The Leonberger

”It’s funny, I’ve forgotten the names and faces of so many people who’ve touched my life, but I remember every detail of every dog I’ve known. Maybe it’s because they touched my soul”.

Sue Englert

The FCI classification for the Leonberger is Group II Molossoid: Mountain Type

The breed was officialy recognised by the FCI in 1955.

The country of origin is Germany.

The breed standard has been modified four times since 1985, the last one in 1996 is still actual.

The breed was crossed to the Newfoundland, long haired St Bernard and Pyrenien Mountain dog.

The average height of the males at the withers is 72-80cm , females 65-75 cm.

The person to whom we owe this breed to is Heinrich Essig (1808-1889) a town councilor for the city of Leonberg ( which lies in the province of Wurttemberg in the south-east of Germany).

As a town councilor he took great pride in his city, wanting to create a breed similar to the lioness represented on the towns ancient coat of arms.

After many attempts at creating a new breed in 1846 he finally reached a satisfactory effect. He named the puppies from his litter Leonbergers. This gave the begining to a noble and new breed.

The first International Leonberger Club arose in 1895 with its headquarters in Stuttgart.

After the first World war the breed became almost extinct, with only a few dogs surviving.

Thanks to a couple of leonberger enthusiasts the breed was rebuilt.

The first Leonberger imported into Poland after the war was a bitch Bessy von Rulingshof In 1985.

Today the popularity of the breed is steadily rising. The dogs invoke the sympathy and the admiration of those who see a Leonberger for the first time.

 

Ref: The FCI standard and The Leonberger by Guido Perisino.