongated, wide, slightly convex, the pigmentation of the large lobe is black. The eyes are oval, dark or light brown. Ears are thick, hanging, set high. The bite of strong and developed jaws is scissor or straight. The neck is of medium length, strong, without dewlap, smoothly merges into high withers. The chest is wide and deep. The body is long, wide, muscular, sloping in the croup. Belly picked up. The tail is medium set, long. The limbs are straight, very strong and muscular.

When looking at the Leonberger, one feels special to become a dog due to the open look of smart eyes, rather large dimensions and restrained, but friendly behavior towards people. This German dog breed has been loved by many breeders in Russia for almost 30 years. Whereas in Germany Leonbergers have been pleasing the people for 170 years, since 1846, when the breed was recognized.

The official version of the origin of Leonbergers is quite clear and simple. The fact is that the symbol of Leonberg is a black lion depicted on the coat of arms of the city. And the name "Leonberg" itself, translated into Russian, sounds like "lion mountain" (or "mountain of a lion"). In the middle of the 19th century, a member of the city council named Heinrich Essig (part-time breeder and cynologist) decided to create a breed that would be a symbol of the city, therefore, similar to a lion. For several years he has been breeding, crossing St. Bernards and Landseers (black and white Newfoundlands). Then snow-white mountain Pyrenean dogs were brought to work. Puppies born from such unions later participated in inbreeding - closely related crossing. So in 1846, Herr Essig ensured that the city of Leonberg acquired its own living symbol - a large dog of majestic character with a black mask on the muzzle (then colors ranged from light piebald, red to white shades).

Another version in tatters refutes the above. Firstly, Essig did not keep archives, therefore, all evidence of the breeds that participated in the formation of Leonbergers are only stories of contemporaries, overgrown with legends. Secondly, the official version says that the very St. Bernard who was first brought to crossbreeding was a dog named Barry from a local monastery. But the effigy of Barry, kept in the city museum, was made from an animal that died back in 1812, and Herr Essig was born in 1908. So Barry was not the forefather of the Leonbergers. The same version says that Leonbergers are dogs that have lived in Germany almost since the Middle Ages. Allegedly, large shepherd dogs, also called Leonbergers, had long lived on the territory of Leonberg, which had practically disappeared by the 19th century. And the far-sighted G. Essig only carried out work to recreate the breed, finding an individual of the ancient Leonberger, adding to it the blood of Landseers, St. Bernards, Hovawarts, and large Swiss mountain dogs.

Be that as it may, G. Essig did a lot for the Leonbergers. Whether he created the breed according to his own plan, or whether he retained the existing one. It is known that both World Wars significantly affected the number of Leonbergers. And each time it was necessary to carry out the most difficult work so that the Leonbergers did not disappear from the face of the earth, becoming as ephemeral as the lion - the symbol of the city of Leonberg.

Leonbergers are most often purchased as family dogs, guarding plots of private or country houses. And it is they who can easily be called perhaps the best among guard breeds due to the following qualities:

Most lovers of the Leonberger breed note their innate love for children, master's and even strangers. At an early age, dogs breeds they are very playful, but by about a year and a half they become restrained, but they love playing with kids until old age. These dogs are very smart, even rather wise. Unlike most breeds, they can make friends with other pets of the owner without feeling jealous. They do not try to dominate, putting themselves above the owner, which makes it possible to train such a dog even for a person without a steel character. Leonbergers can be distrustful of the offender, so you should never shout and beat them. These animals are by nature very highly developed mentally, so that a stern voice and some coldness of the owner after a misconduct - sufficient punishment for them. Powerful and hardy by nature, leonbergers need reasonable physical activity until a respectable age. Although, if necessary, they can adapt to the calm way of the family. However, it is not recommended to keep them in the apartment or in the yard on a chain.

Leonbergers can live in an apartment, and in a yard aviary. However, when kept outdoors, it is not recommended to keep them on a leash or close the doors of their dwelling so that the dog does not have the opportunity to wander around the site. They need to communicate with people, because the owner and members of his family are the friends of the Leonberger that he needs. These animals are insensitive to natural whims - thick wool protects both from overheating and from cold.

Caring for the Leonberger will require some physical investment from the owner. The coat should be combed out several times a week with a furminator or brushes, slickers for long-haired dogs. Neglecting the combing procedure threatens with inflammation of the skin, and also benefits flea infestations. Bathe Leonbergers twice a year, during periods of molting, hypothermia should be avoided during the procedure. After washing, the dog must be thoroughly dried and combed.

Ears require special attention (clean with a damp cotton wool once or twice a week), eyes, teeth of a dog. Cleansing procedures for the eyes and mouth should ideally be done every day. The nails of Leonbergers are trimmed with a nail clipper twice a month.

As walks, long, moderately active going out twice a day for 1.5–2 hours is not bad. If there is a training ground near the owner's house, then the leonberger will gladly fulfill the master's commands, frolic with tailed friends (puppies that have not been vaccinated from contact with other animals must be isolated). In the summer, the owner can safely take a pet to a pond, river or other body of water, since Leonbergers are excellent swimmers. After water procedures, the dog should be carefully examined, and rinsed at home with running water.

The nutrition of Leonbergers does not differ from the diet of other large dogs. It can be natural food (meat, offal, fish, vegetables, cereals, cottage cheese + vitamins) or ready-made high-quality food for giant and large breeds. Since the Leonbergers are already large enough, the owners, wishing only the best, try to feed them, pour more food into the bowl. This approach is fraught with obesity, and then other health problems. It is best to consult a veterinarian or breeder of the breed from whom the dog was purchased about nutrition.

Such animals delight their owners with active behavior and good health all their lives - 9-12 years. The main weak points for them are the same diseases that are characteristic of most large dogs. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system (dysplasia of the hip and elbow joints, arthritis, periostitis, osteomyelitis); Pproblems of the gastrointestinal tract (volvulus of the stomach or intestines); beye diseases (conjunctivitis, entropion, cataract); aboutoncology (osteosarcoma); bskin diseases (allergy, dermatitis).