Leonbergers come from the German town of Leonberg, where they were supposedly bred beginning in the 1830s to resemble the lion on the town crest. In fact, this imposing breed is considered one of the best guard dogs. The first dogs to be called Leonbergers were born in 1846. He wants to love on everyone he meets. There are still dogs who are better then the both of them though. Borzoi Borzoi is a large breed dog that weighs from around 75 to105 pounds. A dry-mouth Great Pyrenees or Leonberger (well sorry to say Leonberger they're VERY expensive!) We had similar dog to a leonberger if we went on a walk in forrest and he would hear something he would get very close to you and protect you. They are generally good with other pets if properly socialized but can be dog aggressive. This breed is steady in the face of a threat. Leonbergers are very good as rescue dogs, jumping out of helicopters to reach drowning victims. Breeds in this group are specialists in their work. Press J to jump to the feed. They are protective of their families and homes, making them an excellent guard and watch dog. Anytime another dog has approached him in a dominant fashion he has either tucked tail and ran or submitted on his back. Leonbergers are considered a healthy breed with an average life expectancy of around seven years. Its thick coat and dense mane was, according to legend, meant to mimic the lion. But in most social situations, they are as sweet as they come and that’s exactly what we were hoping for. Leonberger size. They have been used successfully as flock guard dogs. They’re friendly to strangers. To be clear, I’m not talking about getting guard dog training or looking to make a dog more aggressive , just for a dog that has the size/intelligence/capability to not just bark, but engage in someone intruding into a home/attacking it’s owner? They were primarily bred to be a family … Public healthwise filtered. I think that the biggest thing they have going for them is their size. A lot is personal preference what do you want them to guard, who, and do you want them to be a family dog as well. The Leonberger received American Kennel Club recognition as a member of the Working Group on January 1, 2010, alongside the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Cane Corso. But it would be cool to have a rare dog that many don't … With a good nervous system, strong skeleton is at their disposal. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective; May require training to live with other pets ; May require training to live with kids; Origin. In fact, this imposing breed is considered one of the best guard dogs. Mature males develop a pronounced lion-like mane, adding to their distinguished appearance. Leonbergers are affectionate, have a working attitude, love water, and are playful. They're great with kids, regularly like to patrol the property, don't mind sleeping outside in winter (with adequate shelter), and don't trust strangers but will open up to people you bring over often. Leos are eager to please and are a breeze to train. The town’s mayor, Heinreich Essig, was a dog breeder and is said to have crossed a Landseer Newfoundland with a “Barry” (precursor to the Saint Bernard), and then a Great Pyrenees. I cannot stress this enough. I have had many dogs – mainly mixed breed rescues (*love*). They are an excellent guard dog and can scare any intruder with their sturdy and heavy body. Nova then charged back, but never actually wanted to fight, just to defend the GF (that being said the GSD didn't actually bite either of them). My girlfriend was charged by a GSD while walking our Leo and her first instinct was to run until she seen that the GSD turned towards my GF. This breed doesn't hesitate to protect their territory so the Leonberger can be a good choice if you want an excellent guard dog. In my experience with a few of them, they tend to make a big show about being big and tough. Our dogs are being brought up in affection, a family in our culture. But when something comes at them, they're more likely to run than defend themselves. ... therefore, make sure you take your dog out for a walk for an hour at least daily. Leonbergers are extremely protective guard dogs. Leonbergers are gentle giants – calm, good-natured dogs that get on well with everyone, making them excellent family pets. Physical Characteristics They're great with kids, regularly like to patrol the property, don't mind sleeping outside in winter (with adequate shelter), and don't trust strangers but will open up to people you bring over often. A Great Pyrenees would be my recommendation, if you like Leos but want something more likely to defend your home and family. Keep calm and the Leonberger will take care of unwanted people or animals. It is a cross between a Newfoundland and St Bernard, and a backcross to a Pyrenean Mountain Dog. And, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Leo is also a phenomenal swimmer, which is hard to imagine considering his massive size and dense, thick coat! These friendly and affectionate dogs have a lot of energy and enjoy playing with their two- and four-legged family members. They do not make good kennel dogs and prefer being with their guardians. Working breed dogs were bred to become guard and search and rescue dogs. