Among the many breeds of dogs, one stands out for its majestic appearance and impressive size. We are talking about the Leonberger dog breed. This powerful dog is known not only for its impressive appearance, but also for its friendly and gentle character. In this article we will take a closer look at this unique dog, describe its appearance, character, skills, upbringing and many other interesting facts about the Leonberger breed.
What do you find in the article?
Leonberger – description and appearance of the breed
Leonberger is a dog of large size and impressive body structure. Males reach a height at the withers of 72 to 80 cm, while bitches are slightly lower, reaching a height of 65 to 75 cm. The weight of an adult dog ranges from 45 to 75 kg, depending on gender and size. A distinctive part of the Leonberger’s appearance is its mane, which gives it a unique look.

Character of the Leonberger dog breed
Leonberger is a dog with an extremely friendly and gentle character. They are dogs that love the company of people and are great with their families. They are very loyal and devoted to their owners, which makes them excellent life companions. Despite their impressive size, Leonbergers are also gentle and affectionate, making them excellent dogs for families with children.
Skills – what should you know?
Leonberger is a breed that has many desirable skills. They are dogs that excel as defense, guard and rescue dogs. Thanks to their intelligence and innate willingness to learn, they are also often used in various dog sports and competitions.
What kind of personality does it have?
Leonberger is a dog with a calm, dignified and stable personality. They tend to be confident, but at the same time non-aggressive. They are dogs that enjoy the presence of other people and animals, so they are often used in therapeutic work as visiting dogs in hospitals and nursing homes.
Leonberger – how to train and raise?
Raising and training a Leonberger requires consistency and patience. They are intelligent dogs that respond well to positive motivation and rewards. It is important to start training at an early age to ensure proper development and a well-rounded foundation in obedience. Because of their size and strength, it is also important to provide proper training related to leash walking and obedience of basic commands.
Who is the Leonberger suitable for?
Leonberger is a dog that is best suited to a family. They are dogs that need a lot of attention and time spent with their owner. Due to their impressive size, Leonberger is not recommended for people living in small apartments. They feel perfectly at home with a garden, where they have enough space to run and play. They are also suitable for active people who are willing to give them the right amount of physical and mental activity.
Leonberger – price
The price of a Leonberger dog can vary depending on a number of factors, such as origin, breeding lines, reputation of the breeder, etc. On average, you can expect the cost of buying a Leonberger puppy to be between 4,000 and 8,000 zlotys. However, it is worth remembering that the costs associated with owning a dog of this breed do not end with the purchase. You should also consider the costs associated with feeding, veterinary care, insurance and any other needs of the dog.

Advantages and disadvantages
Disadvantages
- Size and space: Leonbergers are large dogs that need adequate space to move around. They may not be suitable for people living in small apartments or without access to a garden. They also require regular physical activity, such as long walks and time to run freely.
- Hairiness: The Leonberger has dense fur that sheds heavily. During periods of shedding, frequent combing and removal of dead hair is necessary. This may require more effort and time spent grooming the coat.
- Susceptibility to Health Problems: Like many large dog breeds, the Leonberger can be susceptible to certain health problems, such as joint dysplasia, heart problems, digestive tract problems and cancer. Owners should be aware of these potential problems and regularly monitor their dog’s health through regular visits to the vet.
Advantages of
- Mild temperament: Leonbergers are dogs with an extremely gentle and friendly nature. They are known for their patience and gentleness, especially when dealing with children. They make excellent family companions who form strong emotional bonds with their owners.
- Loyalty and devotion: Leonbergers are dogs that are extremely devoted to their owners and family. They enjoy spending time in the company of people and long for their closeness. They are sociable dogs who enjoy being part of the family and participating in all activities.
- Friendliness towards other animals: Despite their imposing appearance and strength, Leonbergers tend to be friendly and tolerant of other animals. They often get along well with other dogs and are gentle with small pets.
