As title really- tell me all there is to know!
Thanks
Thanks
Leonburgers- anyone have one?
- Thread starter Dizzydancer
- Start date
Sorry, don't have one but thought it funny you posted as I haven't really heard/seen of these dogs but then saw two at the weekend when we were on a break away. They look like lovely dogs (albeit big!) and certainly seemed extremely happy on the beach 
Obviously that's no help for you but hopefully someone has some more useful information!
Obviously that's no help for you but hopefully someone has some more useful information!
We considered getting one and even went to see a one year old one with a view to buying him, but sadly he wasn't being kept very well and hadn't been socialised. They are lovely dogs with great temperaments, I guess the only downside is the grooming/hair shedding and the cost of purchase, plus the relatively low lifespan of giant breeds.
But they are certainly less extreme in features than lots of breeds and super dogs.
(we ended up with a rescue Doberman in the end!)
Just remembered the other thing that put me off is that there are guidelines re hip scores for breeding and altho the breeders all do the scores, some of them if the dog is well bred enough even if the scores were outside the acceptable guidelines, still seemed to use them for breeding (this was about 5 years ago tho), which I had a big issue with, the breed guidelines said they shouldn't be and then they still did and still won lots of cups etc, so look carefully at parents scores before choosing a pup. Most didn't do this at all, and it might not still happen.
But they are certainly less extreme in features than lots of breeds and super dogs.
(we ended up with a rescue Doberman in the end!)
Just remembered the other thing that put me off is that there are guidelines re hip scores for breeding and altho the breeders all do the scores, some of them if the dog is well bred enough even if the scores were outside the acceptable guidelines, still seemed to use them for breeding (this was about 5 years ago tho), which I had a big issue with, the breed guidelines said they shouldn't be and then they still did and still won lots of cups etc, so look carefully at parents scores before choosing a pup. Most didn't do this at all, and it might not still happen.
Last edited:
My friend has a 4 year old male Leonberger. Nice dog but a bit batty on occasions. I looked at them also but went on alot of advise and got Newfoundlands instead...much nicer all round temperments.
Just do NOT EVER underestimate the amount of hair, dirt and slobber giant breeds can produce...they are truly unreal. Also with Leos you needs yo check if the blood line is free of LPN1 which is a neurological condition. They do have nice temperaments but have found them a little sharper than the Newfies. Price is usually around £1000 so cheaper than a Newfie. Grooming takes alot of work and I would definately recommend getting a blaster dryer for baths/dead coat. Socialising them as pups is a must. They dont eat as much as you would imagine. Walking needs to be done carefully as puppies to avoid joint problems later in life.
What else do you want to know??
Just do NOT EVER underestimate the amount of hair, dirt and slobber giant breeds can produce...they are truly unreal. Also with Leos you needs yo check if the blood line is free of LPN1 which is a neurological condition. They do have nice temperaments but have found them a little sharper than the Newfies. Price is usually around £1000 so cheaper than a Newfie. Grooming takes alot of work and I would definately recommend getting a blaster dryer for baths/dead coat. Socialising them as pups is a must. They dont eat as much as you would imagine. Walking needs to be done carefully as puppies to avoid joint problems later in life.
What else do you want to know??
I have two friends who have just imported two puppies into the country from Hungary. One of them is a bit of an expert having owned and bred her own but when it came to getting a puppy didn't feel she could get a well enough bred one here.
Big boisterous funny silly hard working sensitive loyal and very capable. My friend who has owned bred etc. has done obedience and agility with hers!! Oh and her existing one (not the puppy) is blind and still doing agility!!
Do need good socialising around manners with smaller dogs and animals though as can be a bit OTT.
Big boisterous funny silly hard working sensitive loyal and very capable. My friend who has owned bred etc. has done obedience and agility with hers!! Oh and her existing one (not the puppy) is blind and still doing agility!!
Do need good socialising around manners with smaller dogs and animals though as can be a bit OTT.
- Joined
- 12 March 2010
- Messages
- 13,240
I used to swim one, very big and alot of slobber but a lovely dog. Too big/hairy and slobbery for me!
I met one the other day at the vets, he was sprawled on the floor and seemed to take up half the waiting room. I was there with my big male Dobe and he made him look tiny, he was a lovely looking dog but all that hair I couldnt be doing with that, the owner told me he was in to have his pre op check for his hip so as lachanmarcus said make sure the parents have good hip scores.
. I was there with my big male Dobe and he made him look tiny, he was a lovely looking dog but all that hair I couldnt be doing with that, the owner told me he was in to have his pre op check for his hip so as lachanmarcus said make sure the parents have good hip scores.Thanks guys. Its for my parents we have previously had a bernese and they lost there Newfy 4 months ago now but dad walked into 2 Leos when walking our dog and has fallen in love.
Lovely breeder who is very good from what i read, very careful breeding lines, and she is due a litter in November but has a one year old who my parents may have instead as they don't know if want a pup as such.
They like them as much more energetic than the Newfs in general. Supertrooper from what i have read or seen they don't slobber anywhere near like the Newfs.
Thanks all you have answered all questions i think and with having experience of big dogs moulting etc is not a new concern- as and when they have a New recruit to the family i will add pics!
On plus side my lab adores them!!
Lovely breeder who is very good from what i read, very careful breeding lines, and she is due a litter in November but has a one year old who my parents may have instead as they don't know if want a pup as such.
They like them as much more energetic than the Newfs in general. Supertrooper from what i have read or seen they don't slobber anywhere near like the Newfs.
Thanks all you have answered all questions i think and with having experience of big dogs moulting etc is not a new concern- as and when they have a New recruit to the family i will add pics!
On plus side my lab adores them!!
one thing to watch out for is glaucoma - this is apparently a British genetic fault and not one that is routinely being tested for this is why my friend's dog is blind and why she imported. Apparently she has caused a bit of a stooshy (Scottish word for argument) in trying to highlight this issue amongst British breeders (of which she is one!)
this is why my friend's dog is blind and why she imported. Apparently she has caused a bit of a stooshy (Scottish word for argument) in trying to highlight this issue amongst British breeders (of which she is one!)Oh that's interesting- do the vets check if both parents are clear then or is it a puppy check?
If the dog your parents are interested in is a year old the breeder could have it hip scored so your parents would know the hips are ok. In fact I would imagine a good breeder would want to know the score for herself.
I believe the dog could be tested for potential glaucoma at one year old too. I don't think it a routinely done test here which is what my friend wanted to promote but met huge opposition from a lot of other British breeders who seemed to want to keep their heads in the sand.
Yes MM breeder is takin the dog in this week to be hip and elbow scored and have the neuro test done and a general full mot. I will get my mum to ask for glaucoma test done at same time, if she isn't planning to.
Glaucoma tests or goniogenesis are performed by BVA eye panelists only. It involves testing the pressure in the eye and assessing the angle of drainage. It is a pass or fail tests. A fail does not necessarily mean the dog will go on too develop glaucoma but does increase the chances. The jury is out on the mode of inheritance but until there are further developments the test is the best we have. Flatcoats are one of the breeds that have gonio for all breeding stock. It is a once in a lifetime test. Hope that helps