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. Key Breed FactsBreed CharacteristicsBreed HighlightsIntroductionHistoryAppearanceTemperamentIntelligence / TrainabilityChildren and Other PetsHealthCaring for a LeonbergerGroomingExerciseFeedingAverage Cost to keep/care for a LeonbergerBreed Specific Buying Advice We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. However we’ve never met anyone that we were wary about. Specifically my wife and kids. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. This breed is ideal for a guardian who wants a large, active dog that can be taken hiking, backpacking, sledding, carting and swimming. We achieve superb results with them on exhibitions we use many dogs bred by us for a therapy. Any comments are appreciated! The temperament of Leonberger can be descri… A dog this large is likely to be a deterrent, period. Leonbergers do not do well left alone for long periods. Our boy has put himself between us and a perceived threat. They are active dogs outside and require more exercise than just a walk. They are very sweet but make no mistake, they are very sensitive to their owners’ feelings. Like all canines, exercise, nutrition, parasite prevention, and regular vet exams are key to them living a happy, healthy life. I’ve never had a dog that wouldn’t try to protect its owner if there was a truly serious situation and I’ve no reason to believe that a Leo would be any different. The best dogs for guarding tend to be Mastiff breeds, however. Write to us if our culture was liked. These are not dogs to leave alone for long periods of time or throw in the backyard to live. Leonberger dog breed gets its name from the town of Leonberg in Germany. They are good with children and one of the best dogs for cats. "There's no written record of the origins of the Leonberger," says Ellis, "but it's said that Leos were first bred in the German city of Leonberg, near Stuttgart, in the mid-1800s." Leonberger Breed Facts. I can say with certainty that my 7 month old male Leo has never met a stranger. Guard dog. I’m fairly certain if someone broke into my house, she would try and be their friend. Leonbergers make excellent working dogs but are also calm and affectionate companions. It was the 167th breed to be recognized by the AKC. Leonbergers are very intelligent and trainable, but they can be stubborn. They should also be calm and quiet. They also have webbed feet from He made for a good guard dog, New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the Leonbergers community. Leonbergers have always been bred as companions, making their personality very good as well. They do not bark frequently and are calm dogs that will thrive indoors alongside the family; as long as there is enough space for them within your home they can adapt to a variety of living environments. The best dogs for guarding tend to be Mastiff breeds, however. Anytime we’re near a bear he will stand very erect and it is clear that he is paying attention. These dogs are good house pets because they are not prone to barking and they don’t drool! Yahoo is part of Verizon Media. Bred as farm dogs and family companions, Leonbergers are eager to please and, with their love of children, are wonderful family dogs. I had one and it was the sweetest most docile thing around children and people in the family, that said if it thought you may be in danger or someone was aggressive towards you especially in your home it would not hesitate to protect you. A leonberger is a good dog for guarding however the German Shepard is a GREAT guard dog. Their bark is very intimidating. Dogs from any breed can be good with children based on their past experiences, training on how to get along with kids, and personality. And he’s a wonderful cart-puller too, a sport these dogs still enjoy competitively today. If something would happen he or she would protect you. Well i think so, if I'm not mistaken they are often used as guard dogs. Temperament: The Leonberger is a trustworthy and devoted companion. Let’s start by acknowledging that all dogs are individuals. Pics are always appreciated here. However, she loves everyone so she would not attack anybody who wasn't deterred by the barking. Considering to own a Leonberger puppy and wondering whether a Leonberger can be a good guard dog or if Leonberger Dogs are protective of their owners? They are active dogs outside and require more exercise than just a walk. They are intimidating at the door but mine only bark at squirrels! I’d like to get a family dog that is good with kids but would have the intelligence/instincts to protect my wife/kids if there were an intruder and I am out of the house. Leonbergers are calm and quiet dogs, but they are not lethargic. Leos also make good guard dogs. The Leonberger breed was developed primarily as a family, farm, watch, and draft dog, and as such, today’s Leonbergers are especially well suited as a multipurpose working dog and excellent family companion. The Leonberger dog breed was created in the 1840s to resemble the lion of the Leonberg town crest. However, he is very observant and not much gets past him. In popular culture Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Fortunately, I’ve never had to test this out. Can Leonbergers Be Guard Dogs? Leonbergers are quite large and likely not ideal for small apartment living. 