- Swimming skills: the Leonberger is a well-known swimming dog. They have natural swimming abilities and are often excellent companions for water activities such as swimming and water play.
- Intelligence and willingness to cooperate: Leonbergers are intelligent dogs that are eager to learn and cooperate. They are capable of performing a variety of tasks and are often successful in obedience training and other forms of training
- Excellent family companion: the Leonberger is known as a great family companion. They are friendly, affectionate and protective, making them excellent partners for people of all ages. They are especially gentle with children, making them ideal companions for playtime and adventures.
- Rescue skills: Due to their strength, balance and swimming skills, Leonberger are often used in water rescue operations. They are ideally suited for search and rescue operations, making them valuable helpers in emergency situations.
- Balanced temperament: Leonbergers are dogs with a stable and balanced temperament. They are calm, confident and not prone to excessive nervousness. This makes them easy to handle and they do well in a variety of situations, both in the company of other animals and among crowds of people.
Leonberger – health, diseases and grooming
Nutrition
Proper nutrition is extremely important for the health and well-being of the Leonberger. It is advisable to feed the dog a high-quality dry or wet food, adapted to its age, size and activity level. It is also important to monitor the dog’s weight and adjust the amount of food to avoid overweight problems, which can stress the joints and lead to other serious conditions.
Grooming
The Leonberger has beautiful, dense fur that requires regular grooming. Regular combing is necessary, especially during the moulting season, to remove dead hair and prevent it from curling and forming tangles. In addition, the dog’s ears should be checked and cleaned regularly, also trimming the claws if they are too long.
Diseases
Like many large dog breeds, the Leonberger can be prone to certain genetic diseases and health problems. One of the most serious is hip and elbow dysplasia, which can lead to mobility difficulties and pain. Other diseases that Leonberger may be associated with include myelodysplasia, cancer, heart disease and eye conditions. Regular checkups with the vet and proper health care can help prevent and detect these diseases earlier.
Accessories and equipment, or how to prepare for this breed?
Getting ready to own a Leonberger dog requires the right equipment and accessories. Due to their size and needs, it is important to provide a large enough bed and sleeping area that will provide a comfortable and convenient place for the dog to rest. Since Leonberger have dense fur, it’s a good idea to have the right brushes and combs ready to groom their coat.
Since Leonberger is a large dog breed, it is also worth investing in a sturdy and durable leash and collar. It is important that the leash is sturdy enough to ensure control of the dog during walks. For outdoor activities, you may also want to consider a special harness that evenly distributes the weight of the dog on the chest instead of the neck.
An important part of preparing to own a Leonberger dog is to find a good veterinarian to monitor the dog’s health and perform regular examinations and vaccinations. Regular visits to the vet are key to keeping your dog in good shape and preventing possible diseases.

History of the Leonberger dog:
The history of the Leonberger dog breed dates back to the 19th century and is associated with the German town of Leonberg. The breed was created by Heinrich Essig, who lived in Leonberg and ran a dog kennel. Heinrich Essig had a vision of creating a dog with an impressive appearance, a gentle character and many practical skills.
In the early stages of the breed’s development, Heinrich Essig crossed local defense and guard dogs with other breeds, such as the Saint Bernard, Newfoundland and Pyrenees mountain dog. Through these crosses, he was able to create a dog that met his expectations.
Initially, dogs of this breed were to be used as guard dogs, dogs for pulling carts and dogs for working on farms. However, their impressive appearance and pleasing character attracted the attention of the aristocracy and wealthy city dwellers, who began to treat them as companion dogs.
The development of the Leonberger breed gained momentum thanks to the persistence and passion of Heinrich Essig. It gained popularity among wealthy families in Germany and other European countries. Essig continued selective crossbreeding to obtain the breed’s desirable traits, such as proportional body structure, impressive appearance, strength and gentle character.
The breed quickly gained recognition in Europe, and soon spread to other parts of the world as well. The first Leonberger club was founded in Germany in 1891, and the breed standard was developed in 1895.
