Leonberger

Official U.K.C. Breed Standard*

Guardian Dogs Group
  © Copyright 1991, United Kennel Club, Inc.

HISTORY

The Leonberger has been in existence since 1846. Named after the small town of Leonberg, Germany. The Leonberger's origin is credited to the mayor of the town, Herr Heinrich Essig, who lived from 1808 to 1889. Herr Hessig was an avid animal lover who had a particular fondness for very large dogs. It was his goal to breed a dog that resembled the lion that graced the town's crest. After many years of planned breedings, which included the crossings of Landseer Newfoundlands, St. Bernards and Great Pyrenees, the first true Leonberger was born in 1846.

The Leonberger was recognized by the United Kennel Club in March 1991.

CHARACTERISTICS

The breed is loyal, clever, easily taught, very fond of children, and the coat is weatherproof. It is an excellent family dog, and also makes an excellent working farm dog. The Leonberger is particularly fond of water.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

The Leonberger is a large, imposing, strong, muscular, elegant dog of good proportions. He is self-confident, with a lively temperament.

HEAD & SKULL

The powerful head shows much grace and is carried proudly. The skull is slightly domed, though not nearly as domed and wide as the St. Bernard's. The cheekbones are lean. The skull must, in total, look deeper than it is wide. The muzzle is fairly deep, with tight jowls and absolutely no flews, so that the dog does not drool.

NOSE
The bridge of the nose tends to be Roman, with a moderate stop.
Faults: Snipey nose. Dish-faced.

EARS
Well-rounded, medium sized drop ears are set high and close to the head.

MOUTH & TEETH
The point of the muzzle is jet-black. The lips must have full black pigmentation. Strong jaws are furnished with forty-two strong, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite.

EYES
The eyes are light to dark brown, with dark brown preferred. They have an intelligent, friendly appearance. The eyelids close tightly. The conjunctiva of the eyeball is white.
Faults: Eyes like a falcon. Small eyes. Protruding eyes.

NECK

Clean, well-set neck.
Fault: Dewlaps.

BODY

The back is strong and straight, the loins are powerful. The back is slightly longer than the height at the withers. The back is slightly higher at the shoulders than at the hips.

CHEST
The chest is deep, but not too barrel-shaped.

FOREQUARTERS

SHOULDERS
The shoulders are well-angulated and sloping.

FORELEGS
The legs are well-feathered and straight. The elbows lie close to and are slightly above the breast line.

HINDQUARTERS

Dewclaws should be removed.

THIGHS
The thighs should be well-muscled and strong. More bent than straight.
Faults: Cowhocks. Barrel-shaped hind legs.

HIND LEGS
Should be muscular, with good bone. Lap should not be too high.

FEET

The feet are moderately round and tight. The toes are usually webbed, which makes the Leonberger an excellent swimmer. The pads of the feet are black.
Fault: Hare feet.

TAIL

The tail is well-feathered and bushy. It is carried fairly low, and is never rolled over the back or carried too high.

COAT

Medium-soft to rough in texture. Rather long, lying close to the body. Not too wavy. Despite a good undercoat, it should follow the outline of the body. It should always be sleek. Although waviness is allowed, it should never be curly. On the breast and neck there is a beautiful mane, which develops between two and three years of age.

COLOR

Lion-colored. Golden-yellow to red-brown, with black or dark mask. Dark to black tips of the hair are allowed, as are sand colored hairs with darker tips. Lack of mask is allowed, but not desired. A small white patch on the breast and white or light toe tips are accepted.

The color of the tail should be the same ground color as the body coat. Slightly badger-colored tails are allowed.

The mane and feathering on the fore- and hind legs and the underside of the tail may be lighter but should blend well with the main color.
Fault: Lack of mask.

SIZE (Height)

Males - Minimum, 28-1/2". Maximum, 31-1/2". Preferred, 30".
Females - Minimum, 25-1/2". Maximum, 29-1/2". Preferred, 27-1/2".

DISQUALIFICATIONS Bilateral or unilateral cryptorchid. Extreme viciousness or shyness. Brown muzzle. Open corner of mouth. Lips any other color than black. Brown pads. Curly hair.

* NOTE: This information has been contributed by, and is property of The United Kennel Club, Inc. and is gratefully used here with permission.

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