1 Leonberger Breed Facts. The head goes up, chest is out and the bark is low, full, deep. This is a subreddit for all those lucky people who love and are loved by Leonberger Dogs. Leonberger Physical Characteristics. Not a guardian but definitely a deterrent. Brag it up, Leo Lovers! They can learn to bark at intruders very easily. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. It will be the best family dog and companion because it is obedient, fearless, with non-aggressive behavior.Leonberger can work as a guide dog and accompany you everywhere since they are very clever, sociable and obedient. Leonbergers are calm and quiet dogs, but they are not lethargic. You could certainly train them to be guard dogs, but I don't think it is instinctual to most Leos, at least in my experience. Though protective instincts develop at maturity (three to four years) and he becomes more discriminating with strangers, he should never be aggressive. The personality of Leonberger is cheerful, gentle, caring, tender and friendly. Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. Gender is easy to discern due to the either extremely masculine form or gentle, elegant form that the female Leonbergers possess. level 1 dopechief420 The Leonberger has a large, muscular body that appears very balanced and proportional. I own a Great … They can sit and watch a play pen for hours, and love to swim in anything. His deep, imposing bark and confident presence should be enough to deter intruders. Canine Sports: Leonbergers excel at agility trials, cart-pulling, and other competitions; Hiking: Great bonding activity; bonus if you can find a remote area where the dog can be off-leash; When indoors, it's good to give your Leo access to one or more balls or chew-toys that will allow the dog to burn excess energy. The Leonberger, as its name may suggest, is a robust dog originating from Germany. Leonberger dog weight, height and overall size can vary quite a bit depending on gender. We didn’t want an aggressive dog, especially one of this size. However, bloat - where there’s a twisting of the stomach - can affect large dogs, including Leonbergers. My 2 would show strangers into the house if they gave them love or a treat. They do not make good kennel dogs and prefer being with their guardians. I would say no, but I can only speak for my own Leo. Source(s): Leonbergers are also rare, probably expensive. Although a large yard will be good for them, they should not spend all their time outdoors. Although the breed almost went extinct in World War I, it was saved—and thankfully so, as the breed is intelligent, noble, and very loyal. I believe she would attack if someone was directly hurting me or the gf, but wouldn't do more than bark if someone entered the house. Training is imperative!! Leonbergers are very intelligent and trainable, but they can be stubborn. True to their working ancestors, Leonbergers also excel as farm dogs, utilizing their strength and guarding instincts to protect herds, pull carts, and guard property. Leonbergers are a member of the ‘Working’ breed group. As it turned out, the Leo became known as a fantastic swimmer, a great herder and livestock guard. Contents hide. As the story goes, noted politician and professional animal trader Heinrich Essig was hoping to create a dog that resembled the lion on the town's crest by crossing the Newfoundland with a Saint Bernard and a Great Pyrenees (although many surmise the Leonberger must have been made using a wider range of dogs to achieve its unusual looks… They’re also even-tempered and affectionate. They are very intelligent and highly trainable and they absolutely adore children. dogs, making a cuddly companion. But I’m okay with that. My leo will bark like crazy, and it sounds very intimidating. So we will generalize and say “GSDs do this” or “Pitfalls are good at….” but they’re generalizations and there will always be exceptions to the stereotype. 2 Characteristics. According to pet trainers, Leonberger Dogs score out of 5 in the scale of … We have had 2 Leonbergers – currently, we have a 5-month-old 70-pound ball of endless energy bouncing through our home. With Children: Yes. The Leonberger is a loving, steadfast dog who thrives on being made an integral part of the family. would make an excellent guard dog. My Leo never did it until she spent a few weeks with a dog that did and now I'm trying to get her to stop barking at everyone that walks by the house as this is a habit I don't want. Leonbergers are among the few giant breed dogs that do not drool excessively. Mastiff breeds, however goes up, chest is out and the Leonberger, as its name suggest... Outside and require more exercise than just a walk for an hour at least daily dog, especially one the! 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