Today, the Leonberger is revered around the world as a wonderful family companion. Despite their imposing appearance and size, they are gentle, friendly and devoted dogs to their owners. The breed continues to be bred with attention to maintaining desirable traits such as temperament, health and proportional body structure.
Thanks to the efforts of Heinrich Essig and other breeders, the Leonberger breed has survived and thrived to this day, enjoying popularity among dog lovers around the world. Its unusual appearance, intelligence and wonderful disposition make it a unique dog that wins the hearts of many people.
Leonberger dog pattern
Leonberger dog pattern is a detailed description of the physical characteristics, body structure and temperament that should characterize the ideal representative of this breed. The pattern is the basis for dog breeders and judges when evaluating and assessing the quality of individual dogs.
The Leonberger is an impressive dog with a powerful body structure and elegance. Males reach a height at the withers of 72 to 80 cm, and bitches reach 65 to 75 cm. The body weight of males ranges from 50 to 75 kg, and bitches from 40 to 59 kg. The Leonberger has a well-balanced body, with proportionally placed bones and muscles.
The head of the Leonberger dog is broad, with a pronounced stop and wedge shape. Characteristic features include strong jaws, full lips and black nasal lobes. The eyes are medium-sized, dark and expressing gentleness. The ears are medium sized, close to the head and overhanging.
The Leonberger’s coat is one of its most distinctive features. It is abundant, dense, long and straight, with undercoats. Characteristic is the presence of a mane around the neck and chest, which gives the dog a majestic appearance. Various coat colors are accepted, such as gold, sand, red and brown, with black masking on the muzzle.
The Leonberger has a distinctive way of walking, moving with elegance and confidence. His movement is fluid, energetic and agile, conveying an impression of strength and harmony.
In terms of temperament, the Leonberger should be gentle, confident, balanced and friendly. He should show loyalty and devotion to his family, as well as tolerance towards other animals. Leonberger should be confident but not aggressive, having a stable and calm character.

Leonberger – interesting facts about the breed:
Leonberger is a dog breed that has many interesting curiosities related to both its history and its characteristics. Here are some fascinating facts about this breed:
- Combination of breeds: the Leonberger was created by combining several different breeds, such as the Saint Bernard, Newfoundland and Pyrenees mountain dog. This unique combination influenced the Leonberger’s appearance and temperament.
- Origin of the name: The breed was named after the German town of Leonberg, where it was created. Heinrich Essig, the breed’s creator, named the dog after his hometown.
- Dogs among celebrities: The Leonberger has also gained popularity among celebrities. Napoleon III and Otto von Bismarck, among others, were known to own dogs of this breed.
- Excellent swimming skills: the Leonberger is known for its excellent swimming skills. They have exceptionally well-developed paws that make them great swimmers and are often used in water rescue.
- Numerous vocations: In the past, Leonbergers have been used in a variety of vocations, such as firefighting dog, wagon pulling dog, timber pulling dog and sled driving dog. Their strength, stamina and skill made them indispensable in many jobs.
- The breed’s calling card: The Leonberger’s impressive appearance and majestic appearance make them a frequent choice for dog shows and dog competitions.
- Affectionate and caring: Leonbergers are dogs that are known for their affection and caring attitude. They make wonderful companions and are often paired with entire families, showing exceptional loyalty and devotion.
- Endangered breed: Although the Leonberger is prized and popular, the breed was endangered during World War I and World War II. Many dogs were lost and breeding was difficult during the period of hardship. However, thanks to the efforts of breeders and dog lovers, the breed’s population has been restored.
Emily Carter is an experienced pet enthusiast and writer, with over a decade of experience caring for and working with animals. From her early days volunteering at animal shelters to becoming a pet care advisor, Emily has dedicated her life to understanding the unique needs of pets and helping pet owners provide the best possible care for their furry companions. She is especially passionate about topics like pet nutrition, behavior, training, and animal welfare.